december 2011 -- the chalice from st. francis' episcopal church - eureka

8/3/2019 December 2011 -- The Chalice from St. Francis' Episcopal Church - Eureka

1/18

Holy Eucharist

Sunday service is at 10 a.m.

at 616 Stockell Drive,

Eureka, MO.

Office: 210 S. Central Ave-

nue, Eureka, MO 63025

Phone: 636-938-3733

Website:

www.St.FrancisEureka.com

Vicar

The Rev. Sally S. Weaver

Phone No.s:

Home: 636-938-7773

C e l l : 3 1 4 - 6 5 1 - 3 8 3 6

Bishops Committee:

Richard Mayfield, Sr. War-den, Bob Hosutt, Jr. War-

den; Kathleen McDonald,

Clerk; Lori Scissors; Debbie

Pizzella; Michael Booker;

Paddy Wrob; Cassie Eck-

hardt; Barb Sacco; Steve

Strathearn

Nancy Bergman, Treasurer.

Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting is heldeach year at the end of Janu-

ary at which new Bishops

Committee and Convention

Delegates are elected.

St. Francis Episcopal

Church is a mission of the

Episcopal Diocese of Mis-

souri.

The Chaliceis the news-

letter of St. Francis Episco-

pal Church, Eureka, and is

published at least 10 times

per year.

Submissions for The

Chalice are due approxi-

mately the 20th of each

month and may be e-mailed

to the Office .

The ChaliceSt. Francis Episcopal Church

Eureka MO

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 1

The people who have lived in darknesshave seen a great light; those who lived in a land ofdeep darkness on them light has shined. -- Isaiah

9:2

Be relieved: This article is not going

to be a rant against out-of-control consumer-

ism surrounding Christmas. Instead, its a pondering about what were

feeling this time of year. Yes, commercials, ads, and holiday songs

seem to bombard us earlier each year and with more frequency and vol-

ume. But what has struck me this year is the forced gaiety that they

strain to portray. So Im wondering: What are our feelings in this sea-

son of Advent?

I suspect that some of us are frightened. Were worried aboutour employment, rising prices, the volatility of our nations financial

markets. We see newly graduated college children unable to find jobs.

We are anxious about the future.

Some of us are sorrowful. We face this Christmas season with

a sense of lossof loved ones, of health and vitality, of challenging

and rewarding work.

Some of us are angry. We have strong feelings about how

things are going on a local and national level, but feel mostly powerless

to change the circumstances of our lives.Some of us are joyous. We anticipate lively gatherings with

family and friends and we delight in the seasons festivities and sur-

prises.

And some of us feel all of these things some of the time. We

are a mixture of happy, sad, angry, and scared, all balled up into one

complex, unique, and beloved-of-God individual.

The Pastors Corner

Continued on next page


2/18

The Chalice Page 2 www.stfranciseureka.com

In this Issue

Adult Forum Calendar, p 3;

Advent Lessons & Carols, p 4;

Attendance Statistics, p 3;

Birthdays/Anniversaries, p 13;

Bishops Column, p 6;

Bishops Committee Information, p 7;

Blue Christmas, p 4;

Book Group meeting, p 5;

Calendar, p 18;

Calendar for Vicar on Line, p 2;

Childrens Reflections, p 14;

Christmas Service, p 4;

Consecration Sunday, p 14;

Contacting the Vicar, p 13;

Financial Update, p 20;

Food Waste, p 11-12;

Giving thanks at St. Francis, p15;

Gratitude Sunday, p 8;

Greening St. Francis, p 10;

Hospitality volunteers needed, p 6;

Humor, p 8;

Pastors Corner, p 1 & 2;

Photos Ops., p 9;

Prayer for St. Francis, p 10;

Prayer list, p 15;

RSVP, p 4;

Save the Dates., p 4;

Spiritual Offerings for the Week, p 12;

Stewardship Thought, p 13;

Thanks yous., p 5;

Tutoring, p 10;

VacationVicar, p 2;

Worship Schedule, p 19

Youth Group, p 5.

Madison Avenue and Hollywood would tell

you that this season is a time for feeling nothing but

joy. I tell you that this season is a time for feeling

whateverit is you are feeling. Advent is a season for

being real, for honesty, for coming before Jesus and

kneeling beside the cradle just as you are. We dont

have to pretend in front of God.

One thing that Christmas brings to all of us is

hope. In this dark, dangerous, and wounded world

Jesus, the light of the world, is being born. Jesus

wont fix the economy or make us younger. But fol-

lowing Jesus can result in replacing despair with

hope, misunderstanding with reconciliation, and dis-

trust with love. I wish you feelings of hope this holi-

day season.

Pastor Sally

The Vicars Calendar is On-line

Pastor Sallys calendar is on our website,

www.stfranciseureka.com. Select Calendar, thenVicars Calendar. Its the only calendar Pastor

Sally uses, so it is complete and up-to-date.

Before you buy new wrapping pa-

per for Christmas, consider buying reus-

able gift bags and boxes. They are al-

ready very pretty, dont need extra paper,

can be reused year after year, and are very easily

stored.

Vicars Vacation in January

Vicar Sally Weaver and husband Tony areon vacation (skiing in Colorado) from January 2-13,2012. During Pastor Sallys absence the Rev. Dr.

Warren E. Crews will be available for pastoralemergencies. Additionally, Pastor Sally will have

her cell phone with her314-651-3836.
http://www.stfranciseureka.com/http://www.stfranciseureka.com/http://www.stfranciseureka.com/


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Here is the schedule of offerings at the Adult Forum on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to12:15 p.m. through December of 2011 and the first part of 2012. The entire 2011 Adult Fo-rum calendar for the rest of 2011 and the first half of 2012 is on our website at

www.stfrancisereka.comselect Christian Education/Formation, Adults:

December 4 Vicars forum quarterly goal reviewDecember 11 The global Church today

December 18 The global Church tomorrowDecember 25 Christmas brunch

January 1 To be determined -- but something fun

January 8 Diocesan Convention 2011 -- The Rev. Dr. Warren E.

Crews

January 15 Dee LeahyFrom Haiti on the conditions there now.

January 22 St. Francis Church Annual MeetingJanuary 29 Bishop G. Wayne Smith

February 5 Judges 1

February 12 Judges 2

February 19 Samuel

February 26 Saul

Adult

Forum

Calendar

Sunday Attendance Statistics2010 2011

20 Pentecost 32 41

21 Pentecost 34

22 Pentecost 45 57

23 Pentecost 37

All Saints 38 44

25 Pentecost 46

Last Pentecost 40 40

Thanksgiving Eve 13 30

1st Advent 52 49


4/18


Save the Dates, January 2012

Please mark your calendars, save to hard

drive, print on a paper calendar, or save to the

cloud. These are important January dates for St.

Francis dates you wont want to miss:

January 22nd, ANNUAL MEETING to include

adoption of the budget for 2012, election of

Bishops Committee members and Diocesan con-

vention delegates.January 29th, Visit of Bishop Smith to St. Fran-

cis.

There will be more information by next month,

but be sure to save these dates now.

Christmas Worship Services

Come celebrate the miracle of the incarna-

tion with us.

Saturday, December 24 at 5:30 p.m. at

616 Stockell Dr. (Masonic Lodge)

Festal, sung Eucharist

Special music

Sanctus bells and incense

Potluck and conversation after-

wards

Sunday, Dec 25 at 10 a.m. at 616 Stockell

Dr. (Masonic Lodge)

Carol singing

Informal Eucharist

Cookies and conversation af-

terwards

Upcoming Events This Weekend~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shopping & Gift Wrapping

Saturday, December 3 from

6-9 p.m. in the parish house (210

S. Central) children are invited to

shop for inexpensive gifts for their

parents and siblings. Well offer

free gift wrapping. The original

St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, will also be

present. Pastor Sally will tell the story of Christ-

mas.

Advent Carols & LessonsSunday, Dec 4 at 6 p.m. at

Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Lo-

cust St., choirs from around the

Diocese will perform for the annual

Advent Lessons and Carols. Please

come support St. Francis choir at

this lovely service of worship.

Blue Christmas at St. MartinsSt. Martins Ellisville is offering a blue

Christmas service on Saturday, December 17 at

5 p.m. This Holy Communion service is particu-

larly appropriate for those who are grieving, since

it acknowledges and honors the sadness and

mixed feelings that holidays sometimes provoke.

RSVPRSVP (Robe and Slippers Virtual Prayer)

-- which is group Evening Prayer from our ownhomes using webcams and Skype -- will occur on

the last Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m.

Our next RSVP is Dec 27 at 8 p.m. Ifyoud like to participate, please send an e-mail or

talk to Jackie Selle, who hosts the call.


5/18


St. Francis Book GroupPlease consider coming to one or all of our

book group discussions. We meet about every third

Thursday (checkThe Chalice, Sunday bulletin, or

contact Kevin Selle for reminders of the date each

month) from 6:30-8:00 p.m., at the Parish House.

Everyone and every age is welcome. Feel free to

bring your dinner and/or a friend. If you have book

suggestions let Kevin know either in person, by

phone or email at [email protected].

December 15th Selection

Certain Poor Shepherds,

by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

When an unusual star appears on the hori-

zon one clear winter night, among those drawn to

its bright promise are two shepherds - a dog named

Lila and Ima, a goat. Therein lies an adventure,

and Thomas's departure from the familiar story

treasured by generations. With their flock, the

animals journey to Bethlehem and home again,

witnesses to a redemption of which they have no

need. Yet as they make their way, encountering

danger and opportunity, their journey becomes

an extraordinary meditation, moving but unsenti-

mental, on the nature of freedom and the state of

natural grace in a world ruled by the power - and

frailty - of humankind. (excerpt from SLCL

website)

Next Selection

January 19: Heaven is for Real,by Todd Burpo

Caroling at the Community Center

Thank you to those who sang Christmas carols at the Eureka Community Center on Saturday,November 26 from 6-7 p.m. Quite a crowd gathered for the celebration put on by the Eureka Parks and

Recreation Department. The mayor and Santa Claus paid a visit. The singing was enjoyable for both the

carolers and the listeners.

Adopt-a-Highway

We appreciate Jack Lauless and the volunteers who cleaned up a section of Highway 109 on Sat-

urday, November 26. Thank you for this important ministry of being good stewards of Gods creation.

Youth Group Happenings

The Youth Group met at the parish house on November 30 and wrapped 24 trash-bagsful of gifts.

Each clean trash bag contained Christmas presents, furnished by the Agape House, to be given to a needy

family.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Marymount Manor. Well be car-

oling for the residents there. Our teenagers and their friends are always welcome at our gatherings.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


6/18


This Season of Advent

Our culture is in danger of losing any meaningful sense of the

future. On the one hand, there is the trend toward hopelessness and

despair, the logical consequence of losing a future. On the other hand,there is an inherent impatience created by our fast-paced culture and

its technologies. We learn not to wait, and we expect the instantane-

ous, even when it is not available.

Christian faith asserts a future. Christian character takes shape

in the course of waiting, within a leisurely patience. So much of what

we value takes time--the exercise of hospitality, for which there is no

hurry-up; the growth of love toward God and neighbor, and toward

ones own beloved; the healing of what ails us, if that healing is to be

more than a Band-Aid.Advent is the season devoted to the future. It bids the Christian

not to hurry up but to wait, to savor the time, and to question the in-

stantaneous. A favorite season for many of us, perhaps it taps into

something we know we need but hardly know how to express. It ori-

ents us toward a future in which Christ awaits.

May this Advent be leisurely and holy, chock full of

hope, tilting toward Gods future.

Bishop Wayne Smith

November 2011

Christmas Hospitality after Worship

Arlene Underwood will not be in attendance for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. In

order to prepare for the Christmas Eve potluck reception and Sunday, December 25th, Coffee Hour, weneed one or two persons or couples to volunteer just to set up the serving table for pot-luck dishes and

soft drinks, add a few decorations if desired.......and then on Sunday morning, add the coffee urn to the

setting where we will have a sharing of Christmas cookies from our many bakers.

Please let Arlene, Maxine, or Pastor Sally know if you can help out with this for the special week-

end. Thank you.


7/18


Bishops Committee Meeting Schedule

The Bishops Committee typically meets on the

third Sunday of the month beginning at 12:15 p.m. All

are welcome to sit in and listen.

Highlights of the Bishops Committee Meeting

of November 20, 2011

Opening Prayer

Approval of October 16th meeting minutes.

Treasurers report

Treasurers report. Suzanne Jones presented the

report for October. She pointed out that, as ex-

pected, pledge results for the current year are back

up to a level less than $2,000 under budget. This is

probably because quarterly statements were issued

during October and some people who were behind

in their pledges, caught up in October.

Consecration Sunday results. These have been re-

ported elsewhere, but Suzanne and Pastor Sally re-

ported that a couple of additional pledges came in

this week and a few more are expected soon. Addi-

tionally, we will receive from the diocese a littlemore money in 2012 than in 2011. So, with

pledges given, pledges expected, and diocesan in-

come, our budget for 2012 will probably be at least

as hearty as 2011.

October 2011 Financial Report approved.

Vicars report

Tutoring program Our new ministry, designed by

the Selles, will become part of the Community Ser-

vices Ministries. The opening night for servicing

students will be Wednesday, November 30th.

Youth Group update The Youth Group are con-

tinuing their energetic activity inside and outside of

the parish. On Wednesday, December 30th, the

Youth Group will gift wrap packages for clients of

the Agape House and on Wednesday, December

14th, they will sing Christmas Carols at Marymount.

Bishops Committee News Nominating Committee Report As the outgo-ing class of Bishops Committee members,

Bob Hosutt, Lori Scissors and Debbie Pizzella

served as the nominating committee. They

proposed a slate of candidates to the Bishsops

Committee and were thanked for their ongoing

service and thoughtful, prayerful completion ofthis task.

Committee reports

1. Adult Forum Dates and topics from 1/12 to

6/12 are already decided and can be found on the

web page. The Committee will meet by phone in

November and will outline topics through the re-

mainder of 2012.

2. Christian formation for children TheLiving

the Good News curriculum is successful and teach-

ers would like to expand the materials used. The

proposed budget submitted by Linda Doolittle re-

flects this.

3. Communications & Marketing Debbie

Pizzella shared with the group a spread-sheet for-

mat detailing the tasks required for each event. She

also shared the budget proposal from the commit-

tee, with explanations of each of the community

events in which we will participate.4. Community Service Ministries This commit-

tee will meet December 8th. The Trinity Lunch

program, traditionally the only project in this min-

istry to require a budget, has submitted its budget

to the Finance Committee.

5. Finance Bob Hosutt reported that the com-

mittee works together to build and monitor a

budget annually. They will meet within the month

to build the 2012 proposed budget. The committeeitself does not have a budget request.

6. Hospitality/Fellowship Most hospitality costs

are covered by the volunteers who bring treats

each Sunday. Arlene Underwood submitted a

small budget to cover the cost of coffee and sweet-

ener as well as biodegradable or recyclable paper

goods.


8/18


7. Pastoral Care Paddy Wrob requested that we send

email notices to support pastoral care. There is no budget

request from this committee.

8. Personnel Pastor Sally reported that the committee

meets once a year to discuss performance reviews and

compensation. There is no budget request from this com-mittee.

9. Welcoming/New Member Incorporation We are

ready to have a new member incorporation dinner as

soon as it is warranted. There is no budget request from

this committee as there are sufficient welcoming gifts on

hand for the next year.

Worship & Music

Pastor Sally reported that the Altar Guild budget has

been submitted without a flower component as theflowers have, for the past year, been paid for by pa-

rishioners. We may need additional monies to build

the banner for the cathedral, although the Bill Cody

memorial fund should be sufficient to pay for most of

the materials used. RSVP, the electronic version of

Evening Prayer has been rescheduled for once a

month, and its budget request reflects only the cost of

the Skype budget for hosting this event. The music

budget request is unchanged from 2011.

Closing business

Green Report: Kathleen McDonald reminded the

members that November 27th adult forum will be

guest-taught by Sabine McDowell who will share her

research and learning on how churches can be more

eco-aware and eco-effective on family, parish and

community levels.

Next meeting is December 18th. The 2012 Budget

will be presented at that time. It is important that as

many members as possible attend the meeting.

Closing prayer

Submitted by Kathleen McDonald

Clerk of the Bishops Committee

Gratitude Sunday

We called November 20 Gratitude

Sunday. This picture shows how the altar

looked after the congregation brought forwardtheir donations for the Eureka Food Pantry,

and the knitted items that were made for the

clients of Agape House and St. Marthas Hall,

a shelter for women fleeing domestic violence.

Let us bow our

heads in prayer

for the many who

are sick of ourchurch and

community

As Seen on Church Signsand Bulletins


9/18


Consecration Sunday

We had 50 people enjoy

the catered brunch following

our Consecration Sunday wor-

ship service and pledge card in-gathering on November 13.

The Rev. Dr. Warren E. Crews

was our guest preacher that day.

Halloween Cookie

Baking

The Youth Group baked

Halloween cookies and then

handed them out to the clients of

Trinity-Central West Ends hot

lunch program Were grateful

to the Morelands for reserving

their subdivisions club house

kitchen for our use.

Volleyball

Thanks to all who played

volleyball and all who cheered us

on. Thanks also to all who par-

ticipated in the competitive do-

nations. the Youth Group now

has $200 to donate to the charity

of their choice. Parishioners bet

$145 on the adults and $55 on the

teenagers to win. The teenagers

won all the games. And every-

one had a great time.


10/18


Consider This:

Can We Become aDeeper Shade of Green?

During her visit to our

Adult Forum on November 27

th

,Sabine McDowell presented us

with a look at the current state of

the Earths health, a look that was

sometimes unsettling and uncom-

fortable, but not at all surprising. The worlds pro-

gress since the Industrial Revolution continued un-

checked for more than a century and has resulted in

a planet that is over-populated, over-built and over-

polluted. This has left many species under-

populated, increasingly vast underdeveloped desertareas and many more humans than ever before suf-

fering from starvation and poor health.

For those of us who value creation, who

want to be not only stewards of the earth, but co-

creators with God, Sabine followed up with ques-

tions on all of our minds: What can we do about it?

What can our church do about it? How can I help?

Sabine outlined a myriad of simple solutions, aimed

not at an immediate stop-growth conversion of all

peoples on the planet, but rather solutions that come

from one person, one family, one congregation at a

time taking actions that will make a difference.

It seems that religious congregations around

the world are taking on the universal moral impera-

tive to care for our Earth. Specifically, the Episco-

pal Church has several national and international

ventures. See these websites:

The Genesis Covenant http://genesis.eds.edu/

GreenFaith http://greenfaith.org/

Solar Light for Africa http://

www.solarlightforafrica.org/

Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.html

In our own diocese, there are a number of

parishes working on their own or in small groups to

implement some simple and do-able steps towards

eco-stewardship. Sabine shared with us the ef-

forts of Grace Kirkwood and their Creation Care

Ministry: http://www.gracekirkwood.org/

We at St. Francis' are involved in the ef-

forts in our homes, our church and Parish House

and in our community. Like the members at

Grace and some other parishes, we would find

help, structure and support for common efforts

through a diocesan presence.

If you have ideas, or even dreams about

how St. Francis' can carry out our mission in this

world-wide stewardship, please call Kathleen

McDonald.

Submitted by Kathleen McDonald

Prayer for St. Francis

We pray for the witness, renewal, and

growth of our parish family. Living God,

infuse us with your love. Enable us to pro-

claim the good news of Jesus Christ to all

whom we meet through our actions, ourthoughts, our words. Make St. Francis'

Church a place of invitation and welcome,

a safe harbor and a beacon of the light of

Christ. Amen.

Tutoring

Our free tutoring ministry, under the leader-

ship of Jackie Selle, began on Wednesday, Novem-

ber 30. If you are interested in helping school chil-

dren with their homework, please let Jackie know.

Well offer this service every Wednesday from 6:30

-8 p.m. at the parish house, 210 S. Central Ave.
http://genesis.eds.edu/http://greenfaith.org/http://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.htmlhttp://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.htmlhttp://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.htmlhttp://www.gracekirkwood.org/http://www.gracekirkwood.org/http://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.htmlhttp://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.htmlhttp://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.htmlhttp://greenfaith.org/http://genesis.eds.edu/


11/18


Food Wasteby Leah McCullough

Despite being pushed to the back of the shelf, there it isthat six-day-old eggplant parmesan

every time I open the refrigerator. It was delicious last Friday, a new recipe made with eggplant fresh

from the farm. I know I need to eat it soon before it spoils and must be thrown out, wasted, like one quar-

ter to one half of all food in America. My eyes were opened to the enormous waste of food in a NC

sweet potato field on a crisp, autumn morning at the Society of St. Andrews 19th annual Yam Jam. In

four hours, more than 800 volunteers gleaned 84,010 pounds of sweet potatoes for regional food pantries.

I was shocked at the volume of perfectly edible food that would otherwise have been left to rot and be

plowed back under by the farmer. And this is only one field! I kept saying over and over to anyone

who would listen. How much food is really being wasted in this country, I wondered? What is being

done about it? And, how can I help? Though I am no food waste expert, I continue this journey, seeking

to become a more informed, engaged and faithful steward. Food loss and waste occurs all along the sup-

ply chain: harvesting, processing, storage, retail distribution, food service, and households. Here are

some revealing statistics: The US wastes 96 billion pounds of food each year. It costs $1 billion to dispose of this

waste.

An average grocery store disposes on average 700-800 pounds of food per day. With more

than 35,000 stores in this country, total daily grocery store waste is 30 million pounds.

Americans throw away 15%25% of food brought into our homes. Assuming a family of

four is shopping on the USDA low-cost plan, spending $175 a week on groceries, they

squander $1,365 to $2,275 a year.

Food waste makes up 14% of solid waste entering landfills, where, in decomposition, it

produces methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas.Given what Ive learned, I cannot turn a blind eye to food waste. I see it everywhere, as if I were

seeking it out. While visiting friends in Maine recently we stopped at the local bakery to pick up leftover

bread for their pigs. This wasnt just any bread. We retrieved about 60 loaves of sweet and savory artisan

bread that sells for $7.00 a loaf. The bakery only sells bread that is baked fresh that day and throws out

what is left when the store closes each evening. I was appalled! Though the bread didnt feed hungry

people, at least we kept it from the landfill and made the pigs happy. (The French toast and grilled cheese

sandwiches we humans ate the next day made us happy, too.) DC Central Kitchen, a Washington DC

based organization that turns leftover food into healthy meals, recycles 3,000 pounds of food per day. I

see a small portion of this food when I volunteer each week. The food arrives from grocery stores, farms,

restaurants, wholesalers, and even Nationals ballpark; much of it is local and organic. Standing at my

cutting board, I remove brown, wilted leaves from lettuce; cut blemishes from tomatoes, cucumbers, pep-

pers, and onions; then chop, slice and dice them into appropriate sizes. This produce, rescued from cer-

tain demise, will be assembled into fifty to eighty 25- serving pans by the end of my three-hour shift.

Combined with hot food being prepared in another part of the kitchen, DCCK will distribute 4,500

5,000 meals later today (and everyday) to 88 partner agencies serving at-risk individuals. This is food

recovery at its best! Fortunately, there is hope. More people are connecting the dots between hunger, eco-

nomics, creation care, and food waste. Individuals are choosing to reduce household food waste; groups

Continued on next page


12/18


are recovering food from the waste stream; retailers, educated on Good Samaritan Act (1996), are more

willing to donate food; companies are being held accountable to reducing food waste by stricter regulations

that carry financial incentives or penalties; and businesses are sending their food waste to anaerobic digest-

ers to convert into energy. What can we do to reduce food waste?

Purchase less food.

Use up leftovers. De-clutter our refrigerator so we can see more easily what is in it.

Eat down what is in our refrigerator and cabinets before purchasing more.

Plan our meals; make a grocery list; and stick to it.

Beware of bulk and buy- one-get-one free purchases that may go bad before we can use it up.

Educate ourselves on sell-by and use-by date labels.

Compost.

Give our food scraps to farmers for their animals.

Link up with our neighborhood bakery to retrieve unsellable leftovers and take them to the local

shelter for homeless families on a regular basis.

Encourage our grocery stores to donate edible food to food recovery groups.

Join the Eat Trash campaign, asking Trader Joes to initiate a Zero Waste corporate-wide policy.

Tell our produce managers that we are willing to purchase fruits and vegetables that may not be

cosmetically perfect or uniform in size and shape, as we know they are still nutritious and tasty

and then do it.

Encourage restaurants to reduce portion sizes.

Take leftovers home.

Ask every coffee shop, caf, and restaurant we frequent what they do with unused food and encour-age them to donate it.

Patronize grocery stores and restaurants who donate to food recovery groups. (Theres even a new

app that identifies restaurants in NYC that donate!)

Volunteer with food recovery organizations like Interfaith Food Shuttle (NC), City Harvest (NY),

or DC Central Kitchen.

Glean with an organization like Society of St. Andrew or Senior Gleaners (CA).

Educate our CSA farm and farmers at the Farmers Market about gleaning and ask if we can con-

nect them with a gleaning organization.

Start a campaign to provide curbside composting for food waste.

Reducing food waste can help feed hungry people, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and

save money. We all eat, so we all can make a difference. As I John 3:18 reminds us, we love not in

our word or speech, but in truth and action. Ill be having that eggplant parmesan for dinner.

Leah McCullough, a United Church of Christ minister from North Carolina, is spending a sabbatical year in the Washing-

ton DC area. While there she is listening more deeply and exploring a potentially new call to Feed my sheep, perhaps by

recovering some of the staggering amounts of food waste in this country. She may be contacted at [email protected]


13/18


Birthdays in December

Sarah Branchfield 12/03

Nick Sacco 12/05

Jackie Selle 12/05

Ernie Benecke 12/15

Bob Champlin 12/22

Cristin Selle 12/22

Caitlin Selle 12/22

Timothy Booker 12/22

Michael Booker 12/26

Have we missed an important date for you or

your family? Make sure the Parish Adminis-

trator has all the important dates for you in

the church records.

Contacting Pastor Sally

If you call or e-mail Pastor Sally and she doesnt respond, please let her know. The best num-

ber to call is her cell phone: 314-651-3836. Remember that theres a middle initial, S, in her e-mail

address: [email protected]. She wants to respond quickly, so please let her know if thats

not occurring.

Stewardship Thought

Each of you must give as you have made

up your mind, not reluctantly or under compul-

sion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is

able to provide you with every blessing in abun-

dance, so that by always having enough of every-

thing, you may share abundantlyYou will be

enriched in every way for your great generosity,

which will produce thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 11
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


14/18


Our Childrens Reflections on

God and the Gospel

If you could put anything in your phylactery, what

would it be? My computer. Id buy a big phylactery.

A mage puts their blood in a phylactery

and they put it in a bottle and its stored in

the basement.

The Ten Commandments are all HUGE.

You should love, but just as a friend. The

other kind would be weird.

How would a flame be like God? It could be like a spark of his anger.

What are your talents?

Being nice and caring

Being respectful to others

Making funny poses or faces

Balancing on a step stool to help yourself

or others reach things

Learning to read chapter books

How do we use talents to help other people?

Playing pretty music

Giving food to the homeless

Acting to entertain

Writing so people can read

Playing games with each other

Talking to other people

Being a doctor to help people get better Comforting people

Caroling at Christmas

Cooking for Trinitys hot lunch

Off the cuff

Why did Jesus mom name him Jesus?

He should have been named Joe, Jr.

I know 2 archangelsGabriel and

Raphael. I know them in first grade.

Archangels help God.

Archangels have power.

She knows cause shes in third grade.

I have a mean cat.

We have 3 dogs -- a Chihuahua, a ter-

rier, and a mutt.

I know 16 saints: St. Catherine of Bow-

log-na, St. Genesius, St. Catherine ofSiena, St. Martin of Tores, St. Francis of

Rome, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Michael

the Archangel, St. Gabriel the Archan-

gel, St. Johnny Bury-Tamale, St. Joe-

odd, St. Bernard, St. Gerard, St. Agnes.

St. Johnny Bury-Tamale was kinda sad.

She died with the baby alive. St. Agnes

was very kind to animals. St. Martin of

Tores helped a lot of people.

How do we prepare for Christmas?

We pray.

We put out cookies and milk for Santa.

What is a halo?

Its a circle

above an an-

gels head. Its

made of spiritstuff.


15/18


Giving Thanks at St. Francis

The holiday season in our country often be-

gins with the hustle and bustle of a big Thanksgiving

dinner, full of family, friends, feast-worthy food,

football and fun, with a few moments in the middle

to say grace over the feast.For those who could attend St. Francis

Thanksgiving Eve service, the season began quietly

with a warm, prayerful, Eucharist shared among

family, friends and strangers. Sharing was the key

to this evenings special quality as we shared the

blessings for which we are truly grateful. Many

shared their hearts in ways that touched us all.

The evening service itself was something to

be grateful for. It was presided over by Bishop

Stephen Dokolo, new bishop of the new country of

South Sudan. Bishop Dokolo and his wife Lillian

came to St. Louis at the time of the diocesan conven-

tion and will remain until the middle of Advent.

They are visiting as many parishes in the diocese as

they are able. We are very lucky that Pastor Sally

was able to reserve this time with Bishop and Mrs.

Dokolo and that Beth Felice, Communications Di-

rector for the Diocese, was able to bring them to

worship with us.After the service, we showed them a different

part of our typical life. We took them to Steak n

Shake! About sixteen people participated and

watched our visitors experience their first milk-

shakes. Success all around!

On Thanksgiving Day many of us joined the

noisier, more interactive festivities. But Wednesday

night, Thanksgiving Eve, now that was really spe-

cial..

Tom & John Sons of Paddy Wrob

Judy Parishioner

Sam & Jan Parents of Della Hosutt

Bob Brother of Barb Sacco

Mike Husband of Lori Scissors

Bob Parishioner

Ian Friend of Paddy Wrob

John Member of Masonic Lodge

Mike Friend of Sally Weaver

Mimi Daughter of Paddy Wrob

Ernie Parishioner

Pam Cousin of Michael Booker

Josh, in Iraq Son of Dan Merideth

Ryan, in Iraq Son of Jerry & Bob Smith

Prayer List


16/18


St. Francis Episcopal Church210 S. Central Avenue

Eureka, MO 63025

December

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

10 am Bible Study,

Parish House

3

6-9 p.m. Shopping

with St. Nick, par-

ish house

4

10 am Holy Eucha-

rist-Lodge, Rite II

11:30 am Adult Fo-

rum: Vicars quar-

terly review

6:00 p.m. Lessons &

Carols, Christ

Church Cathedral

5

5:30 p.m. Prayer

Group, Parish

House

6:30 p.m. Worship

& Music, parish

house

6 7 Office closedVicars Day off

12:30 p.m. Crafters,

parish house

6:30 pm Tutoring

program

8

5:30 p.m. Commu-

nity Service Com-

mittee, parish

house

9

10 am Bible Study,

Parish House

10

11

10 am Holy Eucha-

rist-Lodge, Rite II

11:30 am Adult Fo-

rum: the global

church today

12

5:30 p.m. Prayer

Group, ParishHouse

13 14 Office closedVicars Day off


parish house

6:30 pm Tutoring

program

6:30 p.m. Youth

Group caroling at

Marymount

15

6:30 p.m. Book

Discussion Group,parish house

16

10 am Bible Study,

Parish House

17

1810 am Holy Eucha-

rist-Lodge, Rite II

11:30 am Adult Fo-

rum: the global

church tomorrow

12:30 pm Bishops

Committee

19

5:30 p.m. Prayer

Group, Parish

House

20

6:00 pm Comm. &

Mktg, parish house

21 Office closedVicars Day off


parish house

6:30 pm Tutoring

program

22 23

10 am Bible Study,

Parish House

24

5:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve

service

25 Merry

Christ-

mas!!!

10 am Holy Eucha-

rist-Lodge, Rite II

Christmas brunch

26 Chalice

Deadline

5:30 p.m. Prayer

Group, Parish

House

27

6-7 p.m. Daisy Girl

Scout Troop

(Community

Room)

8:00 pm RSVP

28 Office closedVicars Day off


parish house

6:30 pm Tutoring

program

29 30

10 am Bible Study,

Parish House

31

Please call or e-mail the Parish Office

([email protected] ) with items for the cal-

endar before the last week in each month to get

on the following months calendar. Shaded area

indicates days Maxine is in office, from 8 till

noon, unless indicated otherwise.


17/18


St. Francis Spiritual Offerings during the Week

Mondays from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at the parish house(210 S. Central) we gather for prayer.

We pray for the people of St. Francis, those who havent joined us yet, those on our prayer list, theneeds of our community, and the world. We close each session with Night Prayer from 6:05-6:15 p.m.

Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Parish House(210 S. Central) we study the Bible readings ap-pointed for the upcoming Sunday.

Please join us for these meetings whenever you can, whether weekly or once in a while. All are wel-

come.

Worship Participant Schedule

December 2011Christmas Eve Christmas Day

Ministry 04-Dec 11-Dec 18-Dec 24-Dec 25-Dec

SACRISTAN Jim Eckhardt Jim Eckhardt Rich Mayfield Jim Eckhardt

LECTORS

Paddy Wrob &Cristin Selle

Sarah Branchfield& Alex Branch-

fieldKristie Lenzen &

Laura DickLaura Dick & Ruth

Dick

INTERCESSOR Sue Schmidt Bob Smith Kristie Lenzen Paddy Wrob

CHALICE Michael Booker Barb Sacco Kevin SelleKathleen McDon-

ald

ACOLYTE Alex Branchfield Richard Mayfield Kyra Jordan

ALTAR GUILDJerry Smith & Ste-

vie SewellBrigitte Jung &Linda Doolittle

Brigitte Jung &Stevie Sewell

Guild members topolish silver andset up for Christ-

mas Eve Jerry Smith

USHER Bob Smith Rich Mayfield Carroll DickMichael Booker &

Nick Sacco Jim Eckhardt

TELLERS Bob Champlin &Jim Eckhardt Bob Smith & Suz-anne Jones Carroll Dick & Ar-lene Underwood Carroll Dick & BobChamplin

HOSPITALITY/COFFEE

HOUR Steve Strathearn Booker FamilySharing Christ-mas cookies


18/18


St. Francis In-DepthIf you would like more details about St. Francis finances, the

Bishops Committee meetings, and the Vicars activities, please see the

bulletin board in the lower level of the Lodge. There you will find two

months worth of:

Bishops Committee meeting minutes;

Monthly financial reports;

Treasurers commentary;

Vicars activity reports.Additionally, on the Sunday immediately following the Bishops Committee meeting (third

Sunday of the month), the financial results for the previous month will be reported in the bulletin in-

sert.

Financial Update October 2011

October 2011

Budgeted for

October

YTD 2011

Actual

YTD 2011

Budget

Total Income $11,392 $ 8,847 $ 90,403 $ 88,470

Total Expenses 7,771 8,415 82,898 88,420

Difference $ 3,621 $ 432 $ 7,504 $ 50

Checking AccountRockwood Bank $ 12,227

Balance in Edward Jones Money Market 1,672

Balance in Diocesan Investment pooled fund-general 4,536

Custodial account held by the Diocese 26,000

Balance in Diocesan Investment pooled fund-Sp Growth 3,422

If you have further questions, talk to the Vicar. Pastor Sally values input and is happy to have a conver-

sation at any time about St. Francis.

Financial News and Information

december 2011 -- the chalice from st. francis' episcopal church - eureka

Documents