St. Francis Episcopal Church
 
          Bearing Witness to Christ's Love
 
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of our Patron Saint at all 3 services.
The Blessing of the Animals will be held on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in the Memorial Garden
From the desk of the Rector...
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Welcome back to a busy new program year at St. Francis! I hope your summer provided a time of rest and relaxation for you and your loved ones. The restoration of the church spaces damaged during this past winter is nearly complete and I am excited at the possibilities our renewed spaces will provide for us, now and in the future. The process of restoring the church was hard work, but the results remind us of the many gifts we are continually given...truly, we are living in God's abundance! And with that transition, I would like to introduce to you our theme for this fall's financial stewardship - "Living in God's Abundance."The Stewardship team has been thoughtfully reflecting on how to express the vibrant ministries and mission work of the community of St. Francis, and their discussions led them to a firm belief that we are in the midst of exciting times in the work of Christ's ministry. We have not simply been given an abundance, we are "living in"the ongoing gift of God's abundant grace. To recognize this miraculous gift is one thing, but to share that gift through word and deed is quite another. During the month of October as we gather for our weekend services, we will provide everyone an opportunity to write their thanksgivings for gifts that have been given - these opportunities of "Sharing with Gratitude"will be displayed throughout our worship space until our in-gathering in November.
 
We will share additional details as we come together in worship each week in October.
Again, welcome back to an exciting new program year at St. Francis, and I look forward to sharing many, many grace filled moments of mission and ministry with you as we celebrate and give thanks that we are Living in God's Abundance!
 
Yours in Christ,
Pat
Senior Ministry Seminar
LIVING AND DYING AS RESPONSIBLE CHRISTIANS: PLANNING FOR LIFE'S TRANSITIONS
Presented by Attorney Kathleen E. O'Connor
October 1, 8 and 15 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon

 

October 1, 2015

  • Introduction
  • The Importance of the Life/Estate Planning Consultation
  • Issues to Consider When Seeking Representation
  • Life/Estate Planning Consultation Questions and Issues to Consider
  • Life/Estate Planning Documents Everyone Should Have (Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy and Declaration of Homestead)

October 8, 2015

  • Ownership of Real Property and Real Property Issues
  • Trusts
  • To avoid or not to avoid probate, that is the question! (and answers)
  • Life/Estate Planning Case Studies for Single and Married Individuals
  • Massachusetts Medicaid Law

October 15, 2015

  • Trusts Used in Medicaid Planning
  • Medicaid Planning Case Studies for Single and Married Individuals
  • Reflections on the Funeral Liturgy by Rev. Patrick Perkins

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. 

Mission and Ministry Update
Late this summer the clergy brought together the leadership of the Stewardship Team, Mission Committee, Youth Group, Church School, and Confirmation program to talk about planning for the year ahead. We decided to call the meeting after an incident last winter where members of the Mission Committee and Youth Group showed up to volunteer at the same event without knowing the other was planning to be there. It dawned on us then that by improving the communication between ministries doing outreach that we could have a bigger impact within the congregation and beyond our walls by working together. 
  
The August meeting of these leaders generated a plan for a schedule for the year ahead that we all feel will provide opportunities to work together across generations and ministries on education and mission outreach opportunities. Our hope is that by offering opportunities to work together across generations and by focusing what we do on a fewer number of things that we will be able to involve more people in our mission outreach and we will have a bigger impact for the organizations we support. 
  
We want to be clear as we make this change that our goal is not to favor some organizations or programs over others or to send the message that we aren't open to supporting new programs or organizations or emergent needs that might arise. Instead, our goal is that through more focused planning, communication, and partnerships to have a greater impact for the organizations we do support as the congregation's attention isn't spread over too much at once so that one organization suffers at the expense of another. We feel that by working together in this way those ministries and programs that we support will only benefit as their message gets out to more people in a more focused way.
  
As always, if you have ideas for organizations, events, or programs that you believe St. Francis should support through our mission outreach please contact the Mission Committee Co-Chairs, Kathy Diehl and Dick Welch, or the clergy, Patrick Perkins and Karen Safstrom. 
  
Thank you and we look forward to growing together in mission in the coming year.
  
In Christ,
Pat, Karen, Kathy, and Dick

Wanted - Mission Helpers
Over the course of the year, there are many outreach activities that require ad hoc volunteers. The Mission Committee is seeking to refresh our list of people who are willing to help if available. If you would like to be on the list, please email Dick Welch at welch96@charter.net or Kathy Diehl at khdiehl@charter.net with your contact information (email and/or phone number) or sign up on the sheet in the Narthex."
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.  During the month of October volunteers will also be available to take pictures at all services. If you haven't previously submitted a picture please plan to have one taken in October.
Youth Group
All parents of middle and high school students are invited to a Fall Parent Meeting with Matt Haynes, Youth Ministry Coordinator, on October 4th from 11:30 to 12:30 (during the Youth meeting) in the library. We'll discuss this year's events and themes, ways to connect with your child about their experience, and opportunities to help. Please contact Matt at haynes.matthew.m@gmail.com with any questions.
CROP Walk Sunday, October 18, 2015
Registration begins at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden. Members of our youth group will be walking. If you would like to join Team St. Francis please contact Team Captain Greg McGurin at happydad46@gmail.com. Donations provide assistance for hungry people in our community and around the world by supporting Church World Service's life-saving programs. You can make a BIG difference. To make an online donation visit the team page for St. Francis at http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/site/TR?team_id=120551&pg=team&fr_id=21765&et=TfoHBMvFemicb6RiT9-XZA&s_tafId=145496 
Church Mouse Fair-Saturday, October 24 - 9 a.m. to Noon
Set up will begin following the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, October 18th. Donations for the Attic Treasures, Re-gift Boutique, and Crafts may be made during the week of October 19 - 23 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please note: Due to limited space we are unable to take donations before Sunday the 18th.

Attic Treasures - Donations of good, clean usable items: glassware, pictures, linens, craft supplies, tools, books, CD's, DVD's, puzzles, toys, jewelry and misc. Please note: we cannot accept tires, paint, cribs, infant car seats or carriers, furniture, television sets, computers, encyclopedias, textbooks, or subscription magazines.
Re-gift Boutique-Those items which are in mint condition and/or never used. These wouldn't be Attic Treasures. These would be items which you would give to someone else, but you just can't remember who gave it to you in the first place. Or it wasn't your style, didn't fit with your decor, etc. and has been sitting in your closet taking up space. 
Drop-Off Times for the above items will start on Sunday, October 18th after the 10:00 a.m. service until 1:00 p.m. and throughout the week-October 19-23 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Baked Goods - This is a best seller at our fair. We are looking for donations of pies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and breads. In particular, we would like to encourage items in half sizes or smaller portions for the benefit of senior citizens who would enjoy some homemade goods without the necessity of eating a whole cake on their own. When making your donation, it would be most helpful if you would note either "nuts" or "no nuts" or if your item is "gluten-free". Drop-Off Time Friday, October 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Crafters- If you've been working on items at home or would like to do so please let us know. We will be meeting every wednesday morning from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall to work on crafts to sell at the fair. No need to call ahead, just show up!  We will meet up until the fair. Also, KNITTERS!- We have a need for crib blankets and baby blankets. If you can help out, you can drop them off on a wednesday or contact Sarah Anderson at 40piggies3@gmail.com or 508-829-4564.
Sorters- During the week before the fair, even an hour of your time would be so much appreciated. All are welcome to bring friends with you! For high school students who need service hours this coming fall, this is a terrific opportunity to fill that need and also help us to help others!
For more information, questions, suggestions, etc., please call Sarah Anderson at 40piggies3@gmail.com or 508-829-4564 Sign-up sheets for volunteers will be in the narthex in the next few weeks.
Dinner and Stories of Faith Conversation - October 28th
Did you read Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis and it changed your life? Or did you have a spiritual epiphany while reading the short stories of Flannery O'Connor? Books are often transformational in our spiritual journeys. Join the associate rector on Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall for dinner and conversation about the books that have shaped our faith. Bring a sandwich (we will provide beverages), a copy of the book that had an impact on your life of faith (if you have one), and your story to share about that book and its effect on your life. Even if you don't have a book of your own to share, feel free to join us to find out what books you might want to add to your own reading list. For more information contact Karen Safstrom at karen.safstrom@gmail.com. 
Favorites File
It is hard to believe that Pat and Carol Perkins have been here one year! Although they have settled in and found their way around, they would love your suggestions. We are compiling a collection of parishioner recommendations of things you enjoy, and would like them to know about. Please fill out a card or two with your recommendations (restaurants, museums, hiking spots, day trips, vacation spots in New England, shopping, special events, parks, lakes, beaches, best things to do in Boston, attractions- be creative!) and tell them a bit about it- sign your name if you would like. The cards are on the sign up table for you to take, write on and put into the large envelope there. Please use a different card for each category. If questions contact Kathleen O'Connor, keomarsar@aol.com.
Thank you!
"Alas for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them!"         - Oliver Wendell Holmes
 
Thank you, Elise Sinagra for sharing that with me. And Sing we/you/everybody did.  I am so grateful to all of you for making my last Sunday as Minister of Music so memorable........the choir, the congregation, the CAKE, the special gifts...It was a wonderful day, and I continue to smile when I think back on it.
Never forget that THOSE WHO SING PRAY TWICE!!
Hugs to all,
Mary Been
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
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                                       Follow us on Twitter
Holden, MA 01520                                   www.stfrancisholden.org                             Like us on Facebook

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