June 5 will mark Bishop Iker's first official visit to St. Francis as our Bishop Ordinary. During his visit, he will celebrate the Holy Communion service, preach, and confirm two of our members. We have not had confirmation here at St. Francis since 2013 so this is a very special occasion. During his visit he will also look at our parish records including our financials. This is the responsibility of every bishop for all of the parishes in his diocese. There will be a lunch after the service which is being planned by St. Claire's Guild along with David and Kim Norris who manage the hospitality so well. As I have mentioned to you in church there will be a special collection at both services on June 5 for the Bishop's Discretionary Fund. This allows the bishop to tend to special needs that arise during the year which are not included in the diocesan budget. Envelopes will be provided in your worship aid on that day. Thanks for your generosity.
(Just a note about the diocese. Even though Amy highlights the major events from the diocese in the newsletter each month, I encourage you to check out the diocesan website for further information. It is www.fwepiscopal.org).
Thanks
Now that Sunday School is over for the spring semester, I want to thank Missy Bernard and Doug Cooper for their efforts to teach our younger members in the fundamentals of their faith. Theirs is an extremely important task that cannot be overemphasized. When children are taught the faith at a young age they are more likely to continue on in that faith into adulthood. I cannot be more grateful to my parents who made sure that I had that good, solid Christian education from my earliest years. Special thanks to Missy and Doug.
Walk for Life
On June 25, Texas Alliance for Life will sponsor its annual Walk for Life. Through a number of our parishioners over the years we have participated in the walk to help raise money for TAL. Their primary focus is to lobby the state legislature in matters that pertain to the dignity of human life. TAL has had enormous success in passing legislation that respects life from conception to natural death. Even though our pro-life ministry is primarily engaged with the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, we do this one event for TAL each year. Once again, Doug Cooper has stated his willingness to represent us at the walk. You will be hearing more about this as the month goes along and I will be asking you to support Doug in the walk by making a contribution. A few years back, St. Francis was honored as the leading small church in the walk in terms of contributions. I wouldn't mind seeing that happen again.
New Church
As you know we are in the process of building our new church. We are also in the midst of a rainy season. We walk a fine line here in central Texas with rain/no rain. If we are going to complete construction by the end of October, we're going to need some help from the Lord with fair weather as well as the water we need to survive. I don't even know exactly how to tell you to pray. Maybe you could just ask the Lord to help us out in the way He sees fit and let Him decide. There are building materials on site even as I write this. The end is in sight.
Anglicans for Life
Steve McCown
Since its informal beginnings in 1966 to incorporation in 1983, Anglicans For Life has evolved and changed. Through its metamorphosis to the strong organization it is today the purpose has remained the same: to educate, equip, and engage the Anglican Church in fulfilling Scripture's mandate to protect the vulnerable, defend the fatherless, and plead for the widow.
With that in mind, the St. Francis chapter of Anglicans for Life would like to make known an upcoming opportunity for Anglican women to join with other sisters in the faith to proclaim that women's empowerment cannot be attained by the oppression of other human beings. This will be the message of the “RECLAIMING THE NARRATIVE” conference to be held in Dallas June 24-26, an event by women and for women. Both Georgette Forney, President of Anglicans for Life and Gail Kleinschmidt, Diocesan Pro-life Chair will be in attendance. The conference promises to be three days of powerful presentations, fellowship, friendship, and fun that will be unrivaled and unforgettable.
For more information and to register for the conference, please go to prolifewomen.com.
Prayer Service for Our Nation
Amy Crandell
There is no question that fervent prayer is needed for our country. At. St. Francis, we hear this regularly in the Sunday sermons. I recently participated in three events where the same message was echoed: the Franklin Graham Decision for America Rally on April 26th, the Austin National Day of Prayer Breakfast where John Hagee spoke on May 2, and the National Day of Prayer Service at the Capitol on May 5.
Individual prayers for our country are desperately needed. We simply can't pray too much! To this end, a prayer service will be held at St. Francis on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 AM. The service will include hymns, prayers - both printed and extemporaneous - and Bible readings on the seven centers of prayer - Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family. This will temporarily replace the monthly prayer walk. You are welcomed to join us!
Miscellaneous Articles
Anglicans for Life
The drive for diapers and other baby items benefiting the Austin Pregnancy and Resource Center is on-going. Check out the table in the fellowship area.
Summer Vacation
Sunday school is on summer break and will start up again on Sept. 11.
Choir will break until mid- August.
Newsletter will begin again in September.
Building Progress
Our webpage and Facebook page are updated at the beginning of each month with pictures of the construction progress at 3401 Oak Creek.
Confirmation Service
Sunday, June 5 at 11:00 AM. Bishop Iker will have his first formal parish visitation with confirmation.
Members of the St. Clare's Guild will provide an Italian-themed luncheon after the service.
11 am, Holy Communion On the first Sunday, this service is sung Morning Prayer with Holy Communion. (except June 5)
Thursdays
7 pm, Evening Prayer
1st Friday
7 - 9 pm, Games Night
1st Saturday
9 am, Pray for the Nation
2nd Monday
6:00 pm, Vestry Meeting
3rd Friday
12 pm, Mothers' Prayer Group
5th Sunday, July 31
12 PM, Potluck Luncheon
3:30 pm, Hymn Sing at the Retirement and Nursing Center
June
1 - Denise Gentsch
5 - Fr. Len Giacolone
9 - Fielder Dowding
15 - Charlotte Ready
18 - Nancy Jones, Robert Motl, RobinRuth Alexander
19 - Tai Gentsch
20 - Brendle Glomb
21 - Amelia Davis, Elizabeth Davis
25 - Wade Noelke
July
2 - Claude Bernard
7 - Roy Jones
8 - Julia Adams , Sue Orr
12 - Christina Hatley
13 - Carol Jacobs
14 - Susan Rambin
25 - Robert Pigg
26 - Lucy Ross
27 - Harriet Bernard
28 - Teresa Glomb
30 - Claire Ducker
August
3 - Larry Cole
10 - Leanne Read
11 - Liberty Smith
15 - Judy Reinhart
18 - Sally Looke, Phoebe Hughes
19 - Pete Reinhart
20 - Nancy Giacolone, Clif Drummond
21 - Dale Boswell
23 - Greg Smith
24 - Franklin Hunt
28 - Keith Harrell
June
9 - Mike and Charlotte Ready
14 - Pete and Judy Reinhart
July
2 - Kevin and Patricia Burnette
17 - David and Kimberly Norris
August
5 - Jim and Amy Crandell
16 - David and Jane Williams
19 - Andy and Shannon Adkins, Robert and Burt Pigg
25 - Randy and Sandy Scheer
Newsletter and Service Bulletin Deadlines
Monthly newsletter deadline is the 20th of the month.
Weekly service bulletin deadline is end of day on Wednesdays.
Options:
- Receive the newsletter via e-mail with a printable version attached
- Pick up a printed copy on the table at the entrance to the church
- Have a copy mailed to your physical mail box (cost to the church is 49 cents)
- View newsletters on our website.
To change how you receive the newsletter, contact Amy Crandell in person, via e-mail (best method) at stfrancisaustin@gmail.com or by calling 512.452.7231.
St. Francis Anglican Church of Austin A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth
Diocese Office: 2900 Alemeda St.
Fort Worth, TX 76108 http://www.fwepiscopal.org/ Bishop
The Rt. Rev'd Jack L. Iker, D.D Rector
The Rev. Canon Len Giacolone Music Director and Organist
Paula Blaha Parish Administrator
Mark Rambin Vestry Members
Senior Warden, Grady Collins; Junior Warden, David Norris; Treasurer, Michael Ready; Secretary, Kevin Burnette; Brendle Glomb, John Hatley, Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin
Church Group Leaders
Acolytes: Fr. Len Giacolone
Altar Guild: Becky Hunt
Anglicans for Life: Rory Motl
Choir: Amy Crandell
Christian Education for Youth: Missy Bernard, Doug Cooper
Christian Education for Adults: Fr. Len Giacolone
Evening Prayer: Jim Crandell
Home Group Hosts: Claire Ducker, Kim & David Norris, Doug Cooper
Hospitality: Kim and David Norris
Intercessory Prayer Group: Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone
Mothers' Prayer Group: Charlotte Ready
Newsletter & Pew Sheet: Amy Crandell
Nursery: Missy Bernard & Grace Rowse
Prayer Service for Nation: Amy & Jim Crandell
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Charlotte Ready
Readers: Mark Rambin
St. Claire's Guild: Eileen Cole
St. Polycarp's Guild: Jim Crandell
Ushers: Al Parker
Webmaster: Jim Crandell
Women's Bible Study: Becky Hunt
Women of the Church: Leanne Read
5th Sunday Nursing Home Service: Amy & Jim Crandell
