Churches of the Anglican Communion, serving the Chillicothe, Henry, North Peoria, Alta, and Dunlap communities

St. Francis Church School Concludes Till Fall

Our regular Church School program for youth and teens has concluded until September. We hope to host some “special events” during the summer.

Fr. Spencer and Fr. Mahue will continue to host an adult discussion hour each Sunday at 9:00 AM through the summer months.

If you would like to help with some special activities for youth during that time (9:00—9:45 AM each Sunday) to free up their parents, please speak to Fr. John or Debbie.

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Nursery Help Needed At St. Francis

As St. Francis church grows, we need volunteers to assist with our nursery during the 10:00 Eucharist on a rotating, voluntary basis. This enables mom and dad to enjoy worship with a little less stress. This would only be for part of the service, as the children will be joining us at the offertory. If we get enough volunteers, you would only have nursery duty monthly. There must be at least one volunteer present who is over 18. Please call Debbie at the office to sign up. YOUR HELP IS VALUED.

Baptism Scheduled

Kyle Dean McLaughlin, son of Connie and Brad, will be baptized at St. Francis on June 6 at the 10:00 AM Eucharist. A reception will follow. We hope all our members will be present to share this joyous event! Members from St. Johns are also invited.

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How to Share Your Faith

—by Fr. John Spencer

Many of you at both St. Francis and St. Johns have told me you're very interested in helping us grow, but you just don't know how.

Don't know how? Here's your opportunity to learn!

In June we'll offer a program developed by Fr. John and Candice called “How to Share Your Faith.” This is a 2 hour “hands-on” training for lay people on how to talk about your faith, and your church, with others. It will offer practical, low-stress ways you can share your personal faith in ways that will attract others to the Christian faith, and to our church.

If you're thinking, ”Oh, I could never do that,” then this workshop is exactly what the doctor ordered! Discover that you can make a difference, how you can reach out to others, and how you can help us grow.

I would like every member of St. Francis and St. Johns to take part in this simple but practical training, because I know it will help us reach our growth goals for both St. Francis and St. Johns.

If you're home-bound, we'll arrange in-home training so you can take part.

The program will be offered:

· Sunday 13th, 3:00 PM, St. Francis

· Tuesday, 15th, 7:00 PM, St. Francis

· Saturday, 26th, 9:00 AM, St. Francis

· Sunday, 27th, 1:00 PM, St. Johns

You're welcome at any, or all! Learn how to share you faith. Make a difference in someone's life. Make a difference for your church!

Please call the office so that we can know how many to expect at each event and plan refreshments.

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Wednesday Bible Study Continues

We will continue the Wednesday evening Bible study after the 6:00 PM Eucharist at St. Francis throughout the summer. Fr. Spencer will lead the discussions, and we will take an “open ended” approach by looking at short books each week, and having open discussion.

If you want to learn more of the Bible and how it applies to your daily life as a Christian, come and take part.

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Diocese Ratifies Network Membership

—by Fr. Spencer

The Standing Committee and Diocesan Council have recently ratified our Diocese's membership in the new Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (also known as the Anglican Communion Network). A formal announcement letter from the Bishop should arrive at your home in the near future.

As I've noted in earlier newsletters, the goals of the Network are simple: to affirm the authority of Holy Scripture as the foundation of faith, practice and discipline in the Anglican Communion, and to renew our focus on mission and outreach in our local churches.

Sadly, all the controversies swirling in the Episcopal Church have distracted many clergy and lay people from our central purpose, winning souls to Christ and enlarging his kingdom here on earth. The Network will uphold the historic Christian faith as declared in the Constitution of the Episcopal Church and do all it can to further the work of God in our county.

Many Anglicans, including 18 Anglican Archbishops around the world, have already recognized the Network as the “faithful” embodiment of the Anglican tradition in our county. We hope that as the decisions are made at the international level over the next few months that may affect the relationship of the Episcopal Church to the rest of the Communion, that the Network will act as a bridge that hold our faithful dioceses and parishes in the Anglican family.

The Diocese has produced a detailed Study Guide that will mailed out soon. Once we have it in hand, we will schedule discussion time on Sunday mornings to review and discuss it in more detail.

Please continue to pray for our Bishop, our Diocese, and the Church at large as God guides us through troubled waters.

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Gift of Vestments

Fr. Glen Smith, a graduate of Nashotah House and friend of Bishop Ackerman, recently sent a generous gift of new acolyte and clergy vestments to several churches across our diocese. St. Francis received 4 new acolyte albs, and St. Johns received 2 albs and a purple Chasuble. We have sent a letter of thanks to Fr. Smith and those who helped him with this thoughtful gift.

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Let's Get Ready To Rummage

St. Francis will be holding a church rummage sale, on Saturday, June 12, from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm. If you missed your spring cleaning, and still need to clean out closets, cabinets, attics, garages, etc. now is a great time! You can kill two birds with one stone, by clearing away your clutter, and donating it to the church. All proceeds go towards the purchase of a new lighted sign. We will sell anything you have, except NO adult clothing. Please bring your items to church ASAP. The committee will take care of the pricing. If you are interested in set- up and pricing on Friday, or working at the sale on Saturday, please let Debbie know. Remember, “One man's trash is another man's treasure!”

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Orphans of HIV/AIDS

“Who is my neighbor?” The theologian asked Jesus. My neighbor is not the one who lives next door to me or the one at work, or at my local church. My neighbor is not the one I turn to; but my neighbor is the one who comes to my aid. My neighbor is the one who sees me for who I am, what I am experiencing and reaches out to succor and to comfort, simply because I am a human being in need.”

In this hurting and suffering world one is called to reach out to the people who are hurting. We thank the Lord that we have such neighbors. Their love knows no ocean or distance. These are our true neighbors.

Archbishop Donald Mtetemela from the Anglican Church of Tanzania is asking for support for orphanage centers, for the orphans whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS. They can not afford to pay for treatments, study, food or shelter, and are left not knowing where to go, or what to do.

Can we be a true neighbor? Can we help? Contact Debbie at the office if you can help with any amount.

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Social Committee Events

The newly formed Social Committee has plans for many upcoming events throughout the year. Summer events will include the Strawberry Shortcake Social put on by our youth, the church rummage sale, Chiefs baseball game, picnic at the Casey's, and ice cream social. Please check your bulletin, and refer to your monthly calendar for dates and times.

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Hymns for Almost Every Profession

The Dentist's Hymn ………………. Crown Him With Many Crowns

The Tailor's Hymn …………….. Holy Holy Holy

The Golfer's Hymn ……………… There's A Green Hill Far Away

The Doctor's Hymn ………………. The Great Physician

The Contractor's Hymn ………………. The Church's One Foundation

The Electrician's Hymn ……………….. Send The Light

The Optometrist's Hymn ……………….. Open My Eyes That I Might See

The Weatherman's Hymn ……………….. There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

The Massage Therapist's Hymn ……………….. He Touched Me

The Shoppers Hymn …………………Sweet By and By

The Gossip's Hymn ……………….. Pass It On

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For those who speed on the highway

45 mph … God Will Take Care Of You

55 mph … Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

65 … Nearer My God To Thee

76 mph … Nearer Still Nearer

85 mph … This World Is Not My Home

95 mph … Lord I'm Coming Home

100 mph … Precious Memories

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

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Churches of the Anglican Communion, serving the Chillicothe, Henry, North Peoria, Alta, and Dunlap communities

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Orphans of HIV/AIDS

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