Current Programs
Upcoming Event in March
Sunday, March 14 11:30 a.m. |
Guest Speaker Diana Haye St. Luke's Shower Program |
Lenten Suppers
"The Meaning of the Cross" and later Christian thinkers understood Jesus' death, so that each of us can understand what his death means for us today.
New! Lenten Supper Children's Program
Contact church office to sign up. |
New Arts Committee Formation - All those interested in participating in an Arts Committee to oversee and implement projects related to the interior and exterior spaces of St. Francis Church, please contact The Rev. Paula Vukmanic who will chair this new committee. One does not need to be an artist to participate. Projects already under consideration include refurbishing the prayer corner in the chancel area of the church, space for exterior prayer gardens and making a labyrinth.
Prayer Chain - A very dedicated group of Prayer Chair members pray daily for one month for those included on the list. For anyone with a prayer need, please contact the church office 310-375-4617. Please renew your request by the 25th of each month for ongoing prayer requests.
Harbor Interfaith Shelter - There is an immediate need for food at the Food Bank. Please bring any canned or packaged food items to the church office where there is bin marked for Harbor Interfaith.
Outreach in 2010 -
- Canned Goods for Mama Hill - Each Sunday a basket is in the Narthex to collect canned/boxed foods. Each week the food is delivered to Mama Hill's after school program.
- Mama Hill's Help - Donation of a van or a vehicle which could be traded in for a van. Also needed children's' clothing donations.
- Food Pantry - Individuals or families to work at the Harbor Interfaith Food Pantry.
- Collections - Food for the Toberman House (non perishables); adult clothing for St. Luke's Shower Program (socks, coats and blankets, especially).
If you have donations, please drop them off at the church office.
- The Episcopal Relief and Development Organization - Gift catalog online www.er-d.org/giftsforlife or call 1-800-334-7626, extension 5129.
- See the complete description of St. Francis Outreach in the current Bellringer (newsletter link).
Search Engine Gift Giving - If you just change your default search engine to GoodSearch.com and select a charity listed; such as, Harbor Interfaith Services, the charity will receive funds. This search engine is powered by Yahoo. "Outreach without any effort."
Sunday School Needs You! - Sunday School is now looking for anyone interested in being a Workshop Cycle Teacher (Pre-K--5 years--through 5th grade), Workshop Cycle Leader (Kitchen/Art) or Shepherd (teenage helper) for the school year, 2008-2009. Our Nursery is always in need of on-call substitutes for Lu Adams as well. Please call the church office to volunteer (310) 375-4617 or you may email Krista Harmon, Associate for Children and Family Ministries, at krista.harmon@stfrancispv.org or Kate Buchen, Workshop Cycles Sunday School Director, at emilykatebuchen@yahoo.com.
Helping Hands for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - If you are interested in becoming a trained “Catechist” or “Atrium Assistant” for our “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” program, please contact Krista Harmon, Associate for Children and Family Ministries, at the Church Office (310) 375-4617 or email krista.harmon@stfrancispv.org or Heidi Reber, Lead Catechist, heidireber@ca.rr.com
St. Sacrifice - St. Sacrifice is our parish guild which raises funds to maintain our church grounds and landscaping. Volunteer parishioners are needed to help maintain St. Francis grounds or donate monies to defray the cost of our gardening service. A contribution of any size will be gratefully accepted. Please make your check out to St. Francis Episcopal Church with the notation "St. Sacrifice Fund" and send or drop off in the church office.
Opportunities to Service during Worship - St. Francis offers a wide range of ministries at both services. Participation usually is once a month:
Lay Eucharist Minister - Bring Communion to a homebound parishioner.
Chalice Bearer - Serve the cup during Communion.
Oblation Bearer - Bring the bread/wine to the Altar at the Offertory.
Reader - Read the Scripture and lead the Prayers of the People.
Senior Usher - Distribute worship bulletins, assist with the Offering, assist at Communion.
Junior Usher - Assist the Senior Ushers.
Acolyte - Light candles, lead procession, assist at Communion.
Greeter - Welcome parishioners and visitors to worship, provide information and resources.
Child Care Helper - Assist our Nursery Care provider in the Church Nursery.
Listening to God Book Club - Book Club will meet the first Monday of even months, 12:30 p.m. in Library.
Faith-ful Families - Meets monthly for a pot luck supper, spiritual activity and family fun.
St. Francis Supper Club Groups - If you are interested in joining one of the groups below, please contact the group leader or the church office.
Susie & Al Zimmerman |
Cheryl & Hector Gutierrez | Phyllis & Hayward Thomas |
Shannon & Todd Kee |
Jasminka & Stuart Criley |
Sally & Bill Hill |
Stephanie & Mark Mervine |
Patt & Bill Parker |
Elaine & Lloyd Mistele |
Tina van der Velden |
Janet Lauderman |
Rosalie & Victor Gonzalez |
Fr. Jim Caldwell |
Sally Higman |
|
Marilyn Smith |
Widows and Orphans - Every Tuesday evening the group meeting for fellowship and a meal (you don't have to cook!). If you are interested, call Kathy Falk for the name of the week's restaurant. Everyone welcome. The groups would be delighted if you would join them.
Operational Endowment Fund - The Vestry has created this fund and its purpose will be to receive contributions to St. Francis Church that will provide a steady stream of income to the church from interest, dividends and appreciation. If parishioners are able at this time to make contributions of cash or securities, it would be greatly welcomed. Our goal is to transfer $65,000 or more of existing Town & Country funds, along with new donations, into this fund by the end of 2007. Also consider placing St. Francis Church in your Will. This is a gift that keeps on giving because the earned income will be an annual contribution to the operating funds of the church.
St. Francis Scholarship Fund eScrip Program - This is the on-going program which helps donate funds to the Scholarship Fund. The following in a link to the eScrip web site where one can sign up directly on the Internet. The St. Francis number is 166448460 and the address is http://www.escrip.com Look for the "Back to School" Yellow School Bus logo at Vons and Pavilions and buy participating products.
The Grocery Community Card Program at Ralphs - Each year before August 31, you must renew your commitment to Ralphs to have your purchases benefit the St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund. This you can do on the Internet by visiting www.ralphs.com. Click on Community Contributions, then click on Participant Sign-Up, click I agree and fill in the enrollment form. Our NPO number is 84585. Hit submit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
