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St. Francis Times

May 6, 2007
Fifth Sunday of Easter

Presiding Minister    Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher                  Fr. Evan Ardley
Assisting Minister     Michael Mallory
Healing Minister       Fr. Evan Ardley
Sacristan                 Samuel Aller
Crucifer                   Paul Johnson
Lector                     Leona Lee
Ushers                    Lawrence Mortensen & Timur Muhrlin
Coffee Hour Host    Barbara, Jack, Faye & Clifton
Counters                 Glenda Lisk & Rob Byrne
Flowers are given to the glory of God from Chuck Hancock, in memory of Larry Rowell, Chuck’s beloved partner of 28 years on the 9th anniversary of his death.

First Reading:       Acts 11:1-18
Second Reading   Revelation 21:1-6
Holy Gospel:        John 13:31-35
Psalmody:            Psalm 148

DAWN ROGINSKI STARTS MAY 14TH

Pastor-elect Dawn Roginski will begin her ministry at St. Francis on Monday, May 14th. The first week or so will be a busy one for her as she gets her bearings, and sets up the center office for herself. Pastor Robert and Dave Walda will be working closely with Dawn. LLGM is currently preparing invitations for her ordination on June 16th.

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• David Brightman, Tom Metz, and family in the passing of David's mother, Lucy Brightman on April 10
• Pat Stein and family who mourn the loss of Gloria Siech
• Hilda, aunt of Deb Cote, diagnosed with breast cancer
• Tony Michelini, co-worker of Eric Shifler, under going lung cancer treatment
• Maria Ryndik, one of our seniors, with a growth on her lung, and her sister Madeleine and brother Conrad, who are both very ill
• Doris Davis, recuperating at home
• Bob Douglas at home
• James Huey, in transition
• Dale Johnson's mother, who had a fall and is in physical therapy
• Rob Zampetti’s father, out of the hospital, recovering
• Brian Knittel’s mother
• Mary Wiltse, sister of Mari Irvin
• Bill Hunter at home
• Joe Rizzo’s mother hospitalized, and Dirk Adamsen, struck by car and recovering (both friends of Rob Zampetti)
• Ollie Payne
• John Duffy
• Rick Anderson
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Dorothy Smith, of the childcare center, recovery from major surgery
• Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, as they appeal the verdict of the Hearing Committee

Those serving in the world:

• The Rev. Megan Rohrer, Missionary to the Homeless of SF through The Welcome Ministry;
• The Rev. Pieter Oberholzer and his partner, Fanie Zondagh, and the staff at Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) in South Africa, serving LGBT people and allies;
• Catherine Coon and the Children of Hope Project in Uganda.

MAJOR SYNOD VOTE

The 19th annual Assembly of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took place last week in Reno, NV. At the beginning St. Francis was welcomed publicly and allowed voice but not vote. The Assembly passed by a wide margin a resolution calling upon the ELCA to drop the celibacy requirement of LGBT clergy and laity. It was delightfully evident that the assembly voters, over 60% of whom were lay people, had made up their minds that it was time for an end to this fear bound discrimination.

What does this mean for us? First, that this synod, being the first of the 65 synods to meet before the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Chicago in August, has sent a message to them all.

Second, the Sierra Pacific resolution (many more synods have that very same resolution in the pipeline) now has to be voted on by that ELCA Assembly.

Third, the ELCA Church Council, the highest elected body in the ELCA, has voted to recommend to the August Assembly that changes to the Visions and Expectations rules for clergy be made by a simple majority and not a 2/3 vote as in the past. This rule change would make the passing of the Sierra Pacific resolution much easier. However such a change in the voting rules itself requires a 2/3 vote. But there is movement toward what St. Francis and First United justly stood for back in 1990.

MUSIC AT ST. FRANCIS

CHORAL READING, HAYDN NELSON MASS

Palestrina Missa "Aeterna Christi Munera"
Saturday, May 5th at 9:30 AM - Free Admission

FRIENDS OF ST. FRANCIS CHILDCARE CENTER MOMENT

Our Center supports 38 families in YOUR community. Our children range from ages 2 to 5 and are getting an incredible start to life at our economically and culturally diverse Childcare Center. Please support us by attending this coming Saturday (and/or making a donation to support) the Spring Fling Event. Hope to see you there.

To order tickets for the Spring Fling Auction and Casino Night go to the Childcare Center website.

SUNDAY CLASS

We are reading Diana Bass' Christianity For the Rest of Us, a real alternative to the religious right and a model with which to test St. Francis' vision.

FIFTH SUNDAY FORUM

The next fifth Sunday, July 29th, will be our first Fifth Sunday Forum and it will combine the coffee hour with an open forum of Council and Congregation on our worship life. Another Fifth Sunday Forum is planned for September 30th as an open forum on our Property.

AIDS WALK 2007

Okay. I did it! No one phoned so I’ve registered the whole team from last year. This is good. Soon you will receive your packets and can begin acquiring sponsors. Fun! And I know that there are a bunch of you - new members or newly invigorated folks - that must be chomping at the bit to join the team. I’ll see you at church and sign you up. More fun! -Max Kirkeberg

FORMER PASTOR OF ST. FRANCIS PASSES

The Rev. Henry Kangas, who served as pastor of the Finnish Lutheran Church on 50 Belcher St. from 1957 - 1964, and St. Francis Lutheran Church from 1965 - 1974 died on April 23rd in Michigan. Pr. Kangas had been in a nursing home the past few years. The funeral will be in his hometown, Mass, MI, later this month. His sister, Hilda Kangas, died a few years ago.

MAX'S WALKING TOUR

At last year’s Gala, Max Kirkeberg offered a walking tour of the North Mission. No date was set, and by the time he remembered, the rainy season was upon us. The walk has been scheduled for Saturday May 12th from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. If it rains, the walk will be held on June 9th.

Five persons (the Olson twins & friend, and Dale & Mitch) cannot make either walk so a walk will be scheduled later in the summer.

It is hoped that the other walkers - Jim Asp, Brandee Marckmann, Sally Large, Denise Orun, Kirsten Havrehed, Sarah Wells, Marsha White, Mike Callahan and Robin Ressler - can make the walk on May 12th. It will begin in front of Mission Dolores, 16th Street and Dolores at 10 AM. If the above folks cannot make it or there are questions, call Max at 415-282-6022.

PAM WALTON TO BE AT THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB

Pam Walton, producer of "Call to Witness", that documents the journey of Phyllis Zillhart, Ruth Frost and others, will discuss her work in a forum "Leading the Way: Using Documentary Film in the Quest for LGBT Equality". The forum will be held on May 15th, 5:30 PM, reception; 6 PM program at 595 Market St 2nd Fl.; $8.00 members, $15 non-members. Call 415-597-6700 for more information.

SF FREEDOM SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Saturday, May 12th at Saint Francis Lutheran Church, SF Freedom School presents: The Black Response to Racist Violence (1890-1970): Pacifism, Tactical Nonviolence and Armed Self-Defense.

PERFORMANCE & PARTICIPATORY DISCUSSION, featuring Awele Makeba, storyteller, actor and teaching artist for social change. Audience discussion led by Dr. Kathy Emery with participation by veterans of the Civil Rights Movement and United Playaz. Food from 6-7PM. Performance begins at 7 PM. Sliding scale admission.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Lectionary For Easter 6

• First Reading: Acts 16:9-15
• Second Reading: Revelation 21:10, 22 - 22:5
• Gospel: John 14:23-29
• Psalmody: Psalm 67

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Presiding Minister    Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Grant Burger   
Healing Minister      
Sacristan                 Iris Vaughan
Crucifer                   Jim Kowalski
Lector                      Lee McCormick
Ushers                     Needed
Flowers                   Needed
Coffee Hour Host     Needed
Counters                  Jim Kowalski & Debora Tully

Please take note of the opportunities available to assist with the worship service. There are open slots for upcoming Sundays. Please sign up on the sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall.

Safeway parking permits are available in the back of the church. The permits allow parking for Sunday services ONLY.

St. Francis Lutheran Church

A Place for Gathering: Memory, Presence and Promise
152 Church Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-1111

(415)621-2635, FAX (415)621-8819

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Deadline for Times material is Wednesday at 2 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate all submissions according to space availability.
 

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