january 2012 -- the chalice from st. francis' episcopal church - eureka, mo

8/3/2019 January 2012 -- The Chalice from St. Francis' Episcopal Church - Eureka, MO

1/15

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

J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2

And Jesus saidFollow me and I will

make you fish for people.-- Mark 1:17

I write this on the day after Christmas,

as parish administrator Maxine Heller and I are putting away the 2011

files and making new folders for 2012. For St. Francis Church 2011

has been a year of growth. We have deepened our relationship with

Christ and one another, we have started exciting new ministries, and we

have added members to our parish. I will detail what has been accom-

plished at our annual parish meeting on January 22. There is so much

to acknowledge and celebrate.

What has fueled our growth in 2011? Prayer. Prayer is the fuel

that we run on.

Each week on Sunday we pray for the witness, renewal, and

growth of our parish family. As part of that prayer we ask that God

enable us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all whom we

meet through our actions, our thoughts, our words. Its through prayer

that we become fishers of people. Our lure is Gods extravagant love.

God is our foundation: We are rooted and grounded in love.

We keep our relationship with God new and alive with prayer. And

that active engagement with God bears fruit, as we pour out the love

God feels for us onto others. We see Gods unfailing love at work at

St. Francis in the way we greet and care for one another, in the way we

The Pastors Corner

Continued on next page


2/15

The Chalice Page 2 www.stfranciseureka.com

In this Issue

Adult Forum Calendar, p 3;

Annual Meeting, p 6;

Attendance Statistics, p 3;

Birthdays/Anniversaries, p 9;

Bishops Column, p 5;

Bishops Committee Information, p 6;

Bishop Smiths Visit, p 8;

Book Group meeting, p 4;

Bulletin Board, p 13;

Calendar, p 11;

Calendar for Vicar on Line, p 2;

Childrens Reflections, p 10;Contacting the Vicar, p 2;

Financial Update, p 13;

Foodsharing, p 9;

Greening St. Francis, p 8;

Humor, p 8;

Pastors Corner, p 1 & 2;

Photos Ops., p 7;

Prayer for St. Francis, p 9;Prayer list, p 10;

RSVP, p 4;

Upcoming Events., p 4;

Spiritual Offerings for the Week, p 8;

Stewardship Thought, p 10;

Thank you., p 12;

Tutoring, p 8;

VacationVicar, p 2;

Workshop, p 12;

Worship Schedule, p 12;

Youth Group, p 4.

worship, in the way we minister to the needs of the

world. God works through us, replenishing us

through prayer. Im looking forward to being a part

of St. Francis action-packed, God-filled 2012, fu-

eled by prayer.

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.

Vicars Vacation

Pastor Sally and Tony are on vacation from

Jan 2-13. The Rev. Dr. Warren E. Crews will be the

celebrant, preacher, and presenter at the Adult Forum

on Sunday, Jan 8. Pastor Sally will have limited cell

phone (314-651-3836) and Internet access while sheis away. If a pastoral emergency arises, please con-

tact the Rev. Warren Crews at 314-420-4830.

Contacting Pastor Sally

If you call or e-mail Pastor Sally and

she doesnt respond, please let her know.

The best number 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.
http://www.stfranciseureka.com/http://www.stfranciseureka.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.stfranciseureka.com/


3/15


Here is the schedule of offerings at the Adult Forum on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to12:15 p.m. for the first part of 2012. The entire 2011 Adult Forum calendar for 2012 is on

our website at www.stfrancisereka.comselect Christian Education/Formation, Adults:

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 Meeting

January 29 Bishop G. Wayne Smith

February 5 Judges 1

February 12 Judges 2

February 19 Samuel

February 26 Saul

March 4 Vicar's Forum -- quarterly goal review

March 11 Ministry Fair

March 18 Marcion

March 25 Constantine

April 1 Athanasius and Arius

April 8 Easter brunch

April 15 Strategic planning for St. Francis', part 1

April 22 Strategic planning, part 2

April 29 Strategic planning, part 3

Adult

Forum

Calendar

Sunday Attendance Statistics2010 2011

2nd Advent 42 54

3rd Advent 33 62

4th Advent 44 58

Christmas Eve 61 92

Christmas Day 4 23


4/15


Youth Group January 25 Meeting

Our next meeting is at the parish house

(210 S. Central) on Wednesday, January 25 at

6:30 p.m. Deacon Harry Leip and food program

director Steve Turner from TrinitySt. Louis

will talk to us about the hot lunch program. St.

Francis provides the food and servers for the hot

lunch program at Trinity on the 5th

Sundays of themonth. The teens will also discuss their upcom-

ing plans for the Youth Group in 2012.

Upcoming Events St. Francis Book GroupPlease consider com-

ing 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 wel-

come. 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].

January 19th Selection

Heaven is For Real,

by Todd Burpo

A young boy emerges from life-saving

surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to

heaven. Told by his father, but often in Colton's

own words, the disarmingly simple message is

that heaven is a real place and Jesus really loves

children.

RSVP

RSVP (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 January 31 at 8 p.m. Ifyoud like to participate, please send an e-mail ortalk to Jackie Selle ([email protected]), who

hosts the call.

Youth Groups DecemberCaroling

On Wednesday, December 14, St. Francis teens

and their friends, along with Sally Hader and Pastor

Sally, serenaded the residents of the nursing facility at

Marymount Manor with Christmas carols. We walked

the halls, accompanying our singing with guitar (played

by Alex Branchfield), bells, tambourine, and maracas.

It was an enthusiastic and joyous event.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/15


Rooted in Scripture: Synodical Governance

How do the Churches of the Anglican Communion practice their governance? De-

spite the notable differences in governance among the thirty-eight Provinces of the Com-

munion, there remains a simple answer, though with a rarified word: Anglican governance

is by synod. That is to say, Anglican governance includes laypeople, priests and deacons,

and bishops, all meeting together in a decision-making body. Typically, and historically,

representative laypeople together with priests and deacons constitute a synod, with a

bishop serving as president of the assembly. Our tradition invests substantive authority in

its bishops, but properly, bishops exercise no authority apart from the whole People of

God. The term bishop-in-synod best describes the seat of episcopal authority within An-

glicanism.

This collaborative style marks the Episcopal Church at every level of governance.

Parish meetings, required by canon, gather at least once per year. The rectornot a bishop,in this casepresides, and all adult confirmed laypeople of the parish receive seat, voice

and vote in this key parish body. Diocesan Conventions include all active clergy canoni-

cally resident in a Diocese, along with representative laypeople from the various parishes,

missions, and other faith communities. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church

meets every three years and has a distinctive synodical style, in that it is bicameral. The

bishops meet in one House, while the representative laity and clergy (deputies) from the

108 dioceses meet simultaneously in another House. Resolutions must pass both Houses to

be binding. The Lambeth Conference, an assembly of all active bishops in the Anglican

Communion who meet once each decade, though important, is not a synod, since it ex-

cludes laypeople and the other orders of ministry from its deliberations.

These musings are pertinent, coming on the heels of a very fine Diocesan Conven-

tion in November, and with the anticipation of Parish Meetings almost everywhere in Janu-

ary. Plus the General Convention meets in July 2012, this time in Indianapolis.

The synodical style of governance looks to Acts 15 for inspiration, and a glance at

Galatians 2 gives an interesting and alternative slant on the Acts account. Reflection on

these passages makes good preparation for any Church meeting.

Synods are by no means unique to the Anglican way, but they characterize our

method of governance at every level. They find their roots in scripture, and they take into

account the insight of everyone involved. At its best, synodical governance re-

sults in decisions transcending the mere sum of the individual insights. Here is

Spirit-inspired collaboration at its best.

Bishop Wayne Smith

January 2012


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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 December 18, 2011

Opening business

Pastor Sally noted that this is the last Bishops

Committee meeting for the outgoing group of

members, Lori Scissors, Bob Hosutt and Debbie

Pizzella, and thanked them for their leadership.

Approval of November 20

th

meeting minutes

Treasurers report

Approval of November financial results.

Budget for 2012

The Bishops Committee reviewed the proposed

budget and celebrated that we are in a very sta-

ble fiscal position compared to previous years.

A solution to the challenge of keeping the

Vicars Discretionary Fund better funded tohelp more of the people who come to the parish

for financial help was discussed for presentation

at the annual meeting.

The proposed budget was approved for presen-

tation and approval at the annual meeting.

Thanks go to the members of the Finance Com-

mittee: Suzanne Jones, Bob Hosutt, Pastor Sally

and Treasurer Nancy Bergmann.

Vicars report New uses, new key. Our community room is now

used by two groups: The Daisy Troop from Geggie

School and a new Al-Anon group. A new lock has

been installed on the outside door to the Community

Room. Any parish member with a current key to the

Parish House can still use the old keys on the Office

Door and gain access to the community room via Pas-

tor Sallys Office.

Bishops Committee News Vicars vacation: January 2-13. The Rev. Dr.Warren E. Crews will be available for Sunday ser-vices and for pastoral care.

Performance Appraisals will be held by the

Vicar in mid-January for the parish staff. Bob Ho-

sutt and Rich Mayfield, our wardens, will gather

input for Pastor Sallys performance review ac-cording to the form provided.

Candidates for Bishops Committee Members

The proposed slate for the 2012 Bishops Commit-

tee are Bob Champlin, Judy Cody and Jack Lau-

less; proposed Convention Delegates are Kevin

Selle, Sue Schmidt and alternate Alex Branchfield.

Closing business

Senior and Junior wardens had no new busi-

ness.

The Green ministry will provide a more visible

recycling bin for the kitchen area of the Parish

House, near the back door.

Closing prayer.

Submitted by Kathleen McDonald

Clerk of the Bishops Committee

Annual Meeting, January 22, 2012

What have we accomplished in the last

year? What will our budget be like next year?

Who will be our leaders in all this? If you need or

want answers to these questions, be sure to put St.

Francis Annual Meeting on your calendar for

Sunday, January 22nd, immediately following the

worship service.

In our American Episcopal Church, mostparishes hold a meeting each year to elect a new

slate of candidates to the Bishops Committee, to

elect new delegates to the Diocesan Convention,

and to approve a proposed budget.

Bishops Committee nominees are Bob

Champlin, Judy Cody and Jack Lauless.

Convention delegates are Kevin Selle, Sue

Schmidt and Alex Branchfield as alternate.


7/15


St. Nicholas makes a

Visit to St. Francis

On December 3, St. Fran-

cis parish house was the scene of

a visit by St. Nick. The event was

open to children from the area topurchase and wrap small gift items

for their parents and friends.

Katie and Abby Jones were

among the children greeting St.

Nick (aka Ed Kindley!).

Christmas at St. Francis means.

.a beautifully decorated worship space,

lots of good food, visiting with friends. And the

best part-welcoming the baby Jesus.


8/15


Consider this: Glorious Gray?

On any given sunny day, its

hard not to notice the beauties of

Gods creation, no matter what the

season. In the winter, bluebirds andcardinals light up against the snow.

Rime-drenched grasses sparkle along

the roadside. In springtime the pinks

of dogwood and redbud appear amid

the still-brown trees, promising delights yet to

come. Summer grows in the sunlight with plants

and baby animals appearing bigger, stronger and

more beautiful with every day. Cool water invites a

splash and a chance to fish for your dinner. The au-

tumn sun sets leaves ablaze with color and the har-vest is golden.

But where is the God of creation on the cold,

dreary gray days where the sun is hiding behind a

blanket of gray clouds? We have a lot of those

where we live. Surely this place in the cycle of na-

ture has some reminders of its Creator. Do we just

need to look harder? Or is this fallow season here

for a purpose? Where is Gods glory reflected in

gray? Perhaps the question is: How can I feel andshow my appreciation for the gifts of Gods Earth in

the season of still, of gray, of sunless?


Tutoring

Our free tutoring ministry, under the leader-

ship of Jackie Selle, resumes on Wednesday, January

4, 2012. 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.

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,the needs 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

welcome.

Bishop Smiths Visit on January 29

Our Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri,

George Wayne Smith, will visit St. Francis at 10

a.m. on Sunday, January 29. Bishop Smith will be

baptizing three and confirming/receiving six of our

beloved members. Bishop Smith will also engage

us in conversation during the Adult Forum (11:30-

12:15 p.m.) that day. Please plan on being at wor-

ship on January 29 for this festive event.


9/15


Prayer for St. Francis

We pray for the witness, renewal, and

growth of our parish family. Living

God, infuse us with your love. Enableus to proclaim the good news of Jesus

Christ to all whom we meet through

our actions, our thoughts, our

words. Make St. Francis' Church a

place of invitation and welcome, a safe

harbor and a beacon of the light of

Christ. Amen.

Foodsharing

Its cold outside. Its time for soup. This rec-

ipe is for a traditional Greek soup, Avgolemono

Soup. If you have picky eaters at your house, just

call this chicken rice soup. Everyone will eat that!

6 cups chicken stock or broth

2 onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 carrot, chopped

2 bay leaves

cup orzo or rosamarina pasta, or rice

3 eggs

juice of one lemon (more if you like this fla-vor)

Bring chicken stock to a boil. Add onions, garlic,

carrot and bay leaves. Reduce heat and sim-

mer for 30 minutes.

Remove bay leaves

Add orzo to the soup. Continue to simmer for 20

minutes until the orzo is cooked.

Use a wire whisk to beat eggs and lemon juice

together in a small bowl. SLOWLY pourabout cup of the soup into the eggs and

lemon juice, stirring constantly. This will

help prevent the creation of scrambled eggs in

your soup.

Slowly pour the egg and lemon mixture into the

soup. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring

constantly. Keep stirring a minute or two as

the soup thickens.

Note: This recipe is taken from a fun kids storycalled Everybody Serves Soup by Norah Dooley. If

you want to read the story or find lots of good inter-

national soup recipes, you can check your childs

school library.


Birthdays in January

Anne Booker January 6

Kathleen McDonald January 24

Della Hosutt January 30

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.

Anniversaries in January

Rosie & Ernie Benecke January 17

Cassie & Jim Eckhardt January 17


10/15


Our Childrens Reflections on

God and the Gospel

Yesterday was my birthday!

On angels

I have a thought that they are real and

that they are always beside me.

On Christmas...

Since I cant write stuff, can I just draw

stuff?

Every time Mommy and

Daddy put water to the Christ-

mas tree it gets bigger and fatter

and fluffier.

Jesus could celebrate Christ-

mas with me.

Jesus could forgive me for

Christmas.

A activity seen (nativity

scene) is something you put up for

Christmas and you dont play with it or it

will break.

How do you prepare your heart for Jesus?

Be nice. Be good. Help other people.

Donate.

How do we get messages today?

Christmas cards

In our school we are not allowed to send

messages and especially we dont send

any with glitter. Everything on earth is made of star stuff.

What is star stuff?

Little organisms. Everything is made of

star stuff.

Tom & John Sons of Paddy Wrob

Judy Parishioner

Sam & Jan Parents of Della Hosutt

Bob Brother of Barb Sacco

Peter Friend of Paddy Wrob

John Member of Masonic Lodge

Mike Friend of Sally Weaver

Mimi Daughter of Paddy Wrob

Bethany Granddaughter of Dale Herz-

Pam Cousin of Michael Booker

Juanita Sister of Susan Stuckey

Mary Friend of Della Hosutt

Marshall Friend of Sue & John Schmidt

Don Cousin of Debbie Pizzella

Prayer List


11/15


St. Francis Episcopal Church210 S. Central Avenue

Eureka, MO 63025

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.


12/15


Worship Participant Schedule January 2012

Ministry 01-Jan 08-Jan 15-Jan 22-Jan 29-Jan

SACRISTAN Rich Mayfield Jim Eckhardt Rich Mayfield Jim Eckhardt Rich Mayfield

LECTORS

Kathleen McDon-

ald & Paddy Wrob

Sarah Branchfield

& Alex Branchfield

Kristie Lenzen &

Kevin Selle

Paddy Wrob &

Barb Sacco

Kathleen McDon

ald & Bob Smith

INTERCESSOR Bob Smith Sue Schmidt Kristie Lenzen Barb Sacco Bob Smith

CHALICE Michael Booker Barb Sacco Kevin SelleKathleen

McDonald Michael Booker

ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER

ALTAR GUILD Jerry SmithBrigitte Jung &Linda Doolittle

Jerry Smith &Stevie Sewell

Brigitte Jung &Jerry Smith

Linda Doolittle &Stevie Sewell

USHER Bob Smith John Schmidt Rich Mayfield Michael Booker Nick Sacco

TELLERSBob Smith & Rich

MayfieldBob Champlin &Suzanne Jones

Arlene Underwood& Bob Smith

Jim Eckhardt &Bob Champlin

Rich Mayfield &Suzanne Jones

HOSPITALITY/COFFEEHOUR Arlene Underwood

Guiding Good ChoicesA free program

A family management and skills building course for parents of adolescents and teens ages 9-14.

5 Thursday sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Rockwood south Middle School, 1628 Hawkins Rd, FentonFebruary 2: How to prevent drug use in your familyFebruary 9: Setting guidelines: How to develop healthy beliefs and clear standardsFebruary 23: Avoiding trouble: How to say no to drugsMarch 1: Managing conflict: How to control and express your angerMarch 8: Involving everyone: How to strengthen family bonds

To register: Kristin Bengtson, 636-733-2158 or [email protected]

A note of thanksfor the many

scarves our pa-

rishioners knitted

and donated to

St. Marthas

Hall.


13/15


Fields at Night

The moon is glistening off the fields tonight

Bedecked with coverlet of snowy white

While distant pines appear as shadows gainst

The grey horizon fading now from sight.

Dare I now cross those silvery fields and leave

My footprints bedded in the sparkling snow?

And should some unknown searcher look for me

Twould not be difficult to follow where I go.

Nature at times can most exquisite be,

Though often human eyes refuse to see

How wonderful and marvelous the earth

To intricate designs and form gives birth.Oh, such a night deserves an artists brush

Upon a canvas stretched across the sky;

And yet impossible I think twould be

To capture all the beauty eyes may see.

I guess museums have a rightful place

Since we can never travel back in time,

But there one captures just a fleeting glimpse

Of bygone settings, context, space and clime.

But I do rather prize the here and now;

To see the world unfolding with my eyes;

Experiencing with every breath and step,

Each day and hour filled with grand surprise!

Just like the fields that now before me lie,

Such peaceful idyll ought not be disturbed;

Yet, I must go, my duty draws me forth

Although such action leaves my soul perturbed.

The moon is glistening off the fields tonight

And I, a lonely travler, have no right

To wreak such havoc; better that I stay

And drink my fill of such a lovely sight.

Edward E. Kindley

Wildwood, 2-2-11

Jim Eckhardt Interviewed on NPR

Jim Eckhardt was recently interviewed on

National Public Radio regarding gift giving.

Jim said there was a time hed fill his holi-

day shopping cart with toys for his six grandchil-

dren. But seven years ago, he had an epiphany:The kids had too much stuff. You look at all the

things we throw away and that money could be put

to better use, Eckhardt said.

After checking out alternatives, Jim settled

on the idea of farm animals. He decided hed give

one animal on behalf of each grandchild through

the organization, Heifer International.

Heifer International has been around since

the 1940s; currently as about $100 million in annualrevenues and 400,000 donors. In a nutshell, it uses

the teach a man to fish model through giving.

Economic development experts say these

programs cant reverse poverty all on their own.

What youre trying to do is establish a base from

which individuals who are really poor generate a

source of income for many years to come, says

Dean Karlan, a professor of economics at Yale who

studies solutions to poverty.

St. Francis has contributed to Heifer Inter-

national on various occasion for a number of years.

Bishop Stephen Dokolo from the Diocese of

Lui participates in a Sunday Eucharist at St.

Francis during his recent visit and tour of the

parishes in the Diocese of Missouri.


14/15


Spotlight on.George and Vernell RasmussenAt their best, kids in church youth groups form lifelong friendships. George and

Vernell Rasmussen can go one better. Their youth group friendship, which has lasted

forever, also grew into a love story. George the Boy Scout, and Vernell, the girl from

the Girls Friendly Society at St. Stephens House in the south end of St. Louis met at

the churchs camp, St. Stephens in the Hills, located waaaay out in the country, be-

tween Eureka and Allenton. On that day, George was playing the trumpet in the living room of the camp

while Vernell was in the kitchen doing dishes. I didnt like that, Vernell reports, and besides, I thought he

was cute. So I threw him a kitchen towel and had him come help me dry the dishes. The two became good

friends and ran in the same crowd for four years. We knew what we were getting into, says George, We

actually liked one another! But their road to a lasting marriage was not smooth early on. Vernells mother

wanted her to marry someone else and would not let her date George. So, six months or so after her gradua-

tion from Cleveland High School, they eloped. Vernells mother was sure that the marriage wouldnt last.

That was 70 years ago! Just this summer, all of George and Vernells living relatives gathered together tocelebrate that 70th anniversary, including their four children, twelve grandchildren and seven great-

grandchildren.

Until their first child was due, Vernell worked as a bookkeeper at Scruggs, Vandervoort and Barney, a

downtown department store. George worked for Kroger until he received his draft notice just a year after they

were married. George fought in World War II in Europe and North Africa as an anti-aircraft gunner. He

served as a sergeant with a crew that was really sharp. Today, Georges brown wool uniform jacket is

framed with a plaque that tells of some of the sites of his service: Sardinia, Corsica, Italy, France, and Austria,

including the freezing cold Battle of the Bulge. Once drafted, George served four years. Vernell admits that

she spent a lot of time crying. During a good bit of Georges service, all of his mail was delivered to another

sergeant with the same name. Until that snafu was worked out, George did not get any of the letters or care

packages sent to him by his new wife. The war years, Vernell claims, were not the good old days. They were

horrible! At last, after four years, Vernells friend who worked at Jefferson Barracks called her. George is

coming home tonight. George did come home.

The first of their four children was born a year later. George says, We made an agreement. I would

make us a living and Vernell would stay home with the kids. Kids need parenting. George worked for a few

more years at Kroger, and then, at the urging of his father-in-law got a job at Reynolds Metals. This was a ter-

rific job for George and allowed him the time and money he wanted to raise his family. He stayed there for

thirty-five years, retiring only when the company closed their St. Louis buildings.

George and Vernells first house was in south city, but in 1962 they moved to North County. Briefly they at-

tended St. Barnabas but spend most of their years at St. Stephens Ferguson where Vernell served a term on

the vestry. All four of their children, Tom, Sue, Dick and Tim finished college and have good jobs, something

that makes George and Vernell very happy and proud. Tom, Sue and Dick all live out of town, but Tim and

his sons live in the Legends and invited his parents to live with them.

Seventy years in the same marriage, thirty five years in the same job, years and years in the same par-

ish. These two new members of St. Francis have a real history of finding something good and sticking with it.

Continued on next page


15/15


St. Francis In-Depth

If 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 Com-

mittee meeting which is on the third Sunday of the month, the financial results

for the previous month will be reported in the bulletin insert.

Financial Update November 2011

November 2011

Budgeted for

November

YTD 2011

Actual

YTD 2011

Budget

Total Income $ 9,604 $ 8,847 $100,833 $ 97,317

Total Expenses 7,794 9,546 90,650 97,966

Difference $ 1,810 $ 699 $ 10,183 $ (649)

Checking AccountRockwood Bank $ 14,007

Balance in Edward Jones Money Market 1,666

Balance in Diocesan Investment pooled fund-general 4,652

Custodial account held by the Diocese 26,000

Balance in Diocesan Investment pooled fund-Sp Growth 2,903

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

tion at any time about St. Francis.

Rasmussens continued.

In that vein, you should know that George spent 40 years man and boy in the Boy Scouts. His own scout

leader served as his mentor including sending letters that helped to get him through the war years. Vernell

proudly explains that George earned the Silver Beaver award, scoutings highest honor. When his own sons

came along, George was very active for many years as scout leader. His own three sons earned the Eagle

Scout honor as did almost forty other boys under his leadership.

When George and Vernell moved to Eureka they came to St. Francis at the recommendation of people

at St. Stephens. Were so glad they did! Theyre happy to have found a church home with a vicar that they

really, really like and a place where they feel truly welcome.

january 2012 -- the chalice from st. francis' episcopal church - eureka, mo

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