Dear Friends, Faithfully and affectionately yours, Penny and Fr Doug+

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1 A Newsletter of St. Francis Episcopal Church February 2015 Dear Friends, Following many futile attempts to write the perfect letter, I am resigned to express my thoughts in brief. To paraphrase Psalm 139, you have discerned my thoughts, there is not a word on my lips but that you already know them. And therein lies the greatest gift of all, that for these past four years we strived to be open and honest with one another in the most wonderful way, by giving the best of ourselves to one another in whatever way needed. I think that is the real truth of the Gospel. God opens the divine, the holy, the sacred to us, and those who see it, hear it and receive it, respond in kind. We have talked about the thin places where the divine and the human, the profound and the mundane meet leaving no room for distinction; each one honoring the other. That has been my experience at Saint Francis. I pray that all of us will continue to deepen and nurture that sense of thinness that is so life-giving, uplifting and awe inspiring. Now it is time for me to bid you farewell. Our relationship is going to change a little as I will no longer be your priest, but I will always be your friend. When God brings people together it is not for fleeting moments, terms, or years; it is forever. There is nothing more that needs to be said in words. Saint Francis said, preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words. I think that applies to you and me at this point in our relationship as well. Just remember how much God has given you that needs to be given away in this world; your sense of mission, love of justice, the joy of acting in kindness and finally living and walking humbly with one another and the Lord. The peace of God, which passes all understanding but is absolutely, unequivocally and without a shadow of a doubt not beyond our experience, continue to keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. And God s blessing be upon you this day and always. Faithfully and affectionately yours, Penny and Fr Doug+ Dear Friends, Thank you so much for your most generous and gracious gift this past Christmas. As has been my practice upon receiving such gifts, I will make a tithe to help those who are in need. You are such a wonderful parish, God has richly blessed me beyond measure by giving me the opportunity to serve you. Happy, joyous and a richly blessed New Year I wish to you all. Affectionately, Fr Doug+

2 2 ~ The Franciscans February 2015 ~ OUTREACH at St. Francis Vestry Voice Bring the front of your old Christmas and Greeting cards, for our recycling project by March 1. This is to benefit St. Jude s Ranch for Children. There is a marked box on the table at the entrance to the Parish Hall. Outreach is also collecting toiletries and cosmetic bags (such as Clinique bonus gifts) for the women's shelter. Donations may be left on the table at the entrance to the Parish Hall. Just in case you have not heard, I have to tell you that Father Doug Culton will be retiring (again)! His last Sunday with us will be February 8. While we shall all miss him, his energy and his generosity, I know we all wish him well as he spends more time with his children and grandchildren. I want to assure you that your Vestry is dedicated to finding us a new Priest-in-Charge and to that end a meeting with Bishop Skirving is scheduled for February 17 to discuss how this can be accomplished. In the meantime, we have supply priests through the middle of May, and we look forward to their varying styles that we shall enjoy., Senior Warden Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 17 6:30 PM ECW NEWS 10am Women s Bible Study Women s Bible study continues Fridays at 10am through March 27, Living Beyond Yourself is the title of our Bible Study this is a Beth Moore study with contributions by others. It comes highly recommended by the ladies who are lending it to us. They said it was the best yet! Contact Jill Brogneaux if you have questions jillbrogneaux@hotmail.com or (919) The White Elephant Sale was a success! We made just over $700 and had a great time with friends. Thank you Jen Kelly for offering your house for the event, there were many treasures to be had. For those of you who missed it you missed a lot of fun. Roger and Gail Riddle have offered to host next year s event, so please plan to attend. Crissie Lewis A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The deadline to submit items for the next newsletter is February 15 th for the March issue. Corinne Stewart, Parish Administrator Ash Wednesday service with Imposition of Ashes February 18 7:00 PM The Franciscans St. Francis Episcopal Church (503 Forest Hill Drive) P.O. Box Goldsboro, NC Tel: , Fax: parish@stfrancisgoldsboro.org Web Page: The Rt. Rev. Rob Skirving, Bishop The Rev. Douglas Culton, Priest-in-Charge William Hayes, Organist/Choirmaster 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 February 2015 ~ 3 St. Francis Wish List 1) Lemonade mix 2) Jumbo paperclips 3) Trash Bags (tall kitchen-drawstring) Thank you for your Continued Support! Items of Note VESTRY MEETING The Vestry will meet on Monday, February 2 at 6:00 PM. DICOESAN CONVENTION The 132nd Annual Diocesan Convention in New Bern is February 5, 6, 7. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY GOOD BYE / GOOD LUCK SHROVE TUESDAY The Women s Bible Study won t meet on Feb 6 but continues to meet Fridays, February 13 through March 27. Join Fr. Doug on Sunday, February 8 for his final services here at St. Francis. Reception to follow the 10:30 service. Our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 PM. VESTRY MEETS W/BISHOP The Vestry will meet with Bishop Skirving on Tuesday, February 17 in the church Library at 7 PM. ASH WEDNESDAY HABITAT BUILD DAY Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist service with imposition of ashes Feb 18 at 7 PM. Join us as part of St. Francis OUTREACH at the Habitat Faith Build (907 National Drive, Goldsboro Central Heights) on Saturday, February 28 2 shifts: 8am 11:30 am and Noon 3:30 PM. Accountants Needed to Help with Parish Audits on a Paid Contract Basis For more information, please call Bonnie Holton at , ext. 229 or The Wayne County Humane Society will be holding their annual Yard Sale Saturday, May 9 th. They are currently collecting donated items (tax deductible) for the sale, and have a storage locker at Carolina Mini Storage on Parkway Drive. If you have any items to donate please contact Crissie Lewis or cell The animals thank you! bholton@diocese-eastcarolina.org The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina is looking for individuals that are interested in applying to serve as Diocesan Contract Auditors in each Deanery. This is part of an effort to help provide a more affordable solution for parishes to meet the audit requirements as set forth in the Canons of the Diocese of East Carolina (Title III, Canon 4, Section 4 Annual Audit Report); and also the Canons of the General Convention (Title I, Canon 7.1(f)).

4 4 ~ The Franciscans February 2015 ~ SUNDAY LAY SERVER SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 2015 February 1 February 8 Fr. Doug Culton s LAST day here! February 15 Supply Priest February 22 Morning Prayer 10:30 am 10:30 am 10:30 am 10:30 am VERGER Barrett Rae Chris Cowan Debbie Stedner Lay Leaders: SUBDEACON Chris Cowan Sarah Merritt LECTORS Catherine LeChot Liz Meador Sharon Sarvey Zeb Jones Gail Riddle Katherine Phinizy CRUCIFER Max Tapiz Mikaela Freeman Max Tapiz Mikaela Freeman TORCH BEARERS USHERS EUCHARISTIC VISITOR ALTAR GUILD FLOWER GUILD TELLERS Jillian Faust Hayley Faust Mitch Baker Max Tapiz Izabelle Casey Mitch Baker Jillian Faust Hayley Faust Mitch Baker Max Tapiz Izabelle Casey Mitch Baker To Be Determined Liz Meador Betsy Powell N/A Norma Powell Sheila Prouse Charlotte Campbell Barbara Pedersen Norma Powell Sheila Prouse Charlotte Campbell Barbara Pedersen Norma Powell Sheila Prouse Charlotte Campbell Barbara Pedersen 8:30 Don Skinner 10:30 Jodi Baker Norma Powell Sheila Prouse Charlotte Campbell Barbara Pedersen COFFEE HOUR Judy & George Moye Judy & George Moye Judy & George Moye Judy & George Moye If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a replacement AND notify the church office. Lay Server Schedule ASH WEDNESDAY Supply Priest February 18 ~ 7:00 PM FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 Paul Miller 2 Jacob Sarvey 7 Dave Boseman 12 Sandra Tucker Franks 17 Sheila Prouse If your birthday has been omitted please notify the church office so that the birthday lists are up-to-date. VERGER SUBDEACON LECTORS CRUCIFER TORCH BEARERS Debbie Stedner Jodi Baker Sarah Merritt Barrett Parker Max Tapiz Mikaela Freeman A big thank you to Barrett Rae who has been doing our Lay Ministry scheduling for quite some time, and has now passed that on to me. As I take over the scheduling I am looking for more interested people to serve. If you are interested in serving as a Verger, Subdeacon, Crucifer or Torch Bearer please let me know and we can get you trained. We are also always looking for more Lectors (lesson readers), if this interests you please contact me. Thanks, Crissie Lewis or suzanneclewis@hotmail.com

5 ~ The Franciscans February 2015 ~ 5 February/Febrero 2015 Domingo Sunday Lunes Monday Martes Tuesday Miércoles Wednesday Jueves Thursday Viernes Friday Sábado Saturday CE = Christian Education for all ages HE = Holy Eucharist (Communion) Service MP = Morning Prayer Santa Misa = Spanish Mass 1 4 Epiphany 8:30 AM HE 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM HE 3 PM Santa Misa Super Bowl 2 Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. 6:00 PM Vestry Meeting Groundhog Day :45 PM Choir Rehearsal nd Annual Diocesan Convention 8 5 Epiphany Fr. Doug s Last day here! :00 AM Women s Bible Study 14 8:30 AM HE 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM HE 3 PM Santa Misa 5:45 PM Choir Rehearsal Adult Classroom & Kitchen Reserved Valentine s Day 15 Last Epiphany 8:30 AM HE 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM HE 3 PM Santa Misa 16 (Franciscans Deadline) 17 Shrove Tuesday 6:30 PM Pancake Supper 7:00 PM Vestry meets w/bishop Skirving 18 Ash Wednesday 7:00 PM HE w/imposition of Ashes 19 5:45 PM Choir Rehearsal 20 10:00 AM Women s Bible Study Lent 8:30 AM MP 9:30 AM CE 10:30 AM MP 3 PM Santa Misa St Matthias the Apostle 25 6:00 PM Lenten Supper & Program TBD 26 5:45 PM Choir Rehearsal 27 10:00 AM Women s Bible Study 28 HABITAT Faith Build 8-11:30 AM Noon-3:30 PM

6 6 ~ The Franciscans February 2015 ~ ST. FRANCIS OUTREACH IN ACTION ~ HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FAITH BUILD ~ THANK YOU Habitat is building on faith with St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, St. Luke United Methodist Church, Stoney Creek Church, St. Francis Episcopal Church, St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Goldsboro, and Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church. These churches are surrounding Takesha Greene through financial support and prayer as she builds her home right now. Thank you! Taken from Habitat s website: ST. FRANCIS NEXT BUILD DAY: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 2 Shifts: 8:00 11:30 am and Noon 3:30 pm Chris Cowan has decided to continue a tradition Fr. Doug started last year. Chris will coordinate the Vigil in the Garden. LOOK FOR A SIGN-UP SHEET IN THE PARISH HALL STARTING FEBRUARY 8 th FOR YOU TO PICK HOURS TO HELP KEEP VIGIL! David Powell will once again be in charge of setting up the garden. David suggests that if anyone is purchasing plants for their yard for spring planting, house plants, or even wanting to purchase plants for the church garden they could bring them to the church by Tuesday, March 31 st so that donated or contributed plants would be there by Wednesday in order for us to set up the Narthex. A Vigil in the Garden 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2 through 5:00 p.m. Good Friday, April 3 Prayer is central to our life as a community of faith as we remain constant and connected to our Lord. This Prayer Vigil is derived from the Gospel of Mark 14:37ff where Jesus goes to Gethsemane with his disciples to pray. It is just prior to the passion and Jesus expresses his overwhelming sorrow and asks them to stay and keep watch. So, we too will stay following the service on Maundy Thursday in a garden prepared, to wait and keep watch with the Lord as he journeys to the Passion and Cross on Good Friday.

7 ~ The Franciscans February 2015 ~ 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) / NURSERY Vestry Liaison: Brenda Coor Children s Church School: Brenda Coor EYC: To Be Determined COMMUNICATIONS Vestry Liaison: Jen Kelly Chair: Liz Meador Church Website: Chris Cowan Franciscans Newsletter: Corinne Stewart EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) & CHRISTMAS IN THE FOREST ECW President: Liz Meador Vice-President and Program Coordinator: Crissie Lewis Treasurer: Norma Powell Secretary: Jill Brogneaux United Thank Offering: Betsy Powell FINANCE / STEWARDSHIP Vestry Liaison: Stewardship Chair: To Be Determined Treasurer: Katherine Phinizy INVITATION / HOSPITALITY Vestry Liaison: Jennifer Faust Coffee Hour sign up: Social Team scheduling: Crissie Lewis Frantastix's (20's 50's social group): Barrett Parker & Sarah Merritt Ministry to Military: OUTREACH TEAM Vestry Liaison: Eldica Cyrus Chair: Nina Silverthorne Project Christ Child: Walker Campbell Soup Kitchen: Eldica Cyrus PASTORAL CARE TEAM & LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS Vestry Liaison: To Be Determined Lay Eucharistic Visitor Coordinator: To Be Determined Prayer Ministry: To Be Determined WORSHIP TEAM Vestry Liaison: Jane Anthony Altar Guild: Jill Brogneaux Choir: Bill Hayes (Organist/Choirmaster) Flower Guild: Jeannie Siler Server Scheduling: Crissie Lewis Usher Scheduling: Mitch Baker

8 St. Francis Episcopal Church (503 Forest Hill Drive) P. O. Box Goldsboro, NC February 1 Super Bowl Sunday February 2 Groundhog Day February 14 Valentine s Day ~ The Franciscans February 2015 ~ Of Current Interest... Feb 2-6 pm Vestry Meeting Feb 5, 6, 7 Diocesan Convention Feb 8 Fr. Doug s last day Feb 17-6:30 pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Feb 18-7 pm Ash Wednesday Feb 28 Habitat Faith Build Day St. Francis Vestry: 2015 Brenda Coor Eldica Cyrus Jeff Sarvey 2016 Jane Anthony (Sr. Warden) Jenny Kelly 2017 Jennifer Faust Stan Stedner (Jr. Warden) Shelley Mills (Clerk) Katherine Phinizy (Treasurer) Senior Warden - (919) Junior Warden - Stan Stedner (919)