Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for July 27 2008

There is an opening for next week, August 3rd for Assisting Minister, Crucifer, Flowers and Coffee Hour host . If you can help, please sign your name on the chart in the Parish Hall or contact Dave Walda in the office. You may also want to check your schedules and availability for future Sundays to sign up. We appreciate all the help that individuals give for our Worship Services.

PR ROBERT IN HOUSTON

PR. MEGAN ROHRER TO PREACH AND PRESIDE TODAY

Pastor Robert is at Grace Lutheran Church this weekend to celebrate the ordination of another member of the roster of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries. (ELM). Lura Groen was ordained yesterday at Grace, Houston and Pastor Robert represented St. Francis in this joyous event.

ELM is an organization designed to roster and support brave clergy who refuse to abide by the national church’s unjust policy of requiring only LGBT clergy and laity to be celibate.

During both Pastor Robert’s and Pastor Dawn’s absence this morning, our missionary to the homeless of San Francisco, the Rev. Megan Rohrer will be present to lead us in worship and to bring a stirring sermon. We welcome you.

CANADIAN BISHOP CENSURES HOLY CROSS CHURCH

In May, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket, Ontario, ordained Lionel Ketola, an openly gay person. At their Synod’s assembly this month, Bishop Michael Pryse publicly censured the congregation. To Holy Cross Church, the censure was not unexpected.

However, in a surprise development, the synod assembly also passed resolutions that encourage the bishop and synod council to exercise restraint in disciplining pastors and congregations who in good conscience call pastors like Lionel Ketola.

Bishop Pryse also announced that due to his role as Bishop of that synod and the required procedures, he was “obliged to convene and an investigative Committee to advise the synod council at its November 2008 meeting if further discipline was called for in this violation of church policy…”

The Bishop also stated: “the synod council could, upon the committee's recommendation, suspend or exclude Holy Cross from the ELCIC.” And, in light of the rules, the Bishop announced that "neither the ELCIC nor any of our Full Communion partners will recognize the validity of this irregular rite and Mr. Ketola is not recognized as being a rostered minister of this church." The next step will be the appointment of the Investigative Committee to make recommendations to the synod council about whether further discipline is called for in this situation.

Also at the synod assembly, the Treasurer thanked Holy Cross Lutheran Church, a congregation of 280 members, for their gift of $27,000 which helped to bridge a gap in the synod budget.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKET

Worship Committee Meeting Moved to

July 29th at 7 PM

BULLETIN #9

July 23, 2008

The walk has been did. Forty-three (out of 144 registered team members) made it to the park -which this year remained overcast and a tad chilly. There were 14½ geographers and 27½ church folk. (Little Maxie counts as ½ geographer and ½ Lutheran.) Our unofficial total (thank you, Iris) came to $29,718 which is a handy sum, though last year at this stage we had raised $37,636.

As you know we can continue to raise money for the team until August 15th and my guess is more checks and on-line donations are coming.

A week ago, I wrote that I had sent out 226 letters asking for support and had raised $3,186 from friends and relatives. On the day of the walk that total had risen to $5,876. And as of today, 93 my of friends have raised $8,117. I’m pretty sure I’ll hear from lots more before August 15th. So gang—keep going as you see fit.

So who made the day a success? Lots of folks: Clifton K for rising early to make our coffee, Iris V who tallied the walker’s totals, Carl T who helped set up our “booth”, Timer M and Lawrence M for transporting our placards and coffee to the park, Babs K for all kinds of help—before and during the walk, the Beaudets (geographers) for their royal barbeque after the walk, Dave W and Gabriel P for typing and putting up with Little Maxie—and especially all the loyal walkers who do this year after year after year.

Gabriel and I, with Bailey, are setting out on an Oregon adventure on Friday. We’ll be gone this Sunday and next, so there will be a break in these notices. When we return in early August we’ll begin again.

Thank you everyone.
Maxie

USHER TEAMS

Other individuals may still sign up to usher. Please contact the church office to add your name.

ST. FRANCIS SUPPORTS

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for supporting the mission and ministry of Lutheran World Relief. It is in the faith of the members of St. Francis Lutheran Church where the spirit of LWR’s work takes root and grows….

One of LWR’s core values states that “Faith is Active in Love.” The faith you put into action helps LWR extend the love of Christ to people in need around the world. The outcomes are life-changing. Impoverished families, and in fact communities, thrive and flourish because of the gifts that you share.

On behalf of Lutheran World Relief, our board of directors and our partners around the globe, please accept the enclosed certificate (above) as a small token of our vast appreciation. You enhance human dignity and foster justice in the name of Christ. We are grateful.

John Arthur Nunes
President and CEO

SAVE THE DATE!

Brad Hubert and Martin Thompson will be married on Saturday afternoon August 30th.
Details to follow

SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON COURSE

The SF Marathon will be held on Sunday August 3rd starting at 5 AM. This run may affect persons traveling in our immediate area. The race will be go toward downtown on Haight Street, crossing Market St at Laguna onto Guerrero. Duboce, and Buchanan will also be affected. The marathon is expected to affect this area from 7: AM to 11:30 AM.