Today is October 2, 2026

Welcome to Saint Francis Episcopal Church!
The lectionary readings for this Sunday are from the revised common lectionary (RCL) The Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi

(Click the link to be directed to the readings for the upcoming Sunday.) 

Important Calendar Dates

September 25 -  Creative “Arts” Fellowship, 10:30 am

September 30 -  What it means to be an Episcopalian Class, 11:00 am

October 4 - Blessing of the Animals, 3:00 pm

October 6 -  First Sacred Grounds Class of the season, 1:00 pm

October 15 - Hosting the Kings Daughters, 9:30-11:00 am

October 27 - Trick-or-Treat at the Creek, 5:30-7:00 PM

November 21 - Feeding the Multitude 12:00 -2:00 pm

What’s Going On With The Building Project?

I almost hesitate to call it a building project yet. Everything we are doing right now is necessary and foundational, but if you were to visit our new property today, you would see little more than overgrown weeds and brush. Yet that is often how important things begin. A seed planted in the ground may show no visible growth for a season, but that does not mean nothing is happening beneath the surface.

As I see it, we are currently moving forward on three separate fronts: the master plan, the road and drainage infrastructure, and the cemetery.

First, the master plan. This past Tuesday, we held our first meeting with our architects, Moseley. It was immediately clear that they had carefully read and considered the Dreamer’s Report. To no small degree, this is why Moseley was selected. Of the many architectural firms we considered, they alone demonstrated a thorough understanding of the work already completed by our parish. At the same time, they bring a proven process for helping organizations identify priorities and develop a long-term master plan. Our hope is to unveil a phased master plan at our Annual Meeting on February 7.

At the same time, it is clear that little can happen on the property until access is established. Before any construction can begin, we must build the road leading to the area where future development will occur. This seven-tenths-of-a-mile stretch must be engineered and constructed to support heavy equipment, construction vehicles, and future traffic. Alongside the road project, engineers will also study and design a comprehensive drainage system for both the roadway and the property itself, addressing the long-neglected drainage issues once and for all. Even these studies and engineering plans represent a significant investment, and all of this takes place before a single building rises from the ground.

The third front is the cemetery. With the purchase of this property, Saint Francis has become the steward of the historic Con Bailey Cemetery, a site that has been largely forgotten and long neglected. Under the leadership of Gretchen Smith, a committee of parishioners and community members is being assembled to recommend to the Vestry how best to honor those buried beneath the majestic oaks. Their work will also help communicate to the wider community our commitment to treating this place for what it is: sacred ground.

A word of perspective. Many of us grew up in a time when, if something needed to be built, you found capable people, rolled up your sleeves, and got to work. There remains great wisdom in that spirit. But projects of this scale require a different process. Before a road can be built, engineers must study drainage and prepare plans. Before a building can rise, architects, surveyors, and other professionals must do the careful work that allows us to build safely, responsibly, and for the long term. Much of what we are doing today may not be visible on the property, but it is essential work that lays the foundation for everything that follows.

More importantly, we are not simply building for ourselves. Saint Francis has spent much of its life as a pilgrim congregation. We have worshiped in living rooms, in a barbecue restaurant, and today through the hospitality of New First Missionary Baptist Church. Throughout those years we learned an important truth: the Church is not a building. The Church is the people of God gathered in the name of Jesus Christ. Yet there also comes a time when a congregation must plant roots for the sake of future generations. The road, the master plan, and the eventual buildings are not ends in themselves. They are tools that will support the ministry of Saint Francis long after we are gone.

In due course, we anticipate launching a capital campaign, likely in phases, to support the significant costs associated with this project. Until then, as the end of the year approaches and many families make charitable giving decisions, including required minimum distributions, I invite you to consider a gift to the Saint Francis Building Fund. Every contribution helps lay the foundation for what Saint Francis will become in the years and generations ahead.

Blessing of the Animals

Join us on the lawn of the church, 3:00 on Sunday, October 4th for the Blessings of the Animals.

We will conclude our Saint Francis Day celebration with the blessing of our beloved pets. Invite your friends and neighbors, everyone loves their animals and everyone loves this liturgy.

The Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi

October 4th is the appointed day to celebrate our patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi. Liturgical rubrics allow us to deviate from the Revised Common Lectionary, our usual schedule of scripture readings, and use those appointed especially for Saint Francis. Most of you probably won't even notice the change. However, I have made a few adjustments to next Sunday's liturgy that won’t be quite so subtle.

The first change you will notice is that, instead of the psalm, we will sing Hymn 390, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. This hymn is considered a poetic response to Psalm 148, the psalm appointed for the day. It is appropriate to sing either the psalm itself or a paraphrase of it and, while many Episcopal churches chant the psalter, I think this hymn fits our parish's personality better. As is our custom, the Prayers of the People reflect the appointed readings, which means our entire liturgy will carry themes of creation, justice, and compassion throughout.

At one point, I had also changed the creed. I planned to use a beautiful Trinitarian statement of faith inspired by Saint Francis, but after some reflection I felt that the Nicene Creed would provide a stronger anchor for our worship, so I changed it back. As usual, Elisabeth has selected music that supports the themes of the day.

The biggest change you will notice is the Eucharistic Prayer. Don't worry, you will recognize it. It contains all the elements required of a Eucharistic Prayer. At Saint Francis, we normally alternate between Prayer A and Prayer B, but in honor of our paternal saint’s day, this prayer emphasizes creation and is influenced by the Lowcountry in which we live. Perhaps we should call it Eucharistic Prayer LC. Personally, I think it's quite beautiful, but I also recognize how enthusiastic Episcopalians can be about change.

The final change is the blessing at the end of the liturgy. I'll confess that I usually use the same blessing each week because it's the only one I have memorized. Recently, however, I've heard several others at diocesan events that have captured my imagination. The blessing we'll use this week reflects some of what I've been hearing and, I hope, will speak meaningfully to our celebration.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that we have more latitude in our liturgy than we typically use. I know people like what they like, so I generally leave well enough alone. Still, perhaps this can be the beginning of some thoughtful exploration, not change for change's sake, but occasional adaptations that genuinely enrich our worship. So make sure you come to church, and bring a friend, on Sunday, October 4th. Then judge for yourself as we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi.

God’s Peace,

Joseph+

Fall Christian Formation

Outreach

         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. 

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.
 

Birthdays and Anniversaries Blessings

Birthday Blessing.

October Birthdays: Brenda Haynes, 10/4, Gailya Walter 10/4, Helen Scotch, 10/9, Catherine Arnot 10/12, Emilie Cox 10/14, Bob Tom Smith 10/16, Hild 10/17, Betsy Daise 10/24, Tommy Sandel 10/26

Please email any errors and omissions for October birthdays by clicking HERE

Upcoming Service Schedule
(Click on image for larger view)

Church Prayer List

Faithfully Departed

Dallon Weathers

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.