We seek to be instruments of God's peace,

bearing witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ for all people.

St. Francis Episcopal Church ~ Holden, Massachusetts

Summer Schedule Ends...

...next week - Labor Day Weekend! We return to our regular schedule on September 12/13: Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Please join us at 10:00 a.m. for a service of special music to honor Mary Been on her last Sunday as our Minister of Music.

We resume our regular Wednesday Evening Eucharist on September 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Office hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning September 14, 2015.

Church School Start-Up!

August 30: Registration begins

September 13: Move-Up Day - Classes begin at 9:45 a.m.

The Church School program is available for children who are in preschool (age 3 by September 1st) through grade 5.
Registration forms need to be completed on all students, even if they are not new to the program, since these forms are given to this year's teachers.
A notice with room assignments will be available on the registration table.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Church School Coordinator, Susan Bastardo, at (508) 829-0600 or smbastardo@gamil.com.

Youth Group begins...

...on Sunday September 13th. Youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to weekly meetings from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in St. Clare House. If you have questions or would like more information please contact Matt Haynes at haynes.matthew.m@gmail.com or 978-534-1569.

Coffee Hour Host Openings

Looking for a fun, easy way to get involved at St. Francis? Sign up to host a coffee hour! This is a great way to meet people and provide a much appreciated service. We are now putting together the schedule for each Sunday from September 13, 2015-June 12, 2016 after the 10:00 a.m. services. A very easy to follow tutorial will be provided. Please contact Dawn Rooke at dtrooke@gmail.com or 508-829-7124.

Festival Choir

Rehearsals for Sept 13th (Mary's last Sunday) will be Tuesday, Sept 8th and Thursday, Sept 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please feel free to come to one or both of these rehearsals as you are able. Can't wait to work with everybody one last time. Mary Been

Fall Pictorial Directory

We plan to do an updated Pictorial Directory for the fall. If your family picture is not in this directory please send us a picture to include in the fall directory. Email it to stfran@verizon.net

along with any updated info or Brion Keagle will be available at the Parish Picnic to take pictures. If you haven't previously submitted a picture, or would like an updated picture taken please plan to have one taken at the picnic.

Handbell Update

The bells are back! The refurbishment is complete and the bells were delivered home earlier this month. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the cost of the refurbishing. There is still room for anyone who has not yet contributed, and would like to. Please make checks payable to St. Francis Episcopal Church, and put bell repair on the memo line.

The bell choir will have an open rehearsal on Monday, September 14, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Everyone is welcome to come try them out. It's fun to do and a wonderful way to enhance the worship at special times through the year. Being able to read music is not a requirement. We'll teach you all you need to know. If you have any questions please contact Jeffery Heath, Director at 508-397-7528 or lightsmanj@gmail.com

Parish Picnic

Please join us for a time of fellowship at the annual St. Francis Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 20, 2015, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Take some time to relax, re-connect, and share stories of your summer adventures before the demands of school, activities, and athletics take hold. The picnic will be held rain or shine, with traditional picnic fare served. The cost is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family, and we ask that you bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please R.S.V.P. by September 13, to Melanie Amaral smamaral@charter.net, Dawn Rooke dtrooke@gmail.com or on the Sign-up Sheet in Fellowship Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!

Update from the Senior Ministry Planning Group

The Senior Ministry Planning Group is please to announce a series of activities for Seniors, as identified following the luncheon held in May. Some of the activities may also be of interest to families with older members.

September 17: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall: "Mindfulness" presented by the Harrises. (More information below)
October 1, 8, 15: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall: "Living and Dying as Responsible Christians: Planning for LIfe's Transitions". Presented by Attorney Kathleen O'Connor

Each presentation will include refreshments and an opportunity to meet and greet fellow parishioners. Questions? Please contact members of the Senior Ministry Planning Group: Betty Ann Degon, Deborah and Ted Harris, Judith Morrissette, Marge Tremblay, Jane Williams, Sue Williams.

PRACTICING MINDFULNESS: AN INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION ~ AN AUDIO LECTURE BY MARK W. MUESSE, PH.D. Facilitated by Deborah Johansen Harris and the Rev. Ted Harris

Two one-half hour lectures with discussion

Award-winning Professor Mark W. Muesse of Rhodes College takes you on a dynamic exploration of your own mind, giving you a clear and useable understanding of the essence of meditation and guided exercises on how to practice it. Investigate how the mind operates and the condition of "mindlessness"-the pervasive swirl of thoughts and judgments that separate you from the world around you. Instead, Do you control your mind, or does your mind control you? Investigate how the mind operates and the condition of "mindlessness"-the pervasive swirl of thoughts and judgments that separate you from the world around you. Consider the possibility of cultivating the mind in ways conducive to deep well-being for yourself and others.develop mindfulness practice-non-judgmental attention to experience its many benefits: The freedom of how you choose to respond to life, releasing detrimental emotions and patterns of thinking, and its positive effect on your physical health. Additional lectures will be included in this series given sufficient interest.

Member Update

Helen Wisner has moved to her daughter Sue Weeks' house. She's doing well and having fun -- but she wants to keep in touch. Please call her anytime: 413-773-8974 or write to her at her new address: 322 Adams Road, Greenfield, MA 01301 We wish Helen a very happy 91st birthday on September 1st.

Community Program

Healing a Spouse's Grieving Heart and Finding Your Way

Saturday, September 19, 2015

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main Street, Holden

More information available on the hallway bulletin board.

Calendar

Weekly

Worship: Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. | Sundays at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

September to June:

Choir Rehearsals: Sundays at 8:15 a.m.

Church School: Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

Youth Group: Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

Bell Choir Rehearsals: Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Monthly

Mission Committee: First Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Vestry: Second Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Mustard Seed: Second Wednesday - Prep begins at noon. Pick-up for delivery is at 5:00 p.m.

Holden Nursing Home Eucharist: Second Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

Men's Ministry: Second Saturday at 7:00 a.m.

Prayer Shawl Ministry: Third Monday at 10:00 a.m.

Dismas Farm Dinner: Fourth Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

Useful Links

Server's Schedules: Acolytes | Altar Guild | LEMs/Lectors | Ushers

Feeding Ministry Schedules: Mustard Seed | Dismas Farm

Church School Newsletters: Family Connections

Youth Group: Schedule

Sermon Archives: Sermons

Senior's Birthdays: Birthday list

Calendar: Monthly calendar

St. Francis Episcopal Church 508-829-3344

70 Highland Street stfran@verizon.net

Holden, MA 01520 www.stfrancisholden.org

Services of Holy Eucharist

Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. | Sundays at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.