Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for September 7, 2008

More ushers are needed, especially for the 3rd Sunday. If you would like to help or need more information, contact Dave Walda at the church office. There is a listing of the usher duties available on the website under “Worship & Spirituality” and from Dave.

We appreciate all the help that individuals give for our Worship Services.

VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 8

We all need to focus on defeating Proposition 8 to end Gay marriage. Pastors Robert and Dawn have been meeting and working with others to integrate St. Francis into the adventure and struggle to keep back the religious forces of darkness and homophobia. Here’s how you can help:

Dialogue Dinners

From our Council Retreat we decided to help bridge differences with the religious community by inviting members of a congregation to dine at a restaurant in their community with some of our members. We have begun to send out invitations to churches in the Bay Area that are not RIC* and are awaiting their response.

Would you be willing to dine with other Lutherans to build relationships of respect and trust through mutual sharing of your stories?

This is definitely a tasteful way to build bridges of understanding and respect that could lead to their voting No on 8. We need diners. No pastors. Please volunteer and tell your pastors.

*RIC = Reconciling in Christ—congregations that have followed the Lutheran process to become welcoming to LGBTQ persons.

THE NO ON 8, EQUALITY FOR ALL CAMPAIGN (WWW.EQUALITYFORALL.COM)

This organization is composed of many organizations including PFLAG. Persons may volunteer, or host a house party, just to name a few opportunities.

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA

(www.eqca.org) located at 2370 Market St 2nd Fl, 415/581-0005 ex 300. Individuals can help by hosting a party or fundraising event, or even becoming an EQCA member and fundraise on-line. See their website for a host kit and more information.

WOW!

Dale Leininger writes:

Council, Staff and Members of St. Francis:

Thank you so much for the roasts and toasts at the “Cook the Books” Gala. I expected much worse roasting but you were all very kind. I just received notice from the AIDS/Lifecycle that a check for $722.00 was posted to my AIDS/Lifecycle fundraising account from the Gala Proceeds. Wow! I didn’t know what to expect. You are all amazing!

Your brother in Christ.

Dale

BRING YOUR CALENDAR NEXT SUNDAY

Remember to bring your calendar next Sunday, September 14 to sign up for two important initiatives – worship opportunities and our booth at the Castro Street Fair!

Next week, we will be scheduling Sunday worship assistant opportunities through December 2008 as lectors, ushers, coffee hosts, providers of altar flowers, crucifer and assisting minister. Paul Johnson and Brandee Marckmann will be leading the process this time! Brief training sessions on the worship assistant positions will be held immediately following coffee hour.

In the spirit of community outreach, St. Francis will maintain a presence at the Castro Street Fair on Sunday, October 5. We are looking for individuals to represent St. Francis at our booth. Please sign up for a shift, and feel free to come with a friend! This is a fun way to get involved.

SENIOR COOK

Anyone interested in the job description for the Senior Cook opening should contact Pastor Dawn or go to the St. Francis website www.st-francis-lutheran.org. The deadline is Sept. 30, 08.

The St. Francis and Friends Team thanks everyone for making the recent wine tasting event such a success. $2925 was raised for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Special thanks go to Deb Cote and Nancy Burns for hosting the event at their lovely home, to Scott Beckerley for his knowledge and enthusiasm in pouring, to Barb Kling, Janet Thuesen, Marilyn Jackson, Nancy Loewe,and Paul Johnson for providing the food, and to Mamie Rheingold and to Bank of the West for their special raffle items. THANK YOU ALL!

Next week Sunday, September 14, the St. Francis and Friends Team for Race for the Cure will be hosting coffee hour. At that time, anyone who would like to made a donation to the team, may. A drawing will be held.

Our guest preacher today is Katharine von Bora, Martin Luther’s wife.

Brother Martin cannot be here today because he is busy working with our dearly beloved Word Alone folk who, he says, have screwed up the whole point of his werk, oops, work of reforming the Christian church. .

ARE YOU A GAY OR LESBIAN STEP-GRANDPARENT?

If you are gay or lesbian, age 50 or above, and also the partner to a biological grandparent, you are needed for an interview for a university-related research project. The results from these interviews will better inform us about the role of gay and lesbian grandparents and stepgrandparents in the lives of their families.

Dr. David Jenkins, a professor of social work, is in charge of this project and Judith Levin, MSW will be available for confidential interviews during the months of August and September. Each participant will get a $30 gift certificate for their time in the project. If you are interested in participating or know of someone that may be interested, please email to D.jenkins@tcu.edu. You can also contact David at (817) 808-3676

FOOD BASKET DONATIONS

St. Francis was recently the recipient of at least 50 lbs of food dropped off by a family from our area. This family had obviously just been to Costco and with the help of their two boys, brought in all kinds of food. Some of the food will be used for the Thanksgiving dinner, and some for the Hospitality Hour meals served on Sunday.

St. Francis can use canned soups, vegetables beans, noodles and canned meats for the Hospitality Hour. Donations of the large packages of individually wrapped granola bars, cookies and crackers can also be given to our guests that attend the Hospitality Hour. Contact Chuck Hancock if you have questions about other food that can be used. Food not used at St Francis will be turned over to the San Francisco Food Bank.

USHER TEAMS

More ushers are needed, especially for the 3rd Sunday. If you would like to help or need more information, contact Dave Walda at the church office. There is a listing of the usher duties available on the website under “Worship & Spirituality” and from Dave.

NEW MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

A new church directory will be available in September. Please contact Dave Walda soon if you have a change of address, phone number or other information that should be reflected in our records and the directory. If you need your picture taken or want a new one taken let Dave know also.

The church office is open from 8:30 am to 5 PM, It is highly recommended that appointments be made when visiting Dave Walda, the Senior Parish Administrator to insure that he will be available to assist you. Thanks!

FUNDRAISER FOR THE WELCOME MINISTRY

Saturday November 8th 10:00 AM to 2 PM
Old First Presbyterian Church

A fine opportunity to recycle things you don't need. Bring small household items: blankets, knicknacks, electrical appliances, (all in working condition), lamps, dishes, pans, books, tapes, dvds, etc.

We will not accept clothing for the rummage sale, but the Welcome Ministry does need clothing for adults. Please do not bring items to the church on Saturday or Sunday. Contact Pastor Rohrer for more info at 567-2661 Help us out while you help yourself! 

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HARVEY MILK ACADEMY

Please lend a hand and help the students from Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy (HMCRA). As a result of this year's anticipated state budget cuts, HMCRA has only $32 for supplies for the entire school year!

HMCRA is a small, public alternative elementary school located at 4235 19th Street with 240 students from K through 5th grade. Donations are needed badly.

HMCRA is seeking supplies like backpacks, crayons, spiral notebooks, markers, calculators, glue sticks, scissors, folders, pencils and rulers. Please also feel free to donate gift cards to the school.

For more information please call the school at 415-241-6276 or http://harveymilk.com/.