Jennifer, Rachel, Archie and I had a wonderful first Sunday at St. Francis! The energy was high and the Spirit was alive, and it felt like we were being welcomed home. We cannot thank everyone enough for your grace, help and kindness. We are thankful to be here, and look forward to our ministry with St. Francis. 

This Sunday our Gospel reading features Jesus’ teaching on divorce. As a divorced and remarried priest, there’s not a lot I can say about this teaching without it becoming, “Do as He says, not as I’ve done.” Truth be told, this applies to nearly all of Jesus’ teachings, and if thinking something is as bad as actually doing it, then I can only say, “Do as he says, not as I’ve done.” At the beginning of our service, we say the collect of purity, where we ask God to, “Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit.” In other words, make us a clean slate for this service, so we can hear your words and not say, “Well, it’s too late for that, I’ve already messed up.” In addition to the collect of purity, I think it would be helpful to read a collect of honesty, saying that we are all broken, lost, and in need of redemption. Which is actually what we do when we confess; “we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed.” That line alone covers every sin we could possibly commit. 

This week Jesus teaches us that divorce is bad and that it causes women who remarry to become adulterers. I don't know anyone who has gone through a divorce who would disagree with it being bad. As for not allowing women to remarry, that has little to do with love and much to do with women being property. It’s a good and safe thing to drop, along with Paul’s rule that women wear hats and stay silent while in church. God takes our brokenness - and when we allow it- turns it into something new and beautiful. God took our pride, envy and wickedness and used it to reconcile the world to Christ. God took the cross, an instrument of torture and death, and transformed into a symbol of love and devotion. We come to church not because we’re good, but because we’re broken - and deep down, everyone knows that they are broken. But we need to know and be reminded that we are loved, and that through Christ, we are made new and whole once again. To paraphrase one of my favorite priests, “I’m not ok. You’re not ok. But it’s ok.” 

I’ll see y’all Sunday. 

Jason+

Rector, St. Francis Episcopal Church

Did you realize that Ash Wednesday is just 2 weeks away - on February 22! For 2023 we have familiar practices for you PLUS a new way to honor the full meaning of Shrove Tuesday (fear not - there will still be pancakes!).

Come to a short and simple service of Healing and Reconciliation, at 5:00pm in the Chapel followed by a fun-filled pancake supper at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall.

Rev. Jason explains - 'Shrove is the past tense of the word shrive; it means to be absolved of one’s sins. We are shriven the day before Lent, in order that we may begin Lent as pure as possible. Lent is a season of preparation, a time for us to prepare for the betrayal, death, and resurrection of our Lord. We begin Lent by acknowledging not only our sinful nature, but our mortality and complete dependence on God. So how did pancakes get mixed up into all of this?' Read more here...

12:00pm – Liturgy of the Word and imposition of ashes in the Chapel.

6:00pm – Full service, with imposition of ashes.

Our much-loved Parish Lenten Devotional will be available again this year. Entirely written by members of our church community, there is a devotional for each day in Lent, based on the lectionary scriptures of the day. Print copies will be available from next Sunday—February 19, and will also be distributed electronically via our enews and on our website.

More details to come on the above, but as is our tradition, our Friars (mens’ group) will be preparing a delicious home-made supper, before a program which this year will be led by Rev. Jason. 

A great time was had last Saturday at St. Teresa's New Chinese New Year celebration! See photos and video on our Facebook page here.

Thank you to all who helped, contributed and attended!

After several cancellations, we are pleased to announce that St. Francis will host the 52nd Annual Palos Verdes Antiques Show and Sale June 1-3, with an Opening Night Party on Wednesday evening, May 31. Over the past 50 years, the annual Antiques Show has raised more than a half million dollars that has supported the Mission and Outreach Ministries of St. Francis Parish. This show is one of the longest-running charity antiques shows in California. Produced by the Episcopal Church Women of St. Francis Church, the Show is run and staffed by parishioners and volunteers. Come to the meeting to hear our ideas, share your own or just find out how you can help!

Click here for The Episcopal News Update 

8:00 a.m. - Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with hymns. This service is not live-streamed.

10:00 a.m. - Rite II in-person worship in the main church with music. Live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and available for watching later.

Please contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.

A spiritual mind and body practice!

Parish Hall. No set fees - classes are free-will offering. Questions? Jill Fenske

Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in our church sanctuary; masks optional. Please join us for meditation, followed by a time of conversation.

Contact - Susie Zimmerman

It's quick and easy to sign up - just pick a day. More than one person or household can sign up on the same day, so you don't have to be on your own.

Bring your children to Sunday School for our wonderful Montessori-based, Godly Play curriculum.

Godly Play makes meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. You and your children will be blessed by these teachings.

Contact Kristina Pelá.

Need someone's email, or even map directions to their home?

Go to https://servantkeeper.com/directory/sfc/login

The password is Romans12:4-5

Bookmark the link on your phone or computer and let your browser save the password and you will always be up to date with information!

We are here to do our best to help you with whatever you may need. We know circumstances can be difficult at any time. For help of any kind, or just a phone call, please email or call Jason+ .

310-594-7984

Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.

Office main line - 310 375 4617

The Rev. Jason Shelby 310-594-7984 - Rector

Mark Bennett 310-594-7416 - Director of Music

Claire Erbeznik 310-375-4617 - Office Administrator & Receptionist

Susan Marshall 310-594-8427 - Communications Specialist

Elaine Mistele 310-594-8268 - Business Manager