October 30, 2025 Newsletter
All Saints’ Sunday with Holy Baptism and Healing Prayer
November 2, 2025
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I with Renewal of Baptismal Vows
and Healing Prayer
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite II with Holy Baptism
and Healing Prayer
with the St. Francis Choir
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
The 10:00 a.m. Service is also Livestreamed on YouTube.
View this Sunday's 10:00 a.m. Worship Bulletin
11:30 a.m. Forum in Millen Hall: "Loving God Through Honoring the Living and the Dead: A Forum for All Saints"
with the Rev. Weston Mathews and Junior Warden Pepin Tuma.
All are welcome.
The Liturgy of the Word
The First Reading | Daniel 7:1-3,15-18
The Response | Psalm 149
The Second Reading | Ephesians 1:11-23
The Gospel Reading | Luke 6:20-31
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for the Wiley-Jimenez Family, the Wood Family, Cindy, Alessandro, Carl, Debra, Anne, Rachel, Travis, Pete, Susan, Pepin, Barbara & Bill, Jennifer, Helen, Dan, Park, Ken, Andy, Nick & Gina, Randy, Jeff Sr., Jessica,
Clara Sue, and Dut.
We give thanks for the Altar Flowers, given to the glory of God by Matt, Amber, & Will Robinson in celebration of Parker Robinson’s baptism.
We pray also for Franciscans who are preparing for Holy Baptism, including
Parker Robinson, son of Amber & Matt Robinson;
Grace Czekaj, daughter of Katie Cjekaj;
Jaclyn Chappell, daughter of Alexandra & Scott Chappell;
Judy Fitzgerald and Brice Fitzgerald, children of Kristin Weston.
Sunday, November 2nd
Baptism for Parker Noah Robinson
at the 10:00 a.m. service
All are welcome to attend and celebrate.
This Sunday, November 2nd at 11:30 am:
"Loving God Through Honoring the Living and the Dead:
A Forum for All Saints"
with the Rev. Weston Mathews and Junior Warden Pepin Tuma
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews began serving as Priest-in-Charge of St. Francis in September of 2024.
Read more about the Rev. E. Weston Mathews here.
Pepin Tuma, J.D.
Pepin Tuma serves as the Junior Warden and is a lifelong Franciscan. Read more about Pepin Tuma here.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
In thanksgiving for our many blessings, we are holding our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for the many needy families served by Second Story (a local organization dedicated to youth and families)
There are three ways to help:
1. Send or bring a $65 check made out to St. Francis Church for a Thanksgiving “basket” of food. Please write “Food Drive“ on your check.
2. Use PayPal-Donate Now on the church website to donate $65. Select Outreach from the optional drop-down list and put “Food Drive” in the memo field.
3. Assemble a food “basket” of all of the items on the list below. Please put the grocery gift card in an envelope marked “Food Drive” and put it in the offering plate or send it to the church office. Food “baskets” should be put in a bin in the hall outside Millen Hall. Questions? Contact Ginger Roll rollginger@icloud.com
Drive ends Sunday, November 2nd
Food List to Feed 6 People (="basket")
o Safeway, Giant, or Aldi grocery gift card for $30 (for meat and milk)
o Macaroni and cheese
o Cooking oil
o 4 cans of vegetables (2 types)
o Dried black beans
o Rice
o Maseca (or other brand) masa flour
o 2 cans of fruit
o Box of dessert mix
Growing
Stronger Together
Pledging for 2026
treasurer@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
We are very thankful to these parishioners who have turned in their pledge:
Sunday School Continues Every Sunday
10:00 - 10:30 am
Ages 3 - 10
Join us every Sunday during the 10:00 a.m. service for Sunday School!
Children are invited to gather for stories, prayer, and activities that help them grow in faith and friendship. Children will return to worship during the sharing of the Peace.
Classes meet in the Red classroom upstairs next to the Nursery.
For more information or to volunteer, please email Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org.
Sunday School Teacher this Sunday: Nancy Burkley
Family Ministry Open House
Mark your calendars! Family Ministry will host an Open House on Saturday, November 8, at 4:30 pm, in Millen Hall. All members and their families are invited for a conversation on our Family Ministry programs and discover ways to get involved.
More details will be shared soon — we look forward to seeing you there!
Youth Group Gathering
All teens are invited to our next Youth Group meeting on Saturday, November 15, at 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Room downstairs, across from Rev. Weston’s office.
Join us for food, fellowship, and faith-filled conversation as we grow together in Christ and plan activities for the coming months. Bring a friend — everyone is welcome!
For more information, or to RSVP (required), please email Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org.
Crèche Sunday, November 9th at the 10:00 a.m. service
Join us for another joyful celebration of Crèche Sunday on November 9, as we celebrate the youngest among us! The children of our St. Francis Crèche will lift their voices in song, reminding us of Jesus’ words: “Let the little children come to me," during the “Call to Worship” at our 10:00 am service.
Crèche Sunday will highlight the gifts and faith of our children through music — a wonderful opportunity for our church family to encourage, support, and celebrate them as they grow in faith and love.
Come ready to smile, sing along, and be inspired by the simple and beautiful faith of our children. Everyone is invited—bring your family and friends for this heartwarming Sunday!
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Series
Sunday, November 9th, 5 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
Celebrant: The Rev. Linda Calkins
Keyboard: Jamie Kim
Cantors: Hannah Harris and Byron Smith
Through candlelit prayer, contemplative silence, poetry, beautiful music, and Holy Communion from the Iona Celtic tradition, this service is different from what we offer on Sunday morning. A brief reflection on spiritual journey will also be offered by a member of St. Francis.
This worship series will be held on the second Sunday night of each month (except for August.) If you are looking for a new or different way to worship and a space to find your sacred center in the midst of a busy, distracted life, this may be the service for you.
Outstanding Partner Award for St. Francis
An Outstanding Partner Award from Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington for”remarkable contributions and steadfast commitment to SMGW” will be given to St. Francis Church, and accepted on behalf by the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Scott Perkins and Ginger Roll on Saturday, November 8th, 2025 at the Samaritan Ministry of Great Washington Gala. For over two decades, St. Francis remains a proud partner of SMGW.
To learn more about SMGW visit their website here. To get involved with SMGW and St. Francis, please contact Ginger Roll at rollginger@icloud.com
The Deacon's Corner with
Deacon Nancy Searby
Sharing the Good News of God's Love at the intersection of community and church
On All Saints’ Sunday…
We welcome representatives from St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Leesburg to present the following event and to share in our common Christian bonds. Some of you may remember members of St. Gabriel’s being here for this same reason last fall. St. Gabriel’s is led by Father Daniel Velez-Rivera.
Vote Faithfully
On November 4, Virginians will elect a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 members of the House of Delegates. Some jurisdictions will also vote for local officials and issues.
Early voting began Friday, September 19. Visit Fairfax County’s website for information on locations and hours and other election information.
Chili Cook-Off Winners!
About 50 hungry people gathered for the St. Francis Chili Cook-Off on October 26 to taste and vote on their favorite chili. The winners were Pat and Paul Ward with their Maine Chili, a.k.a. “Moose Drool” Chili!
Many thanks to everyone who came, brought food, made a donation, and enjoyed the fellowship. The winners received a trophy, and more than $400 was collected for the St. Francis Hypothermia Shelter.
Bishop Isaac Sends Heartfelt Thanks
Bishop Isaac of Ezo, South Sudan, recently alerted St. Francis to the humanitarian crisis affecting Ezo as hundreds of refugees stream into the area from Tambura, fleeing violence. These internally displaced persons (IDPs) are arriving in Ezo with nothing beyond what they can carry. Ezo, while relatively peaceful, has very little to offer, but the church there has been sharing what it can. St. Francis has been able to send money to help with this crisis. Bishop Isaac recently sent this message of thanks to St. Francis:
We appreciate your prayers for the IDPs and for the medicines to reach them quickly. Above all, we deeply appreciate your timely assistance. Please know that the support is not just an assistance but a life-saving provision. It is saving many lives and giving hope. It is also helping the people to know Christ as the essential donation is a gift through the friendship in Christ.
May God bless you and the work of your hand.
To read more about IDPs arriving in Ezo and to view a video of refugees receiving supplies from the church, visit this link:
https://www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org/ezo/pgjpansasppbbe6p6ui7rngy88di3g
Music Notes from Director of Music, Larry Vote
With the program year in full swing, we have seen the return of the Choir to the 10 am service, the resumption of the Contemplative service with guest violinist Pam Lassell, and a beautiful evening of song given by Olivia Vote and Sasha Beresovsky. In November, we will host programs by Amadeus and the Paragon Orchestra and special music for the celebration of the Feast of All Saints on November 2. I also draw your attention to the Community Messiah Sing on Saturday, December 13, at 5 pm. The announcement and details are given below.
St. Francis Episcopal Church Community Messiah Sing
If you are a lover of G.F. Handel’s Messiah, as a listener or singer, plan to come to the Community Messiah Sing at St. Francis on Saturday, December 13, at 5 pm. At that time Larry Vote, Director of Music, will lead the St. Francis Choir, soloists, players from the Paragon Philharmonic, organist, Sasha Beresovsky and members of the community in Part One, the Christmas Portion, of Handel’s immortal work. Bring your own score or purchase a score at the event itself. Bring a friend to join in mounting a large chorus in the grand style of Messiah readings taking place concurrently around the world. The Messiah Sing is free and open to the public. However, free will donations will be gladly accepted to help defray the cost of this event.
Finally, we look forward to beautiful Advent music and Christmas Eve services that will feature carol singing, and service music with the St. Francis Choir, organ and festal brass.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Amadeus Concerts Inc., Presents
Max Jacobs Quartet
NOV 2nd 4:00 p.m. at St. Francis
Concerts & Events
Amadeus Concerts offers accessible venues and warm hospitality. Our regular season concerts are on select Sundays at 4pm at a variety of venues around Great Falls and McLean, VA. These events always have a 30-minute pre-concert talk at 3:15pm, led by our Executive and Artistic Director, and are followed by a post-concert reception with the artists.
Our 2025-2026 Season is now live! Head on over to our ticket page to purchase your season pass or individual tickets. Our Season Brochure for 2025-2026 can be viewed here.
In the Millen Hall Theatre Space at St. Francis
NOV 14, 15 @ 7:30pm
NOV 21, 22, @ 7:30 pm
NOV 28, 29 @ 7:30 pm
About the event
Winner of the 2009 Tony-award for best play.
What begins as a polite meeting between two sets of parents, convened to resolve a playground scuffle between their children, quickly spirals into an evening of accusations, shifting alliances, and brutal honesty. In Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, civility is tested as social masks slip, and the refined surface of adulthood cracks to reveal something far more primal.
With biting wit and razor-sharp dialogue, Reza exposes the fragility of manners, the absurdity of self-importance, and the wild chaos lurking just beneath the rules of polite society. Hilarious, unsettling, and uncomfortably relatable, God of Carnage is a comedy of manners without the manners—where the real playground may not belong to the children at all.
Featuring Tim Byer, Nate Eagle, Samantha Mitchell, Arianne' Warner
Directed by Natasha Parnian
Stage Managed by Katelyn Burton
________________
Doors open 30 min before performance.
PLEASE NOTE: Online ticket sales close 30 min before the show. After that point, tickets can be purchased at the door, while supplies last. This show is recommended for ages 16 and up. A limited number of student tickets (10 per performance) are available online and at the door-first come, first served.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds. Rainchecks and exchanges are considered on a case by case basis.
God of Carnage is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
ONGOING WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AT ST. FRANCIS
Morning Prayer offered MON-FRI, at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom
All are invited to immerse themselves in this supportive offering from St. Francis Church where we regularly pray for one another and our mission in the world.
Click here to connect to Morning Prayer via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 968 1679 4908; Passcode: church
Contemplative Prayer: Mondays at 7:30-8:30 p.m.
We hope you can join us via Zoom videoconference.
For more information and any questions, please contact the coordinator for the program: Kathy Anderson, 703-476-9065 or kquinnanderson@gmail.com.
Click here to connect to Contemplative Prayer via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 998 1159 6134; Passcode: church
Men’s Group: Wednesdays 8:35 a.m.
Reading and Discussing the Book of Hebrews
All are welcome. Questions? Contact Stu Edwards elchivogoat@cs.com
Click here to connect to the Men's Group via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 922 8116 0056; Passcode: church
St. Francis Social Hour meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for casual conversation. Grab your favorite beverage and let's reconnect!
Click here to connect to the St. Francis Social Hour.
Zoom ID: 935 2210 0835; Passcode: church
Thursday Afternoon Bible Study at NEW TIME of 3:00 p.m.
Meetings take place via Zoom on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join and participate in interesting discussions.
This fall, we will be studying 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.
The resource book is available here:
https://kerygma.com/products/lord-teach?_pos=2&_sid=013c64283&_ss=r
For further information contact Amelia Logan at ameliavinteriors@gmail.com
Click here to connect to the Thursday Afternoon Bible Study.
Zoom ID: 836 1505 5434; Passcode: TABS24
Women's Group Coffee on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to NOON at Starbucks in Great Falls
The St. Francis Women's Group has an open invitation to meet at the Starbucks in Great Falls every Friday morning. Please join us.
Second Story Dinners: Sundays at 5:15 p.m.
Needed: Volunteers to prepare and deliver Sunday dinners to the Second Story Teen Crisis Center on Gallows Road. Volunteers work solo or in pairs, according to their wishes.
Dinners are made on the first, third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of the month. The count for a meal typically ranges from five to eight persons. It has been as many as twelve. Volunteers receive reminders when their Sundays are coming up.
Please contact Jennifer Murphy at jenniferomurphy@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer for this ministry or if you have any questions.
Do you have a news item you would like to share through the Weekly Franciscan? Or do you have a photo from life at St. Francis you would like to submit? We welcome and rely on your participation.
admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
Clergy and Staff
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Priest-in-Charge
The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Associate for Family Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
Ms. Lynn Fallon, Parish Administrator
Mr. Larry Vote, Music Director
Mr. Sasha Beresovsky, Organist
Ms. Cristi Leslie, Creche Preschool Director
Ms. Carol Withers, Bookkeeper
Mr. Dominic Pelegrin, Sexton
Ms. Rita Arteaga, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Sandra Loucks, VTS Seminarian
2025 Vestry Members
Lynda Davis, Senior Warden
Pepin Tuma, Junior Warden, Christian Formation
Cathryn Lee, Register, Christian Fellowship
Molly Reynolds, Treasurer
Kathy Anderson, Worship & Spiritual Care
Chris Giragosian, Mission & Mission Partnerships
Elizabeth Kim, Evangelism & Communications
Jessica Maxson, St. Francis Music & Arts
Larry Pratt, Stewardship & Fundraising
Steve Riihimaki, Family Ministry & Creche Board
Brice Eldridge, Facilities Manager, Creche Board Chair, Rise Against Hunger Chair
facilities@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
