Our parish has many groups to carry out our mission. Here are more details on most of the activities. The contact for each group is listed for questions.
Acolytes - Contact: Fr. Giacolone
An acolyte serves at the altar during the
Sunday services - lighting the candles, carrying the processional cross, helping prepare Communion, and assisting the Priest. Under the direction of Fr. Len, we have a team of five who serve periodically.
Altar Flowers - Contact Angie McCown or Nancy Critchfield-Jones
Associated with the altar guild are the altar flowers. In general, every two weeks (exceptions are during Pre-Lent, Lent and Advent), fresh flowers are placed on the altar. (The set being replaced is taken to the Retirement and Nursing Center on Burnet Lane for the residents to enjoy.) Anyone can make a remembrance for a loved one or a thank offering with the altar flowers at any time during the year, by simply filling out an envelope from the table in the back, enclose a donation, and leave it in the box on the right side of the back of the Nave.
Altar Guild - Contact: Becky Hunt
This group of 14 is responsible for assisting the Priest in preparing for services at St. Francis. They are divided into teams and set up and clean up the altar (among many other duties) for all the services that week. New members are always welcome. Email Becky Hunt to volunteer and with questions.
Anglicans for Life - Contact: Rory Motl
Formed in April of 2009 and affiliated with the global organization, the St. Francis chapter generally meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at
12:30 pm. Anglicans for Life is the global Anglican ministry that educates, equips, and engages the Anglican Church in fulfilling Scripture's mandate to protect the vulnerable, defend the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Rory Motl leads the group. All are welcome to attend.
Choir - Contact: Amy Crandell
The all-volunteer choir was formed in 2008. Amy Crandell organizes the music and leads the rehearsals. Currently, seven St. Francis members devote 45 minutes each
Sunday to rehearsing. Our goal is to enhance the
11:00 service with music sung to the glory of God. New choir members who enjoy singing are always welcome. Email Amy Crandell for more information or to volunteer.
Along with the choir, instrumentalists and smaller vocal groups occasionally offer music during the
11:00 service or other special services. Let the music director or Amy know if you have a talent to offer.
Christian Education for Youth - Contact: Missy Bernard
Sunday school classes for the youth of St. Francis are held each week at
9:30 between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Classes always center on Biblical stories with activities designed to help the students live the lessons. Missy Bernard leads the program and, along with Denise Gentsch, Sue Orr and Doug Cooper teach the classes. Email Missy with questions or for more information. All parents are encouraged to bring their children to
Sunday school.
Christian Education for Adults - Contact: Fr. Giacolone
Periodically, Fr. Len leads a class for adults. Typically held on a weekday evening, in past years, the class has been on prayer using Pray in Faith and on the Holy Spirit using The Holy Spirit and You. Class is open to anyone.
Evening Prayer - Contact: Jim Crandell
A weekly Evening Prayer service has been said at St. Francis since at least 2006. Currently led by Jim Crandell with 7-9 in attendance, the service is held at
7 pm each Thursday, using the order of service from the 1928 Prayer Book. Prayers and lessons are said, but Hymns, the Gloria and the canticles are sung without accompaniment. Contact Jim with questions. All are welcome to attend.
Games Night - Contact: Amy Crandell
On the first
Friday of each month (with some exceptions), a small group of St. Francis friends (generally 4-8 folks) gathers for a light potluck supper followed by a time of a board game or two. All are welcome to join the group for an enjoyable social evening
.
Home Groups - Contact: Fr. Giacolone
The St. Francis Home Groups were formed in 2005 and are still meeting nearly
12 years later - some with the original members! We currently have two home groups with between 4 and 12 members which meet bi-monthly at the private home of one of the members. The format of each group's sessions varies, but prayer, Bible reading, discussion and support are typically present. Currently Claire Ducker and Doug Cooper each host a home group. Anyone can form a home group. Let Fr. Len know your plans and visit the current home groups to see how they are organized.
Hospitality - Contact: David Norris
Having a bite to eat while visiting after the services has been a St. Francis activity ever since the church first formed. Kim & David Norris volunteer the coordination of the coffee hour, potluck luncheons, and other receptions and gatherings, but a variety of volunteers are needed to supply the snacks. There is a sign-up notebook on the table that always has openings for someone to bring some snacks.
Intercessory Prayer Group - Contact: Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone
Prayer is the top activity at St. Francis. Towards this, St. Francis has an active Intercessory Prayer Group. Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone maintain the church's prayer list, receiving requests in a variety of ways - discussions, email, telephone calls and written requests left in the prayer box. Members of the group receive updates via e-mail and all vow to pray each day for each person on the list. Contact either Nancy or. Fr. Len if you wish to be an intercessor. There is a prayer intention box in the back of the Sanctuary if you would like to submit a prayer request.
Mothers' Prayer Group - Contact: Char Ready
On the 3rd Thursday of each month, this group of mothers meets to offer prayers of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Petition - with the petition prayers concentration on the families. Contact Charlotte Ready for more information. All mothers - even if the "children" are grown - are encouraged to attend.
Newsletter & Bulletin - Contact: Amy Crandell
The St. Francis Bulletin is published each month. This newsletter is distributed primarily via email, with some copies mailed. A service bulletin is prepared for each service held at St. Francis to use in the worship service. Send announcements and newsletter articles to Amy.
Nursery - Contact: Missy Bernard
St. Francis is blessed to have children who love to play in the nursery during the
Sunday services. Nursery coordinator Missy Bernard makes sure that there is always an attendant to watch the children. We are blessed to have Tonia Wu and Gabi Velasco as our attendants. The nursery has a downstairs location for infants and an upstairs room for the older children.
Prayer Service for the Nation - Contact: Amy Crandell
On the first
Saturday of each month, a prayer service for our nation is held at
9:00 am in the fellowship area. This group of 4-8 St. Francis members and friends begin the service with a gospel-style hymn and opening prayer. The main portion are collects, Bible readings and extemporaneous prayers centering on Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family. We end with the singing of another hymn All are welcome to join us.
Prayer Shawl Ministry - Contact: Char Ready
This group of men and women work to knit or crochet shawls. Prayers are said while the shawl is being created and then are blessed by the Priest before being given out to anyone who is sick. The recipients are astounded at the power from the shawl when it is wrapped around the shoulders. Volunteers are needed to knit or croquet the shawls as well as to help with supplies. Contact Charlotte with questions and to volunteer.
Readers or Lectors -Contact: Fr. Giacolone
At most of the services, a member of the congregation reads the first lesson and the Epistle. Mark Rambin schedules the five readers who take turns reading at the
11:00 service.
St. Claire's Guild - Contact: Eileen Cole
While we all hope that life goes smoothly, St. Clare's Guild is a group of women whose ministry is dedicated to serving our parish family in times of celebration, need, illness or loss. Eileen Cole leads the group.
St. Polycarp's Guild - Contact: Jim Crandell
Originally formed over 10 years ago as an opportunity for the men to gather to smoke meat together for the congregation to enjoy on Memorial Day and Labor Day, the group currently "meets" virtually to organize these events. Jim Crandell has ended up being the organizer, but is looking for other men to step up to actually have events where the men can meet in person. All men are welcome to participate.
Ushers - Contact: Al Parker
Service as an usher is an important lay ministry of our parish. By their service, the ushers help to establish a welcoming and reverent atmosphere for worship, they assist in the orderly conduct of the service and they perform record keeping vital to the ongoing operation of the parish. Contact Al Parker if interested in serving.
Vestry - Contact: Fr. Giacolone
Our vestry is our governing board and comprises 9 member,s 8 of whom are elected to a 3-year term. The elections are staggered so that we elect 2-3 members each year at the January annual meeting. The Vestry meets on the 2nd
Monday of each month at
6 p.m. In general; the Vestry is responsible to make decisions on behalf of the parish. Anyone can come to observe a meeting. Current officers are:
Senior Warden, David Norris;
Junior Warden, John Hatley; S
ecretary, Kevin Burnett
e;
Treasurer, Grady Collins
Vestry Members
Fr. Len Giacolone;
Class of 2018: Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin, John Hatley;
Class of 2019: Brendle Glomb, David Norris, Kevin Burnette;
Class of 2020: Missy Bernard, Dinah Arce
Webmaster - Contact: Jim Crandell
The St. Francis website serves as a portal of information to the outside world. Times of upcoming services, our location and the main activities are listed. Most importantly, recordings of sermons are available from the most current recorded
Sunday back to January 2002 for anyone to listen to.
Women's Bible Study - Contact: Becky Hunt
From time to time, Becky Hunt conducts a women's Bible study during the day. The Bible study has in the past studied several books of the Bible, mostly in the summer in 8- or 9-week sessions, as well as a couple of Barbara Mouser studies, such as Knowing God and Understanding Men, a study of Genesis and the Patriarchs. All women are welcome to join.
Women of the Church - Contact: Susan Rambin
Led by Susan Rambin, all the women of St. Francis are members of this group. Currently, it functions as the parent group of the St. Francis smaller groups, such as St. Clare's Guild, Altar Guild, and Women's Bible Study. All women of St. Francis are welcome to participate with this group.
5th Sunday Nursing Home Service - Contact: Amy Crandell
For the past 10 years, St. Francis has presence at the Retirement and Nursing Center on Burnet Lane. On the afternoon of the 5th
Sunday, a small group - currently, Amy & Jim Crandell, Martha Freeman and Claire Ducker - meet the interested residents for an hour of hymns, prayers and Bible readings. All are welcome to join.
