Playfulness can nourish our creativity & give us new perspectives.

Transcription

1 A Newsletter of St. Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC December 2016 How Does Our Garden Grow? Like a literal garden needing sunlight & night time rest, water & human tending for its creation or seasonal re-creation, the garden that is St. Francis Parish requires nourishment, God's Light shining in & through us, and times of rest & recreation. Playfulness can nourish our creativity & give us new perspectives. I like the works Forward Movement publishes by author Tim Schneck & their delightful illustrations by Jay Sidebotham. Dog in the Manger: Finding God in Christmas Chaos, may shed light on our seasonal transition from Thanksgiving into Advent & Christmas. Schneck asks [& I paraphrase in parts]: What are you impatient about at this time of year? How do you deal with this? How does this distract you from living in the present? What kind of balance do you want between practical preparations & spiritual preparations for this time of year? How can you achieve this balance? If a Grinch stole your Christmas, how would you celebrate? The 5 Rs: Reasons, Recognition, Relationships, Responsibilities, Rewards*. We can add these 5 Rs* [I listed them alphabetically] as a new aspect to our work together as we continue discerning details of our Calling, Learning, Understanding & Evolving, which we have discussed. [This work is on-going. Your Vestry will work on this more at a retreat Jan. 6-7.] As you probe the 5 Rs of yourself individually, rank them in order of importance to you, with 1 being most important & 5 least important. Then ponder: How might each of the 5Rs be used to motivate you? How might each of the 5Rs be used in a way that would take away your motivation? I encourage you to write down your insights, and I will appreciate your sharing your insights with me! This will help us in our work growing together. Each of you is a gift to this Body of Christ. As you know, each body part is important. The more we understand how each part is important & the gifts & blessings each adds to this Body, the more wisely we can work as One Body. Remember: Last month, I invited you to pray daily for our Parish & our discernment of God's call as we grow together. I invite you to continue praying daily this paraphrase of Philippians 1: And this is my prayer: That our love may overflow more & more with knowledge and full insight to help us determine what is best. [My cell phone reminds me daily at 1:09 pm to pray Philippians 1:9]. Thank you for being the beautiful, loving Body of Christ that you are, for sharing your wisdom, insights, gifts, curiosity. Thank you for your openness to new ways of seeing life & our worship & work together. HUGE thank yous to Crissie Lewis AND ALL who worked diligently to make Christmas in the Forest the outstanding event & blessed experience it was! What a delightful surprise to have Dave Boseman & his brother Frank working with us thank you for being part of CITF! Each & all of you: After all your hard work, do read, mark & inwardly digest what I wrote above: Playfulness can nourish our creativity & give us new perspectives. The Rev. Marcía O. McRae *From Michael Maccoby's Strategic Intelligence: Conceptual Tools for Leading Change. Oxford: Oxford University Press.2015.

2 2 ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ ECW NEWS December 9, Friday Fall Trinity District ECW Meeting The Fall Trinity District ECW Meeting is Friday, December 9, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 901 Harris St, Goldsboro. Registration & Coffee at 9:15 and program begins at 10:00 am. Please register and pay individually cost is $20 per person. Notify St. Andrew s Church by Dec. 5 if you plan to attend, and indicate your sandwich choice. Make checks payable to St. Andrew s marked ECW District Meeting and send to: St. Andrews Episcopal Church P. O. Box 1333 Goldsboro, NC ATTN: Nelda Hines, ECW President OR You may also pay at registration time, BUT please LET THEM KNOW AHEAD if you are coming. Lunch will be provided by a local favorite, Great Harvest Bread. Also, please notify ahead your choice of Turkey/Swiss, Veggie, Ham/Swiss or Chicken salad sandwich with your boxed meal. Also please be prepared to share what your ECW has been doing this past year, if you cannot attend please send with someone from your parish. A short program will also be provided discussing wellness, nutrition and spiritual growth. The offering received at this meeting will go to the St. Andrews Discretionary Fund for Hurricane Matthew Flood Relief, eastern North Carolina. We look forward to seeing everyone on Dec. 9th! If you have any questions, please contact us by at bpt30@aol.com or beckybthompson@bellsouth.net. Barrett P. Rae Trinity District Chair Becky Thompson Trinity District Co-Chair Rev. Marcia has called a MEETING of the ALTAR GUILD & FLOWER GUILD Sunday, December 4 after the 10:30 am service. Did your printer cartridge just run out of ink? Don t throw it away! Bring it to St. Francis Church and recycle it! Each month Corinne can take up to 20 cartridges to Staples and receive $40. in reward checks that can be used to purchase office supplies. Box for used ink cartridges is located in the Parish Hall. The Franciscans St. Francis Episcopal Church (503 Forest Hill Drive) P. O. Box 11406, Goldsboro, NC Tel: , Fax: parish@stfrancisgoldsboro.org Web Page: The Rt. Rev. Rob Skirving, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina The Rev. Marcía O. McRae, Priest-in-Charge William Hayes, Organist/Choirmaster Corinne Stewart, Parish Administrator A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The deadline to submit items for the next newsletter is January 15 th for the February issue. Corinne Stewart, Parish Administrator The Franciscans: Corinne Stewart, Editor The Franciscans is published 11 times a year. The deadline for items to be considered for inclusion is the 15 th of each month.

3 ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ 3 Thanks to our special St. Francis Angel who faithfully donates items on our Wish List! St. Francis Wish List 1) AA & AAA Batteries 2) Lysol Disinfectant Spray 3) Kleenex tissues 4) Lemonade & Pink lemonade mix Thank you for your Continued Support! Items of Note ALTAR & FLOWER GUILD The Altar Guild & Flower Guild will meet with Rev. Marcia Sunday, December 4 after the 10:30 am service. VESTRY MEETING ADVENT SERIES COMMISSION VESTRY RECEPTION-MERRITT S FRANTASTIX S PARTY The Vestry will meet on Monday, December 5 at 6:00 PM in the Library. Our Advent Suppers and Program continues Wednesdays, December at 6:00 PM. BRING A DISH TO SHARE! Rev. Marcia along with the Parish will Commission our 2017 Vestry during the 10:30 am service on Sunday, December 11. We will have a Reception for the Merritt s Sunday, Dec. 11 after 10:30 service. The Frantastix s Christmas Party is Friday, Dec 16 at 7:00 David Powell s. CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS The Deadline to order Christmas Poinsettias to adorn the Church is Sun., Dec. 18. CHRIST CHILD PARTY CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY SOUP KITCHEN Return wrapped gifts by Sunday morning, December 18 THEN join us for a Christmas party that afternoon. The Parish Office will be CLOSED December and will reopen on Monday, January 2, 2017! We will have a Christmas Eve service Saturday, December 24 at 5:00 PM. On Christmas Day: NO 8:30 service; 10:30 am Morning Prayer. St. Francis volunteers at the Soup Kitchen on Saturday, December 31 at 9:30 am. Please sign up on the Tower in the Parish Hall if you plan to go, Christmas Poinsettias If you would like to purchase a poinsettia for the church adornment, please complete this form and turn it in with payment to the church office. The cost of each poinsettia is $10.00; please make checks payable to St. Francis marked Poinsettia. Your Name: In Memory of: OR In Thanksgiving for: Total # ordered: Total Cost: Cash: Check: Deadline to Order is Sunday, December 18 th

4 4 ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ SUNDAY LAY SERVER SCHEDULE DECEMBER 2016 Dec 4 Dec 11 Commission Vestry Dec 18 Dec 24 Saturday Christmas Eve NO 8:30 service! Dec 25 Morning Prayer Christmas Day 10:30 am 10:30 am 10:30 am 5:00 PM 10:30 am SUBDEACON Jodi Baker Don Skinner LECTORS Zeb Jones Pat Biggers Diana Hammond Gail Riddle Zeb Jones Don Skinner Lay Worship Leader: Barrett Rae CRUCIFER Jodi Baker Don Skinner None TORCH BEARERS USHERS EUCHARISTIC VISITOR ALTAR GUILD Hayley Faust Jillian Faust Stan Stedner None Roger Riddle Jillian Faust Hayley Faust To Be Determined Hayley Faust Jillian Faust To Be Determined None Roger Riddle Jenny Kelly Betsy Powell N/A FLOWER GUILD David Powell TELLERS SOCIAL HOUR Jill & Reception for Merritt s Denise & N/A N/A If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a replacement AND notify the church office. Think BEFORE you APPLY Perfume, Cologne, or even scented lotions! DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 2 Samantha Whitworth 5 Tony Baker 7 Kim Stedner-Clayton 10 Ruth Kemp 21 Max Tapiz Zeb Jones Alta Grace Baker If your birthday has been omitted please notify the church office so that the birthday lists are up-to-date. Several of our parishioners have a Fragrance sensitivity, and experience an allergic reaction to scented products. No scents makes sense! Come as you are when attending Church services and events! CHRIST CHILD CHRISTMAS PARTY CRISTO HIJO LA FIESTA DE NAVIDAD December 18, 3:45 PM Join us at the party for our Hispanic children! Fr. Tony Rojas and his wife, Lucia, will help us present the gifts at the party.

5 ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ 5 December/Deciembre 2016 Domingo Sunday CE = Christian Education for ALL ages HE = Holy Eucharist (Communion) Service MP = Morning Prayer Santa Misa = Spanish Mass Lunes Monday Martes Tuesday Miércoles Wednesday 1 Jueves Thursday Viernes Friday 2 3 Sábado Saturday 4 2 Advent 8:30 AM HE 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM HE Altar & Flower Guild MEETING 3:00 PM Santa Misa 5 6:00 PM Vestry Meeting 6 7 6:00 PM Advent Supper & Program 8 9 9:15 AM ECW Fall Trinity District St. Andrews Advent 8:30 AM HE 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM HE & Commission Vestry Reception for Merritt s 3:00 PM Santa Misa :00 PM Advent Supper & Program 15 (Franciscans Deadline) 16 7:00 PM Frantastix s Christmas Party at David Powell s Advent 8:30 AM HE (St. Thomas, the Apostle) Christmas Eve 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM HE 3 PM Santa Misa 3:45 PM Christ Child Party Deadline to Order Poinsettias First Day of Winter 5:00 PM CHRISTMAS EVE HE 25 Christmas Day 10:30 AM MP 3:00 PM Santa Misa 26 (St. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr) (The Holy Innocents) :30 AM St. Francis at the Soup Kitchen Bill Shirley Rev. Marcia Corinne Luz

6 6 ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ ADVENT SUPPERS / PROGRAM Wednesdays, Nov 30 and Dec 7 & 14 Join us for our Wednesday Advent Suppers and Program on Parish Health and Safety: A Community Affair Join us as we draw a en on to the new liturgical Church year and sustaining of our physical health presented by Sharon Sarvey and assisted by Debbie Smith, a nursing educator from WMH. 6:00 PM Bring a dish to share! November 30 Social Team 1 (Brogneaux) (First Aid and Urgencies) December 7 Social Team 2 (Moye, Faust) (CPR Techniques for Friends and Family) December 14 Social Team 3 (Siler, Cabral, Silverthorne) (AED: This Machine is your Friend) Join us Sunday, December 11 following the 10:30 am service for a Reception to say Goodbye to The Merritt s... DID YOU KNOW? Frantastix's Christmas Party (20's-50's Social Group) Friday, December 16 7:00 David Powell s 1012 East Walnut St, Goldsboro Everyone please BRING a dish to share, $15 ornament to exchange and your favorite beverage (soft drinks will be provided)! Babysitting on site can be provided if you let Barrett know ahead of time. RSVP to Barrett at , bpt30@aol.com Also, if you have any questions, please contact Barrett! We look forward to seeing everyone and celebrating the Season! In December of 1983 St. Francis Church had a break-in and a Silver Communion set was taken. Well, that Communion set was returned to St. Francis Church in October 2016!

7 ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ 7 ACTIVITY GROUP MINISTRY ST. FRANCIS: GET INVOLVED! CONTACT(S) BUILDING & GROUNDS Vestry Liaison: Stan Stedner Columbarium: Liz Meador Garden: Zeb Jones CHRISTIAN EDUCATION / EYC (Episcopal Young Church People) Vestry Liaison: To Be Determined Children s Church School: To Be Determined EYC: To Be Determined COMMUNICATIONS Vestry Liaison: Kristine Wright Chair: Liz Meador Church Website: Franciscans Newsletter: Corinne Stewart EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) ECW President: Liz Meador ECW Vice-President and Program Coordinator: Crissie Lewis ECW Treasurer: Denise Cowan ECW Secretary: Church Periodical Club Rep.: Liz Meador United Thank Offering Rep.: Betsy Powell FINANCE / STEWARDSHIP Vestry Liaison: Stewardship Chair: Treasurer: To Be Determined INVITATION / HOSPITALITY Vestry Liaison: To Be Determined Coffee Hour sign up: Social Team scheduling: Barrett Rae Frantastix's (20's 50's social group): Barrett Rae Ministry to Military: Jeff Merritt OUTREACH TEAM Vestry Liaison: To Be Determined Outreach Chair: Don Skinner Project Christ Child: Walker Campbell Soup Kitchen: Eldica Cyrus PASTORAL CARE TEAM & LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS (LEV) Vestry Liaison: Jane Anthony LEV Scheduling: Betsy Powell Prayer Team Ministry: Chair To Be Determined WORSHIP TEAM Vestry Liaison: Crissie Lewis Altar Guild: Choir: Bill Hayes (Organist/Choirmaster) Flower Guild: David Powell Server Scheduling: Crissie Lewis Usher Scheduling:

8 St. Francis Episcopal Church (503 Forest Hill Drive) P. O. Box Goldsboro, NC December 18 Deadline to Order Poinsettias to adorn the Church ~ The Franciscans December 2016 ~ Of Current Interest... Dec 4 after 10:30 service Altar & Flower Guild Meet Dec 5 6 PM Vestry Meet Dec :00PM Advent Covered Dish Suppers & Program Dec 16 Frantastix s Christmas Party 7:00 David Powell s Dec 18 3:45 PM Christ Child Party Dec 24 5 PM Christmas Eve service Dec 31 9:30 am Soup Kitchen St. Francis Vestry: 2016 Jane Anthony (Sr. Warden) 2017 Eldica Cyrus Stan Stedner (Jr. Warden) Kristine Wright 2018 Crissie Lewis Jennifer Faust, Clerk The Rev. Marcía McRae, Priest-in-Charge (229) Senior Warden - (919) Junior Warden - Stan Stedner (919)