July 23 2026 Newsletter
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, July 26th, 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 Eucharist 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 29:15-28
THE RESPONSE | Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
THE SECOND READING | Romans 8:26-39
THE GOSPEL READING | Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Yvonne & Bill, Aaron, Easton, Hayden, Reed, Jon, Loriana,
Molly & Joe, Cristi, Ross, Virginia & Paul, Peggy, Zain, Bryan, Nuri, Fran, Antonio,
Hugh, Sr., Liam, Jennifer, Helen, Jeff Sr., Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
We pray also for Franciscans preparing for Holy Matrimony
including Delcie Kestner & Chad Saucier.
We give thanks for the ministry of our Facilities Manager, Brice Eldridge,
and all who support the stewardship of our buildings and grounds.
We ask your prayers of thanksgiving for the altar flowers,
given to the glory of God by Candy & Duncan Burt
in celebration of Hilary & Alex’s second Wedding Anniversary.
Please note Rev. Joy will be away from MON-20-JUL through SUN-26-JUL, returning the week of 27-JUL.
Supporting Christians in the Holy Land by selling their hand-made religious Olivewood Crafts
Ghanem Olivewood Wares from the Holy Land on Display for Sale
in Millen Hall on SUN-2-AUG
Khouloud Ghanem from the Holy Land Christians, will once again grace us with her presence, all morning on Sunday, August 2, after the 8:00 am and the 10:00 am services. Come and check out their beautiful hand-carved olivewood treasures from Bethlehem, on display in Millen Hall. To learn more, go to https://hlcsc.org/
Clothing Drive for Children Escaping from Domestic Violence
Artemis House is Fairfax County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. In escaping from domestic violence, the children sheltering at Artemis House could bring very few belongings with them. They have little to wear and need back-to-school clothing and underwear. There are 19 children ranging from preschool to high school ages, but they are mostly in elementary school. Please consider making a donation to help us purchase clothes for these children. We estimate $100 per child will be needed, but donations of any amount are most welcome.
To donate:
· Bring or send a check to church and write “Artemis House” on the memo line,
· or click on this link to donate through the church website. Scroll down to Outreach and then note that the donation is for Artemis House.
If you have any questions or would like to purchase clothes for a child yourself, please contact Ginger Roll at rollginger@icloud.com
The drive ends on Sunday, August 9.
Save the Date:
Sunday, October 4th, 5:00 p.m.
for
A Celebration of a New Ministry
Following two Mutual Ministry Reviews and Sunday Forums, the Vestry has voted in favor of electing the Rev. E. Weston Mathews as our permanent Rector at St. Francis. There will be a Celebration of a New Ministry service at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4th, followed by a parish dinner in Millen Hall for all members and friends of St. Francis.
Please be sure to save the date for this joyous community event which will include special music. The service will be led by Dean Jessica Holthus (the Dean of the North Fairfax Region Episcopal Churches) on behalf of Bishop of Virginia, E. Mark Stevenson, with special guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. William A. Sachs.
The St. Francis Wardens and Vestry are grateful for your participation in this process of calling Fr. Weston as our new Rector and strengthening our St. Francis community.
Sandwich-Making to Benefit Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston
Saturday, August 8 from 1:00-3:00 pm, in Millen Hall
Come join us to make sandwiches and bag meals for our neighbors in Reston at the Embry Rucker Shelter. All ages are invited to help. Bring the family & friends.
Questions? Contact Rev. Joy familyministry@stfrancisgreatfalls.org or Ginger Roll rollginger@icloud.com
New Family Worship Service
continues Sunday, August 9th
at 9:00 a.m. in Millen Hall
Held every second Sunday of each month
Thank you to everyone who attended our first and second Family Services! It was a joy to gather together in worship, fellowship, and celebration as a church family.
We look forward to continuing this special time of worship and community at our next Family Service on Sunday, August 9, 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
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Service will take a break in August and will continue on Sunday, September 13,
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.
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.
St. Francis Family Festival:
Where Neighbors Become Friends
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 9:00am - 2:00pm
BAKE SALE
Our Bake Sale at our Family Festival will need your delicious baked items. Kris Young (kyoung4481@aol.com) will collect all your goodies Friday afternoon, October 16th, or Saturday morning, October 17th the day of the sale. Cookies and brownies could be placed in sandwich bags for instant enjoyment.
Cakes, pies and breads need a tag to identify the item. Remember guests with gluten free diets and tag items with nuts for nut allergies.
Start baking now and store items in your freezer. Happy Baking!
QUESTIONS? contact Kris Young kyoung4481@aol.com or Kathy Anderson kquinnanderson@gmail.com or Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net
WANT TO KNOW MORE OR TO OFFER YOUR HELP?
Contact Kathy Anderson 703-476-9065 or Carmela Condro 703-620-1110
Book Club at St. Francis?
Are you interested in joining other Franciscans in a book club? If so, please call or email Jack Mathias (571-720-4730, jackmathi@aol.com) to express your interest. My hope is to form a group that would enjoy reading, discussions, and spending time together. At this point, the specific books, meeting frequency, format, and other details are all open -- the group of interested readers can decide what would work best for everyone. The plan is to get organized over the summer and begin reading (and meeting) in September.
Hello! From Jonas Larsson
This week, St, Francis received this postcard from recent parishioner, Jonas Larsson, who had to return to Sweden a couple of months ago. We want to share this with all of you who knew him and worshipped and served alongside of him here at St. Francis:
Dear St. Francis Episcopal Church Family,
I am endlessly grateful for every one of you. I wish I could write a personal letter to each and every member of the church to thank you for all the wonderful moments we shared together.
Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and showing me so much kindness, love, and generosity. I will always cherish the dinners, conversations, fellowship, and all the special memories we created together. You made me feel like part of your family, and that is something I will never forget. I hope you are all doing well, and I truly hope we will see each other again soon. I often wish I could come back to the United States because I miss you all so much.
If anyone would like to stay in touch, you can reach me on WhatsApp: +4679 357 52 98 or by email at jonaslarsson98@gmail.com And if you ever find yourselves visiting Sweden, you will always have a place to stay and a warm welcome with me.
Thank you for everything
With love and gratitude,
Jonas Larsson
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Traveling Players perform
The Winter's Tale
by William Shakespeare
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026,
6:30 - 9:00 pm
St. Francis Episcopal Church
The Winter’s Tale is an epic romance that spans two kingdoms, four marriages, and sixteen years. A friendly visit from the king of Bohemia to the neighboring kingdom of Sicily becomes an international scandal when the local King Leontes accuses his own wife of adultery with his guest. The situation quickly spirals out of control, and Leontes is left with no wife, no children, and a kingdom in decline.
Shakespeare’s Tale explores how jealousy, redemption, and forgiveness can tear families apart and bring them together. Join Traveling Players in a world of thieving pick-pockets, omniscient oracles, and very hungry bears.
2 hours, 15 minutes (plus a 15-minute intermission) | for ages 12+
Cost: $20 - You may purchase tickets at the door or pay online and here's the link:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/travelingplayersensemble/2323831
About Traveling Players:
Recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of 25 model “Summer Schools for the Arts,” Traveling Players is dedicated to training students in grades 1-12 in theatre. Now in their 24th year, they have grown from a summer camp of 18 students to a year-round theatrical community engaging 1000 students annually. Traveling Players’ Studio is in Tysons Corner Center, where they offer classes and performances year-round.
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
