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Lent 2025

Lent 2025

Lent 2025 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes offers a meaningful journey of reflection, prayer, and community. The season begins with a festive Shrove Tuesday celebration on March 4, featuring a Mardi Gras gathering followed by a discussion on C.S. Lewis on Joy and Suffering. Ash Wednesday services on March 5 provide opportunities for spiritual renewal with the Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 am, Ashes-to-Go from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm in our lower parking lot, and a solemn Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Holy Eucharist at 6:00 pm. Throughout Lent, Wednesday gatherings (March 12 – April 9) include a 10:00 am Holy Eucharist in the Chapel and an evening Lenten Supper Series at 6:00 pm exploring the Theology of the Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome to participate in this season of spiritual deepening.

SHROVE TUESDAY
March 4

5:30pm Mardi Gras Celebration in the Parish Hall
7:30pm C.S. Lewis on Joy and Suffering an in Between in the Chapel

ASH WEDNESDAY
March 5

7:00 am – Imposition of Ashes and Ministry of the Word
3:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Ashes-to-Go in the lower parking lot
6:00 pm – Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Holy Eucharist

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 9

10:00 am – Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
6:00 pm – Lenten Supper Series: Theology of the Book of Common Prayer

Seeking Nursery Staff at St. Francis

Do you love working with children? St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates is hiring two nursery workers to care for children during Sunday worship services and fellowship time.

  • Hours: Sundays, 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Duties: Watching children during 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM services, as well as after each service
  • Requirements: Must be able to change diapers and provide attentive, nurturing care
  • Background Check: Required (must have one or be willing to obtain one)

If interested, please call the church office at 310-375-4617 or email resume and cover letter to info@stfrancispalosverdes.org.

Fauré Requiem: Long Beach Camerata Singers

Toward Heaven: Harmonies of Peace and Hope
Fauré Requiem and other choral music of the French Belle Époque

The Requiem by Gabriel Fauré is one of the most beautiful and celebrated works in the world. The music contains the incredible harmonic language of this French master composer and is hopeful in its message to mankind. The “Pie Jesu” has become one of the most beloved melodies in the entire classical repertoire and evokes visions of heaven and a better world to come. Join us us for this special performance and be taken to sounds of the great cathedrals of Paris.

Purchase tickets >>

C.S. Lewis on Joy and Suffering and Inbetween

When: Tuesdays beginning on January 21
Time: 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Where: Board Room
Leader: Dale Westervelt

This discussion-based course explores C.S. Lewis’s insights on joy, suffering, and the human experience. we will look at works such as, Surprised by Joy, The Problem of Pain, Mere Christianity, and other essays and talks. We will explore questions of why we suffer, what joy truly is and how we can find meaning in both. We will engage with Lewis’s reflections, consider our own perspectives, and explore how joy and suffering shape our lives.

RSVP: dswestervelt@gmail.com or 310-977-3014

Now Hiring: Administrative Assistant / Front Desk Receptionist

Job Description for
Administrative Assistant-Front-Desk Receptionist

Listing updated on November 15.

Overview:

We are seeking a dedicated Administrative Assistant-Front Desk Receptionist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for providing exceptional service and administrative support in a church office setting.

Overall Responsibilities:

  • Telephone and Office Reception: – Welcome callers, visitors, parishioners, and staff with congenial and helpful attitude; – Direct calls and messages to the appropriate staff or volunteers; – Keep relevant staff informed about the progress of office projects and tasks within their areas of responsibility.
  • Event Coordination: – Create and track RSVPs for church events as needed; – Act as point of contact for events between staff, volunteers, and outside contacts.; – Schedule weekly volunteers; – Write and distribute emails, letters, and forms.
  • Database Management: – Ensure the computer membership database records are accurate and up-to-date, including information on new members, transfers, baptisms, funerals, etc.; – Record & track weekly service attendance.
  • Office and Environment Maintenance: – Maintain a neat office environment; – Keep church entrance spaces organized with up-to-date publications and other relevant information.
  • Additional Responsibilities: – Perform other duties as assigned; – Assist with general office tasks to support the team; – Assist in preparing annual reports.

Requirements:

  • Previous office experience is preferred.
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar software.
  • Familiarity with handling multi-line phone systems.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently in a busy environment.
  • Understanding of basic office procedures.
  • A valid driver’s license is required.
  • Ability to treat others with kindness, and compassion, and be discrete about their needs regardless of their position in life.
  • Ability to keep records, spreadsheets, and files organized.
  • References required.
  • Able to maintain confidentiality regarding matters of the Church, office, and other matters of a sensitive nature.

Position Type: Part-Time, 20 hours/week
Pay Range: $19.00 – $23.50 per hour depending on education and/or experience
Work Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 3 pm
Work Location: Fully in-person position at the St. Francis Office, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

St. Francis Church is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age (40 and over), ancestry, association with a member of a protected class, bereavement leave, cannabis use, color, disability (physical, intellectual/developmental, or mental health/psychiatric.), Family Care and Medical Leave (CFRA) related to serious health condition of employee or family member, child bonding, or military exigencies, gender identity or expression, genetic information or characteristic, marital status, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristic), military and veteran status, national origin (includes language restrictions), participation in an EEO protected activity, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions, Pregnancy

Disability Leave (PDL), race (includes hairstyle and hair texture), religious creed (includes dress and grooming practices), reproductive health decision-making, reproductive loss leave, sex/gender, and sexual orientation. Joining our St. Francis Episcopal Church team as our Administrative Assistant-Front-Desk Receptionist offers the opportunity to work in a church environment, contribute to teamwork with results, and grow professionally. If you meet the requirements, enjoy doing the overall responsibilities, and are passionate about delivering excellent service, we invite you to apply. Please submit your cover letter, resume, and references to elaine.mistele@stfrancispalosverdes.org by July 9, 2024.

It all started with a song by the Beastie Boys.

Shadrach is the thirteenth track on the Beastie Boys’ second album, Paul’s Boutique. The chorus is, “Shadrach, Meshach, Abendego,” the names of the three men put into the furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, who remain untouched and unharmed by the flames. (Daniel 3) The song doesn’t tell the story of the three men, nor the angel they were talking to in the furnace. Instead it recounts the genius of the Beastie Boys and extols their ability to rap, drive cars, and appeal to women.

One of the lines is, “Because I got more stories than JD’s got Salinger / I hold the title, and you are the challenger.” When I heard this I was 18 years old and I’d heard of JD Salinger. But at that point, I hadn’t read anything by him. (He wasn’t assigned in high school and I was still reading A LOT of science fiction and fantasy.) I remembered one of my friends talking about The Catcher in the Rye, and when I realized it was by the same man that was in the Beastie Boys rap I decided I needed to read it.

So I read The Catcher in the Rye and enjoyed it, and soon read everything else by J.D. Salinger except Franny and Zooey. I didn’t like the title, which is a silly reason not to read a book. I was also mispronouncing Zooey; I thought it was pronounced Zoo E, not Zo E, and I thought Zoo E was a dumb name. I was 19 by then but I was 19; rational thought was not my forte.

I eventually got around to reading Franny and Zooey when I was in college, and it was Franny’s part of the story that especially intrigued me. Franny is reading a book called The Way of the Pilgrim; it’s about a Russian peasant who wants to learn how to pray without ceasing, as Paul instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The pilgrim meets a spiritual guide who teaches him the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me, a sinner.”

There are variations of the Jesus Prayer; many people add, “Son of God the Father,” or “Son of Mary.” It’s a prayer meant to be said without ceasing, to the point that we are breathing the prayer in and out of our lungs, that our heartbeats match the rhythm of the prayer, and we enter a trance-like state where we achieve oneness with God. Franny (remember her) is trying to pray the Jesus Prayer in imitation of the pilgrim so that she can escape the phoniness of her upper-class college society. Her efforts largely involve smoking a lot, not eating and taking baths, if I remember correctly.

It turns out that the Jesus Prayer isn’t a quick fix or easy way to escape superficiality. It’s not something that happens overnight; in The Way of the Pilgrim the peasant is on the road for years, working to learn from different spiritual masters the best way to fully integrate the prayer into his life.

I ended up reading The Way of the Pilgrim and its sequel, The Pilgrim Continues His Way, both of which were written in Russian and translated by an Anglican priest (I read the translations).

The Jesus Prayer has been part of my prayer life since 2001; it’s never become part of my breath or heartbeat, but it has been a HUGE help when I’ve sat in the dentist’s chair or been cut off in traffic. It all started with a B-side track from a band most people think of as a joke. But it led me to a prayer that is foundational in my life.

God is working all the time, through all things, but we don’t often see it until the event is long passed. This isn’t a huge God moment, but it’s a fun one, and one I’m glad to have it in my life.

— Fr. Jason

Record breaking Antiques Show!

The final numbers are in and we are proud to announce that the Antiques Show netted $32,359 for the ECW. The parish has received and deposited the $10,000 annual pledge from the ECW to St. Francis!

With her booth full of treasures, Gloria Jones raised $6,108 towards her rummage sale funds! Additionally, proceeds from one of the Opening Night Silent Auction items were split with the Outreach Scholarship Fund giving it $875! This brings the total funds raised at this year’s Antiques Show to $39,342!

A very big thank you to all who helped make this year’s show such an overwhelming success!

We will be having an Antique Show wrap-up meeting on Sunday, October 13 at 11:30am in the Board Room and all are welcome!

Anna Eakins, ECW President

Jamie Bellows, Antiques Show Chairman

St. Francis hosts Blessing of the Animals in honor of patron saint

St. Francis hosts Blessing of the Animals in honor of patron saint

Annual parish event open to all faiths and traditions and anyone who has a beloved pet!

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. (September 25, 2024) — St. Francis Episcopal Church located at 2200 Via Rosa in Palos Verdes Estates is hosting its annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of patron saint, Francis of Assisi, on Sunday, October 6 at 4:00 pm. The 30-minute outdoor service in the St. Francis Garden is open to all faiths and traditions and anyone who has a beloved pet. Bring your pets in a cage or on leash for their own safety. For more information, call (310) 375-4617.

We look forward to seeing you (and your pets) there!

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To get news, events, or other notifications in our weekly email and worship bulletin announcements, send your news to info@stfrancispalosverdes.org by noon on Tuesday for publication on Sunday.