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Like the murmur of the dove's song, like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind's rush, like the new flame's eager might:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
To the members of Christ's Body, to the branches of the Vine,
to the Church in faith assembled, to her midst as gift and sign:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
With the healing of division, with the ceaseless voice of prayer;
with the power to love and witness, with the peace beyond compare:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
(Carl P. Daw, Jr., b. 1944 - )
This weekend - May 26/27 - is Pentecost. Don't forget to wear red! |
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A Message from the Rector
"O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation: join the great throng, psaltery, organ and song, sounding in glad adoration." (Joachim Neander (1650-1680) - The Hymnal 1982, page 390).
"Praise him with timbrel and dance: praise him with strings and pipe." (Psalm 150:4)
I am so grateful for the leadership of our two wardens, Craig Stanovich and Beverly Giarusso, who have shepherded this vestry and parish through the process of receiving a "new" Hook and Hastings Opus 2344 Organ from the people of Christ Church, South Barre. I believe that this gift will help us to more faithfully live into our calling to be "instruments of God's peace" for many years to come.
Craig and Bev have done a terrific job of conveying the information to you and to the vestry every step of the way. This process all started when some new members from Christ Church, South Barre were attending a newcomer event at St. Clare House. In one sense, this has all unfolded very quickly. But the truth is, the vestry has been talking about the need to replace the organ we have for some time, in much the same way that people who are driving around a car with 180,000 miles on it are aware that the day is surely coming...
So while the "end game" has unfolded over the course of just a few months, I can assure you it has been a discerning and prayerful process. I have deliberately stayed in the background on this, as I feel that such decisions properly belong to the vestry and not the clergy. But I want you all to know that I totally share in the excitement about this instrument and about what it will mean for St. Francis Church for decades to come. Hathy and I have been very happy to contribute financially to this effort by honoring our two favorite tenors, Graham and James; my late father, E. Richard Simpson; and Charles Nwachukwu, our Minister of Music who has been so ably serving us for these past nine years.
As I write to you, I am humbled by the amazing response to the letter soliciting your support. On Mother's Day weekend, literally just a few days after Craig and Bev's letter was sent out twenty-two gifts were made, totaling $15,425 to support this effort. Last weekend an additional $7,525 was received from 13 parishioners. Added to the almost $2000 that was remaining in the Capital Campaign Fund (which has been "rolled over" into this effort) we have made tremendous progress in this effort so far. Even so, we are left with approximately $30,650 still to raise.
As Bev and Craig have noted, essentially this organ transplant (sorry, I had to say it just once!) will cost us approximately $150 per pipe; there are just over four hundred of them. Every Christmas and Easter, parishioners give money for flowers that, like the grass of the fields, wither and perish within a few weeks. We do this for the sake of beauty, because such things are icons to the holiness of God. We do these things to praise God. We do these things out of gratitude for all God has done for us, and all that these persons mean to us.
I have been very touched to receive donations from the widows of our second and third rectors-Dianna Sullivan and Colleen Whepley to honor the time they spent at St. Francis. We also received a donation from the Bishop's Discretionary Fund. To date, we have received one $5000 gift, one $4000 gift and 8 $1000 gifts. While I hope that we will continue to receive such generous checks toward this effort, my prayer is that everyone who is a part of this community will prayerfully consider at least a $150 gift to sponsor a pipe, offering a gift that will be shared with God's people for many years to come as we praise God with "psaltery, organ, and song." It is important, I think, for this to be an effort we all share in. So if you have not yet done so, I hope you will prayerfully consider making a gift to this effort; a form for doing so can be downloaded here.
While we anticipate the organ being up and ready within the next few weeks, our hope is that we will be able to more formally dedicate this "new" organ this coming fall within the context of our sixtieth birthday as a parish-sometime around the Feast of St. Francis on October 4, 2012. At that time the organ itself will be just ninety-eight years young. Details on what that celebration will look like are still being worked out, but my hope is that we will be able to say by then that all 400 pipes have been adopted, and that we have incurred no debt as a parish in completing this project. Names of all donors, as well as the names of all those who have been remembered and honored will be compiled in a booklet that will be distributed at that event celebratory event, when we gather to praise God with glad adoration.
Yours in Christ
Rich
Rector's Summer Plans
In addition to normal vacation time, I will be away a fair amount this summer and wanted to let you know why. (It's not because I don't love you all!) On, Saturday, June 2, I'll be at the Convention in Springfield that will elect our ninth Bishop. I am grateful to The Rev. Janice Schuyler for taking the Saturday Service that afternoon. I will be preaching and celebrating on Sunday, June 3.
The following weekend, our youngest son, James, is graduating from Wachusett Regional High School. And then Sunday, June 10, is the last Sunday for my old "boss" in Westport, Connecticut, who is retiring. I want to be in worship with my former parish to celebrate this occasion so I will not be in church either on June 9 or 10. The Rev. Karen Safstrom will be presiding and preaching.
On the weekend of June 23/24, my step-father is retiring as Pastor of the Hawley United Methodist Church and we will be in Pennsylvania to mark that occasion with extended family. The Rev. Mark Hatch, former Associate Rector at St. Francis, will peach and preside that weekend. And then on June 30, I have a wedding on Cape Cod; Karen will be preaching and presiding that weekend. And then I am headed off to General Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana the first week of July: Mark Hatch will be back on July 7 and 8 to preach and preside.
I will be in town on the weekend of July 14 and 15 before heading off for some "normal" vacation time in North Carolina the following weekend and then around in August. I am grateful for these important occasions, some work related and some more personal. Other than the time at General Convention and vacation, I am around during the week throughout these times, but will miss you in worship.
-RMS-
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Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for the future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer, page 826
Thanks to Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, and our Property Chair, Bryan Diehl, for bringing back a work crew from the Worcester County Correctional Facility to do some work at the rectory. The walkways in both the front and back of the rectory needed repair, and over the course of the week of May 14-18 a group of prisoners came to do this work. Special thanks to Sam Davenport who coordinated the project and worked alongside the prisoners and to all who provided lunch: John Sweeney ; Joe and Sarah Ribeiro; Nancy Rogan and Andrea Colyer; Nicole McGurin and Meagan Gemborys
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On Saturday, May 19, 2012
The Rev. A. Robert Hirshfeld,
Rector at Grace Church in Amherst
was elected to succeed
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson
as the tenth bishop of New Hampshire.
Rob was elected on the first ballot.
Please keep Rob and his wife, Polly, and their children in your prayers as they make this transition...along with the people of Grace, Amherst and The Diocese of New Hampshire.
In other news: since Rob was a Clergy Delegate from this Diocese to General Convention this summer in Indianapolis; and will now instead sit with the New Hampshire delegation, it means your truly moves up from C-5 to C-4. It means that instead of being first alternate I'll get to vote! So I can use your prayers too!
-RMS-
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From the Standing Committee of the Diocese
A Prayer for the Election of a Bishop
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of your Church. Empowered by your Holy Spirit, guide us as we seek the bishop of your choosing who will guide and equip our diocese in its mission, shepherd us as we seek to worship you and preach your Holy Gospel, and walk with us as we strive to be your hands and heart in the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. |
Bishop Election - June 2 at the Cathedral in Springfield
Please be praying on June 2 for our diocese and all five bishop candidates: Richard Demarest, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Gossling, Ron Griffin, and Mark Pendleton and for their families and congregations. Pray also for our St. Francis voting delegates: Rich Simpson, Dawn Rooke, Dick Delorme, Robin Carlo, and Jacqueline Galvinhill. Finally, for those who use Facebook, balloting results will be posted in real time on the Transition FB page: if you go to
https://www.facebook.com/WMAbishop
and "like" this page you will be able to watch how it all unfolds through the updates posted there on June 2. |
Diocesan Golf Tournament to benefit Haiti Saturday, June 30th, at the Southwick Country Club in Southwick Country Club in Southwick, MA - Tee off time is 9:30 a.m. sharp
For several years golfers from across the diocese have enjoyed a festive Alleluia Fund Golf Tournament that helped support the start of our new congregation in Southwick. We can all celebrate the fulfillment of the Alleluia Fund mission and the grace of God at work in Southwick leading them to become a self-supporting mission congregatioin of the Diocese.
At the 2010 Diocesan Convention, a group of golfers asked if we could keep the Diocesan Golf Tournament going because it was such a positive experience to share the day with people from around the diocese and to help a good mission cause while having fun.
So...for a second consecutive year, the mission of the Diocesan Golf Tournament will be helping rebuild Haiti by parnering with The Episcopal Church Foundation who administers donations to help rebuild the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. All donations will be directed toward rebuilding the Cathedral Complex. Let's help rebuild the Episcopal Church in Haiti, starting with Trinity Cathedral, the spiritual and cultural home of thousands ofr Episcopalians. Now we can help them as they join with other groups in rebuilding and serving the needs of post earthquake Haiti.
If you have any questions, please contact John DeBonville at john.debonville@aic.edu or call him at 413-205-3090.
You can download the registration form by clicking here or by visiting our website |
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Confirmation 2012
We congratulate those from St. Francis who were confirmed and received on Sunday, May 19th and welcome them as members of the Episcopal Church.
Confirmed: Andrew Churchill, Nicholas Deane, William DePerrio, Thomas Fafard, Caroline Galvinhill, Madalyn Miln, Madeline Sullivan, Joseph Switzer and Alexander Turgeon
Reaffirmed: Pamela Hanson, Dianne Wilson, and Tom Wilson
Received: Bob Bleakney, Shelby Looney, and Michelle Tsongalis
We give special thanks to those who mentored this year's St. Francis youth confirmation class: Robin Carlo, Laura Caswell, Evan Deane, Dave Fafard, Liz Korandanis, Fred Lonardo, Donna Mann, Greg McGurin and Bill Turgeon. |
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High School Graduations
Congratulations to our High School Graduates:
Graduating from Wachusett Regional High School:
Rebecca Bylaska-Davies will attend the University of Maine
David Diehl will attend Bishop's University, Lenexville, Canada
Kelly Letourneau will attend New York University
Daniel Lonardo will attend Bentley University
Maddie Miln - will attend Bridgewater State University
Abbey Murphy will attend Endicott College
Sandy Olesin will attend UMass, Amherst
Tania Papandrea will attend Boston University
James Simpson will attend Northeastern University
Nick Stanovich will attend Lasell College
Alex Turgeon will attend Clark University
Graduating from Worcester Academy:
Kyle Berglund will attend George Washington University |
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Youth Ministry Coordinator Update
The first task before this committee, comprised of Rich Simpson (Rector), Laura Caswell (Chair), Robin Carlo, Dave Faford, Tom Miller, Hannah Evangelidis, Peter Mann, and Cassie Clemente was to revise the job description for this position to present to the Vestry. This was not a mere formality, as the ministry itself has changed over the past four years or so to include the Rite 13 and J2A programs. The revised job description now more closely resembles the Church School Coordinator position at St. Francis to include recruitment and training and support of volunteers who share the work of this ministry. You can see the job description by clicking here.
The committee next interviewed Liz Korandanis, the Interim Youth Ministry Coordinator. We felt excited about asking Liz to continue to do this work, and she felt excited about doing so. At this point in her own life, however, it is unclear where she will be a year from now. Our shared discernment was therefore to extend the interim period out one year: Liz already knows the kids and the program and will be able to continue to build on the good work that has been happening next year. As we get into the fall and winter, she will have a better idea of what lies ahead. If she is able to do so, our hope would be to offer her the position at that point on a more permanent position. On the other hand, if it is clear by then that this will not work for her, then we'll re-open the search and interview other candidates at that time.
In the meantime, however, we are grateful for Liz's passion, vision, and love for our kids and glad to have her on the staff for as long as that may last. One thing that became clear in our interview with Liz is that she knows the program and has first-hand experience with all of the paid youth ministers who have served St. Francis over the past twenty-five years: Elizabeth Minahan, Phil and Melissa Labelle, Lori Churchill, and the Rev. Jill Williams. She has a broad and deep perspective on where we have been, but also on where we believe God is calling us next and will, we trust, not simply "hold steady" but continue to help us to move forward, trusting God's Holy Spirit to lead us. |
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EfM Open House
June 2nd following the 5:00 p.m. service and
June 3rd following the 10:00 a.m. service in the narthex
For adults interested in an in-depth program of Bible Study and theological reflection, St. Francis offers the Education for Ministry program known as EfM. EfM is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. This course covers the basics of theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. The class meets weekly from September to May. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program, and it is not necessary to commit to all four years. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units for each year's work.
The Open House will provide the opportunity to speak with current EfM students and mentors, take a look at the materials and ask any questions you may have about EfM. If you'd like to attend, or would like more information about the program, contact Robin Carlo at rcarlo5@mac.com or 508-829-0363 or Deborah Johansen-Harris at debjohansenharris@gmail.com or 508-829-0980. You can also check out the EfM wesite at www.sewanee.edu/efm |
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Mission Matters
Save the date, June 16th, for our Habitat for Humanity Build that St. Francis has sponsored. Please see the details below. It's not to late to sign up to help in this build, the sign up sheet is in the narthex. Many thanks to Kathy Diehl and Chrissy Jones for organizing this event for such a worthy cause.
On June 3rd after the 10:00 a.m. service there will be the 1st meeting, in the library, to start planning for the next El Salvador trip. All interested are invited to attend. If you cannot attend this meeting but are interested, please contact me.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Tom Wilson
Mission Chair |
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Habitat for Humanity
Worcester Build Project
June 16th from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Francis Episcopal Church is sponsoring the Habitat for Humanity Worcester Build at 16 Fales Street, in the Greendale section of Worcester. We will be building on Saturday, June 16. Please consider joining us. No experience is necessary. The Build Day is from 8 am - 4 pm with a catered lunch. If we have more than 10 interested volunteers, we will split the day into a morning shift and an afternoon shift - and everyone can join the catered lunch! A sign-up sheet is on the Mission Table as well as brochures on Habitat for Humanity and the Worcester Build Project. Please consider supporting our mission efforts locally by joining us as we put our faith into action and help to provide a safe, decent, and affordable home for a deserving family. This is Habitat's 34th home they have built and their 19th home in Worcester. For more information on this Build, please go to http://www.habitatmwgw.org/our-builds/fales-street. |
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St. Francis Men's Service Ministry
The mission of the Men's Service Ministry is simply: To serve those who aren't able to keep up with tasks around the house and who have insufficient means to cope on their own. We need assistance in identifying those who could use our assistance within our congregation or anyone in Holden and the surrounding towns. Please contact Bryan Diehl at bdiehl@wm.com (508) 829-4835 or Rich Simpson if you know of anyone that needs a hand. |
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thank you ladies for your contributions. We have three Prayer Shawls to be blessed. GREAT |
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Holy Baptism
The next date for Baptism is Sunday, June 17. Please be in touch with Karen in the office if you wish to be Baptized or have a child Baptized on that weekend.
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Monthly Lectionary
June 2/3 - Trinity Sunday
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
June 9/10 - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15
Psalm 138
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Mark 3:20-35
June 16/17 - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Mark 4:26-34
June 23/24 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost
1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49
Psalm 9:9-20
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41 |
Seniors Birthdays ~ June
3 - Rich Farrell
4 - Joe Ribeiro
5 - Dave Lajoie
7 - Karen Mahoney
13 - Bill Lasher
19 - Kay Geoffroy
29 - Paul Harges
30 - Peter Glanville
30 - Mary Jane Wilson |
Weekly Memorial Altar Flowers
The flowers or greens that adorn the altar each week are provided through donations given by parishioners in memory of a departed loved one or in thanksgiving for a blessing.
Flowers are used each week except during the Lent and Advent seasons when we use greens.
If you would like to reserve a weekend for a memorial or thanksgiving please:
- Email Karen in the church office with your request;
- Pick up a form from the table in the narthex;
- Click here to print a form.
Forms may be mailed or put in the offering plate along with a check. The weekly cost for flowers is $50. Just as is our practice at Christmas and Easter a donation of any amount as a memorial is acceptable. |
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ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
70 Highland St., Holden, MA 01520
Worship: Wednesday - 7:00 p.m., Saturday - 5:00 p.m., Sunday - 8:00 &10:00 a.m.
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday
Office Phone: 508-829-3344 Fax : 508-829-6211
Rector: stfrancis_rector@charter.net
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