Holy Eucharist

Sunday services are 8 a.m. & 10:15

a.m. at

616 Stockell Drive, Eureka, MO.

Office: 210 S. Central Avenue, Eureka,

MO 63025

Phone: 636-938-3733

Website: www.StFrancisEureka.com

Vicar

The Rev. Sally S. Weaver

Phone Numbers:

Cell: 314-651-3836

Home: 636-938-7773

Deacon

The Rev. Rebecca Barger

Phone Numbers:

Home: 636-778-0799

Cell: 713-515-5676

Bishop’s Committee: Kevin Broom,

Sr. Warden, Sue Schmidt, Jr. Warden;

Donna Bernert; Jackie Selle; Dan Card;

Sally Hader; Joe O’Reilly; Sylvia

Ahmad; Jack Lauless; Jim Bowlin

Suzanne Jones, Treasurer

Convention Delegates:

Rich Mayfield, Arlene Underwood

Alternate: Linda Doolittle

Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting is held each year at

the end of January at which new

Bishop’s Committee and Convention

Delegates are elected.

St. Francis’ Episcopal Church is a mis-

sion of the Episcopal Diocese of

Missouri.

The Chalice is the newsletter of St.

Francis’ Episcopal Church, Eureka, and

is published at least 10 times per year.

Submissions for The Chalice are

due approximately the 20th of each

month and may be

e-mailed to the Office at

stfranch@sbcglobal.net.

The Chalice

St. Francis’ Episcopal Church

Eureka MO

Pastor’s Corner

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus

was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise

men from the East came to Jerusa-

lem, saying, “Where is the child who

has been born king of the Jews?…On

entering the house [the wise men] saw the child with

Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him hom-

age. – Matthew 2:1-2, 11a for Epiphany Sunday

The wise men’s arrival at the house where Jesus lay

has given rise to the ritual of a house blessing during the

season of Epiphany. House blessings can be performed

by a priest or you can perform it yourself on your own

home. The rite is outlined in the Episcopal Book of Occa-

sional Services.

To perform the rite you’ll need chalk, prayer, and a

desire for God’s blessing. Begin by gathering your

household around the lintel of your front door. Then say:

“Peace be to this house and to all who dwell in it.” With

the chalk mark the lintel of your front door as follows: 20

+ C + M + B + 16.

The C, M, and B stand for Caspar, Melchoir, and

Balthasar, the legendary names for the wise men. The 20

and 16 represent this year of 2016. This reminds you that

you are like the wise men who followed the star to Jesus’

house. You too are on a pilgrimage to find, worship, and

follow Jesus.

You may follow the chalk-marking with a prayer:

O God, by the leading of the star you manifested

J a n u a r y 2 0 1 6

(Continued on page 5)

The Chalice Page 2

Contacting Pastor Sally

If you call or e-mail Pastor Sally and she

doesn’t respond, please let her know.

The best number to call

is her cell phone:

314-651-3836. Re-

member that there’s a

middle initial, “S”, in

her e-mail address:

SallySWeaver@yahoo.com.

She wants to respond quickly, so please

let her know if that’s not occurring.

The Vicar’s Calendar is

On-line

Pastor Sally’s calendar is on our website,

www.stfranciseureka.com. Select

“Calendar,” then “Vicar’s Calendar.” It’s

the only calendar Pastor Sally uses, so it is

complete and up-to-date.

Table of Contents

Have we missed an

important date for you or

your family?

Jot a note and put in the

collection plate. We want to

help celebrate everyone’s

accomplishments.

Adult Forum Calendar 3

Annual Meeting 3/4

ASA Statistics 18

Birthdays & Anniversaries 10

Book Group 6

Calendar 29

Call for Committee Reports 4

Christmas Message from Presid-

ing Bishop Michael Curry

21

Contacting Pastor Sally 2

Earthy Soul 9

ECM Holiday Gift Wrapping 20

Financial Update 12

For These Times 8

From the Deacon 23

Lenten Book Study 20

Pastor’s Corner 1

Pastor Sally Vacation 5

Pictures 22,

24-27

Prayer for St. Francis’ 18

Prayer list 11

Property Update 7

Proposed Budget 15-17

Recipe of the Month 19

Red Wagon 10

Rides for Roger 7

Souper Bowl 5

St. Francis’ in Depth 17

St. Francis’ Planning Calendar 14

Thank you from Pastor Sally 7

Thank you from Deacon Rebecca 19

Trinity Hot Lunch 14

Upcoming Events 4

Worship Participants 25

Youth Group @ Pastor Sally’s 5

The Chalice Page 3 www.stfranciseureka.com

Adult Forums are held on Sundays from 11:55 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The complete

Adult Forum calendar is on our website at www.stfrancisereka.com — select

“Christian Education”, “Adults”.

Adult Forums January & February

January 3 Minor prophets, part 1

January 10 Minor prophets, part 2

January 17 Bible trivia quiz show

January 24 Annual meeting

January 31 Wisdom literature, part 1

February 7 Wisdom literature, part 2

February 14 Conflict styles

February 21 Levels of conflict

February 28 Dysfunction in the Church

Adult Forum Schedule

(Cont. on page 20)

Bishop’s Committee and Diocesan Delegates

January 24 Annual Meeting At our annual meeting on Sunday, January 24, following 10:15 a.m. worship,

the following slate of Bishop’s Committee members will be proposed for election to

a 3-year term:

Michael Booker

Bob Champlin

Rich Mayfield

Kathleen McDonald

We have had 2 additional vacancies on the Bishop’s Committee:

Jack Lauless is serving out Jim Eckhardt’s term (this has been previ-

ously approved by the Bishop’s Committee)

Sue Schmidt is slated to serve out Joe O’Reilly’s term – this will be ap-

proved at the annual meeting

Our proposed delegates to the Diocesan Convention are:

Suzanne Jones

Kevin Selle

Linda Doolittle, alternate

The Chalice Page 4

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, January 5: Women’s Group meets at Kathleen O’Reilly’s

Monday, January 11: Deadline for Committee Reports

Thursday, January 14: The Book Group will discuss Christina

Baker Kline’s Orphan Train.

Sunday, January 17: Youth Group “Souper Bowl”

Wednesday, January 20: Youth Group at Pastor Sally’s

January 24: Annual Meeting

January 25—February 7: Vicar’s Vacation

January 31: Trinity Hot Lunch

St. Francis’ Annual Meeting

Grab a pen, pencil, or crayon (or whatever is handy) and mark your calendars! Yes,

it’s that time of year again! The Annual meeting will be on Sunday, January 24,

2016 and we will review and celebrate our achievements of the past year. The an-

nual meeting will follow the 10:15 a.m. worship service and will also include con-

gregational voting on the following essential items:

1. The proposed 2016 budget (see pgs 15-17), and

2. The slate of Bishop’s Committee candidates and Diocesan Convention

delegates.

Let your voice be heard and participate in this important time in St. Francis’ history.

Call for Committee Reports for 2015

Attention ALL Committee heads!

At this time, we are requesting that your committee report for 2015 be submitted by

January 11, 2016.

Your attention to observing this deadline is greatly appreciated as the preparation for

the final parish annual report requires a significant amount of time to compile, or-

ganize, and prepare for print. Thank you in advance!

The Chalice Page 5 www.stfranciseureka.com

(Pastor’s Corner cont. from page 1)

your only Son to the people of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to

your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

You may finish this rite with the following prayer:

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all

who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love

to each other and to all those whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in

the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve

them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

May your home be a place of warmth, laughter, and love in 2016.

Pastor Sally†

Youth Group at Pastor Sally’s

Wednesday, January 20

The Youth Group is meeting at Pastor Sally’s house, 2575 Sunrise Dr. in

Eureka, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20. We’ll discuss what we want to do in

2016 and we’ll hang out and enjoy each other’s company.

If you’re a teenager, you’re automatically a valued member of the Youth

Group. Please come and feel free to invite your friends, too.

Youth Group “Souper Bowl” – Sunday, January 17

The Youth Group will provide a meal of soup and bread on Sunday, January

17 following 10:15 a.m. worship. There is no cost, but donations are welcomed.

The money collected will be given to a charity (or charities) of the teenagers’

choosing. We’ll let you know how much we raise and where it goes.

Pastor Sally’s Vacation

Pastor Sally will be on vacation with Tony beginning Monday, Jan 25 and re-

turning for worship on Sunday, Feb 8. The Rev. Dr. Warren E. Crews will be the

celebrant on Sunday, Jan 31 and Kevin Selle will preach that day.

The Chalice Page 6

Pastor Sally’s Conference Dates 2016

March 1-3, 2016: Clergy Retreat at Toddhall Retreat Center

September 27-29, 2016: Clergy Conference at Toddhall Retreat Center

December 1, 2016: Clergy Day at St. Martin's Episcopal Church

Book Group Meets January 14

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Thursday, January 14th at 6:30 at the Parish House

Multiple copies available @ Eureka Hills Branch, St. Louis County

Library; Easy order online from amazon.com.

The Claddagh symbol — a complicated line leaving heart and home and then

returning back again— lies at the heart of this story.

Two women, one elderly and one teen, whose lives in-

tersect each were orphaned at an early age and left to

survive in worlds closer to one another than either one

knows. The parallel stories are presented alternately

by this sensitive author and leave readers wanting to

talk to others about this wonderful story.

Come alone or bring a friend to our Book Group to share your reading experi-

ence. This rich story needs discussion among friends!

The Chalice Page 7 www.stfranciseureka.com

602 Brewster Rd.: Property Update

Church Development Services has created a floor plan that still needs signifi-

cant rework, so hasn’t been shared yet. We anticipate a plan to share within the next

10 days.

We were hoping for a 10,000 square foot building. Given the costs, it’s clear

we can’t afford a building that size. We’re now working on a plan for an 8,000

square foot building. Even that will require a very large financial commitment on

the part of the Diocese.

Please put Saturday, February 20 on your calendars and plan on attending the

Diocesan Council meeting where Pastor Sally will present our plan and ask for fi-

nancial help from the Diocese. The meeting is at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Lo-

cust St., 63103. The time is still to be determined. Your show of support is crucial.

Rides for Roger Shaw

The following is the schedule for rides to and from the 10:15 a.m. worship on Sun-

days.

Jan 3—Sue & John Schmidt

Jan 17—Sue & John Schmidt

Feb 7— Rich Mayfield

Feb 21— Donna Bernert

Mar 6— Sylvia Ahmad

Mar 20—Sylvia Ahmad

Thank you from Pastor Sally

Dear people of St. Francis’,

Thank you for the beautiful basket of chocolate bars for Christmas. I guess

it’s universally known that I’m a chocoholic. Thank you for providing copious, deli-

cious, and varied amounts of my favorite food. I’d be lying if I said I’m happy to

share them with you. But I am happy that you gave them to me.

Thank you for also for the cash for our ski trip. Tony has a tight grip on it be-

cause he knows that I’d be stashing it in the Discretionary Fund and spending it to

help those in need, who abound at this time of year. So we both appreciate you pro-

viding us with funds to unwind in Colorado soon.

Finally, thank you for the privilege of serving as your priest for yet another

year. It’s hard to believe I’ve been the Vicar of St. Francis’ for 6 years. Time has

flown serving alongside you amazing, Christ-filled people. You are a blessing to my

life. You are the best gift of all. ~ Pastor Sally†

The Chalice Page 8

A Poem

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into

a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into

perfect timing, and mistakes into important events.

It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important

and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

• Melody Beattie •

Extravagance UCC ·

No, my prayers will not stop the killing.

No, my prayers will not bring back the innocent.

No, my prayers will not relax the gnarled fist of hatred.

No, my prayers will not open the greedy hearts of those who profit from death.

But, my prayers can gently break the silence of despair.

But, my prayers can channel my rage at the machine.

But, my prayers can embolden me to be the hands and feet of The Divine.

But, my prayers can encourage others of faith to awake, arise and act.

I do not pray for God to send us a miracle.

I pray for God to remind us how to be the miracle.

I am because you are and only together, with a radical belief that a paradigm shift

is possible, active hope and faithful resolve to be the change we seek, can we

make it stop.

~ Kimberly Knight, Minister of Digital Community

For these times we live in

The Chalice Page 9 www.stfranciseureka.com

Earthy Soul

Any birth, let alone Jesus’ birth, is a miracle….Only God can create life…

While we mortals participate in making children, God is responsible for the

spark that differentiates the living from the dead. Everything that is alive is

the work of God. It is God who breathes life into every living being. Pastor Sally Weaver, Christmas Morning, 2015

On paper, the long wait is over. The Winter Solstice has passed and our dark-

est moments are behind us. The bustle of Christmas, at once joyous and anxious,

loving and lonely, deeply sacred and filled with fiscal profanity, is behind us too and

we look to a new year.

But…The evidence that we will live increasingly in the light of the sun and in

the light of the Son is too small in the first weeks after Christmas. I need faith to re-

member that I am joy-filled and to act accordingly. It takes faith for me to move

through grief in the company of my siblings, where I ought to be. It takes faith to

want to be resolute about new behaviors, to act as though the light will be there

when I need it. Just as I struggle to get out of bed before sunrise, I struggle to

unlock the faith that is hibernating in my winter self. The cold and dark of winter

will be with us for many weeks.

Pastor Sally’s words on Christmas day gave me a key to unlocking the faith I

need in this cold, dark, lonely time. That key is gratitude. Gratitude opens my cold

heart to make room for faith in the coming light. I am grateful to the God who

breathes life into every living being.

Even in the wet, gray, short days of January and February, God’s life shines

through God’s creatures. I see it in the iridescent blue of the indigo bunting, and the

brilliant red of the cardinal when their colors show against white snow and brown

branches. I give thanks for that sight, and I give thanks for my dad, who taught me

to see the birds and taught me their names— trumpeter, grackle, starling, phoebe,

chickadee, hawk. I hear it in the silence of a snowfall, a silence so complete that it

is full, not empty, full of the peace of God. I thank God for that silence and for the

comfortable, companionable silences I can experience with my brothers and sisters,

not only those I was born with, but those I am related to in God’s extended family,

especially those at St. Francis’. I smell God’s life in the hot, spiced foods we make

to warm us as we eat and I feel that spicy gratitude extend to the family and friends

who share it with me. Sometimes spiciness and richness can give you a bellyache,

but the goodness of it usually makes that worthwhile. Just so, being with my whole

family can be uncomfortably overwhelming, yet so worth it!

(cont. on pg 13

The Chalice Page 10

December Birthdays

Anne Booker Jan 6

Lydia Broom-Morse Jan 10

Kathleen McDonald Jan 24

Della Hosutt Jan 30

Ernie & Rosie Benecke Jan 17

Red Wagon

In 2014, 48.1 million Americans

lived in food insecure households,

4.6 million seniors 65 and older were

in poverty.

Please remember the food pantry

when you shop:

peanut butter, jelly,

canned meats,

canned pasta meals,

individual packs of

fruits, applesauce,

puddings, instant oat-

meal packs, dry cere-

als.

Also, always needed

items — paper and sanitary prod-

ucts, soaps, dental items, etc.

The Chalice Page 11 www.stfranciseureka.com

“Preparing for Sunday”

The homepage of our website,

www.StFrancisEureka.com, now contains the

icon shown here. Click-

ing on this icon brings up

the Bible readings for the

upcoming Sunday. Not

only can you read the

Scriptures appointed,

there’s a brief explana-

tion of each passage.

This is a good and easy way to prepare for

what you’ll hear at Sunday morning worship.

St. Francis’ Spiritual Offerings

during the Week

Mondays from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at the

parish house (210 S. Central) we gather for

prayer. We pray for the people of St. Fran-

cis’, those who haven’t joined us yet, those

on our prayer list, the needs of our commu-

nity, and the world. We close each session

at 6:05-6:15 p.m. with New Zealand Night

Prayer.

Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Parish House

(210 S. Central) we study the Bible readings

appointed for the upcoming Sunday.

Please join us for this meeting whenever you

can, whether weekly or once in a while. All

are welcome.

Tom & John Sons of Paddy Wrob

Jennifer

Judy Parishioner

The Barger

Family

Parishioner

Nick Parishioner

Laura Parishioner

Billie Mother of Jerry Smith

Horst Brother of Brigitte Jung

Roberta Carly Champlin’s sister

Gwen & Rhonda Rosie & Ernie’s daughters-in-

law

Joe Son of Donna & Joe Bernert

Patrick Friend of Cheryl Foster

June Barbi Click’s friend

Johanna Jack Lauless’ mother

Shaylin & the

Combs family

Friends of Barb Sacco

Bridget Sylvia Ahmad’s friend

Dayna Rebecca Barger’s friend

Jan Debra Stone’s friend

Travis Brenda Russell’s brother

Prayer List

February Calendar &

Worship Schedule

The deadline for the February newsletter,

calendar & worship schedule is January 22.

Items not received by that date may not

make the publication. If you have items for

any of these publications, please send or e-

mail to Barbi Click in the parish office

(stfranch@sbcglobal.net).

The Chalice Page 12

Financial Update — November 2015

Actual for

Nov 2015

Budgeted for

Nov

YTD 2015

Actual

YTD 2015

Budget

Total Income $ 27,018 $ 12,135 $152,881 $ 133,491

Total Expenses 26,643 12,216 162,382 137,414

Difference $ 375 $ ( 81) ($ 9,502) ($ 3,923)

Checking Account—Rockwood Bank $ 11,279.29

Balance in Diocesan Investment Trust 11,738.27

Custodial account held by the Diocese 24,307.04

1.00.004 St. Francis Building ac-#10159203 16,436.07

Vicar’s Discretionary Account 281.18

Total $ 64,041.85

If you have further questions, talk to the Vicar. Pastor Sally values input and

is happy to have a conversation at any time about St. Francis’.

COMMENTARY:

This commentary is the first to reflect the building fund contributions under the In-

come section with the corresponding 602 Brewster expenses, so please note the bot-

tom line changes respectively.

OTHER MATTERS FOR THE COMMITTEE:

The Finance Committee met on Dec. 3 to review the 2016 budget draft. Additional

pledges were received after Consecration Sunday, providing us with an anticipated

2016 income of $135,303. A few line items, including Vicar’s stipend and benefits,

were modified in order to project a balanced budget as needed with our building pro-

ject during 2016. Today, the 2016 budget draft will be reviewed, discussed, modi-

fied as needed, and approved for presentation at our annual meeting on Jan. 24,

2016.

Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne

Suzanne Jones, Treasurer

The Chalice Page 13 www.stfranciseureka.com

St. Francis’ Planning Calendar 2016

January 2016

Reports for annual meeting written

Souper Bowl – Jan 17

Annual meeting – Jan 24

Vicar’s vacation – Jan 25-Feb 5

Adult Forum schedule

Community Services Ministries schedule

Youth Group schedule

Report for Diocese and National Church: Parochial report, sexual misconduct

form, list of Bishop’s Comm. members, Metro IV delegates, etc.

Tutoring

(Cont. from page 9)

At mid-day I love to feel the warmth of the sun on my face as the rest of my

body is cuddled in layers of warm fabric, made with human hands from nature’s

gifts. I love the warmth of my great-nephews who came to Communion with me at

Dad’s funeral so I wouldn’t be alone. I love seeing the warmth of God’s love shared

as my nieces and nephews share laughter and new, adult lives with one another. I

love watching new friendship developing between St. Francis’ kids, whether they

meet up every Sunday or only on vacations. I appreciate these things with the

senses I was given at birth and I am grateful for the way God’s life uses my body to

fill my soul. Every living being reflects God, and when I recognize my gratefulness

for that fact, my soul is unlocked to let in the light, let it shine in and shine out again

in love.

— by Kathleen McDonald

The Chalice Page 14

Trinity Hot Lunch

Save the date! Sunday, January 31st, 2016

The 31st is the fifth Sunday of this

January, the first fifth Sunday in 2016,

and the very next occasion for St. Francis’

to offer hospitality with a hot, healthy, de-

licious lunch for the hungry neighbors at

Trinity Church in the Central West End.

Trinity’s Hot Lunch program is a

long-term, ongoing ministry of Trinity ’s

food ministry. Their pantry is open three

days a week to meet the needs of

neighbors who struggle to feed their families and themselves, but who do have ac-

cess to some cooking facilities. On Sunday, every Sunday, volunteers from different

faith-based congregations in the neighborhood or in the diocese come to Trinity to

serve a hot lunch to the men, women, and children nearby who need a hot meal.

Each hosting congregation plans, provides and serves a meal for the guests.

St. Francis’ has been serving on the fifth Sundays for more than ten years.

Lately, by request, we’ve served the same wildly popular fried chicken along with a

vegetable side or two and a fruit-cup dessert. Whenever we add cookies or candy,

they are very much appreciated. Excitement builds, and not just among the chil-

dren!

Current leaders of this ministry include Steve Strathearn and Donna Bernert.

For each of our Sundays, they are looking for 10-13 volunteers from St. Francis’ (or

friends & relations). We generally carpool to Trinity, gather and divide up the jobs:

reheating, plating, ticket-collecting, beverage pouring, and the wrap-it-to-go station.

Our goal is to have enough volunteers serving in these categories and still have a

few volunteers who can show God’s hospitality by sitting with our guests and shar-

ing a meal with them.

If you have never tried serving in this particular traditional ministry, or if it’s

been a long time since you went (did you know the hall and kitchen have been re-

cently remodeled?) join your church friends on Sunday, January 31st, just after adult

forum. We’ll return to the Lodge parking lot by about 3 or 3:15. Tell Donna Bernert

or Steve Strathearn that you plan to go. Come on along!

— by Kathleen McDonald

The Chalice Page 15 www.stfranciseureka.com

The Chalice Page 16

The Chalice Page 17 www.stfranciseureka.com

The Chalice Page 18

Prayer for St. Francis’

We pray for the witness, renewal, and growth of our parish family. Living

God, infuse us with your love. Enable us to proclaim the good news of Jesus

Christ to all whom we meet through our actions, our thoughts, our

words. Make St. Francis' Church a place of invitation and welcome, a safe

harbor and a beacon of the light of Christ. Amen.

St. Francis’ In-Depth

If you would like more details about St. Francis’ finances, the Bishop’s Committee

meetings, and the Vicar’s activities, please see the bulletin board in the lower level

of the Lodge. There you will find two month’s worth of:

Bishop’s Committee meeting minutes

Monthly financial reports

Treasurer’s commentary

Vicar’s activity reports

Sunday Worship

Attendance Statistics

2014 2015

1 Advent 72 66

2 Advent 63 71

3 Advent 54 62

4 Advent 64 74

Christmas 114 93

1 Christmas 66 57

Average Sunday Attendance for the year:

2014 57

2015 61

The Chalice Page 19 www.stfranciseureka.com

Recipe of the Month

Ingredients:

2 Lbs russet potatoes (Peeled, rinsed and

sliced into about 1/6th inch slices)

2 Cups Extra Sharp Cheddar

Cheese (Grated)

1 1/4 Cup heavy whipping cream

3 Cloves garlic (Finely minced)

2 - 3 Teaspoons fresh rosemary (Finely

minced)

salt & pepper (To Taste)

butter (For buttering the pan)

Directions:

Butter a large 3.5 - 4 quart slow cooker with the butter and set aside.

Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Drizzle potatoes with half of the cream, rosemary and garlic and sprinkle with a

bit of salt and pepper. Add half the cheese on top.

Create another layer of potatoes, drizzle with cream, rosemary, garlic & salt and

pepper and top with cheese.

Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or until the pota-

toes are "fork tender" and the cheese is melted and everything is bubbly.

—submitted by Sylvia Ahmad

Crock-Pot Au Gratin Potatoes

Beloved parishioners of St. Francis’,

Once again my heart is moved by your generosity and the love that you have

shown to me. Thank you for the gift you gave to me at the Christmas Eve ser-

vice! The beautiful angel figurine rests on my work desk and as I gaze upon her,

I will always be reminded of your thoughtfulness and kindness. It is a great

pleasure to be worshiping and working with all of you.

Thank you, again.

Sincerely,

Deacon Rebecca

The Chalice Page 20

2016 Lenten Book Study

The season of Lent is soon approaching in which we turn our focus towards

repentance and renewal as we journey towards Easter. Therefore, a perfect time for

us to do a spiritual book study!

Once again, we will be offering a 6-week Lenten book study beginning on

Thursday, February 11, 2016. We will meet from 7:00-8:00PM at the parish house

(210 S. Central Ave.) The study book is The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything; A

Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ, and can be found at

www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. Below is the schedule for the

chapters that we will be focusing on:

Feb. 11 - chapter 3 – What Do You Want? Desire and the Spiritual Life

Feb. 18 - chapter 4 – Beautiful Yesterdays, Finding God and Letting God Find You

Feb. 25 - chapter 6 – Friendship with God, Father Berry’s Insight

Mar. 3 - chapter 8 – The Simple Life, The Surprising Freedom of

Downward Mobility

Mar. 10 - chapter 10 – More by Deeds Than by Words Friendship and Love

Mar. 17 - chapter 11 – Surrendering to the Future Obedience, Acceptance,

and Suffering

Please join us as we delve into this thought-provoking book for a time of

spiritual exploration, reflection, and insight during the Lenten season. Come for the

discussion, even if you can’t make all of the sessions.

~Deacon Rebecca

Episcopal City Mission Gift Wrapping—December 14

The Chalice Page 21 www.stfranciseureka.com

The following is the transcript of the Presiding Bishop’s Christmas message.

Christmas Message 2015 Hello. Our original plan was for me to tape a Christmas

message in front of the United Nations building in New York

as a way of sending a message that this Jesus of Nazareth

whom we follow came to show us the way to a different

world, a world rounded in God’s peace and God’s justice,

God’s love and God’s compassion.

I recently had surgery and so we had to change those

plans and so I’m here in Raleigh on Capitol Square. Christ Church is here and we’re

filming this message here just as a way of giving me a chance to say “Thank you” to

all of you who sent cards and prayers in my recent surgery. I’m doing well and I’m

coming back to work.

But I did want to say something to you. It occurs to me that this Jesus of Naz-

areth really does make a difference. And God coming into the world in the person of

Jesus matters profoundly for all of us regardless of our religious tradition.

In the park across from the United Nations, the Ralph Bunche Park, the words

of the Prophet Isaiah are quoted,

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning

hooks

Nation will not rise against nation

Neither shall they learn war any more

What’s not there is another part of that passage that’s in the second chapter of

Isaiah, and it says,

Come, let us go to the mountain of God,

That he may show us His ways and teach us His paths

We who follow Jesus believe that the mountain came to us when God came

among us in the person of Jesus to show us the way to live, to show us the way to

love, to show us the way to transform this world from the nightmare it often is into

the dream that God intends for us all.

So, as the words were spoken on that night when Jesus was born, peace, good

will to all people, God bless you, God keep you. A blessed Advent, a Merry Christ-

mas, and a Happy New Year to all.

The Most Rev. Michael Curry

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church

The Chalice Page 22

Wrapping gifts for Agape House with Youth Group --

Nov 30, 2015

The Chalice Page 23 www.stfranciseureka.com

From the Deacon

St. Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you

are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those

gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May

you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your

bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there

for each and every one of us. Amen.

Friday morning Bible Study begins with this prayer. I like this prayer. I have

noticed that certain lines or sentences strike me differently from week to week.

Something will stand out or hit close to home one week, then the next week not so

much as a new line will linger with me throughout the day. Maybe one week I am

looking for peace within my soul. Or, I deeply sense that I’m really where I am

meant to be at this time in my life. Or it may be, “what about my gifts?” Have I

made proper use of them?

My thought is then…so, why is this?

I have wondered if it could be the subtle, oh so subtle, nudging of the Spirit.

We live in an environment where we are bombarded with loud noises and bright

flashing signs—all intended to grab our attention. (Think of the bright red and gold

Christmas decorations in the stores, and the holiday songs playing before Hallow-

een, systematically grabbing our attention!) How often do we try to tune-out these

boisterous distractions particularly when we are trying to focus on our shopping?! I

can’t imagine a world in which the Spirit would have to get our attention in such a

manner.

True, at times it is hard to decipher the Spirit’s calling through the noise of our

world. But to decipher it is necessary. We are asked to seek God out in quietness, to

be attentive to the stirring of the Spirit within us. To some extent we have the power

to alter the environment that we live in because there are ways to reduce the distrac-

tions in our lives. But it is up to us to make this happen, the Spirit won’t do that for

us. In the smallest of ways, as in the lines of a simple prayer, I believe that the Spirit

can and is working in and through us. It is up to us to be attuned to the Spirit calling

out to us, even in the smallest, subtlest of ways.

In Christ’s service,

Deacon Rebecca

Deacon’s Vacation

Deacon Rebecca, Phil and Sarah will be away visiting family in Virginia beginning

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 and returning home on Monday, January 4, 2016.

The Chalice Page 24

Diocesan Advent Lessons & Carols - Dec 6, 2015

The Chalice Page 25 www.stfranciseureka.com

Caroling at Marymount - Dec 17, 2015

The Chalice Page 26

Christmas Eve 2015

The Chalice Page 27 www.stfranciseureka.com

More Christmas Eve 2015

The Chalice Page 28

JAN 2016 WORSHIP LEADERS SCHEDULE

Ministry JAN 3 JAN 10 JAN 17 JAN 24 JAN 31

Lectors Kathleen

O’Reilly

Bob Smith

Tim Booker

Michael

Booker

Kathleen

McDonald

Kevin Selle

Barb Sacco

Bob Smith

Paddy Wrob

Michael

Booker

Intercessors Kathleen

O’Reilly

Bob Smith

Sue Schmidt

Michael

Booker

Kathleen

McDonald

Kevin Selle

Barb Sacco

Bob Smith

Paddy Wrob

Michael

Booker

Chalice Michael

Weaver

Barb Sacco Michael Booker Kevin Selle Kathleen

McDonald

Acolyte Rich Mayfield Amanda

Broom-Morse

Jerry Smith Katie Jones Kevin Selle

Torch-bearers Sue & John

Schmidt

Carly & Bob

Champlin

Arlene

Underwood

Jack Lauless

Sue & John

Schmidt

Annette

Carr

Barb Sacco

Altar

Guild

Brigitte Jung

Sue Schmidt

Linda Doolittle

Jerry Smith

Brigitte Jung

Kathleen

O’Reilly

Linda

Doolittle

Sue Schmidt

Brigitte

Jung

Jerry Smith

Usher John Schmidt Bob Smith Rich Mayfield Michael

Booker

John

Schmidt

Tellers Suzanne

Jones

Bob

Champlin

Rich Mayfield

Bob Champlin

Arlene

Underwood

Bob Smith

Suzanne

Jones

Rich Mayfield

Bob

Champlin

Arlene

Underwood

Eucharistic

Visitor

Kevin Selle Sally Hader Kathleen

McDonald

Paddy Wrob Deacon

Rebecca

The Chalice Page 29 www.stfranciseureka.com

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

NEW

YEAR’S DAY

10 am

Bible Study

2

3 The Epiphany

8 am HE

9 am Choir Pract

9:30 am Property

10:15 am HE

11:55 am Adult Forum

4

5:30 pm

Prayer Group

6:30 pm

Worship &

Music

5

6:30 pm

Women’s

Group at K.

O’Reilly’s

6

12:30 pm

Crafternoon

7

8

9 am

Staff meeting

10 am

Bible Study

9

10

8 am HE

9 am Choir Pract

9:30 Property

10:15 am HE

11:55 am Adult Forum

11

5:30 pm

Prayer

Group

12

13

12:30 pm

Crafternoon

6:30 pm

Tutoring @

Lodge

14

6:30 pm

Book

Group,

Orphan

Train

15

10 am

Bible Study

16

17

8 am HE

9 am Choir Pract

9:30 am Property

10:15 am HE

11:55 am Adult Forum

18

5:30 pm

Prayer

Group

19

6 pm

Communi-

cations &

Marketing,

parish

20

12:30 pm

Crafternoon

6:30 pm

Tutoring @

Lodge

21

22

10 am

Bible Study

23

24

8 am HE

9 am Choir Pract

9:30 am Property

10:15 am HE

11:55 am Adult Forum

11:45 am Annual Mtg

25

5:30 pm

Prayer

Group

26 27

12:30 pm

Crafternoon

6:30 pm

Tutoring @

Lodge

28

29

10 am

Bible Study

30

31

8 am HE

9 am Choir Pract

9:30 am Property

10:15 am HE

11:55 am Adult Forum

1:30 pm Trinity

Hot Lunch

JANUARY 2016 @ St. Francis’

All worship services will

be at the Masonic Lodge.

And all other events will

be at the parish house

unless otherwise noted.

Vicar Vacation January 25—February 7

AA, Al-Anon and Over-

eaters Anonymous meet at

the parish house on Tues-

day, Thursday, Saturday

and Sunday.

Vicar Vacation January 25—February 7