APRIL 15, 2018
ST. FRANCIS WEEKLY WORD NEWSLETTER
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My Word
Way back in….. well, when I was just graduating from seminary, there was a meeting with the Bishop. The Diocese of Oklahoma was trying something new. Rather than taking a test in addition to the General Ordination Examination, after graduating from seminary, each person went on a 3 day retreat with the Commission on Ministry for the first day, the Standing Committee the second day, and the Bishop on the third. It was a long, intense, and thorough period of discerning, searching, and examining. Each of us already had jobs lined up, so finding a place was taken care of. I was “traded” to Western Kansas, for draft choices to be named later, as I like to put it. Far Western Kansas. A place I had only been to once, and that was at the interview.
On this third day of retreat, the Bishop was trying to give us the benefit of his wisdom, his oversight, his experience. None of us were coming to Oklahoma, the economy in the oil patch was just too weak to support new curates. We were all a bit nervous. After tips, questions, prayers, and finally his blessing, he asked if we had any concerns. No one said anything. Finally, I simply blurted out, “Bishop, are they going to love us as much as our home parishes?”
For many of us, the transition to a new Rector comes with this very question. Who is it going to be? What becomes of us? Will the new Rector measure up to our beloved clergy of the past? With our current station of life, with what’s going on now, what will become of us?
What is going to happen to us? Will they love us?
Many of you have been kind enough to welcome me with great love and affection already. I feel particularly blessed. Do you suppose that the new Rector will be any different? After all, doesn’t the Lord God look out over us now? Won’t it simply get better? And better?
-Fr David
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PRAYER DURING THIS TIME OF TRANSITION
As we continue to let the work of listening to God to discover His desires for St. Francis, let us pray:
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Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer,
Page 816
)
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Open to All
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You are invited to submit to your prayer requests here, which will be received by office staff and included in the Parish prayer list. If received after 4:00pm on Wednesdays, of your indicate that you would prefer to keep your prayer confidential, a member of the clergy will address your prayer privately.
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SUNDAY SERVICE TIME
All are Welcome
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9:30am: Holy Eucharist Rite II
9:30am: Children's Chapel
10:30am: Hospitality
(Coffee and Conversation)
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NEW ADDRESS FOR NOAH SCHAEFER
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Noah has been moved to another facility for further processing in the system. If you wrote him recently, your card or letter may not get to him, & may be returned to you.
Please write him again to help keep his spirits up and give him encouragement. In this regard we can all be like Barnabas—a son (or daughter) of much needed encouragement!
Noah Schaefer
TDCJ #02178942
Byrd Unit
21 FM 247
Huntsville, TX 77320
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WHAT'S GOING ON AT ST.FRANCIS?
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Please Consider Lay Reading
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Serving as a lay reader is an important Church Ministry. At each service, we read scripture and usually assist clergy with Holy Communion. It's a wonderful way to the Lord and our Church.
We are looking for readers for the 9:30 service. Most lay readers serve once a month. It is perfectly fine if you wish to just read and not serve Holy Communion.
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WE HAVE A NEW COMPUTER IN THE OFFICE
Thanks to a very generous donation, we have a new computer in the office! This means that there may be a slight hiccup here or there in the next couple of days or weeks with materials and documents that come out of the office.
However, it’s already much easier to do a couple of things, much easier to access a couple of things, and much easier to use.
Your continued patience in the short transition is appreciated.
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HOLY COW ASSESSMENT
REMINDER
Please Complete Your Assessment
A great big THANK YOU to all who have turned in your survey!!
If you have not yet filled yours out, please do so
ASAP
! We need to get this step finished and the results tabulated so that we can move on with the search process.m
If you have any questions please call Ruth Henry at (254) 541-0060.
Thank you,
Your CAT Team
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Confirmation
Preparation to Begin
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One of the ways we are able to step up to our responsibilities, one way that we can learn about our faith, one of the ways that we deepen our understanding and develop our faith is Confirmation, the sacrament of grown up life in Christ. It is perhaps one of the least understood, but most important moments of the life of Grace. Interested? Confirmation can only be administered by a Bishop, we happen to have one coming in the Fall, and now is the time to prepare. A course of preparation will start soon, but if you are interested please contact
Deacon Tamara
or
Fr David
.
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VESTRY WISH LIST
Looking for ways to Help?
Tell a Vestry member if your are going to take care of one of these or would like to
pitch in toward one
:
- Major organ revamp and repair (about $10,000–ask Debra Johnson or choir member)
- AED (automatic external defibrillator) (about $1,700–talk to Heidi Couchman)
- Four-sided frontal for our altar (about $300–talk to Kyla Sherrard)
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay up to date with the latests news, photos and events by following us on
Facebook
,
Twitter
and
Instagram
. It is also a great way to stay in touch or make friendships with your fellow parishioners. Have photos of a St. Francis event you have attended?
Email them along
so that we can share them with others
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Every baptized Episcopalian has vowed to proclaim with our words and our lives the loving, liberating, and life-giving good news of Jesus Christ.
Through the spiritual practice of evangelism, we seek, name and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people—then invite everyone to more. The Evangelism Toolkit helps us to live into that call.
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COLLECT FOR THE THIRD
SUNDAY OF THE EASTER SEASON
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
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WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Friday, April 13–Sunday, April 15
Sunday, April 15
- Holy Eucharist Rite II
- Vestry Meeting Following Service
Thursday, April 19
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Meditation Garden
Featured Plant of the Week
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In the Meditation Garden near the Columbarium plants mentioned in the bible have been placed, along with signs with the Biblical source.
ALOE
(
Aloe vera
)
Nicodemus, who at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighting about a hundred pounds. They took the body ofJesus and wrapped it with the spices in the linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.
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APRIL 25:
Webinar: Hybrid Faith Formation
If you’re looking to “flip” your faith formation classroom or combine in-person gatherings with online/at-home faith practices, this webinar is for you. Join e-formation to tackle these 21st century topics of faith formation and digital ministry. 3:00pm EST
Register!
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MAY 5:
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to
Speak
All are welcome in Good Shepherd, Austin on Saturday, May 5 to hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to speak about discipleship. The Church will have formation opportunities leading up to this event, as well as following, centered on "Becoming Disciples."
Contact the Church
for more details.
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MAY 5:
St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church,
Learning to dance with God through the pain isn’t easy. The dance steps won’t make the pain go away like a magic formula, nor does it mean there won’t be any more times of suffering. We learn to be brave because we are with the Lord of the Dance.
Email Sisters of the Promise
to RSVP. Space is limited, so hurry!
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MAY 4–6:
Discovery Retreat. Have you felt a call to leadership or ordination?
The Discovery Retreat is a weekend gathering about discovering how God-given gifts and talents might be used in the mission of the Church. The retreat is open to all confirmed members of EDOT who wish to take the time and make a commitment to discern their vocation.
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FRIDAYS, MAY 4–25: 10:00-11:00AM
Christian Formation is a life-long endeavor, yet the church often drops the ball after Confirmation. In this discussion-based workshop we will study techniques, theory, and research, and then use these to create plans for our individual churches.
If you are interested in applying, contact
Rebecca Hall
.
Cost: $100
Limit: limit 6 participants
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JULY 13:
Join us at the Minute Maid Park as the World Series Champs Houston Astros face the Detroit Tigers. Christ Church Cathedral Houston will host a free hotdog cookout from 5:00–6:30pm, so make sure to come early as food and drink are on a first come first serve basis. Parking is available in the garage on San Jacinto St, across from the Cathedral. For tickets, email Astros rep
Brent Broussard
or call (713) 259-8316.
Download to Calendar
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FALL 2018:
Pastoral Care Course for Youth and Children's Ministers
Youth ministers and Christian educators consistently provide pastoral care to young people, to their complex family systems, and to adult volunteers, usually without systematic training or education. In Fall 2018 the Iona Center will offer a pastoral care course specifically for youth ministers, Christian educators, and family ministries coordinators.
Meeting in person at the beginning and end of this course, the rest of the classes will meet via videoconference. Participants will set personal educational goals and present pastoral encounters for feedback from peers and instructor.
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JUNE 25–July 1:
Diocesan Choir Camp
Camp will be expanded this year with more options for instrumental music (including hand bells) for youth in rising grades 6-12. Campers live in the college dorm at
Blinn College
. Tuition includes room, board, all supplies, local trips to the Blue Bell Aquatic Center, Horseshoe Junction Fun Park and outreach music performances. Pottery and art are part of the week's fun. Call Dr. Linda Patterson with questions at (979) 836-7248 extension 13 or
Register here!
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JULY 4–9:
Episcopal Church Young Adult Festival
The festival is scheduled to run concurrently with the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Austin this summer. The Young Adult Festival is designed for 18–30 year olds to meet peers from across the globe, pray and learn together, engage in the church’s legislative process and help discern God’s call for the Episcopal Church.
Register
!
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JULY 17–25:
SUMMA Student Theological
Debate Society
SUMMA provides a way for high school students to build their faith through intellectual channels. Founded in the confidence that knowledge and reason are foundational to faith, SUMMA offers fun, friendship and the opportunity for a deepened and more thoughtful faith. Held at the Univ. of the South, applications open until July 1.
Register Today!
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JULY 22–28:
Reach Mission Trip
St. Andrew's, Pearland is hosting youth and their sponsors, along with Reach Mission Trips who will be repairing storm damage in Brazoria County. Partial scholarships available through the Diocese.
- $419 per person
- Entering 6–Graduating 12 grade
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AUGUST 3–5:
Intermediate Urban Mission Retreat: Houston by C.U.S.E.
All rising 4th–6th graders are invited to spend the weekend at their Cathedral. Activities include serving in the community, riding the Metro, sleeping over in the Tree house youth space and worshiping at the 9:00 service along with their families Sunday morning. This weekend will introduce our intermediate students to the life-long call of service and worship while learning the value the Church and world place on their unique gifts and talents with Cathedral Urban Service Experience
C.U.S.E.
in downtown Houston.
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NOVEMBER:
Texas Episcopal Service Corps
Texas Episcopal Service Corps invites young adults from across the country to apply for a year of service, community engagement, and vocational discernment in and around the city of Houston. Texas ESC communities provide a place where young adults live alongside one another in intentional community while thoughtfully and critically serving both the church and the world.
Apply here.
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TUESDAY SOLACE
Tuesday Solace is a free service supporting families affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia and takes place from 1:00-4:00PM at the Parish Hall. Allowing caregivers respite time, the program provides music and singing, fun, social activities, and loving care to the participants.
FEED MY SHEEP SACK MEALS (FMS)
On the 2nd Sunday of each month, all are invited to gather in the Parish after the 9:30 service to prepare 100 sack lunches for our neighbors who have limited access to food. The lunches are delivered to Feed My Sheep. Our next schedule sack meal preparation is
Sunday, May 13
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CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST (CTLC)
The collection item for April 2018 will be
Cereal
. Items may be brought to the narthex on Sunday or to the Church Office during weekdays.
ST. FRANCIS GIFT SHOP
As most of you know, the gift shop must have two workers at all times. We are in desperate need of volunteers. This is a great time to ask your best friend to sit with you and a great time to socialize and catch up. Please consider, just 3 1/2 hours a month and we will put you on the schedule.
ST. FRANCIS CHOIR
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” Notice the passage does NOT say we have to have a beautiful voice to praise God! We are looking for new choir members.
We practice at 8:30am before we sing at the 9:30am service.
So come join us!
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MINISTERS IN THE LORD'S SERVICE
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Altar Guild:
Gail Avots
& Judy Ludlow
Readers
:
Cindy Allen
& Peggiann Jones
Acolytes:
Collin & Ian Wilson
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Ushers
:
Tommy Miller
& Bill Frick
Hospitality
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Children's Chapel:
Gail & Andre Avots
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Vestry Greeter:
Mickey Kerr
Organist:
Debra Johnson
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APRIL BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
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APRIL 21 BIRTHDAY
Chip Schaefer
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APRIL 22 ANNIVERSARY
Pat & Roiann Ludlow
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APRIL 25 BIRTHDAY
Dr. Stewart Smith
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APRIL 25 ANNIVERSARY
Allen & Julia Ann Popelka
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APRIL 26 BIRTHDAY
Dr. Vivian Baker
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APRIL 26 ANNIVERSARY
Mark & Nida Brown
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APRIL 27 ANNIVERSARY
Nick & Erika Graham
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APRIL 29 ANNIVERSARY
Larry & Rose Bednarczyk
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Make sure to take some time to walk around the gardens, find some peace in God's nature, and admire all of the Wildscape Guild's hard work!
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Don't forget to
send in your photos to share!
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