February In this new beginning, may God continue to make us instruments of his peace, together. Fr. Milton THE REV. MILTON C. WILLIAMS, JR.

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1 February 2017 It s Time to Celebrate! On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, seven o clock in the evening, the parish of Saint Francis along with other members of our diocese will celebrate the beginning of my new ministry here as your Rector, Time-Certain. But there is more to celebrate. On February 15, we will also celebrate the twentieth anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. And again, more, we will celebrate the Feast of Absalom Jones. It was on Sunday, February 16, 1997, at the Parish of Pohick Church, Lorton, Virginia, where I was serving as the deacon, that Bishop Peter James Lee, then the Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, ordained me to the sacred order of priest. Bishop Lee chose the date of February 16th, because it fell within eight days (the octave) of the celebration of President George Washington s birthday and the celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones (February 13). The Parish of Pohick Church was one of George Washington s parishes, along with Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia, where he served on both vestries. And Absalom Jones was the first African-American priest to be ordained in the United States in It is within this context that I am ecstatic that along with Bishop Anne as Celebrant, Bishop Lee will be the preacher for our celebration on February 15th. Indeed, my new ministry here at Saint Francis is reason for much joy and celebration. With this new status our commitment to each other can continue to grow deeper and stronger. With this new status we are blessed with time, with years to discern together the path God is calling us to travel together and how we are being challenged to make a holy difference for this city of Greensboro, for the state of North Carolina and far beyond. In this new beginning, may God continue to make us instruments of his peace, together. Fr. Milton THE REV. MILTON C. WILLIAMS, JR.

2 A R O U N D S T. F R A N C I S CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY AND 20TH ANNIVERSARY Please join us on Wednesday, February 15th at 7:00pm for the Celebration of a New Ministry as the Rev. Milton C. Williams, Jr. is installed as Rector, Time Certain of St. Francis and his 20th Anniversary to the Priesthood. The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Diocesan Pro Tempore, will preside over this formal service of induction, and The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Assisting Bishop, will preach. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Nursery will be provided for ages 0-4 years old. The Celebration of a New Ministry marks an exciting time for St. Francis as we commit to the new journey we are beginning together with Father Milton. SUNDAY FORUM For all of my life I have known the church to be a safe place, a sanctuary from the threat of harm and fear. As a young child growing up in Suffolk, Virginia, it was my church, East End Baptist Church, which was a safe harbor to talk about God and sex, God and the Civil Rights Movement, God and the Vietnam War. The church offered herself as a safe shelter to speak openly without fear of judgment or rejection. With this as my formative foundation and a present since of calling to continue to ensure that the church remains a safe place for all of God s people, I am offering our community of Saint Francis the following opportunity. Within the context of our present national and political discourse, which without any descent is unparalleled in hostility and divisiveness, I will moderate a conversation for Saint Francis where within the confines of a safe space we may speak openly about our thoughts and feelings about our current social and political condition. On Sunday, February 26th, at 9:15 in the Parish Hall, as a faith community, we will have the privilege of speaking, listening and praying with each other. I offer you this invitation in the spirit of love and prayer, and I invite you to pray with me. Faithfully, Fr. Milton 2

3 Registration Form / dayschool@stfrancisgreensboro.org Phone: Address: 3506 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC Child s full name: Child s birthday: *Must be class age by 8/31/17. Check one: male female Check Your Choice Class Name Days 9:00-12:00 (Drop in Lunch Bunch is $5/day) 9:00-1:00 (Lunch Bunch Included) Young Twos T/Th $194 $215 Must be 18 months by 8/31/17 Twos M/W/F $230 $263 Threes T/Th $194 $218 Threes M/W/F $230 $263 Pre-K Fours M-Th $257 $303 Pre-K Fives M-F $299 *See below *Pre-K Fives need to be 5 by 1/1/18 and/or have Director approval. $355 *See below Parent names: Street address: City: Zip code: address: Home phone: Cell phone: The registration fee of $65 is due in full at the time of registration. This completed form and the registration fee will hold your child s place for the 2017/2018 school year. Please note that teacher and class placements are based upon enrollment. The registration fee is non-refundable. Checks should be made payable to St. Francis Day School and our mailing address is 3506 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC If your child has an IEP or IFSP, please attach a copy with this form. The completed enrollment forms and May 2018 tuition are due by May 1, REFERRED BY: 3

4 Please help make the 59th Annual St. Francis Book Sale a success by becoming a Sponsor! This is a wonderful opportunity to get the word out about your business while also supporting local charitable organizations in our community. All of the proceeds from the sale are given back to organizations in our community. Sponsorships help defer Book Sale expenses, such as advertising and set-up costs. Sponsorship levels are as follows: Title Sponsor (Exclusive) - $3000 Name on T-shirt as Title Sponsor worn by over 100 volunteers Thanked as Title Sponsor in all television, radio, printed advertising, and interviews Name listed prominently as Title Sponsor on Book Sale banner and all promotional flyers and posters Name listed on bookmarks given to each customer at the Book Sale Opportunity to hang company banner inside Book Sale Venue and display company advertisements on cashiers tables Platinum Sponsor - $1000 Name on T-shirt worn by over 100 volunteers Name listed as Sponsor on Book Sale banner and promotional flyers and posters Name listed as sponsor on Bookmarks given to each customer Opportunity to hang company banner inside Book Sale Venue Dr. Seuss Sponsor (Exclusive) - $750 Name on T-shirt worn by over 100 volunteers Special recognition given in Children s Area of the Book Sale for all three days of the Sale Name listed on Book Sale banner and Bookmarks given to each customer Gold Sponsor - $500 Name on T-shirt worn by over 100 volunteers Name listed on Book Sale banner and promotional flyers and posters Name on Bookmarks given to each customer Silver Sponsor - $250 Name listed on Book Sale banner Bronze Sponsor - $100 Name listed as Sponsor on St. Francis Book Sale Facebook page and in Church Newsletter. Individual Sponsor - $50 S T. F R A N C I S B OOK S A L E S P O N S O R O P P O R T U N I T Y This unique opportunity allows individuals to honor or memorialize loved ones and special occasions. The Sponsor will provide a one line commemoration which will be printed on a large Dedication Board outside the Book Sale Venue. Please contact Andrea Pollina at (336) or apollina@triad.rr.com with questions or to become a Sponsor. *In order for your name to be included in print materials (including T-shirts), your donation and sponsorship information must be received by March 1, Sponsorship donations are tax-deductible. 4

5 T HE R E A C H F R O M T H E O U T R E A C H C O M M I T T E E Thank you, St. Francis! The Outreach committee would like to highlight one of the ministries St. Francis has recently funded. PEAK Adventure Ministries Journey program is a faith-based mentoring organization for needy high school students in the Glenwood neighborhood. Their website describes the Journey program as follows: Journey is our discipleship ministry serving high school students who graduate from our leadership classes at Hope Academy in Greensboro, NC. Journey is a highly relational mentoring and discipleship program tailored to the needs of each high school student. To increase the chances for a successful high school experience, we partner closely with each student's family. PEAK's leadership believes that work is central to our mentoring and life skills development efforts, and each student is offered paid employment opportunities during the academic year and over summer vacation. To satisfy our emphasis on each student's spiritual growth, Journey includes small group Bible study and the support of a fellowship community. One of the clearest measures of our success will be academic progress and high school graduation for each student. Journey leaders track each student's academic progress, offering support and encouragement as needed. Through our mentor community we offer each student guidance with post-secondary education and career choices. Here is a thank you letter from Britt Lassiter, the director of PEAK Adventure Ministries for the funding of landscaping equipment they will use for their Journey program this year: Many, many thanks. We placed an order for two basic lawnmowers last week and they should be ready this Friday. Will send you pictures. We will also purchase a string trimmer and some other miscellaneous items with the grant. With the monies left over we will buy some lumber to make benches and picnic tables. We already have orders for three benches and one picnic table. Britt Lassiter, PEAK Adventure Ministries To learn more about PEAK, visit their website at Outreach meets on the third Monday of the month (excluding July) at 7:00 p.m. in St. Mike s house. To join our committee or to leave us a message, please contact us at outreach@stfrancisgreensboro.org. It s a great time to be a Franciscan! 5

6 A R O U N D S T. F R A N C I S CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE February 5th is the 1st Sunday of the month and there is a Contemporary Worship Service at 9:15am with the Heaven Help Us band providing the music offering. There is no Sunday school for children or youth. There are always ways in which young people of all ages are encouraged to participate; either through music shakers, singing, dancing and reading. Let us know how you want to be involved! (Reminder: The next Contemporary Worship Service will be March 5th) ADULT FORMATION: Every Sunday (except 1st Sundays) adults are invited into the Gold Room for coffee and conversation. The topics are broad and vary from week to week. Since you're bringing your children and youth to their formation class, why not come enjoy casual fellowship with other Franciscans! FIRST SUNDAY LOOSE OFFERING Please prayerfully consider that the loose offering on February 5th will go to the Rector s Discretionary Fund (RDF). This fund is a designated checking account from which the Rector is able to exercise his ministry by extending financial assistance to church members and non-church members alike when the need arises. This discretionary fund allows the rector to offer tangible and critical financial assistance to those who are most vulnerable and is dependent upon the generous gifts of the congregation for its support. Besides the loose plate offering on the first Sunday of each month the account may also receive additional funding from designated gifts given by parishioners to ensure the continuation of this important ministry. URBAN MINISTRY FOOD CRISIS FOOD EMERGENCY: The Greensboro Urban Ministry¹s Food Bank is in dire need of nonperishable food items! We need your help. You may drop off your donations of food at the Greensboro Urban Ministry at the corner of Elm and Gate City Blvd, or send checks made payable to the GUM and food bank in the memo line to Greensboro Urban Ministry, 305 Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC Let¹s make this a family project and turn it into one large random act of kindness and outpouring of love from St. Francis. 6

7 A R O U N D S T. F R A N C I S Handbell Choir St. Francis Ringers will be rehearsing at 2:00pm on Mondays beginning February 6 th. We will rehearse during February, March and April with plans to play in late spring. Handbells are both challenging & fun to play - won t you consider joining us? Previous experience not required, but certainly welcomed. For more information, contact Jane Anne Hayber at or jahmonet@hotmail.com Wheels 4 Hope Car Blessing 7

8 S T. F R A N C I S E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H A Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Suffragan & Bishop Pro Tem The Rt. Rev. Peter Lee, Assisting Bishop P A R I S H S T A F F The Rev. Milton C. Williams, Jr., Rector Amanda Harmon Owens, Director of Children's and Y outh Ministry Sam Doyle, Choir Director Jane Woody, Junior Choir Director Benita McFarland, Assistant Choir Director Kit Hargett, Day School Director ST. FRANCIS VESTRY: Senior Warden: Cindy Patterson; Junior Warden: Bruce Lyon; Treasurer: Dennis Berry; Clerk: Kathie Huff; Mary Dator, Grant Haviland, Melinda Madtes, Dick Maxwell, Chris Relos, Pat Russell, Virginia Summerell, Geoff Wehe, Jim Woody On the web at: Phone: Fax: St. Francis Day School: Linda Allgood, Parish Administrator Bonnie Thyer, Communications Coordinator Jack Steelman & Bo Edwards: Sextons Rigoberto Bautista, Custodian 8 ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 3506 Lawndale Drive Greensboro, NC 27408