Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church



1 St. Francis Drive - Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
            www.stfrancisgulfbreeze.org             

Events and News

Worship at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church is at 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings, with Nursery provided. We utilize both Rite I and Rite II Holy Eucharist, with organ and choir.

Refreshments and conversation take place after the service in the Parish Hall, and Adult Bible Study meets in the Conference Room at 9:00 a.m.


First Sunday Evening Prayer and Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. Come worship with us!


The Holy Eucharist is celebrated at Noon on Wednesdays.

TAIZÉ SERVICES will be held in Lent. See complete listing of Lenten events and services on the Lent page.


Women’s Bible Study:
The Lectionary Bible Study group meets every
Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the conference room. We encourage anyone interested in Bible study to come when you can. Welcome newcomers, and past members...we miss you.

There are a number of small groups that meet regularly at St. Francis. To find out about groups such as Bible study opportunities, AA and other groups, please call the Parish Office at 850-932-2861 weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m

See the facebook page for ECW St. Francis at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ECW-St-Francis/159318174094725

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Episcopal Church Women
update
from Dottie Kilpatrick:
ECW is undergoing restructuring to make it more consistent with the needs of our parish. On January 11th, twelve women of the ECW met for our last monthly business meeting under the previous format. A new board of eight volunteers was formed, which along with Rev. Christie, will be responsible for conducting the business of the ECW. Board members are Janet Wood (Vestry liason to the ECW), Leslie Brosofsky, Dini Warnock, Suzie Gilchrist, Betty Allen, Nancy Storey, Cathy Peterman, and Dorothy Moore. It was decided that guilds would be organized to meet the interests, needs, and parish responsibilities of the ECW. Priority was given to forming the “In Touch Ministry”, a guild of women willing to stay in touch with parishioners by telephone for the purpose of better communication. If you feel called to a telephone ministry, please let us know. We already have a few volunteers, as well as two lay ministers willing to provide prayer support. The new board will meet soon so look for more details in the next Messenger.
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When we think about February, we think of Valentine’s Day, sweethearts, chocolates, Valentine’s cards and love. I was thinking recently about music and what it makes us think of – a way to tell a story, a way to share talents, a way to express emotions-both happy and sad. I think we as humans associate many experiences in our lives with certain songs – a song we heard at a particular time in our lives, a song we heard with a special friend, a song we heard at the time of a special event.

One of my responsibilities as Organist/Choirmaster is to assist in selecting the music for our worship services. In the Episcopal Musician’s Handbook, a wonderful resource book that follows the Lectionary, there are songs suggested each week that have at least one verse that goes hand in hand with one of our scriptures for that Sunday. It is from this list that many of our hymns are selected – some familiar, some not so familiar. We also try as often as possible to sing an anthem that follows this same pattern. I encourage you to try to think of a song that shares the same message as a particular scripture. You will be amazed once you start thinking about it at how many songs will come to mind. So, again we are associating a message with music – a wonderful way to share and communicate.

I want to share the words to a wonderful song written by Richard Gillard that I think communicates beautifully our role as God’s Servants.

THE SERVANT SONG
1.Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
lo let you be my servant, too.
2. We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
3. I will hold the Christ-light for you.
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
speak the peace you long to hear.
4. I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
‘til we’ve seen this journey through.
5. When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony
born of all we’ve known together
of Christ’s love and agony.

My prayer is that you will receive a blessing from
the music we sing as we seek to find harmony in Christ’s love.

        With a song in my heart,
        Cathy Griffing, Organist/Choirmaster


News
“Sweets for your Sweetheart”
Fundraiser Bake Sale on
Sunday, February 12th


ECW is asking all women and men at St. Francis to participate in this worthwhile fundraiser. ECW’s money is used to help our church, as well as other organizations in our community.

On Sunday, February 12th, bring one or two home baked items to sell (cakes, cookies, pies, muffins, rolls, breads, jellies, pickles, etc.) Please put a price on your item(s).

A table will be set up in the Atrium. Please leave your item(s) on the table before the Sunday service. After the service, items can be purchased. And, if you are unable to bake, please consider making a monetary donation in the box that will be provided.

Buy something homemade for your “Valentine” knowing that your purchase will make more than just your sweetheart feel special.

Catherine Peterman, Chair
Alice Caruso, Co-Chair
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St. Francis of Assisi to Host
Diocesan Cursillo Gathering
on February 25, 2012


St. Francis will serve as host parish for a Cursillo Ultreya on Saturday, February 25th, at 6:00 pm.
Everyone is invited whether you have attended a Cursillo or not.
A Pot Luck Dinner will be served.
Please bring a covered dish to share.
Contact John or Cathy Griffing at (850) 450-5126
or Rev. Christie if you have questions
or would like to assist in welcoming
those from other parishes to St. Francis.
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Men’s Conference at Beckwith
Camp Beckwith will host the 31st Diocesan Men’s Conference
March 2nd – 4th, 2012


This year’s theme is
Remembrance is More than a Greeting Card
.
Reverend Neal Goldsborough
of Christ Church Pensacola and
Reverend Don Smith of St. James Fairhope
are the conference leaders.
The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori,
the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church,
will celebrate the Eucharist
on Sunday, March 4th.

The cost is $180 for single occupancy or $230 for double occupancy.
Please contact John Griffing at (850) 450-5126
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PASTORAL MONDAY MEETINGS

St. Francis Grief Group (SFGG)
will meet on the first Monday of each month
beginning January 2nd in the library at 6:00 p.m.

St. Francis Caregivers Group
meets the third Monday of each month
at 6:00 p.m. in the library.
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DOCC
        Feb. 1st - DOCC at 6 p.m
        Feb. 8th - no DOCC
        Feb. 15th - Final DOCC at 6 p.m..
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FROM THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Thanks all who participated in our survey. There was so much positive feedback we were almost overwhelmed. A large number of people indicated a willingness to work on library needs and projects. Also, we clearly heard a need for meditation and contemplation space. Coupled with this were many requests for materials on spirituality. If you didn’t have a chance to give us your ideas please contact Nancy Storey, Librarian, and she will assist you. The committee will keep the parish updated on our progress and ways in which you can help. Thanks again to all.

The library committee is collecting used articles to earn money for our projects. We will have a table at the T Street Flea market for the next few months. If you have housewares, knick knacks, tools, miscellaneous junk from your garage anything except clothes that will fit on a table top, please drop them off at the church library.
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SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
If you enjoy coffee hour and have never signed up to host one ~ here’s your chance!!
I need volunteers to help with coffee hour during March and April! You can have it simple (i.e. muffins and coffee) or do a bit more. That being said, I don’t want you to feel obligated to prepare brunch just because it is closer to lunchtime.
We are still trying to keep this simple and costs down, except for special occasions.
Please call or email me to let me know which Sunday you would like to sign up to host!
A big thank you to all the volunteers who hosted
the 2011 coffee hours!!!!
Regards,
Leslie Brosofsky