THE YEAR-END BANNER PARTY will be held during church school time on Sunday, June 14th. All Church School classes will meet in Fellowship Hall at 9:45. The children will have a chance to thank all of their teachers and participate in making the newest banner for Fellowship Hall.  We will celebrate the end of another wonderful year by singing, dancing, and snacking.  Children will be out for the whole service, but if you would like your child to participate in Holy Communion, you can come and get them for the Eucharistic Prayer.  Hope all can attend!   

This Sunday, 5/31, current 5th graders will have another opportunity to join the Youth Group for fellowship, fun, and learning.

The 5th graders are invited to join the Youth Group this Sunday at their regular meeting time of 11:30 to 1, in St. Clare House. The group will have a snack, play some classic Youth Group games, and spend some time reflecting on God's power over nature as revealed in this week's Psalm (29).

{As I type this, my curtains are swaying in the windows, and high and low pressure zones are battling for control of our weather region!}

Come when you can - Oh, Jonah! rehearsal will be taking place during this time as well. If you have any questions, please just let me know. I'm looking forward to more get-to-know-you time!
 

Next week, 6/7, will be the final Youth Group gathering of the school year. All students in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us as we head out to Moore State Park for a picnic and some outdoor fun and games. Please contact Matt for more details.

Thanks,

Matt Haynes

haynes.matthew.m@gmail.com 

As the music season winds down, my heart is filled with gratitude. First of all, thank you to Jeff Heath and the bells.  The concert on the 17th showed us just how much the bells mean to St. Francis.  Secondly, thank you to Steve Bullock and the Saturday Team. I've enjoyed singing with you this past year. The Saturday team is the first to volunteer when it comes time for Festival Choir and working with them is a joy.  Thirdly, thank you to the festival choir.  You made Christmas, Holy Week and Easter, and (this year) the bishop's visit and confirmation amazing.  After confirmation, several people said "wouldn't it be wonderful if the choir was ALWAYS that big".  Of course it would, but the numbers are what make those special holidays so meaningful musically. And that leads me to my fourth thank you.  This is probably the most important for me to say. The Core Choir members are the ones who commit to a choir season, and that means 8:15 a.m. on Sundays for rehearsal.  Their faithfulness makes me smile every Sunday morning.  The core choir is a family......there to lend support for each other during tough times.  Singing is very important to them, and church music is sung from the heart.  If the choir is important to members of the congregation, PLEASE let the choir know this.  I can tell them over and over how proud I am of them and how much I love them, but it's nice to be appreciated by others too.  That leads me to my last thank you....to the congregation at the 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis.  A church that raises it's voice in song must make God smile too.  After all, those who sing pray twice.  Have a wonderful summer.

THE EPISCOPEALS HANDBELL CHOIR finished the season with a beautiful concert. They would like to thank the St. Francis Community for their support. Donations were received to help with the cost of refurbishing the bells. If you missed the concert but would like to donate, please send your donation to the church marked "Handbells". 

SUMMER WORSHIP begins the weekend of Father's Day, June 20/21 and will continue through Labor Day weekend: Holy Eucharist on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and New Zealand Night Prayer and S'mores by the Labyrinth on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

SUMMER HOURS for the Administrator's office will be Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the months of July and August.

Reminder of how to contact the clergy: Office: 508-829-3344: Ext 1 - Rector; Ext 2 - Associate Rector; Ext 3 - Prayer requests and pastoral emergencies. 

Patrick's mobile: 508-667-6335  

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN - JOIN US FOR S'MORE WORSHIP WEDNESDAYS

This summer, starting on June 24, we will again gather by the labyrinth behind St. Clare House for midweek worship on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for Night Prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book. Worship will be followed by s'mores cooked over the fire bowl and fellowship. A gluten free s'mores option will also be available. Don't forget to bring a blanket or a lawn chair to sit on! NOTE: Worship on July 1st at 7:00 p.m. will instead be an abbreviated Eucharistic service with Baptism, but also followed by s'mores and fellowship.

CLERGY SUMMER READING LISTS

This summer you can keep up with what Pat and Karen are reading and join them in conversation about the books by following their online reflections. Click here for what books are on their reading list and when they will be reading them. 

ST. FRANCIS HABITAT BUILD DAY!  June 20th, we will be working on the Kendig Street site. The day will be broken up into two shifts.  One group from 8:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and then 12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.  With an hour lunch for everyone in between!  Please join us. Sign up in the Narthex or contact Kathy Diehl, khdiehl@charter.net, if you have questions.

MILITARY PACKAGE DRIVE June 13th - 21st.  Please drop your donations off at the mission table in the corner of the Narthex.  Donations of any of the following items are greatly appreciated.  Packages are put together and sent out throughout the year to the men and women on our Military Prayer list. 

It is important for all items to be in original packaging, including any safety seals. Food items need to be checked for expiration dates, if possible.

Non-Food Items:

Unscented wet wipe refill packages
Hand sanitizer - small/pocket size
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dental floss
Lip balm with sunscreen
Individual size tissues
Pens
Note cards/envelopes
Decks of playing cards
Food Items:
Granola/protein bars (solid - no filling or frosting)
Dried fruit
Peanut butter
Mint life savers
Canned nuts
Chewing Gum
Dry soup 

ON-GOING MISSION PROGRAMS...

Syrian Refugees...If you're doing your spring cleaning and find clothing and linens/bedding that you are no longer using, bring it to the church and place it by the Mission table beside the library doors. Deliveries are still being made.

 Mustard Seed...The second Wednesday of each month. Finger desserts are always welcome and needed. Please deliver them to the church by 5:00 p.m. 

Church School Newsletters: Family Connections

Youth Group: Schedule

Sermon Archives: Sermons

Senior's Birthdays:  Birthday list

Calendar: Monthly calendar