Thursday Announcements for April 9th, 2020

​FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Greetings friends from my basement office in week [whatever] of this crazy pandemic/social distancing/handwashing/facemask-wearing season of our lives!

I honestly don't know how long we've been at this, but it seems like forever already. I was saying to some people online that this is the week when it feels to me like the novelty has worn off and the reality has set in. Is it that way for you? Someone else said that the way this social distancing affects us has a bit to do with where we start from -- like, if we are a little depressed generally, this is going to make us more depressed; anxious, more anxious; lonely, more lonely; isolated, definitely more isolated. I think that sounds right. 
 
Two things about that:, 
First, if there is anything I can do to assist, let me know and I will do my best to do it or find someone who can help, and;
Second, you can truly help by calling/texting/ emailing and just checking in with each other. Those of us who have immediate family nearby or a strong friend group for support forget that there are whole big swaths of our community and our congregation who live alone with no family around. This is a great week to touch base. Pick a name or a picture you recognize from the directory I sent last week, and give them a shout. I just got off the phone with a parishioner who I haven't spoken to in a while and that conversation totally made my day. One thing I know for absolute certain -- God can use you in this time and God will bless every effort you make to spread love and care.

This week is, of course, Holy Week. Today is Maundy Thursday, the word "maundy" derived from the Latin "mandatum" or "commandment." Tonight we read in Paul's letter to the Corinthians that Jesus gave us the commandments to love one another as he loved us, demonstrating that love in service to one another, and also to remember him every time we gather for a communal meal, which of course we recognize as our sacrament of Holy Communion. Join us for worship tonight at 6:00 P.M. for the Maundy Thursday service (go to www.saintf.org to download the bulletin and find link to the service streamed live.) 

And here is what I would hope or tonight -- that in the same way you are participating in sharing the wine and bread in your home as we share it online, that you would also get a cloth and some soapy water and wash the feet of those your are with. That may  sound dumb, but it is not. Amd it may sound scary, but it is not. I promise you -- this has the potential to be the most powerful and most moving Maundy Thursday service we have ever experienced. I know you think I am crazy, but I am not kidding!  
Well -- enough for today. May God bless and keep us all! We are getting through this the way Christians have always gotten through things -- together. 
 
In Spirit, we will be together tonight.

Love,
Fr. Mark+

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
This Week’s Schedule     April 13th – April 18th 
ALL IN-PERSON SERVICES SUSPENDED FOR NOW
SUNDAY’S 10 A.M. SERVICES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – Saint Francis Episcopal Church  
(Saint must be spelled out, do not abbreviate)
If you do not have Facebook, you can go to our website www.saintf.org
 
59. For Quiet Confidence
 
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,
to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou
art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)