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Today is August 28, 2026Welcome to Saint Francis Episcopal Church!
The lectionary readings for this Sunday are from the revised common lectionary (RCL) Proper 17, Track B (Click the link to be directed to the readings for the upcoming Sunday.) |
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Important Calendar Dates
August 29 - Diocesan Capital Campaign Kickoff
10:00 am service of celebration, St. Mark’s, Downtown
12:00 pm Lowcountry Boil, St. Peter’s, Charleston
September 22 - First Sacred Grounds Class of the season, 1:00 pm September 30 - What it means to be an Episcopalian Class, 11:00 am
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 I have been invited to join a cohort working with something called the Church Ecology Project, developed by the Rev. Roger Speer, Director of the Small Church Center at the School of Theology at Sewanee. And, so as not to bury the lead, my yes also means I need help from all of you. As part of this work, I am asking as many parishioners as are willing to complete a brief survey about how you understand our worship at Saint Francis. The more data we have the more useful our results will be. Follow this link to take the survey.
I said yes to this project because I knew its first task would be to help us understand the context of Saint Francis in a quantitative way. I also knew that good data would help us tell the truth about our parish, truth that is often more hopeful than the stories small churches are told about themselves. In trying to understand the project better, I went searching online. Their description says that the Church Ecology Project is an emerging research and practice initiative focused on helping congregations, especially small, rural, and context bound churches, understand their ministry not through abstract growth metrics but through the ecological realities of their local community. Watch this video to see in Roger Speer’s won words. 
Ecological realities, I discovered, is simply academic language for our context, the actual conditions that shape what Saint Francis can reasonably expect in terms of worship attendance, ministry reach, and congregational vitality. In other words, it is a way of asking what this place makes possible. Once I understood what was meant by ecological realities, that opened the door for the importance of this work.  What appealed to me most is that this project shifts us away from decline based narratives, the old anxiety that says we should be growing or we must grow to survive. I call that a theology of scarcity. The Church Ecology Project invites us instead to see Saint Francis through a theology of abundance, to ask what God is already doing here, and what would be missing from Edisto Island if Saint Francis did not exist.
Scarcity says a small church is a failing church. Abundance says a small church can be a faithful, vibrant, deeply rooted church, living fully into its calling, just as each of us chooses many different ways to live fully into our baptismal covenant. To begin telling the truth about our context, we first need data. Which is why the first part of our work is demographic. Speer has developed an interactive tool called the Worship Ecology Index. It draws on census data, parochial reports, Pew Research worship trends, and even the number of churches on Edisto, all of us drawing from the same finite pool of worshipers.  The early truth is encouraging. Saint Francis overachieves even on our lowest Sundays. But numbers alone never tell the whole story. This project will help us dig deeper into who we are, whom we serve, and how our ministry fits the ecology of this island we love.
Please help us begin this work by completing the survey. Your answers are anonymous, but they will be uniquely ours, and they will help us see Saint Francis more clearly and more truthfully. Thank you for helping us see Saint Francis more clearly. God’s Peace, Joseph+ |
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| Building Committee Update |
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| The Building Committee: Rosalie Crouch, chair; Fr. Joseph Smith, ex officio; Carla Cantrell, Vestry liaison; Jeff Neumann; Christian Stemkowski; George Hayworth; and Gary Cantrell has been hard at work throughout the summer. The Vestry formally established this committee on April 21st. While the resolution included its share of whereases and therefores, the heart of the charge is clear: Be it further resolved that the Building Committee is charged to: Receive and review the full body of work produced by the Dreamers. Engage architects and consultants as authorized by the Vestry. Develop conceptual options that reflect the parish’s mission and the realities of our site. Facilitate parish listening through forums and conversations. Assess feasibility, including phasing, cost ranges, and timelines. Report regularly to the Vestry with updates and recommendations.
Be it further resolved that the Building Committee is advisory to the Vestry and has no authority to enter contracts, commit parish funds, or make binding decisions regarding design or scope. Moving from Dream to Master Plan The committee’s first realization was simple: nothing meaningful could happen until we had a plan. That meant developing a master plan, a guiding document that will shape decisions about our property for years to come. A master plan doesn’t just place a church building; it considers every future structure needed to support the mission and ministry articulated in the Dreamers’ final report. Here is where the work of the Dreamers and the work of the Building Committee diverge. The Dreamers cast a vision; the Building Committee must now weigh that vision against budgets, fundraising capacity, costs, and priorities. Reality has a way of refining dreams, but it also has a way of revealing what is most essential. Identifying the Right Architect To accomplish this work, we knew our first task was to hire a professional guide. We needed an architect who could walk with us through discernment, planning, and design. So we cast a wide net. We spoke with colleagues who have built before, consulted with diocesan leaders, and developed a list of qualities we believed were essential. From that process, we identified 11 architectural firms and invited each to submit an RFP (Request for Proposal). From those eleven, we selected four firms for site visits. Each firm toured the property, offered a detailed presentation, and engaged in thoughtful conversation with the committee. All were provided the Dreamers’ final report, the soil compaction report, the cemetery GPR results, and a set of questions, including: Church design experience — Has the firm planned and designed church properties? Episcopal familiarity — Has the firm worked specifically with Episcopal congregations? Rural building experience — Does the firm understand the unique challenges of building in a country location like Edisto? Charleston County experience — Has the firm built within our county’s regulatory environment? Personal knowledge — Do committee members have firsthand experience with the firm?
Through prayerful discernment, the committee trusted that God would lead us to the architect best suited to help us: Design and establish safe access to the property, including the access road and buried utilities. Develop a comprehensive, phased master plan that will help the congregation visualize the long‑term vision, support fundraising, and communicate our intentions to the broader community.
The Vestry’s Decision At the August 18 Vestry meeting, after a summer of diligent work, the Building Committee recommended Moseley Architects of Charleston. After its own review and discernment, the Vestry accepted this recommendation, and we are now in the process of finalizing the relationship. What This Means for Us Here is the heart of it: we are contracting with Moseley Architects to help us design a master plan. This next phase will answer questions such as: Where will buildings go? How large must they be to serve our ministries? What can we afford? Where will the well and septic be located? How much parking will we need—and where will it go? Will utilities be buried, and if so, how?
And many more. While the Dreamers’ work was comprehensive, there will still be opportunities for your voice to be heard as we move forward. A Faithful Journey Friends, it is clear that we owe a debt of gratitude to the building committee members. They are excited. Your vestry is excited. And I hope you are excited. But let me remind you: this is a faithful journey. If you need a refresher on what a faithful journey looks like, spend a little time in Exodus. God’s people encountered surprises, challenges, blessings, and miracles along the way… and so will we. As long as we remain faithful, God will not disappoint. The joy will be in discovering what God has in store for Saint Francis and in seeing whether we can get out of the way enough to steward the vision God already has for us. |
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| Last Day for Foyer Group Signup |
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| Foyer Groups: Last Call to Sign Up is Sunday, August 30 As we look over the list of those interested in joining this year’s foyer groups, we’ve noticed a few of our usual suspects missing… and even more importantly, we’d love to see some of our new faces take part. Foyer Groups are one of the best ways to deepen relationships beyond Sunday mornings, gathering in small, relaxed settings where real connection can grow. What a Foyer Group Is and Does A Foyer Group is a small circle of about six people who meet once a month, share a meal, and simply get to know one another better. That’s the whole idea. Don’t cook? No problem, when it’s your turn to host, choose a restaurant or go on a picnic. Single? Absolutely welcome, many participants are not couples. 
New to the parish? This is a perfect way to ease in and feel at home. To be added to this year’s groups, please follow the sign‑up link or add your name to the sheet available in church. With Gratitude We extend heartfelt thanks to Jim and Robin Tennyson for opening their home for our Foyer Group kickoff, and to Elizabeth Gialiada and Kathy Kuntz, the Divas, for providing such wonderful entertainment this past Sunday. Their generosity and joy set the tone for a beautiful season ahead. 
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1) Lectionary Bible Study
Mondays at 8:00am in the Bay Creek Room, Breakfast provided 2) Sacred Grounds
Grief, Repentance, Hope: Whose Journey? All classes are on Tuesdays and begin at 1:00 in the Bay Creek Room
September 22
October 6
October 20
November 3
3) What it means to be an Episcopalian
The Episcopal Way: Stories of Worship, Identity, and How We Do Church
All classes are on Wednesdays and begin at 11:00am in the Bay Creek Room
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 21
October 28
November 4
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Many of you know that now, in this post‑schism era, Saint Francis and our diocese are moving forward with energy and hope. We are living into a new chapter, one marked not by loss, but by possibility. Yet part of the reality of this moment is that our diocese has inherited significant financial challenges. Those challenges are real, but they are not defeating nor defining. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in the Diocese of South Carolina, stirring up new ministries, new imagination, and new life. In truth, it is that very Spirit, creative, entrepreneurial, and persistent that brought me to Saint Francis. The fact is, our story mirrors that of the diocese in many ways. While Saint Francis did not regain our former property, many congregations did. Unfortunately, most of those buildings had endured more than a decade of deferred maintenance. Just imagine the cost of making those spaces safe to inhabit and fit for the worship of God. That is the work that continues before us, and our diocesan leadership, under Bishop Ruth’s guidance, has launched a capital campaign to help address these needs. To discern whether such a campaign was even feasible, the diocese engaged the Vandersall Collective, funded by the Presiding Bishop’s office. More than 500 Episcopalians across our diocese participated through surveys and interviews. Their conclusion was encouraging: while our total needs are nearly three times greater, it was determined that a campaign goal of $3.7 million is achievable. The good news is that this number gives us a faithful place to begin. The hard news is that not every need can be met immediately. As in all things, we must make strategic choices. This campaign focuses on projects that will have catalytic, diocesan‑wide impact, particularly in these areas: • Youth and young adult outreach • Basic safety repairs • Needed improvements and code upgrades • New church buildings Now, after much preparation, the time has come for Saint Francis to participate. At our upcoming Tuesday vestry meeting, we will be discerning what level of support we can offer as a parish. Many of you also have the ability to make a personal gift that will strengthen the life and ministry of our diocese. And here is the tension every congregation faces: many of us are already building, repairing, or planning for future needs. Choices must be made. Some among us have been blessed with the capacity to support their parish, the diocese, their alma mater, and even their preferred civic causes. Others are doing well simply to support their local church. Only you know what is right for your household and your priorities. If you are able, please prayerfully consider a gift to the diocesan capital campaign. You may also attend one of the kickoff sessions listed below or visit the campaign website for full information. Peace, Joseph+ |
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| | |  Hearts and Hands
What is our Hearts and Hands Ministry? Hearts and Hands is a meals ministry that supports our church family during times of need. Think of it like the "take a penny, leave a penny" tray at a cash register—if you're able to give, we welcome your help; if you're in need, we're here for you.
If you're willing to cook a meal, please reach out to Fr. Joseph to be added to the contact list for when the meal chain is activated. And if you’ve been ill, hospitalized, or could simply use a helping hand, contact Fr. Joseph to receive support through this ministry. |
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| Hunger Never Takes A Vacation |
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Summer is in full swing and the Saint Francis faithful are often away seeing family or going on exciting trips. But as this title indicates, hunger never takes a vacation. Please make sure you bring food by the church even if you will not be present on a Sunday. The need is great! There is gratitude expressed often from people using the box. We often encounter people who stop to thank us as we are resupplying the box. In one encounter, a grandmother said with tears and a prayer that without our generosity she would never have anything to give her grandchildren when they visited! So thank you to the congregation for your continued support. All donations are appreciated and welcome whenever they can be made!
Supplements to the library summer lunch program: Lunches for school age children on Edisto are given out through the Edisto Library by Charleston County. Our proposal to supplement these lunches was accepted with great enthusiasm by the library directors. So we are supplying items like protein bars, packages of cookies, crackers, dried fruit, etc. This is our first year of trying this so no doubt we will determine how best to make this most useful with time. Hungry children are certainly a need that we would all like to address! |
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| | Keep up with what is going on around our diocese and enjoy the weekly newsletter. Simply click anywhere on the image below and link to the latest diocesan news.
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| | Birthdays and Anniversaries Blessings |
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| | The latest anniversary and birthday blessings. |
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August Birthdays Sharon Smith 8/2, Marshall Horstmann 8/3, Annette Jerwers 8/7, Bob King 8/9, Joan Danforth 8/13, Gene Gentry 8/25, Steve Powers 8/26, and Robin Tennyson 8/29
September Birthdays Susanne Nash 9/11, Mickey Van Meter 9/26, Alison Hunter 9/28, and George Hayworth 9/29 Please email any errors and omissions for August or September birthdays by clicking HERE
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Trisha Anderson Debra Burnell Stacy Collins Gene Gentry Chaselynn Grubbs Brenda Haynes Bob Hild Janet Kozlowski Jessica Lee Dennis McGrew Laura Melfi Tom Nash |
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Jason Purkey Mila Santucci Bobby Smith Rob Smith Bob Spratlin Rick Stall Carrie Stepp Lynne Tennyson Liz Tucker Bud Tyson
Stephanie Brooks
Ashley Misikyna |
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Faithfully Departed
Chuck Mims Jean Murray Oradell “Okie” Murray Billy Sheorn |
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You may also follow this Link to give, or contributors can text ECOEGIVE to the number 73256, followed by their gift amount, to give online through text. The 73256 is used instead of a phone number.
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Vestry
Fr. Joseph Smith - Rector
Jean Murray - Senior Warden Wayne Lindsay - Junior Warden Kathy Kuntz
Steve Powers
Gretchen Smith
Carla Cantrell
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