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Today is September 25, 2026Welcome to Saint Francis Episcopal Church!
The lectionary readings for this Sunday are from the revised common lectionary (RCL) Proper 21, Track B (Click the link to be directed to the readings for the upcoming Sunday.) |
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Important Calendar Dates
September 25 - Creative “Arts” Fellowship, 10:30 am September 30 - What it means to be an Episcopalian Class, 11:00 am October 4 - Blessing of the Animals, 3:00 pm
October 6 - First Sacred Grounds Class of the season, 1:00 pm October 15 - Hosting the Kings Daughters, 9:30-11:00 am October 28 - Trick-or-Treat at the Creek, 5:30-7:00 PM November 21 - Feeding the Multitude 12:00 -2:00 pm
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| The Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi |
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 October 4th is the appointed day to celebrate our patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi. Liturgical rubrics allow us to deviate from the Revised Common Lectionary, our usual schedule of scripture readings, and use those appointed especially for Saint Francis. Most of you probably won't even notice the change. However, I have made a few adjustments to next Sunday's liturgy that won’t be quite so subtle.
The first change you will notice is that, instead of the psalm, we will sing Hymn 390, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. This hymn is considered a poetic response to Psalm 148, the psalm appointed for the day. It is appropriate to sing either the psalm itself or a paraphrase of it and, while many Episcopal churches chant the psalter, I think this hymn fits our parish's personality better. As is our custom, the Prayers of the People reflect the appointed readings, which means our entire liturgy will carry themes of creation, justice, and compassion throughout. At one point, I had also changed the creed. I planned to use a beautiful Trinitarian statement of faith inspired by Saint Francis, but after some reflection I felt that the Nicene Creed would provide a stronger anchor for our worship, so I changed it back. As usual, Elisabeth has selected music that supports the themes of the day.  The biggest change you will notice is the Eucharistic Prayer. Don't worry, you will recognize it. It contains all the elements required of a Eucharistic Prayer. At Saint Francis, we normally alternate between Prayer A and Prayer B, but in honor of our paternal saint’s day, this prayer emphasizes creation and is influenced by the Lowcountry in which we live. Perhaps we should call it Eucharistic Prayer LC. Personally, I think it's quite beautiful, but I also recognize how enthusiastic Episcopalians can be about change.
The final change is the blessing at the end of the liturgy. I'll confess that I usually use the same blessing each week because it's the only one I have memorized. Recently, however, I've heard several others at diocesan events that have captured my imagination. The blessing we'll use this week reflects some of what I've been hearing and, I hope, will speak meaningfully to our celebration. 
At the end of the day, it's important to remember that we have more latitude in our liturgy than we typically use. I know people like what they like, so I generally leave well enough alone. Still, perhaps this can be the beginning of some thoughtful exploration, not change for change's sake, but occasional adaptations that genuinely enrich our worship. So make sure you come to church, and bring a friend, on Sunday, October 4th. Then judge for yourself as we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi. God’s Peace, Joseph+ |
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| Join us on the lawn of the church, 3:00 on Sunday, October 4th for the Blessings of the Animals.
We will conclude our Saint Francis Day celebration with the blessing of our beloved pets. Invite your friends and neighbors, everyone loves their animals and everyone loves this liturgy. |
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| | Creative “Arts” Fellowship in the Bay Creek Room |
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The Creative “Arts” Fellowship organizational meeting was held on Friday, September 11. Seven people attended, with two others expressing interest in joining.
While we are still settling on a name, this week we’re calling ourselves the Creative “Arts” Fellowship. The heart of the group is simple: we enjoy gathering to work on creative projects of any kind. We also recognize that the word “artist” can feel intimidating, most of us don’t think of ourselves that way so we’re choosing language that reflects who we really are: friendly people who like making things together.
The group decided to continue meeting every Friday from 10:30am until about 12:30pm in the Bay Creek Room. A permanent plan for lunch is still being discussed, though Robin Smith graciously treated everyone this past week.
 Most participants painted, while others talked about knitting, needlework, and other simple creative hobbies. The atmosphere is relaxed and social. We are creating a space to enjoy making something with our hands, whatever that may be.
Anyone who wants to join is warmly welcome and drop‑ins are encouraged. Just bring whatever you like to make, watercolor, stitching, doodling, or any other creative pastime.
For more information give us a call. Harriet 843-906-8606 |
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1) Lectionary Bible Study
Mondays at 8:00am in the Bay Creek Room, Breakfast provided 2) Sacred Grounds
Grief, Repentance, Hope: Whose Journey? All classes are on Tuesdays and begin at 1:00 in the Bay Creek Room
October 6
October 20
November 3
November 10
3) Episcopalians and the Stories that Shape Us. Join us for a six-week series starting Wednesday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. Each week, we will come together to explore what it means to be an Episcopalian today. Very few of us have been Episcopalians our entire lives, and even fewer have revisited this calling since confirmation class. A lot has changed since then.
 If you want to be part of a group committed to understanding where we’ve come from and how our Episcopal identity shapes our future, this class is for you. By the end of the six sessions, you will be able to clearly express, in your own words, why you choose to worship in the Episcopal Church.
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| | |  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 Fr. Joseph 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 Fr. Joseph to receive support through this ministry. |
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| | 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.
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| | Birthdays and Anniversaries Blessings |
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| First communion Sunday for this little one. |
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September Birthdays Susanne Nash 9/11, Mickey Van Meter 9/26, Alison Hunter 9/28, and George Hayworth 9/29
October Birthdays: Brenda Haynes, 10/4, Gailya Walter 10/4, Helen Scotch, 10/9, Catherine Arnot 10/12, Emilie Cox 10/14, Bob Tom Smith 10/16, Hild 10/17, Betsy Daise 10/24, Tommy Sandel 10/26 Please email any errors and omissions for October birthdays by clicking HERE
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Debra Burnell Gene Gentry Chaselynn Grubbs Brenda Haynes Bob Hild Janet Kozlowski Jessica Lee Stacy McCloghry Dennis McGrew Laura Melfi |
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Mila Santucci Bobby Smith Rick Stall Carrie Stepp Sarah Stepp Lynne Tennyson Liz Tucker Bud Tyson Gailya Walter George Walter |
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Faithfully Departed
Dallon Weathers |
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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.
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Vestry
Fr. Joseph Smith - Rector - Senior Warden Wayne Lindsay - Junior Warden Kathy Kuntz
Steve Powers
Gretchen Smith
Carla Cantrell
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