From the Rector
Fr. Len Giacolone
If for any reason this edition of the newsletter comes out a little late, it is my fault. Usually, articles to the newsletter are due by the 20th of the month before. This month, I wanted to wait until after the parish meeting, and then coincidentally, the diocese's annual clergy retreat took place from the 23rd to the 26th of January.
I did not take a head count at the meeting but the room looked pretty full. I'm grateful for your interest. Obviously, an update on the building plans may have had something to do with it. But I'm always glad to see a full room.
Congratulations to Dinah Arce and to Missy Bernard on their elections to the Vestry. Their terms will begin at the February meeting and run until February 2020. I would like to add a word of thanks to Jim Britt, Bryan Gentsch, and Randy Scheer who also stood for election at the meeting. It is important to be willing to serve the parish in whatever capacity you are able and I'm grateful to everyone who does so.
Thanks also to Amy Crandell and Claire Ducker who volunteered to be the Delegate and Alternate Delegate respectively, to the Diocesan Convention in November. While it is necessary to conduct the business of the diocese, you would have to say that most of these meetings are less than an exciting way to spend a Friday evening and Saturday morning, although the Eucharist on Friday evening is beautiful.
Once again, I want to thank the outgoing members of the Vestry, Senior Warden, Grady Collins, and Treasurer, Mike Ready. Each has served long and faithfully and I am grateful to them. We do not have a new Senior Warden as yet. I hope to have one shortly.
As ever, the building project drags on. I could see and hear the concern at the parish meeting. I am not yet aware of the outcome of our appeal with the city but should know relatively soon. Please keep praying that Satan will leave us alone and that we can finish this building.
While I was at the retreat, I spoke with Bishop Iker about his visit for confirmation and dedication of the church building. Obviously, he cannot dedicate the building if we're not in it yet. But he is willing to try to make some accommodation for our confirmands, should that be necessary. I will keep him informed about our progress and will let you know.
Congratulations to the Hatley Family on the baptism of their son and brother, Curran, better known as Peter. There will be another baptism on February 19, Eliza Donnowitz. Please pray for these children that they may grow up strong in the Lord and be filled with His Holy Spirit.
A word about my retreat. I have never been on any retreat that I did not take something away. God is gracious in that regard. This year the retreat was conducted by four senior priests of the diocese. The theme was the Eucharist. The presentations were a combination of some history, theology and personal reflections on the part of these priests who have served in the priestly ministry (at the altar) from between 35 and 55 years. Each took a different section of the Mass, and even after forty-four years as a priest I was touched and marveled at how God in his mercy cares for us. The Eucharist is such a treasure. Its depths are incomprehensible. It is the central act of our worship and nothing compares with it. God has given us the very means by which we are to give Him thanks and our participation should be nothing less than all we have.
Anglicans for Life
Steve McCown
The St. Francis Chapter of Anglicans for Life would like to call everyone's attention to the donations table next to the nursery. It has been a while since we have made a delivery to the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center and we would like to do so soon. Items of all types for babies or toddlers are welcome. Diapers and wipes are always needed and appreciated. You can just place your donations on or near the table.
At our January meeting, which happened to be on Sanctity of Life Sunday, we reflected on Fr. Len's homily and his challenge to make our pro-life beliefs effectual. Agreeing that it is important to continue our support of the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center and for events such as 40 Days for Life and the annual pro-life rally at the Capitol, we also questioned how we can advance the pro-life cause when engaging with others on a personal level. Several ideas came out of the discussion. We hope to formalize them in a future meeting and publicize them.
Our chapter meets the third Sunday of each month after the 11:00 service. Please feel free to join us.
Sunday School
Missy Bernard
Denise and I are excited to begin 2017 with the younger class. We studied the Lord's Prayer together in January, with an emphasis on helping the kids understand what each part means, and now are moving toward Lent.
We are using a mixture of different lesson plans - Mary Kate Warner's lessons which we have used in the past, the One Room Sunday School curriculum by Abingdon Press, and other occasional lessons drawn from various sources. The children seem to enjoy the variety!
Sue Orr has also volunteered to join the rotation to teach the younger class, and will begin in February. Thanks, Sue!
Doug Cooper continues to work on confirmation lessons with the older class. We look forward to confirmation in the spring!
Annual Sausage and Pancake Supper
Lent starts on March 1st with Shrove Tuesday on Feb. 28. This means the Annual Sausage and Pancake Supper will be held on the last Tuesday of February from 5:30 - 7:30 in the Fellowship area. This event is sponsored by the Polycarp's Men's Guild with David Norris heading the cooking and the rest of the men donating the food and labor in setup and cleanup. Come indulge in this all-you-can-eat event the night before the penitential season of Lent.
February Readings
2/5 5 after Epiphany
- Habakkuk 3:1-6, 17-19
- Psalm 27
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-11
- Mathew 5:13-20
2/12 Septuagesima
- Ecclesiasticus 15:11-20
- Psalm 119:9-16
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
- Matthew 5:21:21-24, 27-30, 33-37
2/19 Sexagesima
- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
- Psalm 71:15-23
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
- Matthew 5:38-48
2/25 Quinquagesima
- Exodus 24:12-18
- Psalm 99
- Philippians 3:7-14
- Matthew 17:1-9
Church Calendar
Sundays
- 9:30 AM Said Holy Communion
- 9:30 AM Sunday School
- 10 AM Choir Practice
- 11 AM, Holy Communion On the first Sunday, this service is sung Morning Prayer with Holy Communion.
Thursdays
Friday, February 3
1st Saturday, February 4
- 9 AM, Prayer Service for our Nation
- 6:30 PM, Volunteer Dinner
2nd Monday, February 12
3rd Sunday, February 19
- 12:30 PM, Anglicans for Life Meeting.
3rd Friday, February 17
- 12 PM, Mothers' Prayer Group
Tuesday, February 28
- 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Annual Pancake and Sausage Supper
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
1 Dan Harrison
2 Victoria Glomb, Bud Lockhart
4 Jim Brit
5 Patricia Burnette
7 Burt Pigg, Kavya Parker, Willie Parker
9 Kyle Read
12 Mike Ready
18 James Glomb
Anniversaries
25 Jim and Sue Orr
St. Francis Anglican Church of Austin
A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth
Diocese Office: 2900 Alemeda St.
Fort Worth, TX 76108
Bishop: The Rt. Rev'd Jack L. Iker, D.D
Rector: The Rev. Canon Len Giacolone
Music Director and Organist: Paula Blaha
Parish Administrator: Mark Rambin
Treasurer: Grady Collins
Senior Warden: David Norris
Vestry Members
Class of 2018: Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin, John Hatley
Class of 2019: Brendle Glomb, David Norris, Kevin Burnette
Class of 202: Missy Bernard, Dinah Arce
Church Group Leaders
Acolytes: Fr. Len Giacolone
Altar Guild: Becky Hunt
Anglicans for Life: Rory Motl
Christian Education for Youth: Missy Bernard, Denise Gentsch, Doug Cooper
Christian Education for Adults: Fr. Len Giacolone
Evening Prayer: Jim Crandell
Home Group Hosts: Claire Ducker, Doug Cooper
Hospitality: Kim and David Norris
Intercessory Prayer Group: Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone
Mothers' Prayer Group: Charlotte Ready
Newsletter & Pew Sheet: Amy Crandell
Nursery: Missy Bernard & Grace Rowse
Prayer Service for Nation: Amy & Jim Crandell
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Charlotte Ready
Readers: Mark Rambin
St. Claire's Guild: Eileen Cole
St. Polycarp's Guild: Jim Crandell
Ushers: Al Parker
Webmaster: Jim Crandell
Women's Bible Study: Becky Hunt
Women of the Church: Susan Rambin
5th Sunday Nursing Home Service: Amy & Jim Crandell
This editor is not much of a tweeter.
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