Important Calendar Dates

May 23 -  Flag Decoration, NFMBC Graveyard

May 24 - Pentecost

May 24 - Water Give Away, Bay Creek Park at 5:30 pm

June 28 - Pride Celebration

Decoration Day…. Who remembers it? Before our nation observed Memorial Day, communities across the country marked Decoration Day. Beginning in the 1860s, families and fellow soldiers, North and South, gathered to decorate the graves of those who died in the Civil War, honoring their sacrifice with flowers, flags, and prayer.

This Saturday, May 23, you are invited to join Bill Houston and others in continuing this tradition by decorating the graves of soldiers at New First Missionary Baptist Church. We will also be sure that Samson Reid’s grave on our new property is lovingly tended.

Come be part of this remembrance and help carry forward a tradition of gratitude and respect.

Community Connections Water Give Away

The Community Connections committee is inviting everyone to join a group of Saint Francis folks this evening at the Bay Creek Park to hand out water for the Arts in the Park concert series.  The concert itself is from 7:00 – 8:00. We need to set up by 6:30.  For more information, check with Carla Cantrell.

Fraud Alert: As travel season ramps up, please stay alert for email scams. This week an email arrived claiming to be from our Junior Warden, asking for our mailing list because “the PDF wasn’t working.” The name was correct, but the email address was not.  This technique is a common scam.

Another common scam looks like it comes from me asking for gift cards. Again, once you dig in, the email does not match mine. Always call me or email me at an address you know is mine to clarify anything that looks suspicious. 

If you receive any unexpected request for information, money, or documents, even from someone you know, double‑check the sender’s address and contact the person directly before responding.

Your vigilance protects our whole community.

Taizé Prayer Service a Huge Success

Thank you to all the musicians, those who brought food, and everyone who came to sing and pray. More than sixty people gathered in worship, lifting their voices in prayer and song. It was a beautiful turnout and a truly wonderful Wednesday evening.

It was unanimous. This has become the first of many Taizé prayer services to come.

Spring Auction Raised Almost $18,000.00

The Community Connections Committee  along with all their many helpers truly outdid themselves this year. Yes, we raised money, but just as importantly, we shared an incredible amount of joy as a church family. People contributed far more than items for the auction; they offered hours of labor, months of planning, and a spirit of generosity that culminated in a vibrant three‑hour event.

Way to go, Saint Francis!

Honoring Memorial Day Together on May 24

We Need More Readers for Pentecost
(We Only Have 3 Volunteers)

As is the custom of Saint Francis, we need folks who can read in a foreign language to assist us in reading the Pentecost story from the Acts of the Apostles. Please contact Fr. Joseph if you can help.  If you speak to him in church, make sure he writes it down or better yet, write on a sheet of paper your name and the language you can help with. We will be reading Acts 2:5-14. Follow this LINK to see a translation for many languages. While you will be taken to an Italian version, simply click on the dropdown menu found in the upper right hand corner of the website to change the language. (picture below)

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Outreach

         Hearts and Hands

What is our Hearts and Hands Ministry? Hearts and Hands is a meals ministry that supports our church family during times of need. Think of it like the "take a penny, leave a penny" tray at a cash register—if you're able to give, we welcome your help; if you're in need, we're here for you.

If you're willing to cook a meal, please reach out to Jean Murray, to be added to the contact list for when the meal chain is activated. And if you’ve been ill, hospitalized, or could simply use a helping hand, contact Jean or Fr. Joseph to receive support through this ministry. 

The Blessing Box now has a fresh look!  A new door thanks to Jeff Neumann and repainted inside. We so appreciate the continued contributions. The box is filled several times a week and is emptied within 24 hours (except the carrots and beans!).  

Keep up with what is going on around our diocese and enjoy the weekly newsletter. Simply click anywhere on the image below and link to the latest diocesan news.
 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Steve Powers leads the congregation in a birthday blessing for Fr. Joseph.

May Birthdays

Shelagh North-Coombes 5/03, Carla Cantrell 5/06,  Laura Goldsmith 5/06, Ginny King 5/7, Dean Habhegger 5/13, Janet Oakley 5/13, Elizabeth Galaida 5/14, Joseph Smith 5/18, Kathy Kuntz 5/25

June Birthdays

David Scotch 6/24, Harriet Gettys 6/26, Jean Murray 6/28, and David Danforth 6/30

Please email any errors and omissions for February birthdays by clicking

HERE

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Upcoming Service Schedule
(Click on image for larger view)

Church Prayer List

Faithfully Departed

Stella Conte

Jane Davis

Anne Ewer

Sally Hickey

Jameely Moore

John Stewart

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You may also  follow this Link

to give, or contributors can text ECOEGIVE to the number 73256, followed by their gift amount, to give online through text.  The 73256 is used instead of a phone number.