St. Francis Episcopal Church

November 2015

Thanksgiving Eve

Wednesday, November 25th

7:00 p.m. A Service of Holy Eucharist

From the desk of the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

I would like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude for your prayerful consideration during the time of our fall financial stewardship review. Our financial gifts are merely one component of the many gifts we have been blessed by God to share with others, and the fall is a time when we focus on our finances so we can responsibly plan for the coming year, 2016. Financial support is a necessary part of living in our world, supporting the many programs and initiatives that our gifts of time and talent create to change the world - bearing witness to Christ's love! I am very appreciative that we have received several financial commitments prior to and on the day of our stewardship ingathering last Sunday, and you remain in my prayers as you consider how you can support the important work accomplished everyday by the community of St. Francis.

I am also excited to report to you that the Vestry has approved the establishment of a restricted fund for the endowment of Mission and Ministry. This fund has been initially funded at the financial level of $100,000 and the annual investment proceeds will be used to support unique mission opportunities and initiatives of transformative ministry work in our community. The fund should yield approximately $4,000 annually for this work and we hope the fund will continue to grow as we receive additional gifts, primarily received from legacy stewardship donations.

This Sunday, we will hear the inspiring Gospel story of the widow who gave gifts to God from the deepest part of her heart. I am inspired everyday by the gracious acts of loving stewardship from this community, and I am filled with gratitude for the blessings of God's abundance!

Faithfully,

Pat

Mission

MUSTARD SEED CLEAN DRIVE

The Clean Drive will take place this weekend, November 7/8. We are asking everyone to bring in a household cleaning item that will be donated to our friends at the Mustard Seed. Imagine having 200 guests for dinner every night! The clean-up is a big job. Any product you use at home is welcome. Suggestions are: floor cleaner, paper towels, sponges, Windex. We are not brand fussy!

Also....this weekend we welcome Josephine Masarelli on Saturday and Michael Boover on Sunday to speak to us about the Mustard Seed ministry.

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.

HOPE FOR HOUSING

Did you ever want to do some kind of mission but just didn't have the time? Your heart was in the right place but with work, kids, school, errands, life....well, you get the picture. What if I told you that you could help out homeless families in Worcester and it wouldn't cost you anything extra or require any time. Then please consider purchasing a Hope for Housing gift card. Cards will be for sale after all services on the second and fourth weekend of each month. All you have to do is bring your check book or cash and buy a card from the Big Y, Stop and Shop, Shaw's or Panera's. You pay for the amount on the card, you receive that amount but the stores give Central Mass Housing Alliance a percentage of every card sold. The more we sell, the better for the homeless. If you would like to help out by selling the cards after any of the services, please contact Kathy Diehl at kdiehl@charter.net or Dick Welch at welch96@charter.net. Thank you!

Stewardship

Thank you for your continued commitment and support of the mission and ministry of St. Francis. If you have not yet made your pledge, pledge cards are available on the table in the narthex. To make a pledge via email please send your name, total annual amount pledged for the year, and amount and frequency of payment (weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly) to stfrancisholden.stewardship@gmail.com.

The St. Francis Stewardship Team continues to research methods of online pledging that are prudent, both from an internet security and financial perspective.

Thank you, Your Stewardship Team

Fall Newcomers Event

Saturday, November 14 immediately following the 5:00 p.m. service. We will meet at St. Clare House (across the parking lot from St. Francis) This is a casual, social occasion to meet other St. Francis parishioners and learn more about the ministries of our church. Dinner will be served. On-site child care is available upon request. Please RSVP by Monday, November 9th to Melanie Amaral at smamaral@charter.net / 508-304-8130 or Dawn Rook at dtrooke@gmail.com / 508-829-7124 or Sign-up on the table in the narthex.

Youth Ministry

DISCIPLESHIP WEEKEND

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in this special overnight retreat, beginning Saturday, November 14 at 3:00 pm and ending at the 10:00 service on Sunday the 15th.

The experience will include group indoor and outdoor games, meals, fellowship, worship, learning, and a service project. Students need only bring an overnight bag, clothes for the weather outdoors, and sleeping gear. Extra gear is available upon request; please just ask! Students who do not have a Permission Form on file should complete it and bring it along.

Please RSVP to haynes.matthew.m@gmail.com by Monday, November 9 to ensure sufficient provisions for all!

T-SHIRT SALES CONTINUE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY

The Church Mouse Fair kicked off the sale of Saint Francis "swag" - snazzy t-shirts . These items will be on sale throughout the holiday season, following each 10:00 Sunday service.

Cost is $15 (2 for $25)

For speedy service (and in-church delivery!), please enter your order using this easy web form. Your payment will be collected, and your shirts delivered, at the next coffee hour or another convenient time.

Proceeds from your purchase will benefit Youth Ministry activities here at Saint Francis. Thanks for your support!

Church School Food Drive

Children will bring their food offerings to the altar at the Offertory. Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate as well. Items needed this year include Canned soup, 100% juice, Cereal, Oatmeal.

Holiday food items are always needed: Stuffing mix, Gravy, Cranberry, and Instant Mashed Potatoes. Youth will assist in loading food for transport to the Wachusett Food Pantry.

Subscribe to the Church Calendar

A quick and easy way to subscribe to the St. Francis Church calendar.

Visit the St. Francis website calendar.

Click "+ Google Calendar" at the bottom on the right.

Your Google Calendar will load and the St. Francis Calendar will now display over your own.

Check and uncheck the box next to the St. Francis Calendar in your sidebar to toggle its visibility.

Events will be automatically added or updated if they are changed.

Amazon Smile

As we move closer to the holidays we want to remind you that, if you shop through Amazon, you can help support St. Francis. Just click here and sign in to your Amazon account.

Healing through the Holidays - Sponsored by Miles Funeral Home

Discovering Strength, Hope and Meaning this Holiday Season - Saturday, November 21st from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Holden Senior Center.

Miles Funeral Home sponsors seminars throughout the year focusing on various topics which can assist families when they need us most. We also offer articles online, Griefwords, written by Alan D. Wolfelt Ph.D, a nationally known author, educator and grief counselor. For online information including Sharing Hope seminars, grief support articles and local grief support, visit their website, www.milesfuneralhome.com.

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.