St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

Weekly E-Blast

November 20, 2025

Preparing for Sunday

St. Francis subscribes to a weekly service called Working Preacher, which provides some brief commentary on the bible readings for the upcoming weeks. It can be found on the Sermons & Services page on the St. Francis website (https://tinyurl.com/sermonspage). I encourage all of you to consider looking at it prior to Sunday, particularly if you are a lector for the week.

This Week at St. Francis

Thursday, November 20

10:00 am - Thanksgiving Floral Class

2:00 pm - Contemplative Prayer Group

7:00 pm - AA Men’s Group

Sunday, November 23

8:00 am - Spoken Eucharist

9:00 am - Adult Formation

10:30 am - Eucharist, Live Eucharist on YouTube/Facebook

12:30 pm - Misa

4:00 pm - Friendsgiving Dinner Church

Monday, November 24

10:00 am - Bell Choir Rehearsal

7:30 pm - AA

Tuesday, November 25

1:00 pm - Caring Ministry Meeting

Wednesday, November 26

12:00 pm - Noon Eucharist

4:00 - 6:30 pm - Drop in Hours with Mtr. Jaime

7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal

7:30 pm - AA

Thursday, November 27 - Happy Thanksgiving

7:00 pm - AA Men’s Group

Friday, November 28 - Office Closed

Sunday, November 30

8:00 am - Spoken Eucharist

9:00 am - Adult Formation

10:30 am - Eucharist, Live Eucharist on YouTube/Facebook

12:30 pm - Misa

Continuity & Change at St. Francis

At the Vestry meeting this week, the Vestry heard a report on the number of applications received for the Profile and Search Committees. These committees are the heart of the process of finding St. Francis’ next Rector. A successful call depends on diverse and well-functioning Profile and Search Committees. 

At the December 16 Vestry meeting, the plan is to select chairs of the committees. So the Vestry has set a deadline of December 15, at 5 pm, for receiving applications. Pray, talk to your friends, ask members of the Vestry or me about the process and duties of the committees, and get those applications in! If you want a fillable electronic copy of the application, email Peter Wallmark, wallmark9290@comcast.net. 

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the season after Pentecost. It is Christ the King Sunday. It is also the Sunday closest to November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church designated this as “Break the Silence Sunday,” in solidarity with the global cry against gender-based violence. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe writes, “Our Gospel commitment calls us to stand with those who have suffered violence and to ensure that it has no place in our homes, churches, and communities.” We live out that commitment in our churches with background investigations, Safe Church training, and disciplinary processes. In our marital counseling, we affirm equality and safety of both partners. In our communities, we support police and DAs in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of sexual violence, and affirm that victims are beloved children of God. If you want to talk about anything related to this, know that my office is a safe space, and I stand ready to support you. 

Jaime+

Applications Due Soon!

If you are thinking about applying for the Profile or Search Committee, now is the time to act! The Vestry just set a deadline of 5 pm on December 15th. If you want a fillable electronic copy of the application, email Peter Wallmark, wallmark9290@comcast.net. 

Friendsgiving Dinner Church

Our next gathering for Dinner Church will be Sunday, November 23, at 4 pm in the Parish Hall. We will celebrate Friendsgiving. Mother Jaime will provide the main dish and we will have a potluck for sides, salads, and desserts. There is a sign-up sheet in the Information Center. We will pray, share about scripture, and have dinner.

Ladies Lunch

We will not meet for Ladies Lunch in November or December. We will resume in January.

Mahjong Anyone?

Interest has been expressed regarding a mahjong group at St. Francis. If you are an experienced player who is interested in joining a group, or would like to learn how to play, please contact Marianne Burnside at 310-387-5883.

SpringRidge Service has Resumed!

We are once again offering a monthly service of Holy Eucharist at SpringRidge. The service will be at 11 am in the Leone Room, on the second Tuesday of each month. It is open to everyone – please invite your friends at SpringRidge who might like a traditional service of communion, even if they are not Episcopalians. The next SpringRidge service will be on Dec. 9.

Adult Formation

Adult Formation continues in November with conversations around Kitchen Table Wisdom. The theme for November 16 is November 23 is ‘Mystery and Awe.’ Join us for coffee and great conversation.

In Advent, we will use the weekly Lectionary readings from Isaiah as a way to listen to and move toward the Call to Hope amid a world of brokenness. We'll discuss waiting in faith, preparing for the return of justice, tending our own light of wholeness in a politically difficult season and, for many of us grieving absent loved ones amid "Happy Holidays," a season that can be emotionally difficult, as well. Join leader Norm Shrumm and others from your church community Sundays at 9am for insightful and supportive discussion. This 3 week series begins November 30.

There will be NO meetings December 21 or December 28. We hope to see you in Epiphany!

Advent at St. Francis!

Advent is the season of anticipation of and preparation for the Nativity of our Lord. You are cordially invited to use and/or participate in any of the Advent observances at St. Francis this year. We hope your Advent will be rich and inspiring as we await again the Incarnation of Emanuel--God with us!

*Worship this season expands to include Eucharist at Spring Ridge, along with regular worship on Wednesdays at noon and Sunday mornings at 8 am and 10:30 am (also broadcast).

*For all of us struggling to find joy this Advent, a contemplative, musical service of Blue Christmas on December 21 at 3 pm is offered to comfort and encourage us.

*Adult Formation will explore the promises of Isaiah: Call to Hope. We'll learn together about maintaining our faith through times of social, political, and personal brokenness, on Sundays at 9 am, led by Norm Shrumm.

*There are devotional books (donations welcome) and Advent WORDS for personal and family devotions available in the Narthex.

*Lessons and Carols will celebrate the scriptures and music of Advent at our 10:30 am service on December 14, followed by special coffee-hour celebrations.

Calling All Knitters

The weather is turning cooler, and a ball of yarn will feel good in your hands! It is time to begin knitting newborn baby hats for Salud Medical Clinic in Woodburn. These will be paired with little blankets made by our Threads of Love Ministry and collected during our celebration on Epiphany Sunday, January 4th. We will need a lot of little hats to keep up with the busy people in this ministry, so we welcome all knitters! Any pattern and any color would be wonderful. Some yarn and patterns are available in the Information Center. If you would like to learn to knit, or if you have any questions, please contact me.

Thank you.

Jane Domagalski

In Need of Help?

If you are a congregant who needs some help this Thanksgiving or Christmas, please let Mtr. Jaime know (motherjaime@gmail.com).

Taizé Prayer at St. Francis

For a time of prayer, reflection, and peace, please join us for Taizé prayers at the Cross of San Daminano. Come to the church at 5:00 pm for the service or 4:30 pm if you would like to sing through the chants prior to the service. 

Our next Taizé Prayer service will be Sunday, December 7th.

William Temple House

Please continue to drop off your items in the boxes in the hallway; people receive help from William Temple House year round. From the webpage: “100% of the proceeds from the Thrift Store support the community services offered at William Temple House [including the provision of] food, counseling, clothing, and household items to Portland-area neighbors to strengthen our community.”

Susan Huffman