Important Calendar Dates

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 6:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 3, 3:00 p.m.

Easter Day, April 4, 10:00 a.m.

Mondays

8:00 a.m., Lectionary Bible Study in Bay Creek Room

Sacred Ground Class

Module 2: Sessions 4-7 Selective Access: Whose American Dream
Sessions begins after Easter: April 14, April 28, May 12, and May 26.

Module 3: Sessions 8-11, Grief, Repentance, Hope: Whose Journey?
Sessions 3 will take place in the fall: September 22, October 6, October 20, and November 3

Lent 2026

Encountering The Seven Last Words From the Cross

         Thursdays March 19 and 26, Bay Creek Room, 11:00 am

We will work with two of the words this week:

1. “I am thirsty.” John 19:28

2. “It is finished.” John 19:30

A Holy Week Reflection

Believe it or not, this Sunday is already the fourth of the six Sundays of Lent. Which means Holy Week begins in just two weeks. For an Episcopalian, Holy Week is the climax of the church year. Yes, we love the secular season of Advent and treat the entire month of December as “Christmas,” but let’s be honest: for most people in our society, that time of year has more to do with buying presents than proclaiming Jesus. Follow this link to read the entire article.

Readers Needed for Palm Sunday

Each year on Palm Sunday, as we proclaim the Passion, we invite many voices to help bring the story to life. If you are willing to serve as a reader this year on March 29, please contact Fr. Joseph by following this link.

Ordination of Curtis Morrison Sr.

March 14, 2026, 3:00 pm

A Time For Listening

Recently, at the Annual Meeting the Dreamers presented their dream for the new property.

There will be a member of the Dreamer's team available immediately after the church service to answer questions or take comments/suggestions from members and friends.

All you have to do is Dream……

What do you think of when you envision the future home of Saint Francis?

The Dreamers shared a preliminary outline of our ideas at the annual meeting on Feb. 15, but it’s not complete until we hear from you, our friends, former members, and seasonal visitors who may not have attended the annual meeting.

The Dreamers’ report is on pp. 22-23 in the annual meeting booklet, which can be found by following this link.

Please send your thoughts, visions, suggestions, ideas, or questions to info@saintfrancisedisto.org .

Thank you!

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One of the Greatest Gifts You Could Give Your Family

One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is to plan your funeral liturgy.  As you know, funerals are times of deep emotion, and many decisions must be made quickly. You can ease some of that burden by letting your loved ones know your wishes ahead of time. Just as many people prepare a living will, this too is an instrument of care, one that lifts pressure from those who will be grieving.

Below are several links to help you begin. And if you would like to sit down with Fr. Joseph to talk through your plans, simply call on his cell or email him to make an appointment.

In general, the Episcopal service, properly known as The Burial of the Dead, follows the familiar pattern of our Sunday liturgy. There are hymns, readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Gospel, a sermon or homily, and a sending forth. Yes, there are options and occasional omissions, which is why consulting with Fr. Joseph is important, but the overall shape will feel very much like the worship you know.

For your convenience, I have provided two forms.

·    This first link offers every suggested scripture option. While you are not limited to these passages, most people choose from this list.

·    This second link is a worksheet that both your priest and your family will need. It outlines the basic choices that shape the flow of your liturgy.

Christian Formation

Lenten Series 2026 This Lent we will gather weekly for worship, study, food, and fellowship. Our series is inspired by William H. Willimon’s book Thank God It’s Friday: Encountering the Seven Last Words from the Cross, though the book is not required. We will meet in the Bay Creek Room at 11:00 am for Noon Day Prayer, followed by a simple soup meal and a brief teaching each week on Jesus’ last words from the cross.

Last Two Classes will be held:

Thursday, March 19

Thursday, March 26

Links to Reflections

Thursday, March 5 can be found by following this link.

Wednesday, February 25 can be found by following this link.

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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. 

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

This past Sunday Bev Watson receiving her birthday blessing.

March Birthdays: Marsh Horstmann 3/5, and Bev Watson 3/6

Please email any errors and omissions for February birthdays by clicking

HERE

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Upcoming Service Schedule

Church Prayer List

Faithfully Departed

Crosby Adams

Janie Barnhill

Marian Allston Tarcen

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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.