March 2017

March 20

Deadline for the April

PAX

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

9am Coffee Hour Volunteers: Ken Quandt, Norma Young, Sr. Ruth Hall, Morag Hall

11am Coffee Hour Volunteers: Melinda Lee, Alice and John Gates, Carol Thollander, Carol Fine, Gregg and

Lisa Napoli, Beverly Popek and Pat Ho-a-Yun, Susan Reamy, Sally Oh, Debbie Jasso, Christina Stephen,

the Dick family

Laguna Honda Volunteers: Bill and Fran Rounds, Christina Stephen, and Paul Pearson

Office Volunteers: Ed Splichal, Anita Jackson, Sally Young, Richard Young, Bob Powell, Buffy (c), Willow,

Tinkerbell

Membership Committee and Friends of Francis: for providing us with a spectacular Pancake Supper

Pax et Bonum

A NEWSLETTER FOR

ST. FRANCIS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

One Last Time From the Interim Rector

We live in challenging times. Divisions abound: in families, amongst neighbors, and yes, even in congrega-

tions. How do we love one another, when we have such strong and opposing opinions? I think it starts with

respect. We may disagree, but we must give one another space to hold an opinion. It continues with being

willing to listen to one another. Not always so easy. And finally it comes down to finding our common

ground. What are the ideas or principles that unite us?

What ARE the ideas and principles that unite us at St. Francis’? Surely it is in the centrality of the call to fol-

low Jesus as his disciples. Jesus sought out the outcast, the prisoner, the destitute, the fearful. He welcomed

the stranger. And so we do the same, as his followers. And in doing this, we meet Jesus anew. But can we

agree on who the “stranger” is?

A number of us at St. Francis’ are hoping to do something-yet unclear-in response to the changing immigration

rules. This may make some people uncomfortable. Maybe not. For me, this is a natural expression of my

commitment to follow Christ. For others, this may be too much of a stretch. We must respect one another.

Listen to one another. And keep finding that common ground.

Beth +

Reflections from the Senior Warden

Thank you for the warm welcome to my new post as Senior Warden at St. Francis. It is my honor to serve our

community and my joy to worship in the loving, supportive, and enriching environment of St. Francis

Episcopal Church.

As we enter the season of Lent, my thoughts and prayers are full of desire and yearning.....in short,

indulgences. Wait....What?....How did that happen? Lent is the season of reflection, responsibility, and

restraint. And yet, I look to my friends, family, community, and God to give me a few indulgences. The same

indulgences that St. Francis himself may have asked for. Instead of deep reflection on my woes, I will pray for

humility. Instead of worrying about the compounding responsibilities that we all face on a day-to-day basis,

I will pray for simplicity and grace. Instead of focusing on restraint, I will strive to give my time and talent to

aid others.

So as Lent arrives, I ask you, my precious St. Francis’ community, to join me in these indulgences or perhaps

pick a few of your own.

Your humble Senior Warden,

Diane Dick

THERE IS A STITCHERY GROUP AT ST. FRANCIS!

We meet at the home of one of our members on the first Wednesday of each month. The April 5th meeting

will be at the home of Bente Carter, 60 Pinehurst Way, at 10:00 AM. We knit, crochet or do other stitchery

projects and have a light refreshment while enjoying one another's company. Please let Bente know if you are

interested in joining us. (415-283-9431).

From the Bayeux Tapestry

Lenten Meditations

On our Facebook page and our website, look for a daily Lenten charge: to pray, to give thanks, or to act. Each

day will present a different challenge.

Additionally, in the back of the church, there are copies of Episcopal Relief and Development’s Lenten

Meditation Booklets.

Paschal Candle Making

This year we will be making 5 paschal candles, including candles for three churches in the diocese of Navajo

Land. Please bring white or off white candle stubs that can be a part of the great “melt down”. Used candles

with a high beeswax content are especially sought after. There will be a box in the back of the church for

collecting your old candles.

Please call the office to let us know you are coming.

A Note from Richard Young

Dear Parish Family-

Sally and I want to thank you so much for your kind thoughts, offering your assistance and especially your

prayers during these past two months.

Your cards and calls meant so much to the both of us and that is what a Parish Family is, prayers and caring.

Our ordeal is almost over as I go into surgery this week, the 23rd, and guess what – I will be able to chew

again! Food through straws just isn’t the same!

We take this opportunity to thank you for being there for us and our being able to send you our love.

Fondly, Richard (Young)

P a g e 4

Ash Wednesday

Our Ash Wednesday services were held at Noon and 6pm. This service marks the beginning of the season of

Lent, which is a time in the church calendar set aside for prayer, penitence and service. The ashes we use-

symbols of our mortality- are made from burning palms from Palm Sundays past.

Wednesday Nights in Lent

Compline, a short contemplative service, is at 6:15, followed by a light dinner (soup, salad and bread), and an

intergenerational program. We are finished by 8pm at the latest. If you would like to help by providing either

soup or salad and bread, please sign up on the bulletin board by the kitchen.

Compline 6:15 (in the church)

Light supper 6:30 (in the kitchen)

Intergenerational Program (kitchen)

March 8 Devotional candle making

March 15 Project for children in Honduras

March 22 conversation with our BRAID team

March 29 Soap making for people on the streets

April 5 Bookmarks for our elders and shut-ins

Tinkerbell learning how to grind ashes.

Responding to Immigration Challenges

A number of us at St. Francis’ are interested in responding and supporting immigrants in this time of change.

We are doing some research and will come forward with some ideas. If this issue is close to your heart, and

you would like to be involved in whatever project or projects we undertake, please let the Rector know.

P a g e 5

The Women’s March

A number of us participated in the Women’s March on January 21st. Here are some photos.

Message from Hong Kong

Drake Pike (after 30 years in China)

passing on the wisdom of the ages to the Presiding Bishop

Confirmation Class

This spring the Rector will be preparing young people (13 and older) and adults for Confirmation and

Reception. The Confirmation service will take place at Grace Cathedral on Saturday June 3rd. Please let her

know if you are interested.

McNair High School Choir To Visit St. Francis’

Last year we had the privilege of having Susanna Peeples bring her Ronald McNair High School Choir from

Stockton to St. Francis’. They gave a rousing performance on a Saturday afternoon, which uplifted and in-

spired us. The good news is that they are returning! They will be with us on Sunday March 19th-in church

singing at the 10am service-and providing a concert Sunday afternoon at 5pm in the church. Do not miss this

concert-you will leave with a spring in your step!

The choir and adult chaperones will be spending the night in the parish hall Sunday night. If you would like to

help with hospitality, please speak to Melinda Lee or Baker Peeples.

Ronald Mc Nair

The Annual Meeting

Game Night

Burning the Palms

Lenten Quiet Day

Saturday April 8 11 a.m.--1:00 p.m.

Walking the Stations of the Cross

on the Labyrinth

Le d by Rev. Davidson Bidwell-Waite

During Holy Week we laid huge curving

palm branches leading up to the entrance

to our portable canvass Labyrinth. We

placed a sign at the entrance to the

palms which read “Palm Sunday – Jesus,

the Apostles and Disciples, including the

Marys’ triumphantly enter Jerusalem.”

At the entrance of the labyrinth itself was Monday - “Jesus casts out the money-changers”, followed at the first turn by Tuesday - “Jesus debates with the Pharisees: Give to Caesar…”. At the next was Wednesday “Jesus predicts his Passion and gives his final advice”. Thursday was split into Part 1 – “The Supper in the Upper Room, Foot Washing and Eucharist” and Part 2 – “Gethsemane – The Suffering and Betrayal”. The following stations beginning with Friday – “Jesus is Scourged and Tried” at the next turning had pictures of men in business suits instead of Roman soldiers. Stations of the Cross pages were placed on the labyrinth at each turning after that. Luckily, the placements at turnings worked out so that the last Station - “Jesus is placed in the Tomb” ended up in the center. On entering the center, one instinctively sat with Jesus’ body for a while. Words cannot describe what it was like sitting with that tortured and lifeless body in the tomb at the center of the Labyrinth - The Way. Equally as moving for me was the walk out. I mentally worked through the range of emotions the Apostles must have felt. First shame at abandoning Jesus – I was the one whose garment was grabbed and I ran away naked. Then felt anger at being led on a 3-year journey and then abandoned when Jesus refused to defend himself and threw his life away. Walking on I thought of going home and then realized with angst that I could never go back – I had aban-doned my family and life had been irreversibly changed by Jesus’ presence. Finally I felt terror at not knowing how to proceed without Jesus. At one point I felt the paralysis that I have felt at life-changing cataclysms in the past– not being able to go forward or back. I imagined the Apostles trying to imagine how they themselves would carry on Jesus’ work without him. Finally I felt at peace. I had once again reached the peace of settling into the cycles of Death and Resurrection through which the Way of the Cross leads us. I have come to understand that it is how we are called to live out of and live into our full potential. The experience is still reverberating within me.

P a g e 1 1

St. George’s Update Keith Smith

Many people have asked from time to time when St. George will finally leave our premises. The answer is

more complicated than it might seem. Before going into some details, it appears to be useful to explain exactly

where their new location is. The address is 1617 Southgate Ave., Daly City. It is directly across the street

from the back end of Denny’s Restaurant at Serramonte Shopping Center.

According to a an expert source (not Fr George, but a long-time resident of Daly City), Daly City is one of the

most difficult city in San Mateo county in which to get permits. Completion of one seems to invariably leads

to request for another.

The current request from Daly City to St. George is for more natural gas pressure to go into the building.

(I live in San Bruno, and get very nervous whenever I hear PGE and gas pressure in the same sentence.)

Fr. George has made a formal request to PG&E for a response. He is waiting. He has also booked a wedding

for our Church in May, “just in case.”

Florence Chin and the Rector

Ash Wednsday

Ways to Deepen Your Lent

WEDNESDAYS

COMPLINE at 6:15, SOUP & PROGRAM to follow in kitchen

3/8.....decorating personal devotional candles

3/15...project to benefit children in Honduras

3/22....conversation with our BRAID team

3/29....soap making for St. Martin de Porres’ clients

4/5......making bookmarks for our elders & shut-ins

CROSS PROJECT

Pin your prayers, hopes, dreams, concerns and images thereof

on the Cross in the parish hall, which will become a part

of the Easter celebration

DAILY LENTEN CHALLENGE

go to facebook.com/sfepiscopal/sf every day for a new challenge

daily devotional booklet also available in back of the church

QUIET DAY

Walking the Stations of the Cross on the Labyrinth: Saturday April 8th from 11am to 1pm

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Sat April 1-in the church work day; shine, polish & help prep for Easter-10-noon

Help at our Next Door Shelter and/or Laguna Honda Eucharist or our food pantry

BASKETS FOR BAY AREA WOMEN & CHILDREN’S CENTER

April 2 after the 10am service; assembling Easter baskets of candy

and toiletries; wrapped candy and small toiletries needed

YOGA ON SATURDAYS

9:15 Level One class

10:30 Gentle Yoga with Meditation

reserve a place: mara@yoga.mygbiz.com

COFFEE FOR HAITI SCHOLARSHIPS

9 ounces of Fair Trade Haitian Coffee for $15

proceeds go to scholarships for the Agricultural College

WEEKLY FOOD DONATIONS

Bring non perishable food to church: to benefit the Bay Area Women’s & Children’s Center

BOOK READING and BIBLE STUDY IDEAS

The Gospel of Matthew, Julian of Norwich’s Showings, Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis

Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton, To Kills A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

join our Sunday morning Bible Study at 9am in Guild Hall

ATTEND HOLY WEEK SERVICES

for more info about any or all of the above, please call the office

Compassion Practice

To awaken compassion toward yourself say…”May I be free from suffering and the root of suffering”

To awaken compassion for a person or animal say…”May (name) be free from suffering and the root of suf-

fering”

To awaken compassion for a friend…”May (name) be free from suffering and the root of suffering.”

To awaken compassion for someone about whom you feel neutral…”May (name) be free from suffering and

the root of suffering”

To awaken compassion for someone you find difficult…”May (name) be free from suffering and the root of

suffering.”

6. To awaken compassion for all five of the beings above…”may (names) be free from suffering

and the root of suffering.”

7. To awaken compassion for all beings throughout the universe, starting close to home and extending out

further and further…”May all beings be free of suffering and the root of suffering.”

Two Forms of Meditation for Difficult Times

Shrove Tuesday

CALENDAR

Ongoing Weekly Events .

Monday to Thursday Lynn Douthit School of Dance 3:p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Monday to Friday YMCA/Preschool in Session, 8a.m. to 6p.m.

Monday to Friday St. George Orthodox Church Office Hours, 8a.m.-11a .m.

Wednesday/Friday Music Together Classes, 9a.m., 10a.m., 11a.m.—Guild Hall

Thursday/Friday Tai Chi Classes, 10a.m. Parish Hall

T u e s d a y Café Shalom Israeli Dance Group--Parish Hall--8:00-11:00 p.m.

Wednesday Food Pantry, 3p.m. Courtyard/Kitchen/Guild Hall

Wednesday St. Francis’ Choir Rehearsal—7p.m.—Church

Saturday Yoga class—8:00, 9:15,10:30, and 11:45 (Guild Hall)

Sunday 8a.m., 10a.m. Holy Eucharist (Church) and coffee hour, Parish Hall

Sunday 9:15a.m., Bible Study in the Guild Hall; 10 a.m. Godly Play in Sunday School room

Sunday 12:30p.m. Holy Eucharist, St. George (Church) and coffee hour, Parish Hall

Sunday 7:30p.m. 12-Step Rap Group Meeting in the Guild Hall

P a g e 1 5

P a g e 1 6

Birthdays Please contact the Parish Office

if you would like to list a birthday.

Aidan Cooper--March 1

Carol Kossler--March 3

Kaysea Ray--March 3

Leo Cole--March 4

Rich Trezevant--March 4

Catherine O’Neal--March 8

Mark Giannini--March 8

Brooke Powell--March 10

Virginia Wells--March 11

Mary Nicole Finch--March 11

Patrick Kossler--March 12

John O’Neal--March 14

Brittany Steinway--March 15

The Ides of March--March 15

Walt Terris--March 16

William Hage--March 17

Pat Vassar--March 17

St. Patrick--March 17

Margaret van der Reis--March 18

Lisa Cole--March 18

Jim O'Neal--March 21

Lee Ann DeSalles--March 21

John Gates--March 22

Elisabeth DeSaussay--March 25

Vera Eby--March 27

Johann Hart--Mach 30

Karl Clayter--March 31

Daffodil

Heliotrope (bloodstone)

March 15

March 17

READINGS

P a g e 1 7

March 5

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-41

Psalm 32

March 12 Genesis 12:1-4a

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

John 3:1-17

Psalm 121

March 19

Exodus 17:1-7

Romans 5:1-11

Psalm 95

March 26

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-41

Psalm 23

Rome

Ephesus

St. Francis’ Episcopal Church

399 San Fernando Way

San Francisco, CA 94127

www.stfrancisepiscopal.org

The Rev. Beth Sherman, Rector

Office: (415) 334-1590

Home: (415) 571-8420

Email:

rector@stfrancisepiscopal.org

Keith A. Smith, AHC

Parish Administrator

Office: (415) 334-1590

Fax: (415) 334-1591

Email:

administra-

tor@stfrancisepiscopal.org

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:

M-TH: 10AM TO 5PM

F: 10AM TO NOON

2016 Vestry

Diane Dick Senior Warden

Christina Stephen ,

Susan Foe, Junior Warden

Drake Pike, Treasurer

Kevin Reamy

Debbie Jasso

Diane Dick

Wendy Dwyer

Michelle Herrera

Meighan Morono

Nicholas Cole-Farrell

Deanery Delegates

Alice Gates

David Kriegh

Sally Young

Richard Young (alt)

Staff The Rev. Beth Sherman

Rector

The Rev. Dominic George, T.S.S.F.

Interim Rector

Assisting Clergy

The Rev. Robert Kossler

Dale Richards

Choir Master

Charles Fermeglia

Interim Organist

Keith A. Smith, AHC

Parish Administrator

Beverly Popek

Sunday School Coordinator

Carol Fine

Nursery Caregiver

Julio Alfaro

Sexton

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33