Newsletter, June 2005, Volume 12.06

FROM THE RECTOR:

ON HOLD!

At the May meeting of the Vestry, the Vestry voted to cancel the 8:30 a.m. Sunday service for the summer months. Therefore, beginning with the first Sunday in June, we will go back to the 11:00 a.m. service only until September 11, when we will go back to two services.

Also on hold for the summer are the monthly newsletter, Sunday school for everyone, and the meetings of the Vestry (after the June meeting). All of this returns in September. This would be a good time to thank everyone who participates in the life of the parish in these various ministries. Without the volunteers who offer their time and talent to make these things run, and run smoothly, there would be a great deficit in the life of the parish. Amy and Jim Crandell and Claire Ducker in the Sunday school as well as those who take their place on occasion. Jill Brasuell and now Tricia Denslow with the newsletter. Kyle Read, Keith Harrell, Mark Rambin, Kay Francis, Mary Ogden, Rebecca Hoard, Bill Burrow and Don Watkins on the Vestry. Thanks to you all.

Anglican Communion Update

What’s going on in the Anglican Communion these days? It’s a tough question to answer because it depends upon whether you are talking about activity or something of consequence. The persecution of orthodox parishes and clergy in the ECUSA continues. In many different places around the country bishops are attempting to force out those who are biblically based adherents to the truth of God as it has always been manifested in the church. These activities are taking many different forms but the bottom line is the same—if you don’t believe in an all inclusive, anything goes church, you don’t need to be here. On the other hand, many orthodox parishes and clergy have decided to leave. In one instance, the largest parish in the Diocese of Kansas has worked out an agreement with the bishop to part company and keep their property. They will of course have to pay for it over the next ten years and the diocese couldn’t afford to keep it up anyway. But here is a situation in which all seemed to have gotten what they wanted.

For the first time since its inception, the Anglican Communion Council will hold its meeting in June without the full participation of the delegates from the United States and Canada. The delegates from these two countries have been asked to offer explanations for the circumstances that brought about their exclusion from the Council, namely, the consecration of V. Gene Robinson and the blessing of same sex unions. What will actually happen at the meeting remains to be seen.

Next year’s General Convention of the ECUSA and the one in Canada in 2007 may ultimately determine whether or not these two branches of the Anglican Communion remain members of the communion. Why is this important to us, since we have nothing to do with either of them? The outcome of these controversies will affect the makeup of not only the Anglican Communion but what constitutes Anglicanism in various places. We may not be members of the communion at this time. However, the reorganization of Anglican jurisdictions around the world and especially in this country may offer us the possibility of becoming part of it at a later date. Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I think the possibility may yet come if we pray and are patient with the evolution of the process.

Enjoy your summer. Be safe if you are traveling and remember to stay close to the Lord. No one should take a vacation from Him.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS


Sunday School for the Fall

Sunday school classes will continue to be offered at 9:30 each Sunday morning in the fall, with classes beginning September 12th. The children and youth of St. Francis will continue to be divided by age into three classes. The one change I am considering is orienting the youngest class toward the non-reader, as we have a couple of very young children who do or could attend Sunday school. The children who can read will be placed in the middle class and the youth class will extend from 7th through 12th grade. We will continue to have a nursery along with the youngest class -- although we may need a dedicated caretaker during Sunday school.

I am still calling for volunteers to work with our children. If you would like to lead a class of these children or youth for a week every now and then or 6 weeks or all year, please prayfully consider this request. I especially appeal to any men who might be so inclined. No matter how a child or youth is educated these days -- public, private, or homeschool -- his or her teachers are primarily women. A male teacher can offer a different perspective that can further strengthen the faith of our children and youth. Please contact me at 452-7231 if you have any questions or can help out.

Nursing Home Visit

The next scheduled visit to the Nursing Home and Center on Burnet Lane is June 26 at 3:30 p.m. Thanks to Mary St. Martin for volunteering to bake some cookies. This visit in June marks the one year anniversary of the St. Francis youth going to the nursing home. Every other month, a steady group of parents and youth have faithfully given their time and talents to be with the residents. Thanks to each and every one of you and thanks to Sylvia Werner for accompanying the singing on the piano. We should have one more visit in August which can't be announced in a newsletter. Plans are to continue these visits next year.

Caritas of Austin's Community Kitchen Program

St. Francis has committed to provide three volunteers to work once a month with the Community Kitchen program at Caritas of Austin. This program provides hot lunches to more than 450 people each weekday on a no-questions-asked basis. Caritas helps people meet the most basic daily human needs of food to eat and a place to live and food to eat as a means to sustain them. Please consider helping out on the third Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. The sign-up list is posted in the meeting room with many spaces available for July through December. Thanks to Claire Ducker, Nancy Jones, and Charlotte Matthews for volunteering in May. Ben and Shirley Ellis, Claire Ducker, and Angie McCown have volunteered to work on June 17.

Food Pantry Donations Needed
Caritas of Austin also maintains a food pantry which accepts donations. You can help out in this area by picking up and extra item or two at the grocery store and placing in the baskets in the meeting room. Susan LaRoux has volunteered to transport the items to Caritas to be given out to those who are in need. There is a list of acceptable food donations on the wall near the baskets.
The Reverend Father Len Giacolone, Rector

The Reverend Father John Stults, Assistant Rector
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