In last Sunday’s reading from Acts, Stephen is hauled outside by an angry mob and stoned to death. This was after he was brought before the high priest to answer the many false charges brought against him, charges brought because people were jealous of all the great things he was doing. Instead of answering the charges, Stephen recounted salvation history for those gathered around him, telling them that they were awful and didn’t do what God commanded them to do (in so many words). So they kill him.  

Just before he died, Stephen said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” This is very similar (some might even say a textual echo) to what Jesus said on the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

In both cases, Stephen and Jesus are not forgiving their attackers, but rather asking that God the Father or God the Son forgive them. This isn’t to say that Jesus didn’t forgive the sins of those who killed Him; He has forgiven the sins of all people, so long as they recognize that they need forgiveness. 

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we are called to do, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those…” Sometimes we aren’t ready to forgive. But asking Jesus or God to forgive those who have hurt us can act as a bridge to get us to a place where we can contemplate forgiveness and then begin to practice it. It may take 539 (7x77) times to forgive someone, literally saying to ourselves or God, “I forgive him for not admitting that he was wrong,” over and over, until finally, we can let it go. 

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s possible, and it’s something that all of us have been freely given; it is one of the surest ways we can be like our creator and redeemer, and in the long run, we will be better for it. As we let go of each hurt, slight or wound that we’ve held on to for far too long our hearts and souls will become lighter, and our capacity to love and trust will grow larger.

We are created to love, not to be embittered or spiteful; when we do as we were created to, our lives become better, and our world becomes richer.  

Rector, St. Francis Episcopal Church

May 4: Star Wars day! Several meetings with parishioners; worked on e-news; admin tasks.

May 5: Day off; worked on homily for Sunday.

May 6: Day off.

May 7: Sunday services; pastoral meeting.

May 8: Admin tasks; prepared funeral bulletin for Friday’s service; spoke with two different families about their children getting baptized at St. Francis (new families!).  

May 9: Took most of the day off to tend to errands at home (getting a new driver's license).  

May 10: Pastoral visit; spent much of the day preparing for a meeting at PVE City Hall; met with family to discuss final preparations for funeral service; went to PVE Planning Commission and Council meeting. 

Click on this link to schedule either an individual or group meeting with Jason+.

Celebrate all the amazing women in your life this Sunday.

We also pray for those for whom this day brings pain instead of joy. You are not alone.

And at coffee hour - enjoy our traditional cinnamon buns - lovingly prepared from scratch by our Men's Ministry - the Friars.

Our parish provides breakfast for 120 people on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months. To fulfill this obligation, we need at least 10 people at the St. Francis kitchen from 4-6 on the Friday night before to prepare the food. We also need at least eight people at St. Luke's on Saturday morning from 7:15 to about 9:30.

Please consider helping out! Our next event is on May 20, with preparation happening on Friday, May 19. If you can't help in May, keep these dates in mind:

Email Gayle Taylor, Minister for Outreach with your interest and availability. This is a wonderful ministry and a great chance to serve others as Christ served.

After a 4 year hiatus the Antiques Show is back! The Show is the fundraiser of the ECW and funds raised from the Show benefit ALL aspects of the parish from a large pledge of between $10,000 & $15,000 to the parish itself and then donations made to outreach, child care, kitchen supplies, Camp Stevens, St. Luke's Homeless Program and so much more!

The Opening Night party celebrating our "Homecoming" will be Wednesday May 31 from 6 - 9pm! Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Always a very fun evening! Pickup your invitations this Sunday after church or watch for it in your mailbox!

Buy an Ad! for our beautiful Show Program. A 1/4 page is $35.00, 1/2 page is $60.00 and a full page is $100.00. Advertise your business, congratulatory wishes or honor a loved one! Please contact Karin Petersen or Wendy Pratt.

There are many opportunities (sitting or standing) to give your time during the week of May 30-June 3. Call Anna Eakins (310 297-0701) and she will offer you options. No prior experience necessary. YOU can be a part of this parish fundraiser that helps contribute to so many worthy projects for the parish and outside organizations.

Donations for the Opening Night Gala Silent Auction — Have you got theater or concert tickets, gift certificates to good restaurants, or access to a vacation cabin? Have you got some fine collectibles that you might wish to part with? Be creative and think of something wonderful you could donate! Contact Gayle Taylor with questions. 

Make a batch of your family’s favorite recipe!

Label it with its name and any ingredient information (nuts, gluten-free etc). We will do the final packaging. Items can be delivered to the end room on the patio level, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 3, before noon if possible.

If you are able to help with packaging or cashiering, please contact Gloria Jones, 310 375-8916 and leave your name and phone number.

GLEAM is part of LA Diocese's LGBTQ Ministry. They provide opportunities for fellowship, evangelism, education and spiritual growth. Look out for events, programs and projects including diocesan presence at Southland gay pride events.

Right now - Save the Date for the Annual Garden Party on Sunday, May 21, in the gardens of the Pasadena home of Bishop John Taylor and Canon Kathy O'Connor.

Palos Verdes Archivist Monique Sugimoto is organizing this event to mark the 100th Anniversary of the "Real Estate Rally" that took place in Malaga Cove on June 17th, 1923.

The event will highlight several historical buildings in PV, and our St. Francis chapel is among those that will be featured.

Of course this is a fantastic opportunity for St. Francis to not only share the history of our chapel, but to also highlight our community of faith, through what we have to offer present-day through our church services and various ministries! We have a team of people collecting and creating literature to distribute, refreshments to serve, and docents to share our Chapel's many stories. Watch our enews updates to learn more.

You can also learn more here.

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. Followed by coffee hour for fellowship and community. We have an active Welcoming team so if you're a new visitor we promise we won't leave you alone, staring at your shoes!

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. Please join us for meditation, followed by a time of conversation.

Contact - Susie Zimmerman

To volunteer to help one week after the 10am worship service, see the sign-up sheet at Sunday coffee hour.

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

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!

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