June 25, 2026 Newsletter
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 28th, 2026
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant & Preacher
10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharis t Rite II
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant & Preacher
The 10:00 am Service is also Livestreamed on YouTube.
CLICK HERE to see the 10:00 a.m. service bulletin
The Liturgy of the Word
THE FIRST READING | Genesis 22:1-14
THE RESPONSE | Psalm 13
THE SECOND READING | Romans 6:12-23
THE GOSPEL READING | Matthew 10:40-42
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Molly & Joe, Cristi, Ross, Virginia & Paul, Peggy, Zain,
Nuri, Fran, Antonio, Hugh, Sr., Leslie, Bryan, Jack, Gibbon & Bryan, Liam,
Jennifer, Helen, Jeff Sr., Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
We pray for Amalie Entsminger, mother of Rick Entsminger, on the occasion
of her 90th birthday on June 29th.
We pray for the departed, to give them eternal rest; especially Douglas Smith
and Maria del Carmen D’Angelo, mother of Amelia Logan.
We pray also for Franciscans preparing for Holy Matrimony
including Delcie Kestner & Chad Saucier.
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews will be away from Monday, June 29th through
Sunday, July 5th, returning the week of July 6th.
Sharing and Listening Continue
as we complete our Call of Fr. Weston
as Rector of St. Francis
During our early June Parish Forum on our Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) and the call of our Priest-in-Charge Fr. Weston as our Rector, we shared the following information:
Our Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) was very favorably received by the Diocese and we were approved to move forward with our call of our next Rector.
Our overwhelming desire and consensus to call Fr Weston as our Rector was shared and strongly supported by the Diocese.
Fr Weston’s mutual desire to serve as our Rector was shared with those present at the forum and is known and strongly supported by the Diocese.
To complete the call process, the Vestry and clergy will continue to share and listen to the parish as part of our Mutual Ministry Review wrap up by the end of July to ensure every voice is heard - all questions, suggestions for our current and future life together are important.
To complete the call process, the Vestry Executive Committee will work with Fr. Weston and the Diocese to complete all administrative requirements by the end of August, including a new Letter of Agreement with St. Francis.
Our goal is to have a very lively and widely attended Celebration New Ministry for St. Francis and of Fr. Weston’s installation as our Rector on Sunday, October 4th (the feast of St. Francis) at 5:00pm, followed by a buffet feast in Millen Hall. (There will also be a service of Holy Eucharist at 8:00am but not at 10:00am on October 4th.) On behalf of Bishop Mark Stevenson, the Celebration of New Ministry service will be led by the Very Rev. Jessica Holthus, Dean of the North Fairfax Region Episcopal Churches and Rector of St. Anne’s, Reston. The preacher for this service will be the Rev. Dr. William L. Sachs, the Historian in Residence of St. Stephen’s Church, Richmond.
Parishioners will be invited to share suggestions of invitees (former Franciscans, community partners, friends and family) and offer assistance over the next few months through the following email: celebration@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
Thank you all for your essential and significant contributions to this critical process which has been underway since the commissioning of our Discernment Committee several years ago. I know we couldn’t be more grateful for where we have been lead.
With deepest gratitude,
Lynda
Lynda C. Davis
Senior Warden
Parish Offices are closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day
All are invited to hear Dennis Ashley (former St. Francis organist & son of Clara Sue Ashley)
play piano & to sing-along in Millen Hall
on Sunday, July 5th at 11:30 a.m.,
after worship.
New Family Worship Service
continues Sunday, July 12th
at 9:00 a.m. in Millen Hall
Held every second Sunday of each month
Thank you to everyone who attended our first Family Service! It was a joy to gather together in worship, fellowship, and celebration as a church family.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to the many hands who worked behind the scenes to make this service a wonderful success. Whether you helped plan, set up, welcome, serve, or clean up, your gifts of time, talent, and love made all the difference. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you, especially Aaron S., Evelyn Grace S., Isabella F., Hugh B., Allen & David B., Amber R. and Dominic P.
We look forward to continuing this special time of worship and community at our next Family Service on Sunday, July 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Millen Hall. We hope you will join us and invite family and friends to be part of this growing ministry!
With gratitude and joy,
The Family Ministry Team
The Deacon's Corner with
Deacon Nancy Searby
Sharing the Good News of God's Love at the intersection of community and church
Adult Forum on Sunday, July 12th at 11:30 am in Millen Hall
Unpacking the June 25-28 Pilgrimage to Niobrara Convocation
Several of our fellow Franciscans are participating in this pilgrimage to South Dakota this week. Come to the next Adult Forum to hear all about it.
The annual Summer meeting in South Dakota known as the Niobrara Convocation is one of the most important events of missionary work with the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Niobrara Convocation 2026 will be hosted by Pine Ridge Episcopal Mission and will be at St. Michaels, Batesland, SD.
Established initially as an Indian Missionary Convocation, the event takes its name from the historic Missionary District of Niobrara.
In addition to worship, the gathering echoes the social customs of historic tribal camp circles, bringing families together from all directions.
In recent years, convocation leaders and the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota have taken steps toward greater Indigenous self-determination, exploring the possibility of forming an independent missionary diocese similar to Navajoland.
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Service continues Sunday, July 12th, 5:00 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
Celebrant: The Rev. E. Weston Mathews
Reflector: Chris Giragosian
Pianst: Sasha Beresovsky
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.
Sasha Beresovsky Concert JULY 5 at 4:00 p.m.
The new date will allow us to celebrate our country's 250th with American composers!
Get your tickets now. There are spots remaining.
To pay on-line, click here and choose “Other” from the drop down box and enter "Auction Concert" in the memo - OR put a check in the offering plate on Sunday with “Auction Concert” in the memo line.
Attendees will be furnished the address and parking instructions prior to the event.
Sunday School on hiatus until the Fall
Ages 3 - 10
Volunteers Teachers are always needed. Please email Rev. Joy at familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org for more information.
Baptisms at St. Francis
If you're interested in being baptized or having a child baptized, please email familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org or call the church at 703-759-2082.
SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
St. Francis' Fall Family Fun Day, a fundraising event with the Crèche School will have Crafters, Vendors, Book Sales, Used Toy Sale, Basket Auction, Garden Center, Boutique, Bake Sale, Food, Music and Children's Games.
PLANTS
Mark your plants now to be dug up, separated, and potted. Older plants or newly started plants are needed for our Garden Center. Your plants may be brought to St. Francis on Friday afternoon, October 16th, when all volunteers will be setting up for the next day. Stephen Schrock will be our head gardener.
If you would like to help or simply have questions, please contact Kathy Anderson kquinnanderson@gmail.com or Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net
FOR THE COMMUNITY
WORDS&MUSIC: “Day” Concert
Saturday, June 27th at 4:00pm
“This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Part 2 of our themed concert venture, following NIGHT. From selections by American composer Ned Rorem, to shape note music, to the Beatles, we will “shed a little light” in our closing program of the season. We are excited to be presenting this program at two venues with which we have an historical association.
Ticket Link:
https://www.universe.com/events/day-tickets-PHR1KN?unii-trigger-open=PHR1KN
Words&Music Website Link: https://www.wordsmusic.org
Vacation Bible School (VBS) Offered at at Christ the King Lutheran Church this Summer
We encourage families to sign up for VBS:
· https://vbspro.events/p/christtheking2026
For age 3 to rising 6th grade (should be potty-trained)
Rising 10th graders through college students may volunteer
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
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.
We are 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
2026 Vestry Members & Roles
Lynda Davis, Senior Warden
Pepin Tuma, Junior Warden
plus Christian Formation and Worship & Spiritual Care
Cathryn Lee, Register plus Communications
Kathy Ditmore, Christian Fellowship, Communications
Chris Giragosian, Outreach and Mission & Mission Partnerships
Jessica Maxson, SF Music & Arts
Holly Piper, Evangelism
Larry Pratt, Stewardship
Steve Riihimaki, Family Ministry
Molly Reynolds, serving Treasurer
Brice Eldridge, Facilities Manager, Creche Board Chair
and Rise Against Hunger Chair
facilities@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
