October 2016

8
St. Francis Bulletin



From the Rector
Fr. Len Giacolone

The Church
As some of you know (as I believe I have mentioned it in Church), Bishop Iker will make his 2017 parish visitation to St. Francis on Sunday, April 2, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. In addition to whatever confirmations, receptions, or recommitments there may be, the Bishop has confirmed that he will consecrate our new church at that time. The consecration takes place at the beginning of the service and appears on pages 563-566 in the Prayer Book. The prayers are a beautiful reminder of what takes place in the House of God and why it is necessary to have a place to worship. It has always been thus, as is pointed out in one of the prayers of the service of consecration. Whether upon the direct command of God himself or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we have always built places to gather for the worship of God. It will be so until there is no “temple there, for God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Rev. 21:22). May God continue to bless us in our endeavor!

Capital Campaign
September 25 saw the launch of our parish capital campaign to pay off the loan on the new building. I want to thank Kevin Burnette and John Hatley who have worked diligently to put this plan together. Since I am writing this before their presentations, I don’t know exactly what they will say, nor all the details of the program. I would simply encourage each and every one of you to do the best you can to be part of this campaign. This is truly an “all hands on deck” project. Our numbers are not large. I believe that they will increase. But for now, the burden of this will fall on those who are with us at the moment. I know that there are generous people in our congregation. I have seen that over the many years of my ministry here. Please search your hearts and find a way to do a little more. “God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labor that proceedeth of love; which love ye have showed for his Name’s sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10)

Moving
Once the new building is completed it will be necessary to move once again. The last one was a major project; this one will be even bigger because we have more to move. The more hands we have the easier it will be. I will soon be asking the heads of various ministries within our parish to start calculating what it will take to get us from Burnet Road to Oak Creek Drive. (Incidentally, the address for the new church is 3401 Oak Creek Drive, Austin, Texas 78727). If you are asked to help with any of these projects, please do whatever you can to assist. Thanks.

Finally. . .
Nothing happens, or at least nothing should happen, in the church without prayer. We have some diligent and faithful prayer warriors in our parish, people who pray hard and often. I am asking our intercessory prayer group to include all of the above in their daily prayers. But I am also asking each of you to join them. Whatever we are doing, we must be doing it for the sake of the kingdom. The kingdom runs on prayer. It is its fuel. Do not be hesitant to ask God to lead us in the days ahead, to guide our steps and to abide with us in everything we do. There is no doubt that God hears our prayers and that he will honor the faithfulness of his servants.

Anglicans for Life
Steve McCown

The following is an abridgment of an important online article by Deacon Georgette Forney, President of Anglicans for Life. You can read the full article here.

In June 2016 California joined Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and Montana in legalizing physician assisted suicide. Reasons for opposing “right-to-die” legislation include:

1.    Where aid-in-dying is offered, patients are subtly encouraged to pursue assisted suicide to avoid becoming a burden to others. Their right to die then becomes a duty to die.

2.    The potential for abuse is extreme. If patients change their minds, nothing prevents a care-giver, family member, or anyone who may profit from the death from mixing the contents of the pills with applesauce and feeding it to the unsuspecting patient.

3.    Physical pain is better alleviated not by killing the patient but by using medications to manage pain. Medical advances in pain control can help patients get relief from pain without resorting to killing themselves.

4.    Right-to-die legislation often denies health care professionals their freedom of conscience. Doctors are being denied their right to refuse to help people kill themselves without fear of punishment or loss of job.

5.    Affirming the right to kill yourself implies approval and acceptance of suicide as a solution to life’s challenges. It undermines efforts to prevent suicide, especially amongst young, impressionable people.

We all will someday face the end of our earthly life.  Many more of us will see old age and, likely, physical decline, just as many of us have seen with parents and family members. This can be a scary thought for many — no one likes thinking of suffering and dying, even for those of us who have faith in eternal life. But that fear cannot allow us to perceive assisted suicide and euthanasia as merciful or dignified. I encourage you to make a stand for natural death, that we as God’s people would honor and protect the lives of the elderly and vulnerable and speak out against efforts to normalize killing them using these five reasons.

Sunday School
Missy Bernard

The new Sunday School year is off to a great start! Thank you so much to Denise Gentsch, who has offered to co-teach the younger class.  We are working on different ideas for our curriculum this year, and will be trying them out with the kids.  In addition to our Bible-based lessons and the One Room Sunday School curriculum, we hope to introduce the children to more lessons on Anglican worship, the saints, and the liturgical calendar. We are also using the lectionary readings as an inspiration.  Typically, either Denise or Missy will teach, with the occasional Sunday where we will teach together.  
Doug Cooper is teaching the older class. Lessons vary between confirmation preparation and discussion on the lessons for each Sunday and the basics on the Bible.  All this is very exciting.  

All the youth begin each Sunday in the sanctuary for the first part of the service, and then move to the classrooms.  

Note:  After Sunday School is over, many of the children enjoy playing outside in the parking lot and in back of the church.  This is usually safe, but not entirely without risk, as there are cars that come around the back of the building occasionally.  We are not always able to provide adult supervision during this time.  Please be sure your child has your permission to leave the building, and if you can spare a few minutes to help keep an eye on things outside, it is always appreciated.
 
40 Days for Life

From Sept. 28th -Nov. 6th, St. Francis will unite with hundreds of cities in all 50 states and across the   world for a simultaneous 40-day prayer vigil. 

40 Days for Life is a 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting and a constant peaceful prayer vigil in front of abortion facilities. 

You can find information online at www.CentralTexasCoalition.com or by calling the Coalition for Life office at (512) 296-2071.

Typical involvement includes committing to one hour a week to stand and pray in front of  the Planned Parenthood on Ben White at South 1st.
 
St. Francis Anglican Church of Austin


A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth
 
Diocese Office:  2900 Alemeda St. 
Fort Worth, TX 76108

Bishop
The Rt. Rev’d Jack L. Iker, D.D
Rector
The Rev. Canon Len Giacolone
Music Director and Organist
Paula Blaha
Parish Administrator
Mark Rambin
Vestry Members

Senior Warden, Grady Collins; Junior Warden, David Norris; Treasurer, Michael Ready; Secretary, Kevin Burnette; Brendle Glomb, John Hatley, Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin 
 
Church Group Leaders
Acolytes:  Fr. Len Giacolone
Altar Guild:  Becky Hunt
Anglicans for Life: Rory Motl
Choir:  Amy Crandell
Christian Education for Youth: Missy Bernard, Doug Cooper
Christian Education for Adults: Fr. Len Giacolone
Evening Prayer: Jim Crandell
Home Group Hosts: Claire Ducker, Doug Cooper
Hospitality: Kim and David Norris
Intercessory Prayer Group: Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone
Mothers' Prayer Group: Charlotte Ready
Newsletter & Pew Sheet: Amy Crandell
Nursery: Missy Bernard & Grace Rowse
Prayer Service for Nation: Amy & Jim Crandell
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Charlotte Ready
Readers: Mark Rambin
St. Claire's Guild: Eileen Cole
St. Polycarp's Guild: Jim Crandell
Ushers: Al Parker
Webmaster:  Jim Crandell
Women's Bible Study:  Becky Hunt
Women of the Church:  Leanne Read
5th Sunday Nursing Home Service:  Amy & Jim Crandell
 
Church address: 
10435 Burnet Road, #125, Austin, TX 78758
Phone(512) 472-7514
E-Mailrector@StFrancisAustin.org
We’re on the Web!  www.StFrancisAustin.com
Follow us on Facebook: St.Francis Anglican Church, Austin, Texas