Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for August 23, 2009

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Sunday's Readings

• Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
• Ephesians 6:10-20
• John 6:56-69
• Psalm 34:15-22

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Richard Copperud
• Jack Kling
• Glenda Lisk
• Susan Tucceri
• Bill Hunter
• Bob Douglas
• Les, father of Richard Peterson
• The father of Rob Zampetti
• Sylvia Beckerley, stepmother of Scott Beckerley,
• Larry, uncle of Steve Lawson
• Sophie Barron, mother of James Barron
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Eileen, the mother of a friend of Ken Hedrick
• Debby Schert, friend of Paster Paul
• our shut-ins
• 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.
  

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  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MINISTRY POLICIES PASSES FRIDAY AFTERNOON

  Though the Churchwide Assembly continues through today, the actions relating to the sexual minority rights and inclusion took place during the week.

  At the first plenary session Monday, several attempts to make the passage of these actions more difficult was defeated. The assembly voted down a rule that would have required a two-thirds vote instead of a simple majority on recommendations on rostering lesbian and gay clergy in committed relationships (Ministry Policies).

  Another motion was made to require a serial vote on the four resolutions leading to the acceptance of the policy change. In this proposal, if the first resolution was not passed, then the other three could not be acted upon. This could prevent any consideration of the fourth resolution, which was the most significant. This motion was also voted down.

  On Wednesday, the Social Statement on Sexuality was taken up by the assembly. At first, it seemed that it may not pass since the social statement requires a two-thirds majority. During the deliberations, there were attempts to amend portions of the statement. When the ballots were cast, the statement passed by exactly the required two-thirds vote.

  During that same afternoon, a tornado touched down in Minneapolis, damaging a part of the convention center where the assembly was taking place. Certain parts of the convention center had to be closed, and people were being directed to the lower floor where the main assembly hall was located. Central Lutheran Church was also damaged (pictured). There were no injuries, but alternate plans had to be made since some of the assembly activities were outdoors under tents and on the sidewalk. The tornado put a damper on those outdoor activities, at least through Wednesday evening. On Friday, the assembly took up the four recommendations of the Ministry Policies and all passed as follows: Recommendation 1- 77% Yes Recommendation 2- 60% Yes Recommendation 3- 55% Yes Recommendation 4- 66% Yes

  Immediately after the vote, Bishop Hanson ask the assembly to refrain from any applause, and shared his own reflections.

  
  

  Other action passed during the weekdays included the resolutions of:

  • Full communion with the United Methodist Church
  • Fund a HIV and AIDS strategy
  • Support a program to seeking to eliminate malaria in south-Saharan Africa
  
  

  Complete information on the assembly can be found at the ELCA's website WWW.ELCA.ORG, and following the links to the Churchwide Assembly.

  Pastor Paul Brenner is on call while Pastors Robert and Dawn are away at the Churchwide Assembly, scheduled to end today.

  
  

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  Beverly participates in last Wednesday's Senior Program

  Click on image to enlarge
  
  

  The St. Francis and Friends team will be hosting coffee hour on next Sunday, August 30th. Donations will be accepted that day. There will also be a raffle to help with the fund raising.

  The race will be held on Sunday, September 27. To register online go to www.komensf.org and join our team---St. Francis and Friends. See Barbara Kling for info details.

  
  
  

  CERAMICS AND THERAPY

  We are looking for a group of 5-8 individuals who might be interested in attending a 7-week Creativity/Therapy Group using ceramics, for only $50 (for the entire 7 weeks).

  It starts on Friday September 4, 10-11:30 AM. The group will be run by a ceramics artist (also a professor at Academy of Art) and a psychotherapist intern and will be held at 36 Monterey Blvd in Glen Park, near the glen park BART station. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please feel free to forward the attached flier to them.

  USF Center For Child & Family Development 415-239-9300

  WWW.USFCA.EDU/FAMILYCENTER

  WWW.NEWLIFEDESIGNCENTER.COM

  
  
  

  MODERN DAY FEEDING OF 5,000 NEEDS YOUR HELP

  Did you know that the Welcome Ministry changed it's name to WELCOME - a communal response to poverty, after we helped more than 155 chronically homeless guests move indoors? Now we are no longer a homeless ministry. We continue to work with the same individuals to continue to help them to improve their quality of life. But, the demand for food has increased this year and we cannot afford to feed everyone. Help us feed an additional 5,000 this year. In additional to financial support we also need: toiletries, men's clothing, socks, gardening tools and produce seeds. If you want to clean out your house you can donate items to Community Thrift (623 Valencia St) in the name of the Welcome Ministry and we'll receive cash when your stuff sells. We also receive cash for recycling your used printer/toner cartridges, mp3 players and cell phones (bring to our office). Donations can be mailed or dropped off at WELCOME: 1751 Sacramento St, San Francisco CA 94109 866-999-3596 megan@welcomeministry.org.

  
  
  

  National Equality March Washington DC October 11, 2009

  From the Facebook Page: "We must do everything in our power to enlist our straight allies, family members, co-workers to march side by side with us on October 11 for the National Equality March on Washington." If you are Straight, if you are LGBT, COME OUT to March on Washington this October, to demand equal protection under the law for EVERYONE!
  
  See their website: www.nationalequalitymarch.com which includes a blog and the Facebook page for more information.

  
  

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  USHER TEAMS Click here

  
  
  

  CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

  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!

  
  
  
  
  

  • August 16 Jim Kowalski
  • August 24 Bob James
  • August 26 Aileen Flood
  
  
  

  Lectionary for next Sunday

  • Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 609
  • James 1:17-27
  • Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
  • Psalm 15

  
  

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  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

  Contact us:

  Directions to St. Francis: Ext 21
  Worship Service schedule: Ext 20
  Pr. Robert Goldstein: Ext 11
  Pr. Dawn Roginksi Ext 12
  Senior Center Coordinator: Ext 12
  Dave Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: Ext 10
  Clifton King, Sexton
  Susan Tucceri, Congregation President
  Janet Thuesen, Treasurer

  Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

  General Email: St.FrancisSF - at - sbcglobal.net

  The Rev. Robert Goldstein: RevRGoldstein-at-sbcglobal.net
  The Rev. Dawn Roginski RevDRoginski-at-sbcglobal.net
  Dr. David Schofield StFrancischoir-at-sbcglobal.net
  David Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: St.FrancisSF-at-sbcglobal.net

  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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