Holy Eucharist Sunday service is at 10 a.m. at 616 Stockell Drive, Eureka, MO. Office: 210 S.

Central Avenue, Eureka, MO 63025 Phone: 636-938-3733 Website: www.St.FrancisEureka.com Vicar The Rev. Sally S. Weaver Phone No.s: Cell: 314-651-3836 Home: 636-938-7773 Bishops Committee: Bob Champlin, Sr. Warden, Paddy Wrob, Jr. Warden; Kathleen McDonald, Clerk; Michael Booker; Richard Mayfield; Cassie Eckhardt; Barb Sacco; Jack Lauless; Judy Cody Suzanne Jones, Treasurer. Annual Meeting An Annual Meeting is held each year at the end of January at which new Bishops Committee and Convention Delegates are elected. St. Francis Episcopal Church is a mission 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 July 2012

The Pastor is on vacation until July 6; the Pastors Corner will return next month.

Blessed to be a Blessing
God promised Abram, I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you so that you will be a blessing (Genesis 12:2, NRSV). Especially on the Fourth of July, we in the United States remember that God has blessed us as a nation, too. That isnt to say everyone here has an equal share of resources. Our government isnt perfect, and our land isnt necessarily more beautiful than any other place on earth. It doesnt mean we alone model liberty and justice for all or that we do so flawlessly.

Rather, Gods promise to Abram and us means we arent to Deuteronomy 4:7, hoard our blessings. We are to NRSV share our wealth generously, cultivate liberty and justice, and pass on to the world the gifts we enjoy in this land.
Reprinted from The Tower, the newsletter of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Elkhart, Indiana

For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him?

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In this Issue
Adult Forum Calendar, p 3; Attendance Statistics, p 8; Birthdays/Anniversaries, p 9; Bishops Column, p 6; Bishops Committee Highlights, p 7-8; Blessed to be a Blessing, p. 1; Calendar, p 20; Calendar for Vicar on Line, p 2; Chair Rack, p 14; Childrens Reflections & Kids Korner, p 8; Congregational Happenings, p 16; Concerts on Central, p 4; Contacting the Vicar, p 2; Drug take-back, p 9; Financial Update, p 21; Games ahead, p 4; Greening St. Francis, p 17-18; Humor, p 15; On-line Directory, p 9; Pastors Corner, will return next month Pilgrimage to Prayer, p 19; Pastors Vacation, p 2; Prayer for St. Francis, p 3; Prayer list, p 17; Publishing deadlines, p 2; Quotes to be Remembered, p 2; Recipe of the Month, p 15; RSVP, RIP, p 9; Spiritual Offerings for the Week, p 8; Stewardship Thought, p 18; Strategic Planning, p 10-13; Trinity Hot Lunch, p 4; Upcoming events, p 4; Vicars Calendar, p 2; Worship Schedule, p 19; Youth Activities, p 3-4.

Quotes to RememberKindness
Kindness is a hard thing to give away it usually comes back to us.
Submitted from a West Plains, MO newspaper sometime in the past.

Always show more kindness than seems necessary, because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know.
Submitted by Rosie Benecke from an article in Parade Magazine

The Vicars Calendar is On-line

Pastor Sallys calendar is on our website, www.stfranciseureka.com. Select Calendar, then Vicars Calendar. Its the only calendar Pastor Sally uses, so it is complete and up-to-date.

Contacting Pastor Sally

If you call or e-mail Pastor Sally and she doesnt respond, please let her know. The best number to call is her cell phone: 314-651-3836. Remember that theres a middle initial, S, in her e-mail address: SallySWeaver@yahoo.com. She wants to respond quickly, so please let her know if thats not occurring.

August Chalice, Calendar & Worship Schedule

The deadline for the August newsletter, calendar & worship schedule is July 23. If you have items for any of these publications, please send or e-mail to Maxine Heller in the parish office

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Here is the schedule of offerings at the Adult Forum on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for 2012. The entire Adult Forum calendar through February 10, 2013 is on our website at www.stfrancisereka.com select Christian Education/Formation, Adults:
July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 September 2 September 9 September 16 September 23 September 30 October 7 October 14 October 21 October 28 November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Patriotic sing-along Women of the Bible: Ruth General Convention (national church) 2012 Women of the Bible: Judith Women of the Bible: Jezebel HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday "God is Not One" The Roman Catholic Church Today, Sr. Carla Mae Streeter Judaism Today Vicar's Forum To Guard and Serve the Earth -- part 1 To Guard and Serve the Earth -- part 2 To Guard and Serve the Earth -- part 3 To Guard and Serve the Earth -- part 4 To Guard and Serve the Earth -- part 5 To Guard and Serve the Earth -- part 6 Psalms -- part 1 Psalms -- part 2 Psalms -- part 3 Stewardship brunch "Traces of the Trade" "Traces of the Trade" December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30 Vicar's Forum Revelation -- part 1 Revelation -- part 2 near-Christmas brunch Something fun

Adult Forum Calendar

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Upcoming Events
St Francis Activity Update
July: Game Night Nick and Barb Sacco are hosting an evening of games on July 14th. See related article on this page. August: Float Trip Our annual float trip is being planned by George Vits and Paddy Wrob for Saturday, August 18. Watch for more details in upcoming bulletins. September: Weiner Roast The beginning of autumn will be the perfect time to enjoy Sunday afternoon, September 22, with a wiener roast hosted by Judy Cody. More details on the September event will be published in future bulletin inserts and newsletters.
Submitted by Sue Schmidt

updates and call for volunteers. The volunteer group leaves St. Francis for the CWE immediately after Adult Forum on the fifth Sunday of the month.

Bring your A-Game!

We pray together. Lets play together! Sue Schmidt has planned another fun evening for members of St. Francis and their friends to get to know one another and have fun. On Saturday, July 14th, at 7:00 p.m., well meet at the home of Nick and Barb Sacco to play indoor games: card games, board games, electronic games. Set aside the evening now. Plan to bring your family, your favorite game, your favorite dish to share. Bring a friend if youd like, or just come yourself. Kids welcome and they may bring electronic games if they prefer. Look for a map to the Saccos house in the weekly bulletin announcements on July 8.

Concerts on Central July

Enjoy a summer evening of music, friends, cold drinks, street food and free tattoos for kids of all ages. Eurekas July concert is Friday, July 20th, starting at 7:00 p.m. on Central Avenue. St. Francis booth is easy to find: Were the ones across from the Parish House, in front of Susie Q Quilting, offering evangelism and free fellowship along with free tattoos for tots. And if youre still not sure where we are, were the only ones with our own loving clown. Its fun! Come on along and bring your neighbors and friends. See Sally Hader or Kyra Jordan if you can help out.

Youth Group: August 6 Zoo Trip

On Tuesday, August 6 our teens invite children of all ages to meet us at the St. Louis Zoo at 9 a.m. at the North entrance, The Living World. Well go to the Childrens Zoo first, which is free until 10:30 a.m. If you cant get there that early, meet us at the same location (North entrance, The Living World) at 10:30 a.m. for the second wave. Well furnish water and snacks. Please provide your youngsters with money for the train and carousel rides and for lunch. If you need financial assistance, please see Pastor Sally. Scholarships are available. We look forward to a fun day among Gods wild creatures.

Trinity Hot Lunch Ministry

July 29 will be the fifth Sunday of the month and St. Francis turn to serve a hot meal to the neighbors of Trinity Episcopal Church in the Central West End. Watch the weekly announcements for

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Youth Group Activities

Youth Group: Cookies for Firefighters & Doorways Donations
On Wednesday, May 30, the Youth Group met at Pastor Sallys house and made snickerdoodles for Eureka firefighters. Gina Nessel provided the dough and the teens did the baking. The cookies were delivered that evening to Eurekas fire stations and enjoyed by all. The Youth Group also packaged the personal hygiene products St. Francis parishioners donated for residents of Doorways, a facility that houses people suffering from HIV/AIDS. We filled 35 large Ziploc bags with products.

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The Bible as Summer Reading

As I approach a two-week vacation before leaving for General Convention, a first step is to make sure that my Kindle is loaded with books. For me, as for many of us, real rest involves getting lost in reading. I would be remiss, however, if I were to exclude the Bible from the list. This is more than a pious truism from a bishop; it is a matter of seriousness for all of us. It is also, dare I say, a source of reading pleasure. The challenge in picking up the Bible is two-fold: it is daunting in size (2,032 pages long, in my tattered reference edition), and it is dense in content. These are not insurmountable obstacles. First, there are accessible plans for reading the whole Bible in do-able stages. One good resource is The Center for Biblical Studies, a website (http://the centerforbiblicalstudies.org) with a lot of practical advice to help readers tackle the whole Bible, or parts of it. I serve on the National Advisory Board for the Centermostly an honorary position, but I am glad to lend my name to such an important resource. To the second issue, the density of the scriptural texts, there are very good annotated Bibles available to help the reader understand obscure matters. The Oxford Annotated Bible is a standard reference, as is the Harper Collins Study Bible, a volume with more detailed notes than the Oxford. Both are available in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), and both include the Apocrypha. Most of the people of the Diocese of Missouri know that I hold participation in Gods mission as nonnegotiable for the Church. Having a scripturally literate Church undergirds this participation, for such a Church is more capable of identifying what God is doing in the world, and joining in. The Bible fills the Churchs imagination for mission and provides a standard against which to judge whatever we might do. Even more to the point, a spiritually adept and Biblically informed Church becomes an engine for mission. We dare not compartmentalize spirituality, Bible, and mission. They belong together. The summer is a good time to get lost in a good book. I encourage you to include scripture as you line up your summer reading.
Bishop Wayne Smith
July 2012

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Bishops Committee News

Highlights of the

RSVP, RIP. We have decided to lay aside our attempts to do online evening prayer. This effort is, apparently, not the right effort at the right time for our parish. Boulevard strip at parish house. Maintenance of this oddly shaped and slanted yardage needs to be put on a bi-weekly schedule for the rest of the season. Tony Weaver has been doing this for a couple of months. We need other volunteers to bring a weed whacker and take a few turns. Vacation dates: Pastor Sally reminded the Bishops Committee of the dates she and Tony will be out of town: June 23 July 5. Emergency pastoral care available through The Rev. Dr. Warren E. Crews. Dr. Crews cell: 314-420-4830 Strategic Planning The Committee reviewed and discussed the results of our six-week strategic planning process. Thanks to our committed congregation, the Bishops Committee had plenty of data to review and help us begin to form ideas and goals for a strategic plan. Here are some of the categories in which people believe we are working and should continue to work:

Bishops Committee Meeting

June 17, 2012

A copy of the minutes of this meeting is posted on the bulletin board downstairs at the Lodge. Opening & approval of May Minutes The meeting began at 12:30 with an opening prayer led by Barbara Sacco and with the sharing of joys and concerns. Approval of May 20 meeting minutes. Approval of May financial results. Treasurers Report Audit update Suzanne Jones and Pastor Sally are meeting with members of the UMSL accounting department and with the pastor of St. Pauls, Carondelet to plan an audit of St. Francis books.. Diocesan budget request, 2013: Due in the middle of July, this request will require some preliminary findings from our strategic planning process. This process is well underway by the Finance Committee.

Worship/Liturgy Education Community Service Care for One Another Evangelism/Growth/Presence

Personnel Committee The personnel committee has placed an ad in local versions of The Current to find a new Nursery Worker when Ellen Sacco leaves for college. Pastor Sally will follow up. Vicars Report Bylaws to Standing Committee Pastor Sally sent proposed bylaw amendments to the diocesan committee before their May 24th due date. They will be reviewed by the Standing Committee when next they meet.

Our next step is to formulate 3-4 overarching goals that we will be working on for the next few years. Each member of the Bishops Committee will complete some homework before the July Bishops Committee meeting by continuing to review the documents from the planning sessions, formulating 3 -4 large idea goals for the strategic plan, and sending comments and ideas to Pastor Sally. Pastor Sally can then combine them and have the combination ready to present for further work at our meeting on July 15th.
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Another important component of the strategic plan is an external scan which is provided from meetings with leaders in the Eureka Community. Pastor Sally will schedule 20-minute meetings with the Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief of Eureka and with the Superintendent of Rockwood Schools. She will take one of the three volunteer members to work with her. Those members are Judy Cody, Barbara Sacco, and Kathleen McDonald Next Meeting July 15th; Suzanne Jones to bring food.
Submitted by Kathleen McDonald Clerk of the Bishops Committee

KIDS KORNER
Our Childrens Reflections on God and the Gospel
If Jesus were sitting here, what would you say or do?

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. Francis, those who havent joined us yet, those on our prayer list, the needs of our community, and the world. We close each session at 6:05-6:15 p.m. with Night Prayer. Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Parish House (210 S. Central) we study the Bible readings appointed for the upcoming Sunday. Please join us for these meetings whenever you can, whether weekly or once in a while. All are welcome.

Give him high fives. Id ask him how to balance your normal life with your spiritual life. Remember Martha? I would ask Jesus, How many miles tall is God? He might have a whole ton of eyes. Did you ever knew that the Sims could have babies?

(From comments around Fathers Day) Who has a Daddy story?

My dad is real funny and sometimes he forgets what hes doing. My dad got us 2 cats. But we had to replace one of them after one week.

Whats the nicest thing your Dad ever did for you?

Worship Attendance Statistics

2011 Trinity Sunday 2 Pentecost 3 Pentecost 4 Pentecost 51 33 40 31 2012 53 43 57 58

He brought our whole family to Applebees for lunch, even though it cost a lot. One time I fell asleep on my dad, and he holded me. He got us a new car that weve really been wanting. He bought us a flat screen TV and he taught me how to ride a bicycle.

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Drug Take-back at Eureka Police Station

As part of our strategic planning process Judy Cody and Pastor Sally interviewed Eureka Chief of Police Michael Wiegand. Chief Wiegand asked that we remind parishioners of Eurekas drug drop-off program. The Eureka Police Station has a mailbox just inside the front door open 24 hours a day where you can drop off your unused prescription medications. Abuse of prescription drugs is a big problem, so please drop the leftovers off at the Police Station.

Member Directory, with the instruction, Click here for the on-line directory login screen. Now enter the ID and password from the letter you received recently from LifeTouch, and youll see the directory. You can view member information. You can change/update your own information. If you have difficulties, please let Maxine or Pastor Sally know.

Birthdays in July
Al Nessel, July 2 Christina Freund, July 9 Richard Mayfield, July 14 Donna Bernert, July 24 Barbara Sacco, July 24 Bob Underwood, July 28 Craig Branchfield, July 29

RSVP -- RIP
We have been holding Evening Prayer on the last Tuesday of the month, using Skype and Webcams. We called this program Robe and Slippers Virtual Prayer (RSVP), since we participated at home in our comfy clothes. Its time to say RIP (Rest in Peace) RSVP. This was a ministry worth trying. But it was not a success. Thank you to all who worked hard to make it possible, particularly Jackie Selle and Kathleen McDonald. As the Wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes says, To everything there is a season.

Anniversaries in July
Gina & Al Nessel, July 12

An Update: On-Line Directory

Pastor Sally worked with LifeTouch to resolve the problems in showing the on-line directory to the parish following worship on Sunday morning. The issues have been fixed, so Pastor Sally plans to demonstrate the directory at the beginning of the Adult Forum on July 8. In the meantime, please check out our on-line directory. Go to homepage of our website www.stfranciseureka.com. Look at the pictures on the right-hand side. Underneath them youll see

Have we missed an important date for you or your family? Make sure the Parish Administrator has all the important dates for you in the church records.

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St. Francis Strategic Planning May 20, 2012

Who will do this? All All of us All In 3-4 years

Today

What are the next meaningful steps?

Average Sunday attendance in the 50s.

Evangelism/Growth/Presence Invite our friends Tell friends how great our church is

Keep our core going keep us strong

Average Sunday attendance of 75-100.

Get the word out about St. Francis: - Each parishioner bring a guest/family to church during the year. If its a designated Sunday more guests, less threatening. Sing familiar hymns, have a special welcome. Those working the event

Have church info at Concerts on Central to distribute when doing tattoos. Team of volunteers. TBD + Steve Strathearn, Barb Sacco, Jack Lauless, and John Schmidt. Growing members We are financially selfsufficient.

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Continue door-to-door evangelism

Stewardship Depends on size growth Fish fry

We require $12K from the Diocese per year to balance our budget.

Increase pledges by $2,500/family unit Hold fundraisers to fund Outreach

Would like to have regular fundraisers, which would add to our budget, such as flea market, bake sales Present members Those able Committee TBD

Grow our number of contributing members

Raise pledges/stewardship

www.stfranciseureka.com

Fundraisers for St. Francis to cover community outreach expenses

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St. Francis Strategic Planning May 20, 2012

Who will do this? In 3-4 years

Today

What are the next meaningful steps?

Worship/Liturgy/Spiritual Formation Choir

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Growing members All

One service on Sundays, small choir.

Grow membership

More than 1 service/weekend, bigger choir.

Look at City Choir (ecumenical choir), etc., to identify those who like to sing that do not have a church home. Christian Formation/Education Growing members Hopefully, parents

We have only a couple of teachers for our children on Sundays. -

As we grow in numbers we should get more kids, and incorporate parents as teachers, involving interested families in teaching and participating

We have 25 children & 4 teachers.

Also, Adult Ed & Christian formation Sign up in teams of 2.

www.stfranciseureka.com

Do an Adult Forum on this. Show how it is done. Familiarize members with the process.

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St. Francis Strategic Planning May 20, 2012

What are the next meaningful steps? Outreach/Community Service Ministries Have men and women clubs to get things done. Have more groups like the Crafternoon. Continue to engage in community activities. Can we become more active in Food Pantry? Agape House? Become involved with others in community. Do an Adult Forum on each Community Service project. Show parishioners what volunteering entails. Remove fear of unknown. Caring Relationships/Welcome/ Hospitality/Social Hold monthly social night. We should be known as welcoming to draw people Peer pressure or by example Group influence on others We have more participation in these activities and ministries. Existing members each get 1 more person to help. Who will do this? In 3-4 years

Today

We have lots of parishioners involved in outreach projects that make a difference.

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We have a number of community service projects. A few parishioners participate in ministries that require our labor e.g., Trinity. More participate in ministries requiring us to donate stuff (food, shoes, etc.) -

We engage in a variety of activities in which we enjoy & help one another Forum Dinners, caring meals, the monthly social activity.

www.stfranciseureka.com

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St. Francis Strategic Planning May 20, 2012

What are the next meaningful steps? Green Initiatives Have a group pick up recyclables at the High School in our St. Francis tshirts. Education of church community to spread to other communities Help clean up creeks & rivers (LaBarque) Establish a battery recycle collection bin at the parish house Put up signs along 109 while we do the Adopt-a-Highway, both for safety & for advertising At an Adult Forum or a meeting: Establish an overarching plan. Put all the various pieces together into a coherent whole. Then make this available to other churches. Have John Schmidt make the container. Who will do this? In 3-4 years

Today

We recycle; we have Forums on being a green church. -

Were known in Eureka as the green church; we address significant issues.

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The Chair Rack Grant is Coming!

We just received word from the Diocese of Missouri that we will receive $200 as a Church Assistance Endowment Grant to purchase a rack to hold our chairs at the Lodge (see letter below). Listen for more information during the Sunday announcements during worship soon.

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Recipe of the Month

Crumb Cake For the crumb: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the vanilla to the melted butter. Pour the butter into the flour mixture and stir to mix until all the butter is absorbed and is a uniformly moistened crumb mixture. Set aside. For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 X 13-inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and grease the paper. Set pan aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the bowl. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder together. Add the flour to the butter mixture and mix until combined (do not over-mix). Pour the batter into the prepared pan spreading evenly. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the batter. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and cool on a rack. Slice cooled cake into squares or rectangles. Serve and enjoy!
Submitted by Sylvia Ahmad

1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cake:

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder

For the crumb: In a medium bowl, whisk together

UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon." "How come He doesn't answer it?" she asked.

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St. Francis Parishioners - Photo Gallery!

We Stayed in for the Ball Game
On Saturday, June 23rd, thousands of St. Louisans went downtown for the Race for the Cure. Hundreds of true fans paid the race fees and stayed home for the cure. On the same day, thousands of St. Louisans went downtown to watch the Cardinals play ball. A happy handful of fans from St. Francis brought their own game day food and stayed in at Debbie and Dans to watch the Cards trounce the Royals. Ball game, conversation, hot dogs, beer, chips, laughter, pool tables it was all good. No, it was all great! Have you ever seen so much RED! Thanks to hosts Debbie Pizzella and Dan Meredith for opening their home and sharing their legendary hospitality. Thanks to Sue Schmidt for organizing this party, this was the second of planned monthly get-togethers for members of St. Francis and their friends. Keep your eye on the parish calendar and announcements for future events.

Pentecost, May 27, 2012 at St. Francis Annual Mass in the Grass, June 3, 2012

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Consider this: Abundance

Prayer List
This is the day that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118: 24

Tom & John Margie John John & Bob Roberta Rhonda Richard Ron Jennifer Ellen Bob Ameena Seamus Dora Rita Dale Inge Thurman Kathy Ruth Josh & Samantha

Sons of Paddy Wrob Friend of Sylvia Ahmad Father of Kathleen McDonald Parishioners Sister of Carly Champlin Friend of Paddy Wrob Father of Bob Champlin Co-worker of Nick Sacco

There are so many important things that we, St. Francis, can do to show faithfulness to our responsibility to steward the Earth. We do a lot, I think, to steward creation, and theres so much more we can and probably should do. But. I cant make myself address any of those jobs today. Today I can only focus on the abundant beauty of life here, life today, life as God made it for us. I make no apology for todays exuberant joy in creation. It fuels the ministry, it fuels desire to serve, and it is the grace God gives us to do the jobs we need to do. Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP 824 Although the day has proven to have an overabundance of sunshine, it didnt start that way. I began my day energizing myself in the Y pool and then walking just a few steps to our community gardens. Neither the workout nor the gardening were onerous tasks. Instead, they were lovely, almost to the point of joy. Its early in the season yet, but weve harvested all of our snap peas and lettuce and started to pick cucumbers. Already weve had enough to share with the congregation and with the food pantry. Right now Im staring at a small white dish piled with our first tomato harvest, about ten ripe red grape tomatoes which I will soon have for supper. Promise of future abundance!

Co-worker of Debbie Pizzella Brother of Barb Sacco Friend of Sylvia Ahmad Friend of Sylvia Ahmad Aunt of Michael Weaver Mother of Michael Weaver Friend of Paddy Wrob Friend of Brigitte Jung Father of Jerry Smith Sister of Sue Schmidts son-inlaw Friend of Sue Schmidt Son & daughter-law of Dan Merideth & Debbie Pizzella

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We have LOADS of tomatoes ripening on the vines of many plants. Peppers from sweet to hot are nearly ready, too. Early morning abundance included more growing things than just the plants. The temperature was mild, many new friends were working their gardens as well, and the pleasures of the day were shared. O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP 814

And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. BCP 366 Some days my work is taking out the recycling, knitting scarves, writing articles or taking harvest food to the pantry. Today my job is to feel and to share the glories of our lives even as we strive towards the Kingdom of God. Not bad work if you can get it and if you can take it when its offered. Thou that has given so much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart. Not thankful when it pleaseth me, As if thy blessings had spare days; But such a heart, whose pulse may be thy praise. George Herbert
Submitted by Kathleen McDonald
1

My route home was another invitation to wonder at the beauty of our world. Despite the fact that its been too hot for comfort and that we are very short of rain, Missouris roadside wildflowers are in full bloom, shouting with color amid the green grasses and the brown, dry grasses that are not so drought tolerant. I love Highway FFs summer colors: blue from the chicory plants; goldenrod; yellow daisies, rudbeckia, and coreopsis; orange daylilies and Joe Pye weed. I marvel at the beauty of those colors, their grace and their grace-filled invitation to think about the inner beauties of creation. Are the chicory and goldenrod some of the Kudzu plants Pastor Sally talked about? 1 Is my soul droughttolerant? Can I bloom where Im planted? I am grateful for the beauty of those flowers and for the thinking they inspired. Time, time, time. Is there ever enough? There was today, abundant time for thinking, swimming, gratitude, awe, wonder and time to spend with friends. For someone who spent an entire career with twenty-minute lunch breaks, the two-hour lunch with friends is unbelievably rich, all the more so when the friends are truly friends and who are, like the flowers, a gift from the Creator.

See Pastor Sallys Sermon for 3 Pentecost, found on our website: www.stfranciseureka.com/sermons.html

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Pilgrimage to Prayer A Fall Weekend Retreat for Women

The Barn Abbey New Harmony, Indiana September 7-9, 2012 Send out your light and truth that they may lead me (Ps.44). Using these words from the Psalter, this weekend retreat will explore the theme of being led by Gods light on a sacred journey. As pilgrims on our path, we will have the opportunity to experience what it is to pray while walking an outdoor labyrinth, listening to the sounds of nature at eventide, baking bread or taking a prayer walk among sculptures in the historic, picturesque town of New Harmony, Indiana, approximately 150 miles east of St. Louis on Hwy. 64 an easy 2.5 hour drive. The retreat will be led by The Rev. Susan Skinner, in The Barn Abbey, a simplistic, monastic-like structure with small single rooms and communal bathrooms. Using the Benedictine model of ora et labora, participants will help in the preparation of meals and enjoy the use of the New Harmony Inn grounds and facilities for prayer. The retreat begins at 5:00 p. m. on Friday, September 7, and concludes on Sunday, September 9. The $225 program fee covers lodging for two nights, five meals and all materials. A $125 non-refundable deposit is necessary by August 1. Space is limited in order to allow for individual rooms. Checks should be made payable to St. Stephens Church Womens Retreat and sent to St. Stephens Church; 33 North Clay; Ferguson, MO 63135. For more information, contact the Rev. Susan Skinner at exdir@confluencespirituality.org or (314) 252-8997.

Worship Participant Schedule

Ministry
SACRISTAN LECTORS INTERCESSOR CHALICE ACOLYTE/ CRUCIFER ALTAR GUILD USHER TELLERS HOSPITALITY/ COFFEE HOUR

July

2012

01-Jul
Jim Eckhardt Timothy Booker & Paddy Wrob Bob Smith Kathleen McDonald Rich Mayfield

08-Jul
Rich Mayfield Sarah Branchfield & Alex Branchfield Paddy Wrob Barb Sacco Kyra Jordan

15-Jul
Jim Eckhardt Kristie Lenzen & Susan Meyer Kristie Lenzen Michael Booker Kevin Selle

22-Jul
Rich Mayfield

29-Jul
Rich Mayfield

Cristin Selle & Kevin Timothy Booker & Selle Bob Smith Sue Schmidt Kevin Selle Jerry Smith Jerry Smith & Brigitte Jung Bob Smith Michael Booker Kathleen McDonald Alex Branchfield Brigitte Jung & Linda Doolittle Michael Booker Rich Mayfield & Bob Champlin

Stevie Sewell & Sue Jerry Smith & Stevie Linda Doolittle & Sue Schmidt Sewell Schmidt Rich Mayfield Bob Smith & Arlene Underwood Booker Family Jim Eckhardt Rich Mayfield & Suzanne Jones John Schmidt

Jim Eckhardt & Bob Bob Smith & Arlene Champlin Underwood

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Financial Update May 2012

May 2012 Total Income Total Expenses Difference $ $ 7,863 7,444 419 Budgeted for May $ 9,512 8,941 $ 571 YTD 2012 Actual $ 46,869 43,295 $ 3,574 $ 15,954 4,789 26,974 3,612 YTD 2012 Budget $ 47,560 48,579 $ (1,019)

Checking AccountRockwood Bank Balance in Diocesan Investment pooled fund-general Custodial account held by the Diocese Balance in Diocesan Investment pooled fund-Sp Growth

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.

St. Francis In-Depth

If you would like more details about St. Francis finances, the Bishops Committee meetings, and the Vicars activities, please see the bulletin board in the lower level of the Lodge. There you will find two months worth of:

Bishops Committee meeting minutes; Monthly financial reports; Treasurers commentary; Vicars activity reports.

Additionally, on the Sunday immediately following the Bishops Committee meeting which is on the third Sunday of the month, the financial results for the previous month will be reported in the bulletin insert.

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.