This Sunday at St. Francis has it all – Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and a Baptism – all in one amazing package! Now the only challenge is to see if your intrepid priest can get this all done in about an hour, OK, maybe a bit over, but I promise to do my best.

First, Father’s Day. Fathers, or those who fill fatherly roles, shape our lives and it is only right that we celebrate them by keeping the Lord’s command: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Ex 20:12). What better way to honor dads than to gather for prayer and praise to our Father in heaven? And following our service we will enjoy beer and brats.

Second, we will celebrate Juneteenth. This day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Juneteenth was celebrated continually for more than 150 years in parts of the country and is now a federal holiday. St Francis will observe the day with prayers and special music including a gospel Gloria and choir anthem. We will wrap up our service with the “Black National Anthem,” the glorious hymn by the Johnson brothers, Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Finally, we will celebrate the baptism of Zoey Welcher. Zoey is the granddaughter of Albert and Susie Zimmerman, and we are delighted to welcome the Welcher family back for the baptism of their youngest daughter. As always, every baptism is also an opportunity to renew our own faith and recommit ourselves to follow in the way of Christ. Moreover, we rejoice that we are all sons and daughters of our heavenly Father and are called to the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ.

It will be a momentous day – please join us in celebration!

About a Hymn – Lift Every Voice and Sing

Our closing hymn this Sunday, Lift Every Voice and Sing, began its life as poem by James Weldon Johnson and was later set to music by James’ brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. The hymn, suggestive of the Biblical story of the Exodus, describes the struggles of African Americans while expressing hope, particularly in the prayer-like third verse, that God will deliver the people. While the hymn certainly reflects the African American experience, it can be sung by all who long for the freedom that God promises to all people. Note: the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal uses the gender neutral “people” in the middle of the second verse, we have decided to include the original “fathers” this Sunday in honor of Father’s Day.

Tickets—$50 at the door. All proceeds go to the Ministries of St. Francis. Bring friends and family from outside the Parish!

10am Worship at St. John's Cathedral* marking 30 years of diocesan LGBTQ+ ministry. Music will be provided by the Trans Chorus of L.A. The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, canon to the ordinary, will preach.

*St. John's Cathedral - 514 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles 90007. The cathedral staff request that all attending be prepared to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19.

Garden Party - 2-5pm LGBTQ+ ministry of the diocese invites all to the post-Covid return at the Episcopal Residence in Pasadena. Reserve by email. Address and parking details will be sent by return email.

In person and live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Bishop John Harvey Taylor presiding. Worship will include various spirituals and gospel music, African drumming and song.

All are welcome. Attendees are invited to wear festal white or African patterns if they wish.

*St. John's Cathedral - 514 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles 90007. The cathedral staff request that all attending be prepared to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19.

We're looking for a couple of additional volunteers (approx one Sunday a month), to help live stream our worship to the home-bound. No experience necessary - we will train you! If you can reasonably confidently use a Windows laptop you can do this! Knowledge of Google Drive would be an advantage, but not essential - we can adjust the work according to what you feel comfortable with. We're a friendly team and 'in it together'. To find out more (no obligation), email or text Susan (310 920 4939) or Peter Marshall (310 920 4812).

For the summer weeks, children will be out of Sunday School classrooms and outdoors for supervised playtime on the Town & Country playground! Parents/guardians can simply drive to the lower parking lot and sign their child(ren) in with an Attendant at the gate entrance to the playground. Attendants will shepherd the children to church in time to reunite with their families for Communion. Any questions, please email or call Kristina Pelá 310-941-2498.

Teens (6th-12th grades)—currently on hiatus. Please contact Rev. Jerry for information.

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

Meditation, followed by a quiet time of conversation.

Contact - Susie Zimmerman

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 for a Zoom or Facetime or phone call, please email or call Jerry+ .

310-594-7984

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

Readings for Sunday June 12 2022 - Trinity Sunday.

Click here for The Episcopal News Update

Office main line - 310 375 4617

The Rev. Jerry Sather 310-594-7984 - Priest in Charge (Interim)

Mark Bennett 310-594-7416 - Director of Music

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

Susan Marshall 310-594-8427 - Communications & Media Manager

Elaine Mistele 310-594-8268 - Business Manager