Light in the Darkness on the Feast of the Epiphany

Annette and I had the opportunity to spend the New Year on Catalina Island for our anniversary. At the entrance to one of the shops we saw a sign that read:
Before I sign up for 2022, I want to see the terms and conditions.

That made me laugh, and indeed, the beginning of 2022 does feel a bit like “second verse, same as the first” with a tightening of COVID restrictions. We WILL be back in-person this Sunday for the Baptism of the Lord, but as always, you are invited to watch us online on Facebook or YouTube if you feel safer.

The Diocese has asked us to implement several safety measures in response to the spread of the Omicron variant. Here are the things you need to know for the next few weeks, and we hope most of these measures are temporary.

  • One service only at 10:00 in-person and live-streamed. No 8:00 service until further notice. There will be no coffee hour after the 10:00am service.
  • Surgical, KN95, or N95 masks only. No cloth masks. Bring your own if you can, but we will try to have surgical masks available at the door.
  • Practice social distancing by family group. We will also tape off areas within the nave to make distancing easier.
  • Our choir will not be singing for the time being. We hope to have them back soon.
  • Congregational singing is limited to just the opening and closing hymns. Please refrain from singing if not fully vaccinated.
  • Please do NOT attend if you feel ill in any way. Everyone is welcome to watch us online.
  • All staff members are either fully vaccinated or test regularly.
  • We are also suspending internal and external small groups for the time being. 

Some may wonder why we are doing this if the effects of Omicron infections are mostly mild, particularly for fully vaccinated persons. We are taking these measures out of love for those who are still vulnerable, such as immunocompromised people, and also to try to help reduce the spread rate of the virus. If we can slow the virus down, we can help to reduce the strain on health resources and minimize staffing problems, including essential services and schools for example. Thank you for helping in this effort to keep our community safe.

In the meantime, keep holding fast to our Epiphany hope expressed in Isaiah “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Is 61:1). 
Salvation is coming! Thanks be to God!

310-594-7984
Military Outreach News - Last Chance to Donate to Mothers and Babies
Bring your donations by Sunday January 9

Our Military Outreach program, led by Susie Zimmerman, and with the generous support of many of you, has a long tradition of packing gift boxes for military deployed overseas.

In recent times the number of deployed military has decreased, so we are happy to announce that we have a new Outreach cause - Camp Pendleton Mothers and Children.

Did you know? The camp has 10,000 children under the age of 5! Most of these families arrive with very few possessions, and are on low incomes.

What they need: new and gently used baby, child and household items for young families. In particular: diapers (lots of them!!), baby and young children's clothing, toys, books bathtubs, strollers, cribs, dishes, cookware, meal preparation tools, bedding and gift cards (Target and Walmart).

When do we need it? Please drop off any items you can contribute by Sunday January 9. Questions? Email Susie.
Rev. Jerry Returns This Sunday

Jerry+ will be back at St. Francis this Sunday - January 9. Rev. Celeste, and The Rev. Jon Fuess, (Associate Rector, St. James' Episcopal Church, Wilshire Blvd), continue to be available for pastoral emergencies prior to this time.
Rev. Celeste - (310) 913 1069
Rev. Jon - (646) 629 7000
Sunday School
Sunday School is temporarily suspended due to the Omicron Covid variant. We'll let you know when we're back!
And ... just around the corner ... Lent!

And with the coming of Lent comes the publication of our Annual Lenten Devotional Booklet, a collection of short reflections written by our parish family, for our parish family.

Will you consider writing one yourself? No experience necessary! 
Weekly

Sundays - Holy Communion
8:00 a.m. - Rite I in-person worship in the Chapel, with two hymns (for those fully vaccinated). 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.

Masks required: LA County mandate requires masks worn indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Please contact Kristina Pelá to arrange for a Lay Eucharistic Minister to safely bring you communion.

Yoga with Jill!
A spiritual mind and body practice!
  • Mondays 11:15am -12:45pm - Level 1/2 Hatha Yoga
  • Wednesdays 9:00-10:15am Level 1 Gentle Yoga
Parish Hall (masks must still be worn). No set fees - classes are free-will offering. Questions? Jill Fenske

Meditation
Thursdays from Nov 4, 9:30 - 10:30 am. Library
Meditation, followed by a quiet time of conversation.
Contact - Susie Zimmerman
Remember - the Parish Directory is Online
Need someone's email, or even map directions to their home?
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!
In a later email we will tell you how to access the Member Portal so you can edit details of your own listing.
Need Help of Any Kind?
Physical, Spiritual, Psychological, or Material?

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 Submission Deadline: 3:00 pm Wednesdays
Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.
Staff Directory
Office main line - 310 375 4617
The Rev. Jerry Sather 310-594-7984
Mark Bennett 310-594-7416
Susan Marshall 310-594-8427
Elaine Mistele 310-594-8268
Mary Sanchez 310-375-4617

You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!