What is the mission of the church? According to our catechism, it’s to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ, through prayer, worship, proclaiming the gospel, and promoting peace, justice, and love. This is accomplished through the ministry of all its members. How well are we fulfilling this mission at St. Francis?
From January to December, we had the following events (please excuse any omissions): Lunar New Year hosted by St. Theresa’s, Mardi Gras, Lenten Program and Dinner, Jesus Christ Superstar watch party, the Antiques Show, Art Camp, the Rummage Sale, Women’s Lectionary Study, Trunk-or-Treat with Ancient Ways Karate, Christmas Celebration with Ancient Ways Karate, St. Anne’s Auction, Nativity Set Construction, and Christmas Cookie Exchange. We also hosted the Bishop on Palm Sunday, a confluence of events that was incredibly challenging, and executed perfectly; numerous baptisms and funerals, an Agape Meal/Foot Washing on Maundy Thursday, cinnamon rolls and mimosas on Mother’s Day, delicious BBQ on Get Connected Sunday, and our coffee hour treats after church get better and better. We have the weekly healing service, monthly Taizé service, and our annual Blessing of the Animals. We also have the weekly grief group, Women’s Lectionary Study, and Youth Group. Both St. Anne’s women’s group and the Men’s Group meet monthly. Nearly every week, there is a chance for us to invite someone to an event that isn’t church, though my hope and prayer is that you feel comfortable enough to ask people to “come and see” what is happening at St. Francis.
We also offer a number of opportunities to serve the outside community. We serve breakfast six times a year at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach, make quarterly collections and deliveries of items for families at Camp Pendleton, and sort through the clothing and other items in the Blue Bin every other week. Last January, we collected food and supplies for firefighters and rescue workers, food for people who otherwise wouldn’t have Thanksgiving, gifts for children in foster care, and gift cards and supplies for a young man aging out of foster care. We are a community striving to live out our baptismal creed: to seek and serve Christ in all persons, respect the dignity of every human being, and promote justice and peace among all people. This is not something any of us does alone, but together, as a community, and always with God’s help.
The Rev. Jason Shelby
Rector
jason.shelby@stfrancispalosverdes.org