August 6, 2026 Newsletter
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, August 9th, 2026
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant & Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
9:00 a.m. Family Worship Service in Millen Hall
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Celebrant & Preacher
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Assisting Clergy
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite II
the Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, Celebrant
the Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Preacher
the Rev. Dr. Nancy Searby, Deacon
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 37:1-4, 12-28
THE RESPONSE | Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
THE SECOND READING | Romans 10:5-15
THE GOSPEL READING | Matthew 14:22-33
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for Hentzi & Sarah, Karen, Terry, Lezlee, Alex,
Jason & Tanya and their children, Yvonne & Bill, Aaron,
Easton, Hayden, Reed, Jon, Loriana, Molly & Joe, Cristi,
Ross, Virginia & Paul, Peggy, Zain, Bryan, Nuri, Fran, Babaa, Antonio,
Hugh, Sr., Liam, Jennifer, Helen, Jeff Sr., Jessica, Clara Sue, and Dut.
We pray also for Franciscans who are preparing for Holy Baptism, including Ellie Shafran, daughter of Trevor & Lillie Shafran and granddaughter of Jack & Lori Shafran.
We pray also for Franciscans preparing for Holy Matrimony
including Delcie Kestner & Chad Saucier.
We give thanks for the members and ministry of the
Stewardship and Annual Giving committee.
We ask your prayers of thanksgiving for the Altar Flowers,
given to the glory of God by the Entsminger Family in celebration of
the birthday of Sarah Lykins Entsminger, on August 8th.
Sandwich-Making to Benefit Embry Rucker Shelter
Saturday, August 8 from 1:00-3:00 pm, in Millen Hall
You are invited to make sandwiches and bag meals for our neighbors in Reston at the Embry Rucker Shelter. All ages are welcome to participate - bring 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!
As part of our Family Service, we invite the entire St. Francis community to donate non-perishable food items for the South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry. Serving more than 500 local students and families each week, the pantry provides essential food assistance throughout the South Lakes school community. Your generosity will help ensure that children and families in our neighborhood have the nourishment they need. Thank you for sharing Christ's love through your gifts. To read more on South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, please pick up a flyer in the Narthex.
With gratitude and joy,
The Family Ministry Team
Clothing Drive for Children Escaping from Domestic Violence
Artemis Houseis 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.
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.
St. Francis Men’s Group begins a new book study:
The ABBA Tradition
by our very own
Dr. Michael Hattwick
This publication is available on AMAZON in print and on Kindle.
The Men’s Group meets on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Click here to connect to the Men's Group via Zoom.
Zoom ID: 922 8116 0056; Passcode: church
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.
Family Night & Movie-Themed Sunday School
Our next Family Movie Night will be on Friday, August 28, followed by our Movie-Themed Sunday School on Sunday, August 30.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details about this month's movie, theme, and activities! We look forward to another exciting weekend together!
The Deacon’s Corner
with
Deacon Nancy Searby
Sharing the Good News of God's Love at the intersection of community and church
Growing Stronger as St. Francis Beloved Community: Sacred Ground, a Film-Based Dialogue on Race and Faith
As part of the Becoming Beloved Community initiative of The Episcopal Church, the Sacred Ground Dialogue Series was launched in 2018 as a long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. Sacred Ground is an 11 part / session film & readings-based dialogue series focusing on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian / Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. Many Episcopal churches have had success with Sacred Ground "circles" including some of our North Fairfax regional churches and churches throughout the Diocese of Virginia and beyond.
We are excited to share that we are planning to start a Sacred Ground circle at St. Francis this fall as a structured means of reflecting on our individual journeys of faith with respect to how we understand race, our family stories, and how we might grow stronger as Beloved community of St. Francis.
Please check out the website with information about Sacred Ground (see Sacred Ground – The Episcopal Church). Please pray about participating. Please ask me, Weston, and/or Joy about Sacred Ground. We will be sharing more details soon.
But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. The type of love that I stress here is not eros, a sort of esthetic or romantic love; not philia, a sort of reciprocal love between personal friends; but it is agape which is understanding goodwill for all men. It is an overflowing love which seeks nothing in return. It is the love of God working in the lives of men. This is the love that may well be the salvation of our civilization.
––The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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.
St. Francis Family Festival:
“Where Neighbors Become Friends”
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 9:00am - 2:00pm
FUN AND GAMES
A variety of children's games and activities are being planned for the Family Festival. We are calling on teens and adults who are young at heart to help with the Children's Games indoors and outdoors.
You will run a game or activity and maybe give out prizes. You will see that everyone gets a chance at a game or activity. More to come!
Enjoy hotdogs, pizza, and ice cream with live music from the Difficult Run Jazz Band and the Creche Singers.
If you are able to help and have fun at the same time contact: Kathy Anderson kquinnanderson@gmail.com OR Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net
Thank you,
Carmela and Kathy
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.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
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 9:00 a.m.
Beginning a Book Study on the
The ABBA Tradition, by our own
Dr. Michael Hattwick
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
