TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

First Reading:      Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Second Reading  Philippians 2:1-13
Holy Gospel:        Matthew 21:23-32
Psalmody:           Psalm 25:1-9

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Walter Huxley, partner of Ken Hedrick, as he deals with liver cancer treatments
• Richard Kowalski, father of Jim Kowalski, recuperating
• Cathy Singleton, aunt of Pastor Dawn in a severe auto accident
• Lisa's daughter Amber, with addiction problems, and son Aaron serving in Iraq
• Bill Hunter
• Bob Douglas
• Sophie Barron, mother of James Barron
• Humberto Valle, friend of Dale Leininger, diagnosed with lymphoma
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• our shut-ins
• Robert Gardiner, friend of Pastor Robert
• Those who use our facilities, especially our Seniors, and those attending the 12-step programs that meet here. We pray for their continued health, happiness and success.

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;
• Catharine Coon and the Hope Alive Project in Uganda.

Barbara Kling’s latest report after last Sunday’s race is that over $10,000.00 has been raised. The final results will be available in November. Donations can still be accepted at www.komensf.org. Thanks to the planning committee: Barb Kling, Deb Cote, Janet Thuesen, Marilyn Jackson, Nancy Burns, Nancy Loewe, and Pat Stein.
Some of the 2008 Team at the starting area
Barbara's family: Lucille Coon, Patricia Coon, Barbara Kling, & Calista Pearce
Paul Johnson and his friends on the team

	NEW BISHOP: "SYNOD TO MOVE BEYOND "LGBTQ ISSUE"
At Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, the Sierra Pacific synod’s new Bishop, Mark Holmerud called on the synod pastors and lay leaders to move on the LGBTQ issue to full acceptance and welcome of such pastors and laity and to address other justice situations that also call for prohetic leadership. This refreshing candor and leadership was well received by the majority of clergy present. I did speak to a vocal opponent of LGBTQ rights and he looked visibly shaken by the position taken by the new Bishop. I spoke to the assembly saying how we welcomed this leadership and thanked the Bishop. I also went on to advertise our Dialog Dinners. Many were curious and it placed St. Francis in a whole new light in the synod —as seeking to bring reconciliation for all concerned. Now we need diners! Ground rules will be explained. We hope to invite members of a congregation to dine at a restaurant in their community with some of us. 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.. No pastors will go to these dinners. Please volunteer and tell your pastors. Pastor Robert
*RIC = Reconciling in Christ—congregations that have followed the Lutheran process to become welcoming to LGBTQ persons.

DEFEATING PROPOSITION 8

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

Persons may volunteer, or host a house party, just to name a few opportunities. 415-267-3101 WWW.EQULITYFORALL.COM

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.

MICHAEL P. DOES IT AGAIN!

GAY-LESBIAN TITLES DONATED TO WASILLA, AK

WASILLA — Responding to news reports about then-Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin asking a librarian how she would feel about banning books, a San Francisco man has donated two children’s books dealing with homosexuality to the Wasilla Library.

Mike Petrelis … said he was aghast to read reports of Palin’s 1996 inquiry about banning certain books at Wasilla’s library. The news … prompted Petrelis to send to Wasilla Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy’s Roommate , both children’s books that explain gay lifestyle.

The story of Palin’s book removal question caught national attention. In the ensuing barrage of media attention on Wasilla, the inquiry as to the librarian’s feelings on pulling some books became one of the many old Palin stories that suddenly became new again when it reached the Lower 48.

There is no evidence that Palin ever banned any books from the library, although many outside media outlets have incorrectly reported to the contrary. One book with which Palin reportedly had a problem was Pastor, I am Gay, by Howard Bess, a Valley resident and now-retired minister of the Church of the Covenant in Palmer. Still, to Petrelis, Palin’s asking about removing books from the shelves was an attempt at censorship. Library Director KJ Martin-Albright said she has received the books but, like any donation, they have to go through a process that determines what to do with them.

Petrelis’ idea to send the books seems to be well received in Alaska’s gay community. Bent Alaska, a blog chronicling gay news and events in the state, praises the donation on its Web site. Tim Stallard, owner of Out in Alaska, a gay and lesbian guide service, said, “I think it’s a good statement. I think in a free society like ours, openness and education and information are always important.”

For Petrelis, his timing is even better because Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s celebration of the freedom to read, begins Sept. 27. And more books dealing with homosexuality could be donated to Wasilla library soon. On his blog, Petrelis Files, Petrelis said he hopes to donate another gay-themed book, And Tango Makes Three, to the library.

CASTRO STREET FAIR

There are some openings to help at the booth at the October 5th Castro Street Fair. The sign up for that is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. The booth for St. Francis is located on 18th Street, between Hartford and Castro on the south side of the street. The booth number is 18-322. At right is the map of the street fair layout.

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 Tuesday, Sept. 30, 08.

THANKSGIVING DAY DONATIONS

The St. Vincent DePaul Committee is preparing for the Thanksgiving Day Dinner offered to the community at no charge. Due to increased cost of food, a decrease of food available at the San Francisco Food Bank, and a decrease in contributions to the St. Vincent DePaul fund, the committee is asking for help from you.

How can you help? First, donations of food will be needed. In particular, we need donations of turkey stuffing (dressing), powdered mashed potatoes, canned sweet potatoes and turkeys. Second, financial contributions will also be needed for those items that cannot be purchased ahead of time. Anything that you can donate will be greatly appreciated.

Donations of food can be brought on Sunday or you can make arrangement with Dave Walda to bring it during the week. More specific information will be given out in October and early November.

Special envelopes are also available on the usher’s table in the Narthex and Parish Hall literature rack by the elevator door for making financial donations, which can be left in the offering plate or returned to the office.

Feel free to contact Chuck Hancock, chair of the SVDP Committee or Dave Walda if you have further questions.

Join us this Thursday. Pastor Robert.

The Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality prepared by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is available by going to theELCA website at the ELCA.org for the PDF document.

Lutherans Concerned of North America has their response to this statement at www.lcna.org/lcna_downloads/lcna_draft_social_statement_response.pdf. In this document, LC/NA has detailed the strengths of the ELCA Draft Social and the suggested changes and additions.

David Schofield has developed a website devoted to the St. Francis Choir. It is located at WWW.STFRANCISCHOIR.ORG. This site has pictures and information about the choir and upcoming performances. There is a link to the new website on the St. Francis Church homepage.

Our choir will be starting up again on Saturday. September 27 with an open choral reading at 9:30am in the church. We will be singing the Victoria Requiem and Missa O Quam Gloriosum.

The choir is back and singing today during the service. Rehearsals are at 9 AM in the organ loft. Those of us blessed with a love of music and singing are encouraged to offer their gift to the parish in the service of God and consider joining the choir. Those already in the choir will tell you that giving your time and voice gives back big dividends: a great time with a good group of folks, a chance to make music and be challenged, that wonderful feeling that you made a difference. Inquiries may be made to drdave@stfrancischoir.org.

Beginning at worship today, we will hear one of our own tell their story of being involved at St. Francis and why being part of this congregation’s ministry is so important to that person.

Our weekly Q&A also begins today with this question:

What is stewardship?

Stewardship refers to the responsibility that we have in wisely using the gifts that God has given to us – our resources of time, abilities and money.

Next week: How is stewardship lived at St. Francis?

SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION IN OCTOBER

Members of the Stewardship Committee are starting a series of small group discussions that will enable about 6 St. Francis members to meet 3 times to discuss a topic of interest.

The first two will be on Wednesdays, October 8, 15, and 22 at the church at 6:30 pm, lasting for 45 minutes to an hour. Nancy Loewe will host a group to talk about daily spiritual practices (What works for you?) and Jim Kowalski will host three sessions learning about and practicing lectio divina (read a brief passage out loud; read it again several times – sharing each time on a focused thought). No need to sign up for either group – please just attend.

We are considering other topics for the future so please make suggestions to committee members or chair Brandee Marckmann.

I need an interim place to stay in San Francisco for the month of December while waiting for my new place in Oakland to be remodeled.

Am Interested in a room, house sitting, any ideas? (I'm moving all my furnishings to my son's house and will be traveling light).

BLOGGING ON THE TEXTS

Pastor Megan Rohrer, of the Welcome Ministry, has started a blog on each Sunday’s lectionary texts. Megan posts her reflections each Monday at http://http://queerbiblestudy.blogspot.com.

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.

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!