Those of us who work in transition ministry often describe the period between the departure of the previous rector until the arrival of the new rector as a “wilderness time.” However, as we all know, we are faced with more than a transition time to a new priest – we are also faced with the Covid wilderness. This makes wilderness time even more complicated.

This week, our Tuesday Bible study, The Divine Drama of Scripture (you can join anytime!), touched on the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. Among other things they struggled with questions like:

If you find yourself feeling anxious about the future of St Francis, remember this: we are in the wilderness! But if we trust God and stick together, God will lead us through. The coming weeks will bring great strides in the development of our parish profile and let us continue to keep each other safe by wearing our masks and getting vaccinated. The wilderness can be tough, but God is with us.

Who needs retail stores? We have it all for you right here! Halloween costumes; Thanksgiving and Holiday decorations, home goods, clothes, sports equipment, ornaments, and SO much more!

Despite the continuing impact of the COVID pandemic, the St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Outreach Fund (SFOSF) continued to provide financial, technical, and scholastic support to needy local students. This year, we were able to help six highly qualified students, with a range of items totaling over $14,000, all selected to support them in their University studies.

Thank you to the Parishioners and others who support the SFOSF, and its fundraiser, Designs for Dining. We would also like to thank Francis Yee and Daniel Crane for their donation of bicycles for the students… and finally, all of the SFOSF members (Cheryl Gutierrez, Robin Pano, Janet Laudeman, Gayle Taylor, and David Gerhardt)… for their continuing efforts in supporting and mentoring these students.

Joni McIntyre celebrated her 100th birthday last weekend.

This Sunday we'll begin a series of discussions asking eight hard questions of religion and faith. We'll be using the Sticky Faith curriculum, "Can I Ask That?: 8 Hard Questions about God & Faith" developed at Fuller Youth Institute.

Youth Group is open to all middle school and high school students. Bring your friends!

Wayne Hastings

Youth Group Director

901-219-6564

In case you missed it - here's a recap of our St. Francis day weekend and the Bishop's visit.

Thanks to Tina van der Velden who updated us all on the progress of the Profile Committee.

On the selection process - "Sense how curious your candidates are about other people, and how much they actually love other people. If they don't learn your names, if they don't seem that interested in you, if they're acting as though the interviews are something to be gotten through, a test to be passed, make a note in their file.

But you want somebody who loves the children of God whom God has made, and that is you. You want someone who is prime to fall in love with you."

On Stewardship - "My job is to help relieve the anxiety and worry about money. Let's see if we can take that away. If our institutions aren't worried about money, how to replace the roof, how to get the pledge drive in, how to make sure we have enough money to pay our staff and our clergy.

If we weren't constantly preoccupied with the budget, the people of God would be free to go about their business, which is to glorify God, and care for God's people. That's all we have to do. That's what our worship is about. That's what all of our ministry is about. It's our mission statement."

Tuesdays through November 9, 7:00-8:30 pm.

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/STFDRAMA

Contact Jack Hailwood or Suellen Eslinger for more info.

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.

10:00 am Sunday worship will continue to be 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.

Long Beach Camerata are back, and are opening their season with a concert "Peace Project 5 - Reconciliation.” The concert that will explore the themes of diversity and inclusion that are so pressing in these times. In addition to a newly commissioned piece composed by Richard Danielpour, the rest of the repertoire and narrative will directly consider themes of equity, acceptance, racial justice and healing. One of our own choir members - Suzanne Miller sings with Camerata.

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.

Click here for The Episcopal News Update

Our staff all now have their own direct lines.

You can still reach them by calling the office on 310 375 4617, but the direct lines are as follows:

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