Refreshment Sunday?! But it's Lent!

You may already know that Sundays in Lent are not officially counted as part of Lent - because each Sunday commemorates of the Resurrection of Our Lord, and thus is always a day of feasting. This is why we write "Sunday in Lent" rather than "Sunday of Lent" on our bulletins. Each Sunday tempers the reverent spirit of Lent with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

This coming Sunday - the 4th in Lent - is especially celebratory. It is traditionally known as 'Laetarae' - or refreshment Sunday. Also Rose Sunday. The word laetarae is the Latin for 'joy'.

In the United Kingdom this Sunday is also Mothering Sunday, with the giving of flowers we associate with Mothers day later in the year in the US.

It may not seem like the best time to be talking about joy, in the midst of our Lenten preparations, and in mind of all that is happening in the world, and all that has happened over the last two years.

And yet - our faith calls us to rejoice nevertheless. Christian joy does not mean denying the existence of sorrow. Rather, Christian joy is our recognition that the world is meaningful, a space created for love rather than meaningless hatred or despair.

So this Sunday, go out and find some small refreshment and joy in the midst of your Lenten practices. 'Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her' Isaiah 66:10.
Reminder of updates from Last Week.
Eucharist in Both Kinds
We are also excited to announce that on Palm/Passion Sunday we plan a return to receiving communion in both kinds. Bishop Taylor has authorized this with some restrictions to continue protecting our community. We will have more instructions in the next couple of weeks, but this is an exciting development – just in time for Easter! You will still have the option of receiving communion in one kind (bread only) if you so choose.

Rector Search Process
You also need to know that your Profile and Vestry committee have finished the Profile and our documents are waiting final approval from the diocese. That means our Rector search will soon begin in earnest.

Keep following the way of the cross!

310-594-7984
Lenten Suppers - Fellowship and Learning
“The Wheel – Disciplines for a Vital Faith and a Healthy Church”
Two more Wednesdays, March 30 and April 6.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Parish Hall. Supper ($8 pp/$20 per family)
Enjoy fellowship and a delicious meal cooked by our Friars (Men's group). Then Jerry+ continues his presentation on a four-part series based on 'The Wheel'. A model for Christian living based on a balanced Christian life centered in Jesus Christ. The four dimensions are the Word, Prayer, Witness, and Fellowship.
Join us!
Lenten Bible Study on Zoom
Weekly - Tuesdays through April 5, 7:00-8:30pm
“Preparing for the Passion of Jesus”

During Lent, as we continue to prepare for Easter, our online Bible Study continues - delving into the stories of the final week of Jesus’s earthly life.

To supplement our studies, we are using Amy-Jill Levine's book - "Entering the Passion of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week."

Anyone is welcome to join. Feel free to invite others you feel would be interested in participating. Simply email Jack Hailwood or Suellen Eslinger if you plan to attend so we can email you class handouts in advance of each session as well as the Zoom link.
St. Luke's Breakfasts - Thank you!
We had willing helpers last Friday enjoying some fun while providing meaningful service to the unhoused in Long Beach.

To join us next time, or find out more, watch out for future announcements and/or If you think you might be interested, please contact either our Outreach Leader Gayle Taylor or our Vestry co-leaders for Outreach - Dick Briggs, or Sue Egan.
And thank you!
Honor and Celebrate!
At our Easter and Christmas services we share our joy and celebration by way of extra-special music and decorations of our chapel and church. These extraordinary offerings require resources above and beyond our allotted funds, and so we invite those who would like to be part of this festive glory to please download and complete either or both of the forms here, and place them in the collection plate, or return them to the church office. Your dedication will be printed in our Easter bulletins. Thank you!
Support the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine

Episcopal Relief & Development is mobilizing with Anglican agencies and other partners in order to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine.

“Ecumenical and orthodox faith networks are on the ground in the border areas of Poland and Hungary,” said Abagail Nelson, Executive Vice President, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We will continue to coordinate with these networks, in order to meet the needs of people who have been displaced.”

Please pray for all those affected and if you can, click here to donate to Episcopal Relief & Development’s International Disaster Response Fund.

Note - be very careful of scams relating to Ukraine support. Even if it looks as though someone you know has contacted you by email or text message asking directly for money/gift cards etc., DO NOT send anything until you have spoken directly to them on the phone or in person to confirm they are not being impersonated by a scammer.
Military Outreach - Donate to Mothers & Babies

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.

Biggest requested item is diapers, diapers and more diapers!! Target gift cards are also good because they can be used for food. As noted below with the rising food costs some of these families are dealing with food insecurities.

When do we need it? Please drop off any items you can contribute during March. Questions? Email Susie.
An Alternative to Designs for Dining Event — You are Invited!
Friday, April 29, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Ready for a fun day at an mostly outdoor event? The St.Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund (SFOSF) has a very fun day planned at Lynn Chichi’s lovely home in San Clemente overlooking the Pacific.

The event will include a Table Talk show by Chichi, a gourmet box lunch, beverages, and shopping at Lynn’s boutiques (Lynn will donate 20% of all sales to (SFOSF). Net proceeds from the ticket cost will also benefit SFOSF. Tickets are $40 for the day’s events - 48 seating max - so act now - don't miss out!

This fall we assisted 8 new freshmen, who are attending California universities and colleges. We can’t do our work without you.

To purchase a ticket, you can either send your check made out to St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund, to St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, or give it to Janet Laudeman at church, or place in the Scholarship Fund box in the church office. Questions? Please call Janet at (310) 316-7493.

And thank you! Hope to see you there!
Sunday School and Teen groups are back in person
We offer free childcare in the nursery on the Parish Hall stage, during 10am worship; pre-K thru 5th grade—Meet in classrooms at 9:55 a.m. Children re-join their families in Church in time for Communion. Contact: Kristina Pelá.

Teens (6th-12th grades)—Meet Sundays 4:00—6:00 p.m. Contact: Wayne —901-219-6564.
Weekly

Sundays - Holy Communion
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.

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
  • New class - 9:30am Yoga with Jill Live Vinyasa Class
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 - please continue to wear masks.
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

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