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Monday, Nov. 25 –
6:00 pm St. Anne's Meeting
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday, Nov. 26 – 7:00 pm Taizé Service and Reception
Wednesday, Nov. 27
10:00 am Healing & Reconciliation Holy Eucharist
11:00 am Good Grief Support Group
Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Day, church office closed
1:00 pm Quilters and Knitters Group
Friday, Nov. 29 – Thanksgiving break, church office closed
Sunday, Dec. 1 – First Sunday of Advent
9:10 am "Who is Jesus?" Spiritual Formation class
11:30 am Choir Rehearsal
Monday, Dec. 2
6:30 pm Concert - Choir Rehearsal
7:30 pm Sunday Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday, Dec. 3 – 12:30 pm SAGES Bunco Bash
Wednesday, Dec. 4
10:00 am Healing & Reconciliation Holy Eucharist
10:00 am Blue Bin Sorting
5:00 pm Good Grief Support Group
6:00 pm Nurture Group Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 5
1:00 pm Quilters and Knitters Group
For more events, visit our calendar.
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Stewardship by the Numbers: Part 4 | |
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St Francis has three categories of funds that monies collected or gifted falls into. The first two, Operating Receipts and Investment Funds have been covered in the last two articles. Today we are focusing on the third, Restricted Funds. As the name describes, Restricted Funds are monies collected or given for a specific purpose, and are kept in individual funds until they are needed.
St Francis has dozens of restricted funds, and ~75% of them are less than $5K each. A few examples of these smaller accounts: Military Outreach, used to support sending boxes to service men and women and for buying and transporting items to Camp Pendleton. Garden Angels, used to maintain the gardens on our large campus. Sages, used to support programming for the Sages Group.
We also have several large funds that have been set up to accumulate funding to cover large expenditures, or to ensure we have a reserve when repairs are required. The Rummage Sale’s charter is to raise money for repairs on our 70-year-old campus. We need to repair the parish hall roof, and the Rummage Sale restricted fund will be covering that expense. We have funds set up to cover repairs and maintenance to the buildings we lease out to Town and Country (the education building) and to the Shelby Family (the rectory). This year the Rectory Fund replaced the windows at the Rectory, and the Town and Country Fund replaced the water heater in the education building as well as plumbing issues throughout the year. There have also been generous donations to support the repair and maintenance of our organs. These funds are necessary as our Annual Operating Budget could never cover these major expenses.
Memorial Funds are an additional category of Restricted Funds. These dollars or gifts, are given in memory of a deceased Parishioner or loved one. Some of these gifts have restricted uses, such as a gift given specifically to be used to maintain the Chapel. Some memorial gifts are donated to the Operations Endowment. How and when a memorial gift will be used is discussed with the family when the gift is initiated.
As we stated in the article about investments, our Restricted Funds create a positive cash position for the Parish, which we invest in short-term, liquid vehicles. In this way, we are making good use of the dollars as they wait to be used as the givers intended.
While we are blessed to have such a robust Financial Portfolio, we have also shared that we are rebuilding from our post-Covid position. We are excited about the growth in attendance, and the growth in income, but we are still a long way from pre-Covid numbers. We are at our lowest staff and Clergy position in over 20 years, probably longer, and look forward to being able to hire some additional resources to help us achieve our Vision. Jason shared that we hope to bring on an Associate Rector in 2025. To do that we need to know what to expect for Operating Receipts next year. Please return your pledge card. The Business Manager and Finance Committee need to build the budget for 2025, and your pledge card is the first, necessary, step. As always, if there are questions, please feel free to ask any Vestry member. Thank you!
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Christmas Cookie Coffee Hour | |
Dust off your cookie cutters and get out your grandma's recipe box. It's time for the St. Francis and Wayfarer's Chapel Annual Christmas Cookie Coffee Hour. Please bring a dozen or two of your favorite holiday cookies for coffee hour on Sunday, December 15. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the holidays together. We look forward to sampling all of your cookies before Santa gets a hold of them. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jennifer Sams at 310-749-5819 or ajsams@verizon.net. Ho! Ho! Ho! | |
Advent Sunday Breakfast
and Wreath Making Event | |
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Sunday, December 8 after the 10 am service.
All families and parishioners are invited to our annual Advent Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, December 8th after the 10 am service in the Parish Hall. The Friars and volunteers from Wayfarers Chapel will be making a wonderful brunch! So plan to come for delicious food and fellowship!
We will also be making Advent Wreaths on this day so you may continue your celebration of the season in your home. Many of you have made wreaths in past years and may have the foam or metal wreath rings in your garage or storage. In the spirit of reuse, we encourage you to bring your wreath rings, and any gently used candles, to create your arrangement this year. We will provide plenty of fresh greens, pipe cleaners, wire and scissors for your use. And if you don't have a wreath ring at home, we will have extras on hand for you to start your tradition!
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Rector's Reflection
Thanksgiving
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When I was growing up we celebrated Thanksgiving at my grammy’s house. Grammy would make the turkey, stuffing (not dressing), mashed potatoes, and at least three pumpkin pies. My aunt Susan would make sweet potato casserole and bring two-liter bottles of K-Mart brand soda; my mom always made a mincemeat pie, and my dad made creamed onions. There were also rolls, corn (because Indiana requires it be on the table for every large meal) and cranberry sauce, in the shape of the can but also in relish form. At some point my mom also started bringing a green bean casserole and shrimp cocktail appetizer. Grammy would also put out celery sticks and black olives in cut glass crystal serving dishes. There were bottles of wine, cans of beer and pitchers full of water. All of the napkins were cloth and we ate with silver silverware. Every year grammy would dim the lights before dinner started, Susan would bring them back up after the prayer, and then they would have the same argument about ambience vs. being able to see. Grammy would also have coffee brewing in the industrial-sized percolator while we ate dinner, though only three people drank coffee with their pie. She went to an incredible amount of effort to create the perfect meal for her family; it was her way of expressing her love. It wasn’t just that she wanted it to look good (though that was part of it); it was that she believed that everyone at the table was worth the effort.
I sat next to my aunt Susan every year and she made me try everything on the table. The only thing I didn’t like were the creamed onions, but every year I had to eat one creamed, pearl onion. It became a tradition, so much so that when I was 19 I didn’t put one on my plate, expecting to have the usual tussle with my aunt. She didn’t notice that I didn’t have an onion, and I said in a slightly injured voice, “Well don’t you care that I don’t have an onion?” Susan looked at me and said, “Jason, you’re an adult. You can eat what you want. You’ve tried onions for at least the last ten years and you still don’t like them. But you don’t make a face about them any more either, or say, ‘Oh, these are so gross, why would anyone ever eat these?’” In her way, Susan taught me to be grateful for what was provided and to not insult our host (her mom) by complaining loudly about the food.
Thanksgiving is the only holiday I get to spend in Indiana, as we stay here for Independence Day and I’m stuck at work for the rest. Thanksgiving moved from Grammy’s to my parents house at least ten years ago. Many of the people who were once at the table have gone on to their reward, while many more are at my parent’s table who never experienced the Norman Rockwell-esque charm of Grammy’s grand dinners. The work is spread out more evenly now; one brother-in-law smokes the turkey and makes mashed potatoes, another brings deviled eggs (a wonderful addition!), and my mom still makes her green bean casserole and mincemeat pie. Jennifer also makes at least one pie, if not two or three. It’s crowded, chaotic, and wonderful. It’s different from Grammy’s but the spirit is still the same: everyone there is worth the effort it takes to put on an amazing meal. Everyone there is moved by love.
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Fr. Jason's Week in Review | |
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November 15: Prepared for off- site wedding; finalized bulletins, went through service, made sure vestments were ready; made pastoral phone call.
November 16: Celebrated the wedding of Erica Capelino and Christopher Howe. It was an outdoor wedding on a beautiful, crystal clear day. After the wedding we went to the PV High production of Clue, staring St Francis’ very own Reese Lynch. It was a wonderful day spent celebrating with parishioners.
November 17: Sunday services; we had 28 at 8am and 101 at 10am. The later service was full of joyous children! We had the lectionary study group afterward, with some great discussion about eschatology.
November 18: Met with Senior Warden; read to two classes at Town and Country; admin tasks; follow up visit at dentist; caught up on email.
November 19: Stayed home with Archie who had a stomach bug; admin tasks; finance meeting; vestry meeting.
November 20: Healing service; met with the Rev. Dr. David Brown to finalize use agreement for Wayfarers using the chapel; admin tasks.
November 21: Admin tasks; pastoral visit; met parishioner for coffee; prepared for trip to Indiana.
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Spiritual Formation:
Who is Jesus? | |
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Each Sunday, Dec. 1 to Mar. 30 at 9:10 AM | St. Francis Library
Have you ever wondered about Jesus? Are you questioning and inquiring, curious, or perhaps, doubtful of Jesus and what he is saying? Ever wonder what Jesus may really be saying to us? Where did Jesus come from?
Inquirers, seekers, those wondering about baptism or confirmation, and those seeking a deeper connection to something beyond ourselves: all are invited to conversations about Jesus on Sundays between services in the St. Francis Library.
Conversations will be based on our Sunday readings and we will meet Sundays at 9:10-ish to 9:45am. We will begin on the first Sunday of Advent and continue through the Sunday before Holy Week.
Please contact me, Deacon Celeste, at 310-913-1069 or email at cstump@thecanterbury.org. to RSVP or to answer any questions. I look for to speaking and meeting with you.
Peace,
Deacon Celeste
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Special 25% discount tickets for the St. Francis Episcopal Church community.
Use Promo Code SFE25 (case sensitive) Enter code before selecting seats
There is no better way to experience the sounds of the holiday season than to be surrounded by the a cappella voices of the Catalyst Chamber Ensemble. You will be immersed in warm candlelight, exquisite harmonies, and the melodies we all hold so dear. The crystalline sound created by the voices of Catalyst will have you closing your eyes and dreaming of the beauties of Christmas.
For questions or more information, contact the box office at 562-900-2863
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Get Involved at St. Francis | |
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Good Grief Loss Support Group: Alternating Wednesday mornings (11 am to noon) and evenings (5 pm to 6 pm) in the St. Francis Library. For people suffering loss of any kind including death, divorce, loss of health due to an illness or accident, etc.
Men’s Corner: Monthly for dinner at Corner Bakery. Contact Ed Hinz (kn6jn@yahoo.com).
Nurture Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month to have a simple dinner and discuss a spiritual topic in a non-judgmental and open way. Next meeting is December 4 at 6 p.m. at the home of Blair Hinz. Please contact Susan Egan if you wish to attend.
Quilting and Knitting Group: Thursdays at 1 pm in the Board Room. Contact: Anna Eakins (annatkozaki@gmail.com).
SAGES (Senior Adult Group of Episcopalians): Group outings, social gatherings, guest speakers, and more. Contact: Kristina Pela (krab3@yahoo.com).
St. Anne’s Guild: Meets on the 4th Monday of Sept-June at 6pm. Join us for fellowship, plan church events (like the Rummage Sale and Antiques Show), potluck dinners, and our Christmas charity event! Contact Anna Eakins.
St. Teresa’s Guild: Meet a few times a year to raise money for charities that support women and children through dues and our famous Chinese New Year event. Contact: Robin Pano.
Friars: Meets as needed to cook meals for Parish events (e.g. Lenten Suppers). Contact: Dick Briggs.
Yoga: All Levels Hatha Yoga for Strength and Mobility: Mondays, 11 am to 12:30 pm. All Levels Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance: Wednesdays, 9am to 10:30 am. Contact: Jill Lynch (jillfenskelynch@gmail.com).
Download our 2024 Get Connected booklet (PDF) for a list of all our ministries and small groups.
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Consider making a donation of altar flowers in honor of a special occasion or in memory
of someone you love. (The suggested donation is $50.) Contact Jessica Salazar in the church office at 310-375-4617 or by email.
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Each week we change the photo in the header of this weekly email newsletter. But we need more up-to-date photos... Get your photo featured! You can submit your photos of the St. Francis campus, events, and people to us at social@stfrancispalosverdes.org for consideration. We'll even run your name as a photo credit. So get snapping—we can't wait to see what you create! | |
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Liturgy and Worship
Sundays at 8:00 am
Holy Eucharist Rite I with hymns in the Chapel.
Sundays at 10:00 am
Holy Eucharist Rite II with choir and music in the main church.
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Healing & Reconciliation Holy Eucharist Rite II with hymns in the Chapel.
Taizé: Last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm
A meditative service of music and prayer in the Chapel. (No communion.)
For other worship services and parish events, visit our calendar.
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Livestream Worship and Sermons Online
We livestream Sunday 10am worship on Facebook and YouTube. You can view past sermons or entire livestreams on our YouTube channel.
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Nursery School and Sunday School
Sunday school for children in kindergarten through fifth grade will be held in the Parish Hall from 9:50 am to 10:40 am (ish ... the kids typically come in at the Peace). There is a nursery for children 6 months to 5 years old.
Contact: Kristina Pelá
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Pastoral Care
In need of prayer? Send prayer requests to Fr. Jason.
Contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.
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Parish Directory
Our directory is available online. If you need the password, contact the church office or email Jessica Salazar.
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Calendar of Events
All of our worship services, events, and small groups are listed on our church calendar.
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Communications
and Notices
Please send all notices you wish to be included in the enews or bulletins to Father Jason and Wayne Hastings.
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Coffee Hour
Ministry
To volunteer to help one week after the 10am worship service, see the sign-up sheet at Sunday coffee hour.
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Yoga with Jill
A spiritual mind and body practice led by Jill Lynch in the St. Francis Parish Hall.
Mondays 11:00-12:30 pm – Level 1/2 Hatha for Strength and Mobility
Wednesdays 9:00-10:30 am – Level 1 Gentle Yoga for Vital Mobility and Balance
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