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Third Sunday of Advent, Year A
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December 12, 2025
 
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Table of Contents

From the Rector
Stewardship 2026
Outreach
Birthdays
Server Schedule
Prayer List
Donate Here
Diocese of South Carolina News
 

The Third Sunday of Advent: Joy in Anticipation

This Sunday we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath which is a sign that joy is breaking into our waiting. Some call it Stir-Up Sunday, after the collect that begins, “Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us…”. Others know it as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word meaning Rejoice. Still others remember the candles by names like Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Whatever name we use, the mood shifts this week. Advent begins with watchfulness for Christ’s second coming, but now our readings turn us toward his first coming. We join Mary in her Magnificat, rejoicing with her cousin Elizabeth as John leaps in the womb. And in the gospel, we hear Jesus proclaim the kingdom: “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”

This Sunday is about joyful anticipation. Like parents awaiting the birth of a child, we sense that the time of preparation is nearly complete. The promise is close at hand. Advent stirs us up, not only to prepare, but to rejoice that Christ is near.

Joseph+
Mark Your Calendar


December 13, Edisto Christmas Parade
     600 block to 100 block of Palmetto Blvd.
     Starting at 2:00 pm

Come Join The Fun
We need your help with the 2025 Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 13 from 2:00-3:00
Line-up begins at 1:00 pm at 600 block of Palmetto Blvd.

We Need Help!
We need walkers to help pass out Christmas goodies
as well as two people to carry our banner.
 
What you need to know
The Parade will be from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
It will begin at the 600 block and go through the 100 Block of Palmetto Blvd. 
(One mile give or take)

We will change walkers roughly halfway, at the 300 Block
assuming we have enough volunteers, that's 1/2 mile per walker.
(Sharon Dooley's House, 311 Palmetto Blvd) 

Parade watchers will also gather at 311 Palmetto Blvd. (BYOB and chair)

Please call or text Carla Cantrell if you can help
(912) 429-0326
December Outreach Opportunities at St. Francis
The holiday months of November and December always seem to bring out the best in us and 2025 is no different. St. Francis is offering three wonderful opportunities to share joy and support our community this season. This is how you can get involved.

Christmas Giving Tree
  • Began Sunday, November 23
  • Located by the church entrance, decorated with 18 red and green cards
  • Each card represents a child from Jane Edwards Elementary School in need of holiday support
  • As of Sunday, only two envelopes remained, but you may still be able to partner with someone who took one
  • At least 8 children requested bicycles 
  • Interested? Contact Pat at 843-469-7395 or patneumann1@gmail.com

1,000 Can Food Drive
  • Goal: Collect 1,000+ cans this year (last year we reached nearly 1,000!)
  • Robin Smith is creating an eye-catching monitor to track our progress
  • Most needed items:
    • Shelf-stable chicken, meat, tuna
    • High-protein soups
    • Canned green vegetables
    • Cleaning products & personal care items
Let’s come together to make this holiday season brighter for our neighbors. Your generosity ensures that our community celebrates with joy, dignity, and hope.
 
Christmas Preparation  
During this season of quiet preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, greens instead of flowers will be used on the Altar. Poinsettias, greens and other flowers will be used to decorate for Christmas. Please use the form below if you would like to donate to help defray the cost of poinsettias and other Christmas flowers in memory of, in thanksgiving for or to honor someone. The deadline is Sunday, December 21.  If you have questions, please contact Ginny King (843-889-8434 or ginnyk41@gmail.com) A suggested contribution is $15. Please fill out the form and place the form with your contribution in the plate. Checks can be made to the church and just designate ‘flowers” in the memo line. 

Name of person making donation
_______________________________________
Given in honor of
_______________________________________
Given in memory of
_______________________________________
Given in Thanksgiving for
 _______________________________________

$15 is a suggested donation amount. Total amount                   
Please make checks payable to Saint Francis Episcopal Church with “flowers” noted in the memo line. Date due is Sunday, December 21, 2025 
New Reimbursement Procedure Adopted
Saint Francis Episcopal Church, in consultation with our auditor, is implementing a new procedure for all reimbursement requests.

Effective immediately, anyone seeking reimbursement of funds from the church must complete the official Reimbursement Request Form. This form must be submitted along with original receipts for the expenses incurred. The form can be found in the back of the church, in the Bay Creek Room and is attached to this newsletter article for your convenience.

This change ensures that our financial records remain accurate, transparent, and in compliance with best practices. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain good stewardship of our church’s resources.
Stewardship for 2026
It’s not too late! Many of you have already turned in your pledge cards for 2026, but we’re still missing a few compared to last year. Your pledge helps us gain a clearer picture of our mission and ministry goals for the year ahead. You can submit yours by following the link or clicking on the picture of the pledge card, which will take you to a printable version. Once printed, simply fill it out and email it to by following this link.

         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
Pat and Jeff Neumann receiving their anniversary blessing this past Sunday.
Greg Galaida receiving a belated birthday blessing. 


December Birthdays: Mary Ann Foy 12/03, Gordon Watson 12/08, Doug Overbey 12/11, Gretchen Smith 12/11, Thad Daise 12/19, Stephen Galaida 12/31, Jim Gettys 12/31


Please email any errors and omissions for November birthdays by clicking HERE.
Upcoming Service Schedule
Prayer List

Ralph Bailey

Janie Barnhill

Dee Boozer

Helen Clarkson

Molly Dantzler

Harriet Gettys

Kelsey Gill

Bill Graham

Brenda Hanes

Greyson Hasselbacher

Laura Melli

Robert McCants

Dennis McGrew

Lila Miller

Mila Santucci

Bobby Smith

Cannon Smoak

Bob Spratlin

Lynne Tennyson

Liz Tucker

Cheryl Van Metre


Faithfully Departed List
Peter Dooley

Thanksgivings
For the safe deliver of Walter Montgomery Oates, IV
and his parents, Lindsay and Walter Montgomery Oates, III (Monty)

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.
Saint Francis Episcopal Church
1650 Highway 174
Edisto Island, SC 29438
843-631-5040
www.saintfrancisedisto.org

 
Vestry
Fr. Joseph Smith - Rector
Jean Murray - Senior Warden
Bill Houston - Junior Warden
Kathy Kuntz 
Jean Murray
Steve Powers
Gretchen Smith
Steve Stemkowski 
 
Copyright © 2025. Saint Francis Episcopal Church, PO Box 239, Edisto Island, SC 29438. All rights reserved.

 






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Episcopal Church on Edisto · PO Box 239 · Edisto Island, SC 29438 · USA

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