St. Francis Episcopal Church 2026 Annual Congregational Meeting ***Updated as of 2-FEB-2026***
and presentation of
Annual Report for 2025
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 1
FEBRUARY 1, 2025
CLOSING SESSION OF THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
ST. FRANCIS CHURCH
11:30 A.M.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order and Opening Prayer (page 2)
II. Appointment of Secretary, Vestry Register, Elizabeth Kim (for Cathryn Lee)
III. Adoption of Minutes from 2025 Meeting
IV. Senior Warden’s Remarks by Lynda Davis
V. Junior Warden’s Remarks by Pepin Tuma
VI. Treasurer’s Remarks by Molly Reynolds
VII. Creche Preschool Remarks by Creche Board Chair, Brice Eldridge
VIII. Deacon’s Remarks by Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby
IX. Associate for Family Ministry Remarks by Rev. Joy Y. Warburton
X. Priest-in-Charge Remarks by Rev. E. Weston Mathews
XI. Questions from the Floor
XII. Voting for New Vestry & Endowment Committee Members by Acclamation (voice vote)
XIII. Recognition of Members rotating off the Vestry in 2026: Kathy Anderson & Elizabeth Kim
XIV. Closing Prayer (page 2) and Adjournment
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 2
OPENING PRAYER:
A LITANY OF THANKSGIVING FOR ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Let us thank God whom we worship in the beauty of holiness.
Eternal God, the heaven of heavens cannot contain you, much less the walls of temples made with hands. Graciously receive our thanks for this place, and accept the work of our hands, offered to your honor and glory.
Priest-in-Charge: For the Church Universal, of which these visible buildings are a symbol,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: For your presence whenever two or three have gathered together in your name,
People: We thank you Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: For making us your children by adoption and grace through baptism and for refreshing us week by week with the sacramental body and blood of your Son,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: For the knowledge of your will and the grace to perform it,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: For the fulfilling of our desires and petitions as you see best for us,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge For the forgiveness of our sins and for restoring us to the company of the faithful,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: For the blessing of our vows and for the crowning of our years with goodness,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: For the faith of those who have gone before us and for our encouragement by their perseverance,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Priest-in-Charge: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, and the glory;
People: For everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
Priest-in-Charge: Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom;
People: And you are exalted, now and for ever.. AMEN.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there us discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in the giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born into eternal life. Amen.
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St. Francis Church Bylaws - Vestry
This policy was adopted by the St. Francis vestry effective January 12, 2009 and amended in January 2018.
A proposal to reduce the size of the Vestry from twelve (12) to nine (9) members, taking place over time through the election of new classes of three (3) rather than four (4) over the course of three years, was voted on by the parish and approved in January 2018. There is no requirement that twelve members serve on the vestry. The Canons of the Diocese of Virginia allow that a vestry for a church the size of St Francis may be composed of ‘no fewer than three or more than twelve members’. However, under the Canons, a change in the size of the vestry does require a congregational vote.
St. Francis Bylaw – Vestry
1.
St. Francis policy regarding election and eligibility of Vestry members is subject to applicable diocesan and national Canons.
2.
The Vestry of St. Francis shall consist of 11 elected lay members in 2018 and 10 elected lay members in 2019 and 9 elected lay members in 2020. As provided by the Canons, the Rector presides over Vestry meetings (with seat, voice, and vote). Any salaried assisting clergy has “seat and voice”, but no vote. Each lay member shall serve a normal term of 3 years, with 1/3rd of the total positions being elected each year so that the entire Vestry is elected on a rotating basis over 3 years. Election of new Vestry members will occur each year at the Annual Parish meeting as described below.
3.
Officers shall be the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Register, and are elected by the Vestry following the annual parish meeting. Wardens must be elected Vestry members; the Treasurer and Register may be Vestry members but are not required to be. All officers serve one-year terms and may serve multiple terms. In the event of officer not being a member of the Vestry, he/she may be allowed to attend Vestry meetings at the discretion of the Vestry, but shall have no vote and may be excused from portions of the meeting for certain discussions as decided by the Vestry. The duties and responsibilities of Officers and Vestry are described in Canons, especially in Virginia Canon 12.
4.
The Executive Committee of the Vestry consists of the officers and Rector. The Executive Committee meets at its discretion to set the agenda for Vestry meetings, to act on sensitive issues such as personnel, to take any other action authorized, or to act on behalf of the Vestry in the event of an urgent matter that requires action before a Vestry meeting can be called. No minutes are kept of executive committee meetings.
5.
Election of Vestry:
a.
Nominations: The Vestry will appoint a nominating committee made up of Vestry members who are not eligible to serve again in the upcoming election. This committee will work with clergy and Vestry to solicit well-qualified Vestry candidates, and may serve as election judges. Candidates for Vestry may be nominated by the Nominating Committee, or by any parishioner eligible to vote, including themselves. Candidates may also be nominated from the floor of the annual meeting by any parishioner eligible to vote.
b.
Eligibility: any adult confirmed lay member in good standing as defined in Virginia Canon 11:4 and General Convention Canon I.17.3, and who in addition has made a pledge to the parish operating fund for the current year, is eligible to serve on the Vestry except for paid staff of the church. No Vestry member can serve 2 consecutive 3-year terms; however if the member will have served on the Vestry for less than 3 years at the time of election, he/she may run for another partial or full 3-year term. Any member who has served for 3 or more years must stand down from Vestry service for 1 year before becoming eligible to run again.
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c. Elections: will take place at the annual parish meeting by secret ballot of parish members. Per Canon, no election shall be valid unless the participating qualified votes number at least 10% of the active communicants qualified to vote. Proxy voting is prohibited, but any member wishing to vote who cannot attend the annual parish meeting may submit a ballot in person at the parish office during the week before the annual meeting. Unless provided by the meeting, a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to a choice.
d.
Open positions will be filled by election at each annual meeting. Open positions will be the 3 full 3-year positions and any other vacancies created by the resignation in the past year of a member not completing his/her full 3-year term, as described below.
6. Resignations: In the event of a resignation of a Vestry member before the completion of his/her 3-year term, the Vestry will fill the vacancy in one of the following ways: (1) It may appoint an eligible parishioner to serve until the Annual Meeting, or (2) it may leave the position vacant until the next Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, a new member will be elected to serve the remaining term for the position. At the Annual Meeting, parishioners will vote for and elect new Vestry members without regard to which vacancy they are filling. The determination of which term the newly elected members will fill is determined by the number of parish votes received for each; the longest term will be served by the highest vote-getter, and so on, until the shortest term is filled by the lowest vote-getter elected.
7.
Conflict of Interest and Ethical Behavior: All Vestry members, clergy, and staff are expected to execute their responsibilities ethically and in the best interests of the Church. Examples of unethical behavior would include receiving an inducement to award business, or causing the parish to act in a manner not consistent with its best interests. Any behavior, action or circumstance not consistent with this philosophy may be brought before the Executive Committee or Vestry, for consideration and the determination of whether any remedy is required. When there is an accusation of a breach of this policy, the Executive Committee will review and recommend a finding to the Vestry, for its final decision on whether there is a breach and what the appropriate remedy should be. To avoid the appearance or reality of conflict of interest, no paid staff member can serve on the Vestry or as Treasurer. An immediate family member of paid staff (spouse, sibling, child or parent) may serve on the Vestry, but this family member may not serve as Vestry liaison or officer for the area in which the paid staff member works, and must recuse him/herself from any discussion or decision relating to the staff member or where the subject may lead to a conflict of interest in the judgment of the Wardens after consultation with the Rector.
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Annual Report for 2025
St. Francis Episcopal Church
Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes
Sunday, January 19, 2025
2025 ST. FRANCIS ANNUAL MEETING
Date: January 19, 2025 Location: Sanctuary
VESTRY MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING
Lynda Davis, Cathryn Lee, Elizabeth Kim
CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
Father Weston called the meeting to order at 11:27 AM.
APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY
Cathryn Lee
SENIOR WARDEN REMARKS (LYNDA DAVIS ON BEHALF OF RICK LARSON)
Refer to written report
Highlights:
•
Expressions of gratitude for the discernment committee: Mike Shuler, Joe Reynolds, Kathy Ditmore, Kate Riihimaki, Jack Shafran, Scott Perkins
•
Thank-you also to the Altar Guild and Women’s group for the transition celebrations for Father Lucey and Father Mathews
•
Budget: thank you to the Finance and Stewardship Committees
o
Ended year on a positive note
•
Discernment Committee -for the hiring of a director of Family Ministries
o
Nate Ambler, David Black, Jennifer Forerro, Carrie Holman, Patrick Killoran, Jeff Sanders,
•
Thanks to everyone who serves- Altar Guild, Ushers, Greeters, and Nursery Staff and Volunteers, and Monday counters – Lynda called upon everyone to consider serving
•
Expressions of gratitude for the honor to serve as Senior Warden
JUNIOR WARDEN’S REMARKS (LYNDA DAVIS)
•
Expressed gratitude for all Volunteers, especially the Facilities Committee under the Leadership of Brice Eldridge: Denny Sisson, Allan Young, Rick Larson, Dana Anderson, Jeff Pan, and Mike Shuler
•
Many activities to maintain and repair the facilities support community engagement
o
HVAC leaks
o
New water heater and dehumidifier
o
Upgrades to Security and Functionality
o
New Chairs
o
Transition to LED lighting
o
Grounds Improvement (limbing up, painting in parking lot)
o
Encourage people to report issues and contribute
•
Reiterated the need for volunteers to LEM, usher, serve as greeters
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 6
•
Potential activities in the future could include health related activities (defibrillator training, bone health)
TREASURER’S REMARKS (MOLLY REYNOLDS)
See written report
•
2024 Surplus with 98% of pledges received
•
Finance Committee: Molly Reynolds, Mike Shuler, Chris Giragosian, Joe Reynolds, and Brice Eldridge
•
Increased Diocesan Pledge and Outreach and budgets
•
$9460 in matches received from Rick’s matching offer – need $10,540 more + the match from Rick, getting closer to the $600K goal but still short
•
Weston offered praise for Molly, Shannon (bookkeeper) and the Counters
CRECHE PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR’S REMARKS (BRICE ELDRIDGE BOARD CHAIR FOR CRISTI LESLIE, CRECHE DIRECTOR)
•
Refer to the written report
•
Thanks to IWC contributions
•
Invitation to parishioners to visit and support the Creche
•
Currently 1 director and 12 teachers
•
Praise offered for the Director and the Teachers
•
Praise also to Brice and the Board Members
•
Anticipation of a time of transition for Creche Leadership
o
Potentially hiring a Co-Director to work with Cristi and transition to Director when Cristi retires
o
Succession Planning
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE REPORT (E. WESTON MATHEWS)
Refer to written Report
•
Commented on the “non-anxious” church system
•
Weston sensed both anxiety and hope when he was interviewed
•
When not anxious and there is a feeling of “all is well,” that can bring abundance and goodness
•
A church of our size does not always offer outreach to the extent St Francis does (e.g., our commitment to Ezo and Bishop Isaac). Weston encourages us to also do more outreach in our immediate community. “Enlarge the table”
o
While attendance may have declined in recent years, there is more to abundancy than attendance on Sundays – we are 7 day a week church
o
There are other ways to have impact and unexpected customers and partners (e.g. Young Men’s Service League)
o
Expansion of Creche to 5 -days a week full day with before and After Care
•
Weston expressed thanks and gratitude for church staff and various ministries
o
Expression of thanks for everyone’s willingness to try new things (e.g. Advent Contemplative Services)
o
Jeanne and Larry Vote- emphasized the importance of good music
o
Lynn Fallon
▪
Un-anxious presence
▪
Care for Lynn
▪
Children’s Chapel
o
Dominic Pellegrin
▪
Not just Sunday’s but contributes to many other activities
o
Cristi
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o
Shannon
o
Men’s Group (Zoom)
o
IWC
o
Thursday Bible Study (men and women)
o
Women’s Group
o
Altar, Servers, Ushers, Greeter
o
Scouts (Feb 9 Scout Sunday)
o
Vestry (going off: Sandy Walker, Mike Semko, Rick Larson, Olivia Grady)
▪
Noted that Mike Semko started a Bible study at the Brogue
o
Difficult Run Jazz Band
o
Contemplative Prayer group (Kathy Anderson) – New 2nd Sunday Series
o
Daily Prayer - Morning Prayer Group on Zoom
o
Lynda Davis- for her service as an idea bouncer and dialogue partner
o
Outreach
▪
Part of the St. Francis Mission: open heart, deepen relationships with 2nd Story and Samaritan Ministry
o
Thanks for Welcoming Weston and his wife, Loriana
•
Weston gave thanks to those rotation off the Vestry: Olivia Grady, Rick Larson, Mike Semko, and Sandy Walker, all will be given a gift of John Meacham’s book The Hope of Glory, Reflections on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
1)
Question raised by Kevin Maxson about how the Priest-in-Charge works? Weston explained the Dioceses started this program of PIC for up to 2 years then can vote to “keep” and transition to Rector. This is a new model of ministry different than the Interim Rector program.
Weston encouraged Parishioners to reach out to the Diocese if they have questions or comments
2)
Joe Reynolds commented on the new sense of life, energy, activities, love, kindness, and increased stewardship. He noted we are moving joyfully from the ordinary to the extraordinary and shared praise for Weston.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW VESTRY CLASS
•
Pepin Tuma, Jessica Maxson, Chris Giragosian, Steve Riihimaki
o
Note that there are three- 3year terms and one 1-year term
•
Ginger Gotliffe – was not elected but was praised for running and will be included/involved in other ways
CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURNMENT
Time: 12:23 pm
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Annual Reports for 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CLERGY & VESTRY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE’S REPORT…………………………………………….…………….... 9
ASSOCIATE RECTOR FOR FAMILY MINISTRY REPORT……………………..…...…10
DEACON’S REPORT………………………………………………………………….…..….. 11
SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT……………………………………….……….……..…....… 11
JUNIOR WARDEN’S REPORT (including FACILITIES)…………….……….……..…… 12
TREASURER’S REPORT………………………………………………………….…..….….. 13
VESTRY LIAISON REPORTS:
WORSHIP and SPIRITUAL CARE REPORT………………………….………...…..…..… 14
FAMILY MINISTRY and CRECHE BOARD REPORT……………...……………....…… 15
STEWARDSHIP and FUNDRAISING REPORT …...………………………………..….… 16
ST. FRANCIS MUSIC & ARTS REPORT………………………………………...………… 17
COMMUNICATIONS REPORT………………………………………………………...…… 17
MISSION and MISSION PARTNERSHIPS REPORT……………………………….....….. 18
SPECIAL REPORTS:
CRECHE PRESCHOOL…………………………………………………………..…...…...… 18
MUSIC MINISTRY ……………………………………..……………………...…..….….…... 19
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE REPORT ….…..…………….…………………….….....…. 20
INVITE*WELCOME*CONNECT (IWC) COMMITTEE…………………...…..…....….... 21
SCOUTING BSA …..…………………………………………………………..……..….…….. 21
OUTREACH COMMITTEE……….…………..………….…………………......….......….… 21
MONDAY CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP REPORT ….….………..………..…... 23
WEDNESDAY MEN’S GROUP REPORT …………………………..…...….……………… 23
THURSDAY AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY REPORT……...….……….…………..….….. 23
WINTER GALA FUNDRAISER REPORT…….…………………………..………..…...…... 23
FALL MARKETPLACE REPORT……………………………………………….….……..… 24
FACETS HYPOTHERMIA SHELTER REPORT…………………..……………….…...… 24
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 9
Annual Reports for 2025
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE REPORT
Submitted by The Rev. E. Weston Mathews
Dear Friends of St. Francis,
This Annual Meeting marks my second as your Priest-in-Charge. It has been a joy and blessing to have journeyed with you these past 16 months. It remains a gift in the present. Can you believe it has only been 16 months? In a short amount of time, we have accomplished a lot, with God’s help. There is a lot to celebrate today and look forward to in our mutual ministry as 2026 unfolds.
Recently, I was in Millen Hall having Christmas Eve dinner with some neighbors who had traveled a long way - both in physical distance and spiritually along their life’s journey - to arrive at St. Francis. Some travelers at the table were tired and hungry. Some were angry. Some were surprisingly cheerful and hopeful, reminiscing fondly about past Christmases. Others were feeling blue because they were separated or estranged from people they loved. I had just finished taking part in two of three heartwarming services scheduled for the evening. One, a joyful 3pm Family Service and Christmas Pageant for our parish children and parents. The second, a 5pm overflow service with beautiful singing from the St. Francis Choir where the lights of our Christmas tree shone brightly through the window from the “Green Room” behind the altar.
It was there at the dinner table in Millen Hall that I had one of those moments of holy connection where time seemed to stand still. The past-present-future seemed to swirl, melting into a kind of “reel” as if I were the only person in a darkened theater watching a film. Flooding into my mind’s eye there were so many sacred images and stories – a kind of “everything, everywhere, all at once” vision: Sacred stories from your life and faith entrusted to me by so many of you who come to this loving place from different walks of life and seven or eight generations under one roof. Images from those “early church” days in the 1960’s where one could look out onto the Green Room through the glass behind the old altar in Harris Hall when St. Francis in the Field was a humble mission church. Impressions of love in the present moment for each of us gathered at the table together.
Was this a kind of Christmas consciousness or was I just daydreaming? At the dinner table on Christmas Eve, where time seemed to stand still, like a light flickering in a dark room, flashes of a near future at St. Francis came into focus for me.
I saw more laughter and a sweet sort of softness in each one of you. There was more freedom to become the unique people our loving God made us to be, living the truths of our Baptism, and claiming our citizenship in Beloved Community. There was a deeper commitment to joy, gentleness, loving-kindness, and more compassion toward our own selves and each other. As our nation began to struggle even more, and people felt afraid, I saw the people of St. Francis choosing to lock arms creatively as a people of the Lamb. I saw you inviting even more people to the kind of non-violent, simple, and forgivingly open tables that Francis of Assisi convened time and again as he traveled from village to village. Where there were no tables, new ones were built. Where old tables had fallen into disrepair, I saw you rebuilding them. I saw you building tables with new and unlikely friends from Great Falls and McLean and Reston and Herndon to Ezo and Pine Ridge and beyond.
“Too many people spend their lives being dutiful descendants instead of good ancestors. The responsibility of each generation is not to please their predecessors. It’s to improve things for their offspring. It’s more important to make your children proud than your parents proud.” (Adam Grant)
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 10
Thank you, Friends of St. Francis. Let us give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who came before us, and yet be ever vigilant and aware of our sacred responsibility to make things better for those who come after us. Let us give thanks for the present moment and for each other. May we do this by dedicating ourselves to being a community of compassion and love, so that we may become, like Francis, instruments of peace in our time.
Forward in faith we go, dear saints in Christ, the beloved of St. Francis Church,
Weston
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews
Priest-in-Charge
St. Francis, Great Falls
ASSOCIATE RECTOR’S REPORT FOR FAMILY MINISTRY
Submitted by The Rev. Joy Y Warburton
There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and I know it is the Spirit of the Lord.
It has only been four months since you called me to serve as Associate Rector for Family Ministry, and I remain deeply grateful—and humbled—by the privilege and opportunity to serve among you.
Upholding me in this ministry has been the steadfast support of my Family Ministry Committee—Nathan Ambler, Cabot Barlet, David Bobbit, David Black, Paul Herman, Ryan Jannise, Marilee Ransom, Steve Riihimaki, Amber Robinson, Stephen Schrock, and Pepin Tuma—who have been my greatest cheerleaders. Their encouragement and support have sustained me and strengthened this work more than they know. Together, we have accomplished a lot these four months:
I am also profoundly grateful to the Sunday School teachers who have supported this ministry in these early months—Larry Pratt, Nancy Burkely, Pam Tuma, Marilee Ransom, Tru Ransom, and Carmela Condro—for their faithfulness, care, and dedication. All the volunteers who assisted with the Christmas Pageant, especially Jen Forero, Jasmine Gosnell, Natasha Parnian, Lynn Fallon, Graham Reynolds, Marilee Ransom, along with all the parents and participants. And I would be remiss not to thank the Rev. Weston for his daily guidance and mentoring as I grow into my priestly ministry.
As we look ahead, I see a hopeful opportunity to strengthen and expand our children’s and youth programs. The upcoming season is an invitation for us to develop a more robust approach—one that is grounded in a strong curriculum and deeper integration into the life of the parish. I am open to the movement of the Holy Spirit as we discern and rethink how and when we offer Sunday School, increase youth engagement, and continue to support Parish and Creche families within the community.
One of my all-time favorite prayers is from St. Teresa of Avila: Christ has no body now on earth but yours—no hands, no feet but yours. At St. Francis, I see that prayer lived out. This parish truly embodies what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
I am grateful for the foundation that has been laid and look forward to working together—clergy, staff, committee, and parish—to continue shaping a vibrant and faithful future for our children, youth, and families at St. Francis, and to continue to build and deepen relationships with our Creche Preschool and our Scouts.
As always, I am deeply thankful to the people of St. Francis for the privilege of living out my ministry among you.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 11
DEACON’S REPORT
Submitted by The Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby
I am grateful that St. Francis discerned and was open to welcoming a deacon. I am blessed that in May, Bishop Mark Stevenson, working with our archdeacons, placed me to serve at St. Francis and with you all in community.
During Sunday services, I am so grateful to proclaim the Gospel, call for confession, set and clear the table, and dismiss us into the world. I enjoy preaching occasionally, and serving in broader regional and diocesan services, including at St. Timothy’s at a Wednesday healing Eucharist and as the deacon at a recent ordination at Holy Comforter.
I enjoyed sharing at a Sunday Forum about what a deacon is and does. Simply put, deacons serve as a bridge between the church and the world. My vows say it all (see pp. 537 – 547, Book of Common Prayer). I am to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely; to make Christ’s redemptive love known; and to study Holy Scriptures and model my life upon them. I serve as the Diocese of Virginia co-Global Mission Advocate, the Episcopal Relief & Development Ministry partner, and as Vice President of the Global Episcopal Mission Network, and I am praying about ways to bridge these with St. Francis’ ministries.
It has been a joy to learn about all the ways St. Francis engages with our surrounding community, and to serve with all of you. It was a Holy Spirit moment to meet our Sherborne Deanery Ezo Link Team partners when I was visiting the UK this summer, and to share with you what I learned about their work with Diocese of Ezo and their own work as the Diocese of Salisbury. I look forward to our visit this spring with them and with Bishop Isaac and Mama Nora from Diocese of Ezo as we deepen our relationships.
We serve those who are food insecure through Rise Against Hunger, and the food packets we assembled fed those who needed food in the Philippines. We provide hospitality to many, and I enjoyed meeting the community served by Samaritan ministry in Southeast District of Columbia to share a holiday meal. We responded to the need for a thermal shelter during the Advent to Christmas week for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and with FACETS and 20 coalition partners, we successfully provided warm food, a warm place to sleep, and shared Christ’s love. St. Francis is a place led by an amazing community of Franciscans. As we continue to listen and engage with our community, from local to global, I pray we continue to shine the light of Christ’s love to all.
May we all live into our Diocesan covenant: Love Jesus. Embody Justice. Be Disciples.
God’s peace,
Nancy
The Rev. Dr. Nancy D. Searby, Deacon
SENIOR WARDEN’S REPORT
Submitted by Lynda C. Davis
As I reflect on 2025, the word that comes most readily to mind is transition—not as something tentative or uncertain, but as a season of possibility, learning, and faithful courage. We began the year welcoming Father Weston Mathews as our Priest-in-Charge, stepping together into new expectations, new rhythms, and, at times, new ways of being a church community together. It has been a year marked by wholehearted engagement, curiosity, and a willingness—by clergy and congregation alike—to try new things in service of God’s call among us.
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Under Father Weston’s leadership, St. Francis has made tremendous progress. His pastoral presence, thoughtful preaching, intellectual depth, and deep compassion have set a tone of trust and spiritual grounding. Just as importantly, he has invited us into shared ministry—encouraging open dialogue, faithful discernment, and a church culture that listens carefully while leaning courageously into growth. This has truly been shared leadership, strengthened by an exceptionally active and talented Vestry whose dedication, wisdom, and good humor carried us through a busy and exciting year.
Together, we made meaningful strides toward goals that had long been part of our hopes as a parish: expanded service to children, youth, and families; deeper engagement with those who are vulnerable or at risk; and wider community outreach—especially through the arts, music, and partnerships with our faith-community neighbors. We were blessed by the significant contributions of new clergy and seminarians, whose energy and gifts enriched our worship, formation, and pastoral care.
At the heart of all of this has been the faithful outpouring of service from parishioners themselves. Passion projects flourished: the Country Fair, hypothermia shelter hosting, the beloved Crèche celebration, moving and imaginative music offerings, contemplative prayer services, and so much more. These ministries did not happen by accident—they happened because people gave generously of their time, talent, and love, often behind the scenes and always with grace.
This year was not without its learnings. Growth brings complexity, and transition requires patience, communication, and mutual care. Yet again and again, St. Francis showed itself to be a community willing to listen, adapt, and stay grounded in Christ’s love for one another and for the world.
As Senior Warden, it has been a privilege to serve alongside such devoted clergy, Vestry members, staff, and parishioners. I am deeply grateful for every hour volunteered, every idea offered, every prayer lifted, and every act of kindness shared. Together, we have not only expanded and innovated in our ministries—we have strengthened the steadfast fellowship that makes St. Francis the family parish it is. Thank you for the trust you place in one another and for the joy of serving God together.
JUNIOR WARDEN’S REPORT (Including FACILITIES REPORT)
To be submitted
St Francis Episcopal Church: 2025 Facilities Report and Technology Report
The Facilities Committee is grateful for all the support by our parishioners to help maintain and improve our 40+ year old church infrastructure. Special thanks to Dana Anderson and Allen Young for their consistent willingness and fine expertise applied to so many of our repairs and projects, and to our summer intern Matthew Swiacki for all his enthusiastic help.
For 2025, the Technology Committee focused on improving the consistency and ease of operation of our church service streaming capability, improving cellular coverage in the building, and ensuring computer systems were up to date for supported software patches. Special thanks to Jeff Pan, Elizabeth Kim, and Tamber Ray for their steadfast commitment to streaming our services on YouTube Live. This streaming capability enables folks who are otherwise unable to attend our services to keep their connection to St Francis alive.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 13
Facilities successfully addressed over 125 actions in 2025 ranging from plumbing fixes, door replacement, and lock repair to electrical and HVAC issues, lighting, and painting. A few notable achievements include:
•
Outside painting of Millen complex
•
New front doors on Harris Hall
•
New roof on Harris Hall due to tree damage; removed tree
•
New large kitchen refrigerator and undercounter freezer
•
Addressed water flooding in basement
•
FACETS hypothermia shelter at St Francis: worked with Fairfax Fire Marshal’s office to obtain clearance to host the shelter at St Francis Christmas week
Respectfully submitted,
Brice Eldridge
TREASURER’S REPORT
Submitted by Molly Reynolds
The Year of 2025 has come to a close. St. Francis has seen many changes and accomplishments during the last months. The finances of the church have stayed balanced and healthy thanks to the support and generosity of the entire parish. The 2025 Pledge drive reached the ambitious goal of $600,000 and we have received over 98% of the pledged amount. Pledges are the primary source of revenue for St. Francis. We now have an even more ambitious goal of $630,000 in pledges for 2026. We are only $28,500 away from that goal and additional pledges or increases are most welcome.
Here are some of the 2025 accomplishments for St. Francis:
On December 1, 2025, the mortgage was paid off, saving approximately $24,000 per year.
The hiring of Reverend Joy, Deacon Nancy, with assistance from Seminarian Sandra, allowed more programs and activities to be created especially for youth and families along with increased Outreach and community engagement.
There have been many Outreach endeavors in addition to the budgeted Outreach funds spent to benefit many groups both near and far. For 2026 the Outreach budget has been increased from $39,000 to $43,500.
Locally, the drives for school supplies, diapers, Thanksgiving food, Christmas gifts, emergency aid to North Carolina flood victims, Rise Against Hunger, FACETS, and more brought in over $18,000 over and above the $39,000 budgeted for Outreach programs in 2025.
Internationally, we continue our strong support for the Diocese of Ezo, South Sudan and Bishop Isaac providing funds to build a secondary school for youth, for food and medical care for IDPs, travel for Bishop Isaac and Mama Nora so that the relationship with South Sudan can grow even stronger. To date more than $28,000 has been given by parishioners and supporters of St. Francis for all these causes during 2025.
The congregation has funded musical concerts, instrumentalists and voices for enriched services and beautifying the altar and sanctuary with flowers and more. The funds for those programs received over $17,000.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 14
Many parishioners have given over and above their pledged promise to the operating budget. We have also received strong backing from the community, local churches and friends of St. Francis. The Endowment Fund has increased with donations and more contributions are promised.
There have been challenges as we faced the need for a new bookkeeper. This has complicated the preparation of reports and created trying circumstances for those involved. We have now engaged the services of a highly recommended person who serves as bookkeeper for several other Episcopal churches in northern Virginia.
In the summer of 2026, I will have been treasurer at St. Francis for eight years. My work here for my church has been very important and enriching for me. But it is now time for me to rest and hand over the position to another. Thank you all for the support you have given me in the last many years.
Molly Reynolds
Treasurer
WORSHIP and SPIRITUAL CARE REPORT
Submitted by Kathy Anderson, Vestry Liaison
ADULT FORMATION
ZOOM Offerings:
Monday Night Contemplative Prayer (see report, p.23)
Wednesday Morning Men's Group (see report, p. 23)
Thursday Afternoon Bible Study Last fall, we studied Lord, Teach Us to Pray by John C. Purdy, a Kerygma resource that offers meaningful insights into the power of prayer.
Our group meets weekly via Zoom, creating a welcoming space for learning, reflection, and fellowship. Whether you have joined us before or are new to the group, we would love to have you with us.
For further information contact Amelia Logan at ameliavinteriors@gmail.com
Annual Women's Retreat at ShrineMont: The Annual Women's retreat was held June 6 - 8, 2025, and has been traditionally lead by parish volunteers. Seventeen women attended, the largest group in over 15 years
With the idea that women desire to deepen their relationship with God, we offered a retreat based on a life of prayer, the title: "Prayer as the Foundation for Life: Partnering with God in Your Daily Life." Through readings, guided instruction, meditation, reflection, journaling, art and small group discussion, women had many opportunities to explore their inner lives.
We have traditionally met in April or early May, however, due to the continual increase of attendees and the lack of space at ShrineMont,in the Spring, we chose to move the group to June to accommodate larger numbers.
New Worship Opportunities: In February, Weston launched our first Sunday Night Contemplative Service, now know as "Second Sunday Contemplative Service". The Monday night contemplative group along with the Altar Guild was instrumental in ordering candles and establishing a consistent setup of candlelight for the service. The Monday night group is responsible for the setup and take down of the candles. Through candlelit prayer, contemplative silence, poetry, beautiful meditative music, chanting and Holy Communion, attendees can experience a more peaceful and personal worship experience. We have several regulars and new people attend each month. We are extremely enthusiastic that our numbers and appreciation for this service will increase as more people come and experience this contemplative way of worshipping.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 15
2025 BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS and FUNERALS
Baptisms
06/08: Colby Mcintyre Gunther
10/19: Allen Chen Bobbitt
11/02: Parker Noah Robinson
12/14: Jaclyn Claire Chappell
Weddings
None in 2025
Funerals
01/25: Linn Bruce Perkins
03/29: Leila Finlay Dane
04/16: Nicholas Joseph Haight
05/31: Shelia Weinman Olander
06/16: Jackson Roger Horton, Jr.
07/18: Meenakshi H.J. Bové
07/27: Donald Reed Chandler (committal)
11:23: Aletheia Wren Wiley-Jimenez
FAMILY MINISTRY and CRECHE BOARD REPORT
Submitted by Steve Riihimaki, Vestry Liaison
2025 was a very successful year for family ministries at St. Francis Church, highlighted primarily by the hire of Joy Warburton as Associate for Family Ministries this summer. Developing a strong youth ministry and attracting families to St. Francis was a primary goal of the search committee who hired Weston, as well as the vestry as we outlined our goals for the year, and the hiring of Joy was a blessing to help achieve that goal. Joy immediately brought an energy and enthusiasm for re-engaging previous ministries, as well as starting up some new ways to engage our families and youth with the church.
We initiated a Family Ministry committee, which met several times in the fall with a goal of outlining priorities and actions we could take as a group to reach our families to provide services that would meet their needs. Additionally, in November we helped an open house forum where the church membership was able to provide feedback, positive and constructive, to continue to advance the family ministry program. We will continue the momentum started in 2025 by scheduling recurring committee meetings to discuss progress toward our mission, and make recommendations for additional ways to satisfy the needs of our families.
Starting in the fall we restarted a Sunday school youth education program, which shows great promise for younger members, each Sunday during the first part of the 10:00 service. This started with a 5-week program based on Creation Care. She engaged our teen and college aged students through the preparation and delivery of care packages for those who went off to school in the fall.
To better support our members with small children we also hired an assistant, Julieta Bonafe to help Rita Arteaga in the nursery during the 10:00 Sunday services, which will allow our members to attend church with confidence that we have at least 2 adults caring for their children.
Earlier in the year we had numerous teens serve as waiters and waitresses at the Gala, providing a great opportunity for the youth to gain service hours and make the event a successful evening. During Advent we held a wreath-building event where youth could create wreaths for themselves and others to celebrate the Christmas season. Another highlight for the year was having a youth-based Christmas pageant at the 3:00 Christmas Eve service for the first time in many years, which was very well attended and exciting for the children and parents.
The Creche preschool continued to thrive in 2025. Cristi Leslie, Brice Eldridge and Simon Smith continued to provide continuity of leadership on the board. The Creche had a full staff and student roster in 2025, while advancing more support for parents through after hours care, additional creative outlets and skilled staff. The creche hosted numerous events throughout the year and is operating at full steam.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 16
In January 2026 the Creche celebrated its 25th anniversary of operation. We hosted a celebratory luncheon after the 10:00 service on January 11, 2026 during which several people involved in the Creche spoke – Leslie Siegmund, Jane Keihn, Cristi Leslie and Katrina, a mother of two young children who emigrated from Ukraine and was able to establish herself in the US partly due to the support she received from the Creche. The Creche continues to be a shining example of the service and mission of St. Francis to serve our community and share and live into the word of God.
STEWARDSHIP and FUNDRAISING REPORT
Submitted by Larry Pratt, Vestry Liaison and Stewardship Committee Chair
Stewardship Committee: Val Goddard, Leslie Siegmund, Molly Reynolds (Treasurer)
2026 Pledge Goal: $630,000
Pledges Amount as of January 15: $596,407 Number of Pledges as of January 15: 99
This year, the Vestry set an ambitious goal of $630,000, a 5% increase from last year. Recognizing the increasing attendance, the expanding interest in new family programming, and the additions of wonderful new staff in Nancy Searby and Joy Warburton, we knew the needs of the congregation would be great. “Growing stronger together” became the theme for this year’s pledge drive, as we sought the funds and volunteers to accommodate the growing demands on the St. Francis Community both financially and of time and talent.
We constructed a narrative budget broken down by what each facet of St. Francis requires in terms of money and volunteer hours. What we discovered in the process is that it takes an immeasurable amount of Franciscan’s time to meet the needs of our church community and that our volunteers grossly underestimate their contributions to our parish. The funds required to support our worship, outreach, and pastoral care are extensive.
The pledge season kicked off early this year to give the Vestry more data to discern what amounts we would be working with when putting together the 2026 budget. Over the course of the fall, the drive was extended to take advantage of the remarkable generosity of the Adams in making a matching gift of $25,000 for all new pledges that came in after Pledge Sunday. Without this remarkable gesture, we might not be as close to our goal today.
Val Goddard kept the pledge season in our minds with her weekly announcements in the bulletin.
While pledge season has ended, we are hopeful that there are still St. Franciscans and friends of St. Francis who might be willing to make a financial commitment to the church to meet our goal. The increase in pledges from last year truly demonstrates that we are, in fact, growing stronger together. Thank you to everyone who has pledged for 2026!
I am extremely grateful the all the hard work and good counsel from the Stewardship Committee members Val, Leslie, and Molly.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 17
ST. FRANCIS MUSIC & ARTS REPORT
Submitted by Jessica Maxson, Vestry Liaison
Music and Arts continue to flourish and grow at a great rate at St. Francis. Over the past year, we have strengthened our relationships with several arts partners, to include Amadeus, Paragon Philharmonia, Words&Music, and Dark Horse Theatre, all of whom held performances at St. Francis: concerts, plays, and improv theatre, to great acclaim. More performances by these groups are scheduled for the spring. Another highlight was a wildly successful Messiah sing, led by Larry Vote and supported by Paragon Strings and our own St. Francis Choir. We added another arts partner in Great Falls Studios, hosting artist Elizabeth Bertholon and her work as a stop on the annual fall Studios Tour. Also on the visual arts side, Varvara Agabekova displayed her paintings in Millen Hall in conjunction with Words&Music's spring concert.
Looking ahead to the coming year, we hope to strengthen our collaboration with Great Falls Studios in particular, in addition to continuing to work with our current arts partners. Several events are in the works: a salon-type regular gathering for musicians to perform for each other and to offer critique and discussion; an expanded offer to host multiple GF artists during the studio tour weekend; and some possible hands-on arts opportunities. All of these offerings serve to build community, welcome people both within and without the parish, and make space for personal and sacred expression.
COMMUNICATIONS REPORT
Submitted by Elizabeth Kim, Vestry Liaison
St. Francis Episcopal Church continued to use multiple communication channels in 2025 to share the Good News, provide timely information, and encourage participation and support within our parish community.
The online worship streaming team supported online worship by managing live broadcasts of the 10:00 a.m. service via Zoom and Facebook, transitioning to YouTube in October 2025 with the launch of the new parish website. Led by Jeff Pan, with Brice Eldridge, Tamber Ray, and Elizabeth Kim, the team ensured reliable sound and video for both in-person and online participants. Following a technical issue in late October, Brice worked tirelessly to identify and resolve the problem, successfully restoring service using a new laptop generously donated by Lynda Davis.
Stephen Schrock supported parish outreach through regular Instagram and Facebook postings. Annette Bellino extended communications into the wider community through Nextdoor, Patch, and outreach to local schools. Leslie Siegmund actively managed the outdoor church banner, helping to welcome and inform the surrounding community.
Through connections made by Rev. Weston Mathews with our diocese, St. Francis partnered with Beloved Media in June 2025 to design, develop, and launch a new parish website on October 1, 2025. The project team included Nathan Ambler, Leslie Siegmund, and Elizabeth Kim, with Lynn Fallon also participating to learn and manage the new platform. The website houses the weekly service bulletin, distributes the weekly email newsletter, integrates a Google calendar for church events, and features updated content and a new welcome video—strengthening our digital presence and first impression for visitors.
Through the faithful service of volunteers, communications remained consistent, effective, and essential to parish life in 2025.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 18
MISSION and MISSION PARTNERSHIPS REPORT
Submitted by Chris Giragosian, Vestry Liaison
[See reports for Creche Preschool, p. 18; Scouting, p. 21; and Outreach, p. 21]
CRECHE PRESCHOOL REPORT
Submitted by Cristi S. Leslie, Director
St Francis Creche Preschool began January 2025 with an enrollment of 57 students. From January through May, we operated with 10 classroom teachers and 5 classes. Beginning in the fall of 2025, the school year started with an enrollment of 57 students. We operated with a staff of 13 classroom teachers and 4 Extended Care teachers. Throughout 2025, the Creche continued to reach out to the community and work collaboratively with St. Francis Church in an effort to grow both the school and the church and maintain the strength of our Christian education ministry.
Extended Care Program
Our Extended Care program was extremely successful in meeting the needs of our Creche families this year. We increased our enrollment for Extended Care from 18 families to 22 families. Our average daily attendance was 20-22 students with 2-4 Drop-ins.
Enrichment Program
The Creche offered two 8-week Enrichment Sessions in the Spring of 2025 and the Fall of 2025. We offered “Kids in the Kitchen” Cooking, YOGA, STEM Science, Preschool Art, Acrobatics, Spanish Fitness and Sports Class. 21-24 Students participated in one or more of the classes.
5-Day Option
The Creche offered the 5-day option again this year. 39 out of 57 students enrolled in the 5-day program.
Spring 2025 Events
Mother’s and Grandmother’s Tea Scholastic Book Fair
Outdoor Petting Zoo Spring Singing Performance
Graduation – 18 Students
End of Year Family Celebration
Summer Camps serving the community
“Camp Creche” - June 2-20 (32-36 Students per week)
STEM Camp – June 23-27 (25 Students)
Fall 2025
We began Fall 2025 with an enrollment of 57 Students, 5 classes, 14 teachers and 4 Extended Care teachers. Over 50% of the students were enrolled in the 5-day programs.
Fall Events
Playground “Meet and Greets” Great Falls Spooktacular
Orientation St. Francis Market/Rummage Sale
Back to School Night Family Photo Fundraiser
Parent Coffee sponsored by IWC Halloween Parade
Fire Truck Visit Fall Singing Performances
Donuts with Dad Scholastic Book Fair
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 19
Indoor Petting Zoo Santa Ride
Breakfast With Santa Great Falls Celebration of Lights
Creche Sunday
We begin 2026 with an enrollment of 57 students. The success of the Creche Preschool is due to the dedicated and talented teachers, supportive families and the partnership with St. Francis Church
The Creche is governed by a Board of Directors, Weston Mathews, Brice Eldridge, Simon Smith, Steve Riihimaki, Mary Bockenek, and Cristi Leslie
MUSIC MINISTRY REPORT
Submitted by Larry Vote, Director of Music
The St. Francis Music Ministry continues to enrich and widen its offerings on behalf of the Parish mission. With the leadership of Priest-in -Charge, Weston Mathews, the presence of music and allied arts have taken an ever present and growing place in the life of the community. I will discuss two core areas of activity, namely our liturgical offerings presented throughout the year, and those extra -liturgical presentations to the local community
With regard to the musical offerings to support and embellish our worship, we continue to provide music throughout the year with the bulk of our offerings happening from September through May. Our program year includes the presence of the Choir, Music Director, Organist, and harpsichordist at the 10 am service. Call to Worship selections, Offertory anthems, Communion music, hymns, preludes and postludes are planned and executed each week. This happens with those involved preparing in separate rehearsals and at the weekly Thursday evening rehearsals of the Choir. Special offerings this year included expanded musical offerings on Christmas Eve with brass ensemble, music of Faure and Rutter on the Feast of All Saints, a special liturgy to show appreciation to the Choir that included the Mass in G by Schubert in June, Brass ensemble for Easter and joining the St. John McLean Choir for a special Good Friday Tenebrae service. The addition of the 2nd Sunday Contemplative Service continued with music provided and led by Jamie Kim, Jeanne Vote and Sasha Beresovsky, keyboardists, and vocalists, Amie Shakespeare, Byron Smith, Hanna Harris, and Larry Vote vocalists. We will continue to develop this service as an alternative to our traditional morning services with music that speaks to the contemplative spirit that many find fulfilling.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals who have contributed to our special music fund we were able to enhance our services at Christmas and Easter, and to present three special programs to the parish and broader community. The first was a concert featuring Sasha Beresovsky in a performance of Franz Lizt's Stations of the Cross for piano and Choir. The second was an evening of art song featuring Mezzo Soprano, Olivia Vote, and pianist, Sasha Beresovsky, and finally a very successful community Messiah Sing Along with the Paragon Strings that filled the Church with singers and listeners during the Advent season.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 20
Other concerts were presented by the Paragon Philharmonia, Amadeus, and The Difficult Run Jazz Band, adding to the wealth of musical activity at St. Francis.
We are grateful for the support and appreciation of our efforts to provide a spiritually uplifting program of music to the Parish and look forward to continuing our efforts in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Vote
Director of Music
Professor Emeritus of Music
St. Mary's College of Maryland
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Submitted by Joe Hawke, Committee Chair
Submitted by Joe Hawke (up for election in 2026)
Additional Active and Ex-Officio Committee Members include:
Ginger Gotliffe (completes 2nd full term 2026)
Bill Lane (new term – up for election)
Weston Mathews, Priest-in-Charge (Ex-Officio)
Molly Reynolds, Treasurer (Ex-Officio)
===========================
Completed Terms:
Rick Entsminger
Tom Wood (prior Chair)
Brian Ichord (relocated to PA)
We thank all of the members who have completed their terms, as well as all of those who continue to serve, whether in a Vestry-appointed, Parish-elected, or Ex-Officio capacity.
2025 Report:
The St. Francis Endowment Fund (STEF) began the year with a value of $217,278.28 (12/31/2024 ending balance). We are pleased to report that, by God’s Grace, the value generally increased during 2025. While we do not yet have the 12/31/2025 reports from Trustee of the Funds (TOTF), which aids in the administration of funds invested with the Virginia Episcopal Investment Funds (VEIF), the value as of 11/30/2025 had grown to $253,447.96, representing YTD appreciation of $36,159.52, and a rate of return for eleven months of 16.65% (annualized 18.16%).
The STEF is invested in a balanced fund. While the Endowment Committee engaged in robust discussion about possible diversification of the STEF into more equity-focused fund options, the decision taken was to stay the course for the time being. The Endowment Committee has also contemplated renewing communication around planned giving to the STEF. This agenda item will be central to the next Endowment Committee meeting, and we anticipate further communication to the parish regarding this opportunity for interested parties during 2026.
As a committee, we welcome engagement with parishioners who have an interest in this Committee and its work. Please feel free to approach any of the Active/Ad Hoc Committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and for taking the time to review this information.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 21
INVITE*WELCOME*CONNECT (IWC) COMMITTEE REPORT
Submitted by Jennifer Murphy, IWC Committee chair
Jennifer Murphy took over the chair’s position from Leslie Siegmund in July 2025. Committee members are Kathy Anderson, Rick Larson, Marilee Ransom, Ginger Roll, Pam Tuma, Pepin Tuma, and Kris Young.
The committee's focus is on identifying people who are new in the congregation, welcoming them, inviting them to return, and connecting them to the parish as new Franciscans. In addition to welcoming newcomers on Sundays, committee members regularly contact newcomers, asking them to coffee and encouraging them to join parish life. Other regular IWC activities include outreach to Creche families at a Creche parent's welcome coffee in September, a newcomer/parish brunch at Easter and in September, and a Creche teacher brunch at the beginning of the new school year. The IWC also creates postcards that highlight up-coming events and sends them to Franciscans, newcomers, and "New Neighbors" using addresses identified by a local realtor as new home buys in the Great Falls area.
In the 2025 year the IWC collected information from more than 44 new family and individual visitors to St. Francis. Of these, over half have returned many times and are actively joining in as new Franciscans
SCOUTING REPORT To be submitted
OUTREACH-EZO COMMITTEE REPORT
Submitted by Jack Mathias, Committee Chair
The St. Francis Outreach/Ezo Committee had a very busy 2025, continuing many activities from previous years while launching several new projects. We benefited from an increased budget, approved by the Vestry, which allowed for additional financial donations and spending on parishioner-led activities.
Major Outreach Achievements
FACETS Hypothermia Shelter over the week of Christmas – a first for St. Francis. We provided breakfast, lunch, dinner, hospitality, and a warm place to sleep for 40 unhoused guests each night. The Reverend Mathews, Deacon Nancy Searby, Jessica Maxson, Scott Perkins, and Chris Giragosian led this effort, supported by dozens of parishioners, other churches, synagogues, and community partners.
Two Rise Against Hunger events, where parishioners and community volunteers packed 40,000 meals for overseas communities affected by poverty and natural disasters. Brice Eldridge deserves our thanks and praise for organizing both events.
Our annual Chili Cook-Off (including a free-will offering to benefit the FACETS Hypothermia shelter). This year’s winners: Pat and Paul Ward (organizers: Leslie Siegmund and Jack Mathias).
Knitting and delivery of hats and other warm clothing to the Pine Ridge Episcopal Mission in South Dakota (led by Mimi Eldridge),
Twice packing meals for the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter (organized by Ginger Roll).
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 22
Sunday dinners for the Second Story Teens in Crisis center in Vienna (led by Jennifer Murphy with support from many others).
Breakfast with Santa (in conjunction with the Creche) for community children, including the collection of toys for Second Story (organized by Leslie Siegmund with help from many Church and Creche volunteers).
The annual Christmas Party for Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, providing food, beverages, and gift cards to dozens of SMGW program participants (coordinated by Ginger Roll).
A Back-to-School Drive (collecting school supplies) and a Thanksgiving Food Drive, both benefitting Second Story (both coordinated by Ginger Roll).
An Angel Tree for Artemis House, supporting 13 families with gifts at Christmas (lead by Melanie Sisson and Elaine Warburton).
Financial donations to SHARE of McLean, Cornerstones (Reston), Church of the Holy Family (Hurricane Relief/North Carolina), Episcopal Relief and Development (Fire Relief/Los Angeles), Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Five Talents, and the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of the Sudans (AFRECS).
News from the Diocese of Ezo, South Sudan
The Diocese of Ezo and Bishop Isaac enjoyed a year of relative peace. We communicate regularly with Bishop Isaac, with emails and WhatsApp messages several times each month. St. Francis prayed for Ezo each week, as the people of Ezo prayed for us. We celebrated Ezo Sunday in March.
Financial Donations. Thanks to the generosity of many Franciscans, we were able to send money to Bishop Isaac to help meet the urgent needs of internally displaced people fleeing to Ezo to escape violence and flooding in their home communities. We also donated funds to support Bishop Isaac’s peace-building efforts.
The Sherborne Deanery. We also began a dialogue with Andrew Tomkins, in Sherborne, UK. Andrew leads efforts in the Sherborne Deanery to support the Diocese of Ezo. We regularly share information with Andrew about our activities and news from Bishop Isaac. Taking time away from a personal vacation to the UK, Deacon Nancy spent time with the Tomkins family and others in Sherborne to build our relationship.
St. Paul’s High School. There is no functioning high school to serve the 100,000 people who live in Ezo. The creation of a school is one of Bishop Isaac’s top priorities. We’ve created a GoFundMe page to help raise the $36,000 that Bishop Isaac needs to buy special materials (steel, doors, windows) so that community volunteers can complete construction. To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/build-a-high-school-in-south-sudan.
Meeting Bishop Isaac and Mama Nora. Due to U.S. restrictions on travel from South Sudan, Bishop Isaac and Mama Nora cannot visit us here in Great Falls. As a back-up, however, we are planning to meet Isaac and Nora in Sherborne, UK around March 1 – hosted by Andrew Tomkins. We’ve worked with Andrew to develop a tentative plan for our visit. Isaac and Nora have applied for
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 23
visas to visit the UK and expect to get a decision any day. Several parishioners (paying their own way) will join Father Weston and Deacon Nancy for this trip.
Help Wanted: Love Your Neighbor!
The Outreach/Ezo Committee accomplishes great things each year – but we need help to do even more! We’d love to see more participants and ideas!
If you are interested in helping others through St. Francis, please contact Jack Mathias (571 474 6268; jackmathi@aol.com). You can also check the Sunday announcements and the Thursday email for information about our next Outreach meeting and join us.
MONDAY EVENING CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP REPORT Submitted by Kathy Anderson
Contemplative prayer is an ancient Christian tradition, and those of us who practice it, however imperfectly, feel blessed to have discovered this way to a deeper relationship with God. Our St. Francis Contemplative Prayer Group meets Monday nights on zoom at 7:30 for around 45 minutes. We have been meeting for 12 years and welcome the opportunity to guide new people in the contemplative tradition. The link to our meetings can be found on the church website. In the dropdown menu under “Get Involved,” click on “Adult Formation” to find the link. In addition to our regular meetings in 2026, we hope to offer some special sessions for newcomers to contemplative prayer.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MEN’S GROUP REPORT
To be submitted
THURSDAY AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY REPORT
Submitted by Amelia Logan
The Thursday Bible Study group met weekly via Zoom throughout 2025, with attendance reaching up to eight participants. During the year, the group completed two studies from the Kerygma Program.
1. Blessed Are You: The Beatitudes of Jesus in Scripture and in Life by John C. Purdy (6 chapters) This study examined the Old Testament roots and biblical context of the Beatitudes while exploring their relevance for contemporary Christian life. Participants gained fresh understanding and meaningful insights to enrich their faith.
Topics included:
•
The Poor in Spirit
•
The Mourners and the Meek
•
The Merciful
•
The Pure in Heart
•
The Peacemakers
•
The Prophets of Righteousness
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 24
2. Lord, Teach Us to Pray by John C. Purdy (6 chapters) The Lord’s Prayer is one of the greatest treasures of the Christian faith. This study explored its key phrases and their role in deepening spirituality and encouraging spiritual growth.
Topics included:
•
Keeping Our Distance: How close can we come to a holy God?
•
Crossing to the Future: What is the Kingdom, and what is the Kingdom yet to come?
•
Willing Obedience: How can we glorify God in our daily lives?
•
Feeding Ourselves: What place does self-sufficiency have in Christian life?
•
Writing It Off: What does the reality of forgiveness say about our treatment of others?
•
Crying for Help: How does a Christian respond to the enormity of evil in the world?
The Bible study is structured to encourage thoughtful engagement with Scripture through open, spontaneous discussion. Participants are welcome to join the sessions even if they have not had time to prepare in advance.
The group uses a Resource Book for each study. At the beginning of every chapter, the following elements are provided:
1.
Summary: The central focus of the chapter
2.
Basic Bible References: Scriptural texts forming the foundation of the discussion
3.
Word List: Key terms and phrases drawn from the biblical texts
Each chapter concludes with sections for Further Study and Reflection. The reflection questions invite participants to explore the themes more deeply and consider their application to personal faith and the world today.
At present, the group is completing the final two chapters of Lord, Teach Us to Pray.
2025 WINTER GALA REPORT
Submitted by Jennifer Murphy
Black Tie Dinner Gala
Co-Chairs: Kathy Ditmore & Jennifer Murphy
On March 1 of 2025, Franciscans once again enjoyed a wildly successful comeback of the "Gala" of old, enjoying fine dining and fellowship while raising money for the parish, the Diocese of Ezo and hurricane relief in North Carolina. Through the live and silent auctions along with sponsorships, we were able to raise $17,222 for our two charities, and $11,868 for St, Francis operations. Our fabulous teens were once again recruited to serve and were able to contribute to the youth ministry fund with the many generous tips received for their excellent service.
2026 St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Meeting and 2025 Annual Report 25
2025 FALL MARKETPLACE REPORT
Submitted by Carmela Condro and Kathy Anderson
The Marketplace committee reviewed our event and agreed we would like to offer another Marketplace in 2026 in a different form and at a different time in conjunction with St. Francis Family Ministries, the Creche School and of course parishioners. We could involve the Creche parents and children with games and selling used toys. We would have a smaller rummage area because it is difficult to find a place for the amount of leftover items we collect, possibly an upgraded boutique.
We want to continue to have the opportunity for the congregation to enjoy working together for a common goal and interact with each other. We could expand the number of vendors, expand the silent auction, continue the bake sale, used book sale with children's books, craft sale, garden center, lunch and ice cream sales.
The attendance was less than last year, however we made over $8500 with some areas earning more than last year. We had less vendors and less sponsorships this past year. Left over items in crafts, baked items and silent auction were sold Sunday after the event.
Carmela Condro and Kathy Anderson
FACETS HYPOTHERMIA SHELTER AT ST. FRANCIS REPORT Submitted by Jessica Maxson
2025 culminated in a new, pilot test outreach effort: St. Francis hosted a week-long hypothermia shelter over Advent/Christmas week for 40 of our unhoused neighbors, in conjunction with FACETS. Despite having little prior experience with the hypothermia program, our week of hosting was a great success. The shelter week began on December 21 at 5pm and concluded at 8am on December 28. We hosted and fed 40 adults, approximately 10-12 of whom were women. Guests stayed overnight each night and all day on Christmas. Thanks to the efforts of many, we were able to build a coalition of 11 other faith congregations, three local restaurants, and three civic/faith organizations to support the shelter. Many, many Franciscans came together to contribute hours of volunteer service, supplies, and monetary donations. The financial report is still being finalized; we hope to be able to retain some proceeds as seed money for 2026 and/or donate to FACETS, but those decisions will hinge on the final report.
Although the week was as successful as could possibly be expected for our first time, the shelter committee has identified areas which can be improved upon throughout the planning process in the future. We will begin planning earlier in the year, refine our supply and inventory process, and improve communications with the parish. We would like to add new members to the committee as well. Now that we have one hosting week behind us, the next one will be even better.
Franciscans should be proud of the way we welcomed our neighbors. Not only did we provide the very basic necessities, but we also sat with our guests, talked with them and listened to their stories. We made them feel heard, seen, and valued. We took care of them as Jesus told us to care for the hungry, the thirsty, the unhoused. We made room at the inn for them. We provided such hospitality that three guests walked, in the dark on Christmas Eve, down Towlston Road to Georgetown Pike to stay over with us, rather than be assigned to a different shelter that night. Thank you, everyone, for being a light in the dark to those who need it the most.
"The mission of St. Francis Church is to follow Jesus Christ, to provide a spiritual home for worship and Christian growth, to encourage love and fellowship within the parish family, to promote harmony with God's creation in the spirit of St. Francis, and to serve the needs of the greater community."
St. Francis Episcopal Church
9220 Georgetown Pike Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Office Telephone: (703) 759-2082 x101
Website: www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org
Pastoral Emergency: (703) 759-2082 x102
St. Francis Crèche Preschool Telephone: (703) 759-2082 x105
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
SUNDAYS
8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45 am Fellowship in Parish Hall
9:15 am Choir practice
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II—with Choir
11:15 am Fellowship in Parish Hall
5:00 pm Second Sunday Contemplative Service
CLERGY AND STAFF
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Priest-in-Charge-
The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Associate for Family Ministry
The Rev. Linda Calkins, Assisting Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
Ms. Lynn Fallon, Parish Administrator
Mr. Larry Vote, Music Director
Mr. Sasha Beresovsky, Organist
Ms. Cristi Leslie, Crèche Preschool Director
Ms. Wendy Filler, Bookkeeper
Mr. Dominic Pelegrin, Sexton
Ms. Rita Arteaga, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Julieta Bonafe, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Sandra Loucks, Virginia Theological Seminary, Seminarian
2025 VESTRY MEMBERS
Lynda Davis, Senior Warden
Pepin Tuma, Junior Warden, Formation
Cathryn Lee, Register, Fellowship
Molly Reynolds, serving Treasurer
Kathy Anderson, Worship & Spiritual Care
Chris Giragosian, Mission & Partnerships
Elizabeth Kim, Evangelism & Comms
Jessica Maxson, SF Music & Arts
Larry Pratt, Stewardship & Fundraising
Steve Riihimaki, Family Ministry & Crèche Board
plus Brice Eldridge, Facilities Manager, Crèche Board Chair, Rise Against Hunger Chair