Current Programs

Interim Rector - On Sunday, February 4, 2007, The Reverend Canon Mortimer (Mort) Ward began his interim ministry at St. Francis Church.

Parish Directory - Please let the church office know now if you have any additions or changes to your directory listing. Call (310) 375-4617.

Chinese New Year Auction - Saturday, February 17, 6:30 p.m., Parish Hall - Admission : Item to donate and $10. Hors d'Oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Youth Confirmation and Holy Communion Classes - Mo. Sarah Phelps will be conducting these classes during the Lenten season. The deadline to sign up is February 18. Please contact the church office (310) 375-4617 for more information and registration.

ECW Annual Conference - Saturday, March 10, 9:30 a.m., Cathedral Center. Registration and continental breakfast be gains at 8:30 a.m. Cost $35. For more information call the church office (310) 375-4617 or on the web www.ladiocese.org/ecw/annualmeeting.htm

Camp Stevens - February 23-25 - Annual Women's Retreat: Empowerment and Healing. Camp Stevens' website www.campstevens.org

Designs for Dining - Friday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Save the date! As part of the event this year, Robert Bell of Chez Melange will be conducting a wine auction. Parishioners are requested to donate and bottle or two of fine wine. Below is a list of good years by country and type of wine:
France:
Bordeaux - years 81,82,83, 85, 86, 89, 93, 95, 96, 2000.
Burgundy - years 85, 90, 93, 98, 99, 2001, and 03.
Italy:
Barolo and Barbaresco - years 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98,90, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 2000.
California Wines:
Napa and Sonoma County Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel -
years 84, 85, 86, 87, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, and 2001.
Central Coast Pinto Noir and Syrah - Years 85, 86, 87, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, 2000, and 01.
Bring your donation of wine to the church office.

Town and Country Preschool Plea - Aiden Sears is 4 years old and a student at Town and Country. He has been diagnosed with Leukemia. Contributions to the Aiden Sears Fund would be greatly appreciated. Please contract the school office (310) 375-2829.

Message from the Vestry - To answer any questions concerning the clergy search process do not hesitate to contact any Vestry person to express your concerns or to have questions answered. The Vestry wants to hear from you.

Parish Profile Committee - The Parish Profile Committee has been formed with the following serving as members: Jerry Austin, Bob Bacon, John Bukowski, Wendy Dahlgren, John Dingee, David Harper, Sally Higman, Joy Miles, Marylen Ruston, Margaret Smith, Wayne Smith and Tina Van der Velden.

Antiques Show Help Needed - Needed are wonderful, inventive, creative souls who will be in charge of the Gala (Wednesday, May 30) and luncheon coordinator(s) for Thursday-Saturday, May 31, June 1-2). The Gala is a one evening event and the luncheons are for three days which can be handled by one or more people. Work crews are provided. You would make up the menu and do the math for groceries. Call the church office for more information and to volunteer.

Bishop Talton Visit - Bishop Talton will visit St. Francis Parish on Sunday, May 20, 2007. Those who attend the Inquirers Class may wish to be presented to the Bishop for Confirmation on that Sunday.

Attention Choristers - Now is the time to join the St. Francis Choristers. Any child 8 years and older and reading fluently is welcome. No musical experience is necessary. Contact the church office (310) 375-4617 for more information.

Nursery Care Needed - Lu Adams has returned to take charge of the Nursery; never the less, there is a need for on-call substitute caregivers in the Nursery for the upcoming school year. Please call the church office to volunteer.

Sunday School Teachers, Leaders and "Shepherds" - Volunteers for Sunday School are always welcome, especially adults who are interested in leading the Art and Kitchen Workshops. Contact the church office to volunteer.

Call for Lectors and Lay Readers - A perfect way to minister to St. Francis is by becoming a lector and/or lay reader to read in church about once a month at the 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. service. Teens and adults are encouraged to contact the church office to volunteer. Chalice bearers and lay eucharistic visitors are also needed.

Harbor Interfaith Shelter - Food cupboard has been set up by the Patt and Bill Parker at Harbor Interfaith Shelter. Please donate non-perishable food items to help re-stock the cupboard. There is a contribution drop-off bin in the Parish Office. Next time you are at the market, remember to add a few things to donate.

Bellringer Input - Do you wish to share something you feel everyone should know? What better way to communicate the information then to announce it in the Bellringer newsletter. Articles must be submitted by the fifteenth of each month by placing the information in the Bellringer Mailbox in the Parish Office, sending via e-mail secretary@stfrancispv.org or by fax (310) 791-2740.

Funds Needed to Rebuild St. George's Church - The Diocese has established a fund to help rebuild St. George's Episcopal Church in Hawthorne after an electrical fire on December 6, 2005 destroyed the Parish Hall, church offices, the Chapel of St. Anne and an outreach facility. Contribution checks may be made payable to Treasurer of the Diocese and sent to Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026, Attention: Michael Cunningham. Mark your envelope and check "St. George's - Hawthorne".

School Supplies for our Savior Center for Youth in El Monte - The Outreach Commission is also collecting supplies for this center including paper, pens, crayons, pencils, felt pens, glue, tape, stickers, small prizes, individual juice boxes, snacks and cash. Baskets are outside of the chapel and church and in the church office.

St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund - Anytime is the time to renew your Von's Club Card for the e-scrip. You can renew it by calling
800-801-4973 and give them your Von's Club Card number or visit www.escrip.com and click on "yes, renew". Do you have a Ralph's Club card? Call Joni McIntyre for details on how to renew this card. Also the Albertson's Community Card can also be used at Sav-On Drugs. All these programs are an integral part of the fundraising for our scholarship fund.

The Bishop's Guild - The Bishop's Guild is an organization designed to help support the seminarians of this diocese who will be the priests and bishops of our future. There are no monthly meetings, no dinners, no bazaars or bake sales, only yearly dues of $15. For more information, please call the church office (310) 375-4617.

St. Francis Tee Shirts/Sweatshirts - The Youth Commission is taking orders for tee shirts and sweatshirts en printed with the St. Francis Youth logo. These shirts are for the whole family. Besides the basic tee shirt and hooded sweatshirt, we will offer shirts for toddlers, girls and ladies and a long-sleeved tee shirt for adults. Look for order forms in
the Parish Hall and Church Office.