God is calling all of us in a new way. We all know that I will be retiring soon and we shall face transitions. I have learned, and I hope you have to, to look back over life and see the patterns of divine care. Let us trust those moments of the past, where we saw how present God was, how God supplied what we needed and enabled us to take one more step forward. We took a lot of steps forward this past year and the Annual Meeting helps us appreciate where God has been in the midst of it all.

The Annual Meeting is all of us and it will be experienced in a new way!

On January 24th, after the 10am live-streamed Sunday worship, at 11:15am, the Annual Meeting will involve the entire parish through ZOOM! Please link into the Zoom meeting.

We shall vote online and provide for nominations and comments as needed. It will be a unique, real, faith-filled meeting of the family of St. Francis. We shall hear reports from our clergy and lay leadership, elect a new Vestry Class of 4, and elect Delegates and Alternates to the Diocesan Convention. We shall review the operating budget approved by the Vestry and share in the vision of a new year. 

Let us gather to conduct the annual business of our parish family! The link will allow for video/audio if you have a camera on your device, or audio only if you do not. Read the instructions provided.

Here is your link to the meeting:

Email Susan if you still have questions before the meeting.

Problems during the meeting? Please call or text Peter Marshall - (310) 920 4812, or Wayne Hastings (901) 219 6564.

I will give my final Rector’s Report with pride and thanksgiving for all that we are together!

Gratefully,

Please download and complete the form, and mail it to: Elaine Mistele, St. Francis Church, 2200 Via Rosa, PVE, CA 90274. And see below for how to make it even easier to make regular donations automatically - no check writing every Sunday!

Use automatic bill pay for your pledge to St. Francis. You choose the payment frequency and date that works for you.

Look for Bill Pay or similar when you’ve logged in to online banking. Then add St. Francis as a new payee. You don’t need the church bank details - only the address and phone number: St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. 310 375 4617. And thank you!!

Join Jude+ for zoom Bible and Book Study

Meets: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9 – 7:00-8:30pm

ALL are welcome. No experience necessary!!

Please join me for exploration and conversation, together on zoom!

Email me and I will send you the link and more information a few days ahead of time.

Morning prayer twice-weekly, led by Paula+, and Compline three times per week, led by Jude+ and a team of lay leaders. Each service includes the traditional service, plus words from the leader, and explanations of the readings. They are prayerful and quiet, a far cry from the turmoil of the world, and medicine to help us heal and be comforted and inspired.

You do not need to have a Facebook page to view our content. Just click here to view our page. If you don't have a facebook account, or have forgotten how to log into it, just ignore any prompts to log in etc. The page should be visible to anyone. Still having trouble? Email Susan Marshall, for help.

Livestreams are also saved to our Facebook page, so you can watch again at any time if you miss one. Plus our sermons are also available as separate audio recordings here.

Zoom groups -

The Diocese has shared some useful links with us, and we pass them on to you, together with links to accurate sources on what is available and where. It's right to have questions, but be sure, always, when you read information about this subject that you check the source and make sure it is from somewhere reliable (major hospital/educational body etc.).

COVID-19 vaccine myths debunked, from The Mayo Clinic. This article addresses common mistaken information and fears about the COVID 19 vaccine.

Answers to common questions about whether vaccines are safe, effective and necessary. This additional article from a Mayo Clinic review team is a narrative discussion of vaccine efficacy and safety.

When and where can I get vaccinated? Sign up for the LA County Health Department Newsletters here. Bookmark the page for all the current information about vaccine availability, including links to the new major vaccination sites. Be warned - availability is still very low.

Beach Cities Health District newsletter - contains information about vaccination for over 65s. Plus more, including a link to sign up for regular news from them.

And finally - Information for Veterans

We are here to do our best to help you with whatever you may need. We know circumstances are difficult for many at this time. For help of any kind, or just for a Zoom or Facetime or phone call, please email or call Paula+ or Jude+ at any time.

If you are in a position to do so, (only if - no guilt), you may also donate to Paula+'s Discretionary Fund to help those at St. Francis in financial need. Send checks to 2200 Via Rosa, PVE 90274, made out to St. Francis Church, with 'Rector's Discretionary Fund' in the memo line. Thank you!

Email Paula+, 310-995-6519

Email Jude+, 310-701-5966.

View or download our bulletins - bulletins will be posted in time for livestreaming.

— Amanda Gorman, 22, from her inauguration poem "The Hill We Climb"

Contacts:

Paula+, 310-375 4617 x223.

Jude+, 310-375 4617 x225.

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