From the Rector
Fr. Len Giacolone
It has been a long journey but we have finally arrived. By the time you receive this, we will have been in our new church for three weeks. As I told you on the first Sunday, we are far from finished with our move. But this now third location is our permanent home even if a work in progress. So many people have exerted so much effort to bring this about with God's help. To Him be the glory. But special thanks are due to Mark Rambin, the last standing member of the original Facilities Committee. Mark has worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition and the parish owes him a debt of gratitude.
There have been a number of generous donors who have contributed to beautifying the interior of the church, from the stained glass windows that we have and the ones which are coming, to the altar furnishings and the new sacred vessels we will use in our more formal worship services.
As you know, what we have is phase one of the project. Our original intent was to have a separate hospitality area other than one which we currently have just outside of the church. I don't know when that will happen. It will take some added perseverance and a bunch of additional funds to pull that off. We will be in need of your continued contributions for some time to come. Please do the very best you can in that regard.
I want to set some ground rules for the new church. As I mentioned to you on our first Sunday in the new church, the nave and sanctuary are for worship only. Idle conversation should be severely restricted.
The Blessed Sacrament is permanently reserved in the tabernacle. It is the real presence of Christ and that area is His. There should be no food nor drink in the church—ever. St. Francis Anglican Church is both a smoke free and an alcohol free environment. The building is now more or less pristine. It should be kept that way. If you drop something or spill something in the hospitality area, make sure that you pick it up or wipe it up. If you are unable to do that, please ask someone to help you. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure the building is kept nice. Please do your part.
Bishop Iker will be at St. Francis on Saturday, October 28 at 11:00 AM, to consecrate the church and to confirm Liberty Smith. I realize that Saturday morning is not an ideal time, but the bishop simply had no more Sundays in his calendar this year and neither he nor I wanted to wait until his visit on Pentecost Sunday in 2018. Please try to set aside that date. The consecration of a church is a very special occasion for a parish and the bishop is making an extra effort to accommodate us in his schedule.
Communion
I would ask that those of you who receive communion by intinction allow the sacred host to remain in the palm of your hand rather than to take it from me in your fingers. This will lessen the possibility of dropping the host in the transfer. Thanks for your cooperation on this.
Vestry
At the September meeting, the Vestry will establish a committee to begin the process for obtaining nominees for the Vestry election in January. We will need to replace three Vestry members at that meeting. Junior Warden, John Hatley, Ed Sandlin, and Don St. Martin are concluding their terms of office. I want to thank them for the service, and in Don's case, many years of service. There will be more information on this after the meeting in September. There will be opportunities to volunteer to serve and the committee will probably be asking some of you to stand for election. Please seriously consider it if you are asked. One more thing. Since membership on the Vestry is a leadership position in the parish, it would seem to me that you should probably not be new to the parish and would have had some volunteer experience prior to serving. That being said I want to thank anyone who would consider serving.
Anglicans for Life
Rory Motl
The crisis of abortion is enormous. A tragedy of epidemic proportions, abortion is the leading cause of death in the world, taking an estimated 40 million lives every year.
Where do you start when it comes to addressing such a global catastrophe? For four individuals in Bryan/College Station, Texas, the answer was to start locally and to start with prayer.
In 1998, Planned Parenthood opened an abortion center in Bryan/College Station. People of faith rallied against it, but in time the office was built and Planned Parenthood opened.
Each year, the goal of ending abortion in the Brazos Valley seemed to slip further away. But four members of the Brazos Valley Coalition for Life realized they needed to ask God how He would have them end abortion in their community. So in 2004, they gathered around an old wooden table for an hour of prayer.
During that hour of prayer, they found themselves drawn to the timeframe of 40 days—a timeframe God consistently uses throughout salvation history to transform His people. How might God transform Bryan/College Station in 40 days?
As that hour of prayer progressed, the four individuals felt themselves called to launch a 40 day campaign of PRAYER AND FASTING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND A CONSTANT, PEACEFUL VIGIL to end abortion. They also vowed that even if no one else would join them, together they would cover the entire 40 day, 960 hour, around-the-clock vigil.
Finally, they gave their new project a name: 40 Days for Life.
The campaign results exceeded all expectations. In less than six weeks, more than 1,000 new volunteers helped ensure all 960 hours of the vigil were covered. A grassroots, door-to-door effort reached more than 25,000 households. The campaign made local, state and national news. And the local abortion rate dropped by 28 percent.
In the year to come, communities across the United States launched their own campaigns: Houston, Texas. Dallas, Texas. Green Bay, Wisconsin. Kitsap County, Washington. Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2007, the original 40 Days for Life leaders launched the first ever nationally coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign, spanning 89 cities in 33 states. Before long, campaigns had been hosted in all 50 states. And then the world came knocking.
Hundreds of cities in dozens of countries across all six populated continents have now hosted 40 Days for Life campaigns. Pro-Lifers in places like Houston, Manhattan, Indianapolis, Toronto, London, Sydney, Mexico City, Cape Town, Bogota, Moscow, and Hong Kong stand together in prayerful solidarity.
Many cultures. Many time zones. Many languages. But one shared language of prayer.
Since 2007, 40 Days for Life participants report 13,305 lives saved from abortion during a campaign. That's the type of impact that led an ACLU spokesperson to describe 40 Days for Life as the “greatest threat to choice.”
But it's not just lives that are being saved. Souls are being won for God as well. Amidst the sixth 40 Days for Life campaign in Bryan/College Station, Abby Johnson — Planned Parenthood's employee of the year — changed her mind about abortion, and she turned to the 40 Days for Life team for encouragement as she left her job.
Abby isn't alone. Less than a year later, 40 Days for Life came to Sherman, Texas, leading Ramona Trevino to leave her job managing a Planned Parenthood. These two Texans are among 154 abortion workers to experience conversion and leave their jobs through 40 Days for Life.
40 Days for Life has contributed to a groundswell of pro-life support worldwide. Some 86 abortion centers (and numerous referral centers) where campaigns have been hosted have closed their doors forever. The Bryan/College Station Planned Parenthood joined the list in 2013.
The building where thousands of lives were taken has been redeemed and now serves as the international headquarters for 40 Days for Life
With God's grace, this movement will continue until every abortion center goes out of business for good.
(Article from www.40daysforlife.com website)
See the 40 Days for Life Article further down in this newsletter.
Sunday School
Classes begin Sept. 10 at 9:30 AM. All students attend the 9:30 service and leave for class at the announcements. We have two classes - one for elementary aged students taught by Missy Bernard and Denise Gentsch and another for older youth taught by Doug Cooper.
Bishop Iker at St. Francis
for Confirmation and the Building Consecration
Bishop Iker will visit St. Francis on Saturday, October 28 at 11:00 AM to consecrate the building and for confirmation. A luncheon will follow the service.
Ice Cream Social
Mark your calendar! Ice Cream Social, September 10 after the 11:00 service. The St. Polycarp's Men's Guild hosts this annual event by preparing a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade (mostly) ice cream. All the men of St. Francis are more than welcome to participate in the St. Polycarp activities - which are largely grilling meat a couple times a year. Please see Jim Crandell if you would like to participate in this event.
2017 Diocesan Church Women's Annual Fall Congress
The Diocesan Women will hold their annual Fall Congress at St. Alban's (911 South Davis) in Arlington on SEPTEMBER 16 from 10 am- 2:00 pm REGISTRATION 9:30-10:00 AM.
Keynote Speaker is Sue Heimer with Focus on the Family and Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Catered lunch, raffle baskets to raise funds for La Gran Familia, ARDF ingathering, Anglican vendors, take home gift for each participant.
ONLY $15.00
CLICK HERE FOR PROMOTIONAL VIDEO.
Download the Fall Congress registration form.
An Important Book
Fr. Len Giacolone
I was recently given a book by a parishioner. I was a little bit interested since he told me I could have written the book. Usually when I recommend a book, I do so because I think it may help you in some way or it's just a good read. The Benedict Option, by Rod Dreher is not just a good book but an important one. Dreher is concerned about the fall of western civilization due to the fall of western Christianity. He traces the decline in our civilization to many different events in our history to which the church failed to respond adequately and finds a tenable solution in the rule of St. Benedict. This intentional Christianity (my words not his) must begin with a setting ourselves aside within the world so that we can recover what we have lost. He elucidates how the rule of St. Benedict can be applied to everyone in the church, not just within a monastic setting. As you might expect, this will not be easy and will require for those who attempt it, great effort and sacrifice. Not everyone will be up to the task. But it may be the last, best hope for the church in the west.
40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life is a volunteer based prayer campaign that draws attention to the injustice of abortion through three simple avenues:
• Prayer and fasting
• Community outreach & Education
• Constant peaceful vigil
The fall campaign for 40 Days for Life in Austin begins Sept. 25 through Nov. 5, 2017.
Austin once again has three abortion clinics:
• Planned Parenthood at 201 E Ben White Blvd
• Austin Women's Health at 1902 South IH35 (just south of Woodward)
• Whole Women's Clinic at 8401 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd (just north of 183 on the north bound access road).
Prayer volunteers commit to pray for one hour or more each week during the 40 day vigil in front of one of the abortion facilities in Austin.
If you are interested in participating in this life-saving campaign, email info@CentralTexasCoalition.com or call the Central Texas Coalition for Life office at 512.296.2071.
Sunday Readings for September
9/3 12th after Trinity (Proper 17)
- Jeremiah 15:15-21
- Psalm 26
- Romans 12:1-8
- Matthew 16:21-27
9/10 13th after Trinity (Proper 18)
- Ezekiel 33:1-11
- Psalm 119:33-40
- Romans 12:9-21
- Matthew 18:15-20
9/17 14th after Trinity (Proper 19)
- Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7
- Psalm 103:8-13
- Romans 14:5-12
- Matthew 18:21-35
9/24 15th after Trinity (Proper 20)
- Jonah 3:10-4:11
- Psalm 145:1-8
- Philippians 1:21-27
- Matthew 20:1-16
St. Francis follows the 1979 BCP Lectionary for the lessons with the text read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The Sunday collects and psalms are from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
Calendar for September
Sundays
- 9:30 AM, Said Holy Communion
- 9:30 AM, Sunday School (Beginning 9/10)
- 10:00 AM, Choir Practice (Beginning 9/10)
- 11:00 AM, Holy Communion with music On the first Sunday, this service is sung Morning Prayer with Holy Communion.
Thursdays
1st Friday, September 1st
- 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Games Night
1st Saturday September 2
- 9:00 AM, Prayer Service for our Nation
Sunday, September 10th
- 12:15 PM, Ice Cream Social
2nd Monday, September 11
3rd Friday, September 15
- 12 PM, Mothers' Prayer Group
3rd Sunday, September 17
- 12:30 PM, Anglicans for Life Meeting
Saturday, October 28
- 11:00 AM, Consecration of St. Francis Church and Confirmation
September Birthdays
3 Tara Montalvo
Ruth Ann Stillman
4 Judy Bernard
7 Eileen Cole
10 Hally Glenn
15 Katie Sandlin
Michelle Collins
18 Curan Peter Hatley
20 Kimberly Norris
Adriane Kristo-Reinking
21 David Kristo-Reinking
John Armstrong
25 Sheri Brummett
27 Elias Smith
September Anniversaries
5 Mark and Susan Rambin
6 Steve & Angie McCown
10 Frank & Donna Hunt
16 Brian &Kerry Glen
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
Junior Warden: John Hatley
Secretary: Kevin Burnette
Vestry Members
Class of 2018: Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin, John Hatley
Class of 2019: Brendle Glomb, David Norris, Kevin Burnette
Class of 2020: Missy Bernard, Dinah Arce
Fr. Len Giacolone
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 & Service Bulletin: Amy Crandell
Nursery: Missy Bernard
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
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