Celebrate the St. Francis Spirit
Friends, you may have heard that your friendly neighborhood priest came down with a breakthrough case of COVID last week. Believe me when I say this – COVID is not fun – but the vaccinations kept it from being worse than it was. I am much improved, but not yet fully recovered, so I ask you to pray for me and my family. Also, please take care out there. Infection rates are rising rapidly. Be safe, wash your hands, get vaccinated if you can, wear a mask as appropriate, and stay healthy.
Last Sunday, Deacon Celeste expertly led us in a service of ante-communion since my normal backup priest support was unavailable. Ante means “before,” so this is simply a service that simply skips the communion element of worship. It has a venerable place in the Anglican tradition and was quite common in the early years of the Prayer Book. Since I still have an active infection and our deacon is out of town, we are honored to have Olufemi Knight, a recent Fuller Seminary graduate, lead us in ante-communion this Sunday. Peter Marshall will assist Femi accompanied by our usual team of worship leaders.
Search Committee Update
I also want you to know that our Search Committee has started their work. We have not yet received a list of prospective Rector candidates from the diocese, but we expect the committee will start reviewing applications within a few weeks. I ask that you allow the committee to do their work without disturbance and we will do our best to update you on their progress. However, please DO pray that these good people will have wisdom and insight in their holy work for St Francis and the Kingdom. The members of your search committee are: Joy Bacon, Anna Eakins, Mark Hamilton, Kelly Lynch, Fabrizio Pelá, and Alex Sams.
Convention Report
Finally, as promised, let me give an update on some of the important developments from the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
- The Convention passed a $100.5 million budget and revised the future budget process.
- On social justice issues, the church passed resolutions related to anti-racism and reconciliation. They also passed a resolution affirming that “all Episcopalians should be able to access abortion services and birth control with no restriction on movement, autonomy, type, or timing.”
- One of the biggest developments was on the future of the Prayer Book. The Convention passed a resolution that would define the Book of Common Prayer as “those liturgical forms and other texts authorized by the General Convention.” This could eventually allow for more expansive language and a broader palette of worship expressions. This proposal requires further action by the next General Convention in 2024.
The Convention took several notable actions despite the COVID shortened format. I am excited to see how St Francis will live out these developments in the years to come. Exciting things are happening in our church. Please try NOT to catch COVID but DO come and catch the Spirit at St Francis this week!
310-594-7984
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Coffee Hour Ministry
It's quick and easy to sign up - just pick a day. More than one person or household can sign up on the same day, so you don't have to be on your own.
- We'll show you what to do.
- We reimburse expenses.
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Rummage Sale!
Friday July 22nd and Saturday July 23rd
Yes - it's getting nearer! Start bringing along your good, but no longer needed house ware, small furniture, linens, jewelry (even broken), shoes, clothing (especially kids) sporting goods, pet items, garden decor, holiday, tools. If you’re unsure call Gloria 310-375-8916.
Bring your items between 9:30 and 2pm to the parish hall. July 5th through July 20. We can help unload your car. We also need workers to clean, price, sort, and display all of the treasures. Workers also needed especially on Friday July 22nd and Saturday July 23rd - baggers, cashiers, security. Adults, teens, and pre-teens welcome.
Proceeds go to the upkeep and maintenance of our Sanctuaries and campus.
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Camp Stevens News - Support Campers Donate by July 29
Many of our St. Francis community have grown up with wonderful summer memories of time at Camp Stevens.
Camp Stevens has just announced that a donor will match all gifts to its campership fund until July 29.
According to Kathy Wilder, camp director, some 40% of children attending summer camp receive partial or full camperships.
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Summer Sunday School is here!
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.
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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. L ive-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!
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Mondays 11:15am -12:45pm - Level 1/2 Hatha Yoga
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Wednesdays 9:00-10:15am Level 1 Gentle Yoga
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New class - 9:30am Yoga with Jill Live Vinyasa Class
Parish Hall . 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.
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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.
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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
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Enews Submission Deadline: 3:00 pm Wednesdays
Enews is sent weekly on Thursday afternoons: email Susan with your requests.
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Sunday Worship Bulletins
Last Sunday's Sermon:
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Staff Directory
Office main line - 310 375 4617
You are not interrupting our work - you ARE our work!
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