God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. This we pray in Christ our Lord. Amen.
Worship
Worship with St. Francis In-The-Fields Episcopal Church on our Facebook Page Live at 10:00am on Sundays. For more details please check out our Sunday Services page!
Our worship includes partially previously recorded video, music, and live video.
Pastoral Care
If you have an emergency and need to speak with a priest, please call 317-873-4377 and follow the prompts to leave a pastoral care message at any time, night or day. Your call will be returned.
For the time being, our Lay Eucharistic Visitors [LEV] have suspended taking communion to people’s homes.
Regathering Efforts
A Letter From the Rector, November 9th 2020
Dear Community of St. Francis In-The-Fields Episcopal Church,
The last two weeks have certainly provided enough to fill anyone’s days (and nights). And while the results of the elections are settling in, this is not the only important thing which has transpired recently.
If you have been watching the trends of the Covid-19 virus spread, you know that the trend has been going in the wrong direction and is showing no sign of abating. This is particularly frustrating for those working on a regathering plan for St. Francis In-The-Fields. My hope, like most of you, had been to open for in-person worship on the first week of Advent. This is just not possible, and I, too, deeply feel the disappointment.
Over the last two weeks the Regathering Task Force has made two recommendations to me. I have consulted with members of the Vestry and they concur that these recommendations should be approved and put into action. Text of the recommendations may be found contained in this email.
The first recommendation determines that we will not be able to return to indoor worship for the rest of 2020. What it does provide us with is a direction for planning our Advent and Christmas Activities. Attached to this letter is a calendar of activities and worship, suitable for your refrigerator, for the remainder of the year. I pray that you will continue to join us online as well in outside and in-person for many of these events, especially the Festival of Joy on Saturday, December 12th.
The second recommendation provides special permission for the long-standing Monday evening meeting of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) to meet in our Parish Hall. This includes a maximum number of participants as well as special sanitizing procedures. The Regathering Task Force as well as Members of the Vestry feel the importance of providing a refuge for those whose health is at risk due to alcohol. As you may have read, alcohol consumption has increased 14% since Covid-19 infected the country, and it is up higher for women than men. The key rationale is this: AA is an essential program in the community and can actually save lives during this pandemic.
I encourage you to read the Statements and Rationales attached as well as planning your calendars now so that we may safely be together as much as possible for the remainder of the year.
I look forward to talking with many of you tomorrow evening.
In peace,
Fr. Davies+
Rector
Regathering Task Force Groups Meeting
The Regathering Task Force has formed smaller sub groups to gather and begin working on plans to return to worship. Each group has met together at least once and is working on executing all aspects of the Diocesan Reopening Guidelines as outlined by the Bishop and her staff. We will have an update very soon with a timeline for regathering and news on worship.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Fr. Davies at rector@stfranciszionsville.org, or contact the Co-Chairs of the area of your concern. If you need contact information please call 317-873-4377 or email info@stfranciszionsville.org.
Worship: This committee is tasked with the logistics and coordination of all things concerning the sacred worship life of St. Francis. Co-Chairs are Fr. Davies and Kenny Winget.
Parish Life: This committee is tasked with continuing the work of the church in gathering together and caring for neighbors. Co-Chairs are Lesley MacKellar and Sarah Benneyworth.
Building Use: This committee engineers and provides strategies and guidelines for use of the St. Francis facilities. Co-Chairs are Jordan Walters and Luke Mitchel.
Communication: This committee is tasked with timely, effective and coordinated communications for all stakeholders, including the parish, the Zionsville community, and the Diocese. Co-Chairs are Gigi Nicholas and Meghan McConnell.
Fellowship and Online Gatherings
Children and Youth
Children and Youth classes are back! We are excited to offer many fun online gatherings this fall. For a complete schedule of Children and Youth classes and events this year please download our calendar.
For Grades Kindergarten through Grade 3: Tune in on Sundays after church for a Bible story read by a St. Francis parishioner followed by fellowship and fun, all via zoom.
For Grades 4-6: Outreach, Outreach, Outreach!! Join us this Fall to participate in monthly Outreach projects, in person when possible, and at home. Check in with your fellow classmates via zoom on the last Sunday of the month.
For Grades 7 and older: In-reach Internships! Learn how the church works by interning with parishioners and staff in areas like technology, Vestry, communication, the grounds, Christian education, and so much more. Each EYC youth will choose their desired area and spend a quarter of the year learning, assisting, and creating new opportunities with the guidance of their designated Mentor and the help of their fellow youth. At the end of each month, join a virtual meeting to share your experiences and enjoy fellowship.
Adult Formation kicks off for Fall 2020
Perhaps this Advent, the weight of some burdens are bearing down on us. Join us for daily devotions and weekly gatherings where we look to share our burdens and strengths, and turn to find and celebrate God's gifts to us: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
A daily newsletter, like an Advent calendar will include reflections from Fr. Davies and Fr. Allan. In addition, our youth will share pictures for the 2020 Advent Word as a part of the 2020 EYC Mentorship program. We will also be offering a fun Advent devotional program from Illustrated Ministries called Do Not be Afraid. We will draw, color, and even doodle our way faithfully to Christmas!
Register to participate so that we may send you a copy of our fun, intergenerational devotional and so that you may begin to receive our daily Advent Calendar starting on Sunday, November 29th!
Men’s Faith Journey Group
Men of the parish gather online to share their faith and fellowship. Upcoming meetings are on Wednesday, June 17th and Wednesday, July 1st. See Realm for details or contact the church office at info@stfranciszionsville.org.
Pledges and Current Giving
Our parish appreciates your continued generosity. If your situation has changed then we expect your giving will also be impacted. If your income has not been effected by this pandemic, then please maintain your generosity to St. Francis so that we may continue to serve you and the rest of our worshipping community. Please be in touch with us if you need to adjust your pledge expectations at info@stfranciszionsville.org.
Electronic contributions can be made through your Realm account or on our website.
Mailed checks are also welcome! Checks can be mailed to St. Francis at 1525 Mulberry St. Zionsville, IN 46077.
Text caregenerously to 73256, followed by your gift amount, to give online through text. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
