January 15, 2026 Newsletter
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, The Feast of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Observed)
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I & Healing Prayer
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Celebrant & Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite II & Healing Prayer
with the St. Francis Choir
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Celebrant & Preacher
Ms. Sandra Loucks, VTS Seminarian
The 10:00 am Service is also Livestreamed on YouTube.
The Liturgy of the Word
The First Reading | Exodus 3:7–12
The Response | Psalm 77:11–20
The Second Reading | Ephesians 6:10-20
The Gospel Reading | Luke 6:27–36
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Catherine, Lois, Whitney, Wales, Carrington, Rob, Mahan and Mozhan Motahari, Leon, James, Jon, Katie, Jackie, Lee, Luke, Cindy, Alessandro, Carl, Debra, Pepin, Barbara & Bill, Jennifer, Helen, Park, Jeff Sr., Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
We pray also for Franciscans who are preparing for Holy Baptism, including
Grace Czekaj, daughter of Katie Cjekaj.
We pray also for Francsicans preparing for Holy Matrimony
including Liv Sisson and Duncan Wood.
Please note that the Rev. Weston Mathews will be away from SAT-17-JAN through SAT-24-JAN, returning to celebrate the services on SUN-25-JAN.
During this time the Rev. Joy Warburton will be clergy to call in case of a pastoral emergency at 703.459.8300.
Please join us at this year’s Gala!
February 7, 2026 at 6pm
in Millen Hall
Black-tie Optional Gala Dinner
Featuring Live and Silent Auctions
Tickets are on sale now
To register and pay online, please
either
CLICK ON THIS LINK
or
SCAN THIS QR CODE:
If you would rather register using the paper form, please go the the west side of the Narthex, under the clock, to get a Gala Registration form to complete, then return it to the large Gala envelope with your check made payable to St. Francis. Please write “Gala Ticket” in the memo line. We have provided envelopes for you to insert your form and check. Thank you!
Gala proceeds will benefit South Sudan ministries, Creche Scholarships, and the St. Francis operating budget.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE GALA!
"As it is in giving that we receive”
– St. Francis of Assisi
Are you interested in supporting the Gala?
For Donations, Advertising, Volunteering
Please contact us at: Gala@StFrancisGreatFalls.org:
- Maybe you have donated in the past? Please reach out to donate again!
- Make it your first! Donate an auction item, experience, or service.
- Advertise your business in the auction brochure to offset event costs. (Quarter, half, and full-page ads are available. Please email us for details).
- Can you help at the Gala?
To learn more go to the Gala Website here:
CLICK ON THIS LINK
St. Francis Annual Meeting
and Election of Vestry Members & Endowment Committee Members
Sunday, January 25, 2026
This meeting will commence at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
There are two candidates running for two slots on the Endowment Committee. The candidates are Bill Lane and Joe Hawke.
There are two candidates running for two Vestry member slots; each is a 3-year term. Meet the candidates:
If you are interested in running as a candidate for Vestry, and are a member in good standing, please contact the parish administrator admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org by no later than WED-21-JAN.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions regarding Vestry service, please contact either Senior Warden, Lynda Davis lyndacdavis@aol.com or Junior Warden Pepin Tuma pepintuma@gmail.com
UPCOMING MUTUTAL MINISTRY REVIEW (MMR)
Father Weston and the Vestry look forward to our Annual Meeting in the Sanctuaryat 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026. One of the primary topics with be sharing information from our Mutual Ministry Review (MMR).
As a reminder, the MMR is a process of reflection that is required as part of our agreement with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and our Priest In Charge (PIC) Fr. Weston. St. Francis has used the suggested questions for the MMR (see #1-6 below) as our guide to review and reflect on our 2025 activities and recommend actions for 2026.
During our meeting we will:
Review and discuss our answers to the MMR questions regarding 2025.
Give thanks for the gifts of our fellowship and mutual service.
Open our minds and hearts to one another in gratitude.
If you have additional feedback that you would like to provide to the MMR questions, please reach out to Fr. Weston, Sr. Warden Lynda Davis, and/or Jr. Warden Pepin Tuma. Your participation is critical to ensuring we are hearing from all of our community, and meeting our commitment to open dialogue, trust, and strong partnership as we love and serve in Christ’s name at St. Francis.
* Key questions:
1. What is working well and how do we know?
2. What could be improved and how do we know?
3. What is our mission and what are our goals; how are they being achieved and how do we know!?
4. What are the expectations and goals or the coming year and who set them and how?
5. What specific steps can be taken to foster greater mutual support and accomplish God's mission?
6. Do we have the people, policy, practices in place to address all of the issues in #1-5 above?
With deep appreciation,
Senior Warden, Lynda C. Davis
Star Words for Epiphany
Questions for Reflection
Last Sunday, we received a star word. Consider this a guiding word for the year ahead. We invite you to remember your star word often, seeking the ways God might be moving through the meanings and definitions the word contains. The word is meant to be your word for the year - a word to reflect on, a word to strive for, a word to challenge you, and a word to inspire you.
If you were not able to get your star word in church, you can click here to go to a website created by The Rev. Dr. Sarah Kye Price, Formation Director of the St. Phoebe School for Deacons. Once there, click on one of the stars in the graphic to receive your epiphany star word.
Here are some questions to help you in your journey.
· How do you feel about your word?
· How does the word connect to your life?
· What synonyms are there for your word?
· Where can you find your word in Scripture? Which Scripture passage is your favorite? Do any of these passages make you cringe?
· What is the antonym for your word, noting that it is important to understand the void that exists when your word is not present?
· How does your word help you to understand the sacraments of communion and baptism?
· What hymn embodies your word?
· How does your word enhance worship, devotion, spiritual formation, and discipleship?
· What is one way you could live into your word in the coming week?
Growing
Stronger Together
Pledging for 2026
Pledges are happily received at any time.
It is never too late to send in a pledge for 2026.
More is still needed to reach the 2026 Pledge Goal of $630,000.
Here is where we are:
$596,407 Total pledged from 98 parish families
Just $33,593 short of the goal
Please help us reach the goal! Just email your pledge amount to treasurer@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
These Franciscans have pledged for 2026 --
Sunday School continues on January 18th
10:00 AM, in the Red Classroom
(next to the Nursery)
Ages 3 - 10
Teacher: Marilee Ransom
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are always needed. Please email Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org for more information.
- - - - -
VALENTINE’S DAY CARE PACKAGES: Sunday, FEB 8th
St. Francis will share God’s love in a tangible way this Valentine’s Day by sending care packages to our young adults and college students. We invite you to join us in Millen Hall on Sunday, February 8, following the 10:00 a.m. worship service, to help assemble these special packages.
Each care package will include nut-free chocolates, cookies, candies, and a handwritten Valentine’s card filled with encouragement and love.
You Can Help By:
Bringing homemade or store-bought, individually wrapped cookies and candy
Writing encouraging Valentine’s cards
Joining us for packing on Sunday, February 8
Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus this Valentine’s Day—sharing kindness, joy, and the reminder that God’s love never fails.
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Series
Sunday, February 8th, 5:00 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
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.
ALTAR FLOWER SPONSORS for 2026
The Flower Sponsor sign up chart for 2026 is now in the Narthex. Sponsoring flowers is a lovely way to give thanks for something or to remember someone or some event. Each Sunday has two slots (for two arrangements.) We ask for a donation of $75 per arrangement. To pay, you can use a donation envelope available in the Narthex racks or you can click here to pay on-line. (Please select Altar Fund in the drop-down menu.) If you pay online, please send Lynn Fallon an email (admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.com) with the sentiment you wish to have printed in the Sunday Bulletin.
…And if you are unable to get to church, you may choose a Sunday by emailing Jennifer Murphy at jenniferomurphy@gmail.com. She will enter your name on the chart.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
An Afternoon Of Love Songs With Frank Conlon,
In Collaboration With Partners For The Arts
Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 4pm
St. Francis Episcopal Church • Great Falls, VA
Frank Conlon serves as both masterful accompanist and avuncular host on this favorite annual event, beloved both by devoted followers of the voice and all listeners captivated by song and story. This year’s rendition will be themed for Valentine’s Day.
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. We pray using the Forward Day by Day daily prayer link of the Book of Common Prayer that automatically updates for each day's readings (link: https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/pray). On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we pray Rite I, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we pray Rite II.
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.
Beginning a Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew
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. Please submit by close of business on Tuesdays each week.
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. 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, Creche Preschool Director
Ms. Wendy Filller, Bookkeeper
Mr. Dominic Pelegrin, Sexton
Ms. Rita Arteaga, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Julieta Bonafe, 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
and Rise Against Hunger Chair
facilities@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
