St. Francis Episcopal Church 
January 2016
 
Join us for worship:
Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.
Sundays at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Offering Envelopes
OFFERING ENVELOPES are on the table in the narthex. Please pick yours up on your way out. If you would like envelopes but do not have a box assigned to you, please write your name on the sheet and a box of envelopes will be provided to you.
Budget Review
The Finance Committee will present the 2016 Budget on Sunday, January 17th. Please join them in the library following the 10:00 a.m. service.
The Official Call to Annual Meeting
Notice is hereby given for the Call to Annual Meeting of St. Francis Episcopal Church, Holden, Massachusetts, to be held in the church on Sunday, January 24, 2016 immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service.
 
We will meet to:
  1. Receive reports from the Rector, Wardens, Treasurer and Parish Ministries.
  2. Elect Vestry Members and Delegates to the Annual Diocesan Convention.
  3. Transact such other business as may legally come before Annual Meeting.
                                                                                    Clerk of the Vestry, Dawn Rooke

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no services at 5:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. that weekend. We encourage you to plan to attend the 10:00 a.m. service and Annual Meeting on Sunday. We will gather after the 10:00 a.m. service for some food and fellowship prior to the annual meeting.
Annual Reports Reminder
Just a reminder to all ministry leaders that reports for the Annual Meeting booklet are due in the office by Sunday, January 10th. 
Mission
ABBY'S HOUSE BUY A BED
Did you know the average cost of a bed for a woman or child, seeking shelter at Abby's House is $35?  You can sponsor a woman or child for a night by "buying a bed".  Just make your check payable to Abby's House.  All checks should be in by January 10th when we will welcome a representative to speak at our Sunday 10:00 a.m. service.
 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MUSTARD SEED SOUP KITCHEN 2016
(every second Wednesday of the month)
The Mustard Seed is a rewarding ministry that provides a hot meal for nearly 200 homeless and needy people of all ages.
Shopping: We will provide you a list of ingredients required to cook the Mustard Seed dinner. Groceries can be purchased the week before the meal is prepared and drop off at St. Francis. We are seeking volunteers to spend 2 hours max. shopping--four times per year. 
Serving: Pick up prepared dinner and deserts at St. Francis at 5:15 PM and serve dinner at the Mustard Seed. 2 hour time commitment. Servers rotate every 3-4 months. 
Baking: Bake deserts for the meal and drop off at St. Francis by 5:00 PM. 
Contact Nancy Pope at npope194@gmail.com  or 508-829-5564 or Mike Pope at  mpope85@gmail.com   if interested in volunteering. 
Senior Ministry
Join us on Wednesday, January 27th (with a snow date of Thursday, January 28th) from 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. for a discussion of Barbara Crafton's wise and witty words in The Courage to Grow Old. From managing medicine and memories, to downsizing and discovering, Barbara brings insight, experience and a touch of humor to the subject of aging gracefully. The book can be purchased in paperback or Kindle editions at Amazon. Please sign up in the narthex. Led by Robin Carlo, Spiritual Formation Missioner, Diocese of Western Mass.
 
Future programs will include:
Wednesday,  February 4th - Valentine's Tea - 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 17 - Ted and Deborah Harris: Mindfulness (Part 2) - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
April - open date (to allow for bad weather in January)
Wednesday, May 18th - 2nd Annual Senor Luncheon - 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 12th - 11:00 a.m. - St. Francis Youth Group - Internet Safety and Technology  
 
Hope you are able to join us in any or all of these programs.  More complete information will be available closer to the program dates.
Thank you, Marge Tremblay
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

Rector: The Rev. Patrick R. Perkins                               pperkins.stfrancis@gmail.com                            
Associate Rector: The Rev. Karen Safstrom                karen.safstrom@gmail.com
Parish Administrator: Karen Heath                               stfran@verizon.net
Church School: Susan Bastardo                                     smbastardo@gmail.com              
Youth Minister: Matthew Haynes                                 haynes.matthew.m@gmail.com
 
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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