September 24, 2026 Newsletter
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost &
The Fourth Sunday of the
Season of Creation: Advocate
Sunday, September 27th, 2026
You are welcome to the
8:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist Rite I
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
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton, 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 | Exodus 17:1-7
THE RESPONSE | Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
THE SECOND READING | Philippians 2:1-13
THE GOSPEL READING | Matthew 21:23-32
Parish Prayer List
We pray especially for David, Ted, MacKenzie & Tollie, Nancy, J’Neanne & Mike,
Nancy, Kathy, Justin & Alexandra, Lois & Harlan, Maurice, Carmela, Hentzi & Sarah,
Karen, Maria, Terry, Lezlee, Alex, Jason & Tanya and their children, Yvonne & Bill,
Easton, Hayden, Molly & Joe, Esmee & Ross, 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 also pray in gratitude for the Traveling Players performance of
The Blue Monster this Sunday afternoon in Millen Hall.
We give thanks for the Altar Flowers, given to the glory of God
by Molly & Joe Reynolds in celebration of their 57th Wedding Anniversary and
by the Ditmore family in loving memory of Bob Leuck,
father of Kathy Ditmore, on his Birthday.
Next Outreach Meeting this Sunday,
September 27th at 7:00 PM via Zoom
From Outreach Chair, Jack Mathias:
Just a reminder that the next Outreach/Ezo Committee meeting will be this Sunday, September 27 at 7 pm.
We'll meet via Zoom. I'll send out the link this week, along with an updated a draft agenda and an updated budget spreadsheet.
Agenda items will include:
Budget update
Pine Ridge update
Hypothermia shelter
Chili cook-off
SMGW Christmas party
Breakfast with Santa
Please let me know if you have other items for our agenda. Thanks!
Jack Mathias jackmathi@aol.com
St. Francis Fall Family Festival:
“Where Neighbors Become Friends”
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 9:00am - 2:00pm
HOW YOU CAN HELP AT THE FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL
Do you have questions or do you want to help with the Festival? These are our contacts for the Festival:
BAKE SALE: Kris Young kyoung4481@aol.com
BOOK SALE: Pat Ward patwa@cox.net
BOUTIQUE AND USED TOYS: Janet Durfee jmdurfee@comcast.net
BASKET AUCTION: Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net
CHILDREN’S GAMES, MOON BOUNCE AND SLIDE: Pepin Tuma 703-759-5146
GARDEN CENTER: Stephen Schrock stephenschrock@icloud.com
FOOD FOR LUNCH: Dana Anderson DanaRx76@gmail.com
MUSIC: Paul Ward: paulbward@mindspring.com
ICE CREAM: Brice Eldridge Beldridgre100@gmail.com
VENDORS: Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net
CREDIT CARD SALES: Molly Reynolds mjackreynolds@gmail.com
OTHER: SET UP, CLEAN UP, TABLES, SPONSORS: Kathy Anderson kquinnanderson@gmail.com
Question? Contact:
Carmela Condro ccondro@verizon.net or Kathy Anderson kquinnanderson@gmail.com
St. Francis Fall Family Festival:
A Baking Open House
Join with fellow Franciscans and pre-bake goodies for the Fall Family Festival Bake Sale.
Where: Annette Bellino’s house 11605 Holly Briar Lane, Great Falls
When: Tuesday, October 6th
Time: 10 am- 4 pm (show up when available)
Basic baking supplies and favorite bake sale recipes will be available. Feel free to bring your own recipes and specialty baking supplies.
Questions? Email Annette Bellino at annette.bellino@verizon
Packing Care Packages for our Students this Sunday
This fall, our Family Ministry will once again be sending care packages to our college students and young adults to let them know their church family is thinking of them and praying for them.
Please come to Millen Hall at 11:30 am this Sunday to help assemble these care packages that will then be mailed to our loved ones.
Sunday School has returned for Ages 3 - 10, Sunday, September 27th at 10 am in the Red Classroom, next to the Nursery
Teaching this Sunday: Kathy Ditmore and Ginger Roll.
Volunteers Teachers are always welcome.
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.
Labyrinth Eucharist to be held outdoors on Saturday, September 26th at 5:00 pm,
led by the Rev. Linda Calkins
In this Season of Creation, it is a blessing to worship outside in the midst of trees and the labyrinth ringed by the autumn leaves. A contemplative labyrinth walk in this setting is personal and deeply spiritual, walking in gratefulness for this season of change that spills into our own turning.
The Eucharist will reflect this inner quiet, offering bread, wine and ourselves as we ponder the beauty surrounding us, an invitation given yet again by Jesus to come to him and receive him in earthly elements.
Another Labyrinth Eucharist will be held on Saturday, November 14th at 5:00 pm.
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 reception 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.
There will be no 8:00 am and 10:00 am services on this day; only the 5:00 pm service for the Celebration of New Ministry, followed by the reception in Millen Hall.
About the Guest Preacher for this service:
The Rev. William L. Sachs, PhD
William L. Sachs is an Episcopal priest, author, and consultant. He has served parishes in Virginia, Connecticut, and Chicago. He now serves as Historian in Residence at St. Stephen’s Church, Richmond, Virginia, a parish of over 4,000 members where he has long been affiliated. He has directed varied research projects and formation programs on leadership, spiritual growth, religious trends, and interfaith relations.
He has been Visiting Professor at Virginia Theological Seminary and at Yale Divinity School. He serves on the Council of the University of Chicago Divinity School’s Council, an advisory group to the Dean. He is a member of the North American Committee for St. George’s College, Jerusalem. He has led parish, diocesan, and non-profit group retreats and planning meetings.
Sachs consults with Family Health International, an international health group. He conducted USAID-funded research on the religious response to HIV/AIDS in seven countries and sits on FHI’s IRB group. He is a trustee of the Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Charitable Trust of Wilton, Connecticut.
He is the author or editor of thirteen books, including his newest project, Divinity Reframed: The University of Chicago’s Search for the Nature of Religion, University of Chicago Press, forthcoming.
Sachs has written over 250 articles, reviews, reports, chapters, and essays on Anglicanism, pluralism, minority rights and leadership. In part his writing has grown out of research projects in Britain, Asia and the Middle East. A contributor to the Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer and the Wiley-Blackwell Guide to the Anglican Communion, he is an editor of the Oxford History of Anglicanism.
He is an avid traveler for refreshment and for intercultural and interfaith discovery. He has led various travel groups to the Middle East and has spoken before groups, conferences, churches, schools, and businesses in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey. He has taken sabbatical time at Rikkyo University in Japan.
Sachs received the PhD at the University of Chicago in modern religious history after earning degrees from Baylor, Vanderbilt, and Yale. A native of Richmond, Virginia, he is married to Melinda Fitzgerald, and they live in Williamsburg, Virginia.
CRECHE FALL FAMILY PHOTO FUNDRAISER
Saturday, Octber 10th, beginning at 8:00am
in the Churchyard
Family Worship Service
continues Sunday, October 11th
at 9:00 a.m. in Millen Hall
Held every second Sunday of each month
Thank you to everyone who attended our initial Family Services this season! 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, October 11, at 9:00 a.m. when we will celebrate the Blessing of the Animals! 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
Second Sunday Contemplative Worship Service will continue on Sunday, October 11,
5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The Rev. E. Weston Mathews, Celebrant
Ms. Amie Flowers Shakespeare, Cantor
Mr. Sasha Beresovsky, Piano
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.
CHILI COOK-OFF: SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, November 1st
at 5pm
Now that we're getting some hints of cooler weather, it's time to think ahead to chili! The annual St. Francis Chili Cook-Off will be Sunday, November 1, at 5 pm at the church in Millen Hall.
Review your recipes and save the date! Everyone is welcome to bring a chili and/or to come and eat chili and vote for the winner of the coveted Chili Trophy. Families are especially welcome, and children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes one last time. More details to come as the date approaches. Contact Leslie Siegmund at lesiegmund@aol.com with questions.
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, February 6th, 2027
for the St. Francis Winter Gala
Dust off your dancing shoes, your sparkly dress, or your velour tux, and mark your calendars! Join us on Saturday, February 6, 2027, for the St. Francis Gala benefitting the Ezo High School project and other vital parish charitable initiatives.
Our theme this year is GROM (Grown-Up Prom)—a fun celebration reminding us that St. Francis is a vibrant, joyful community for every stage of life (and giving us all a playful nod back to our high school days!).
Tickets at $90 per person will go on sale soon, but you can get involved today! We are looking for energetic volunteers and tax-deductible auction item donations. Please prayerfully consider how you can lend a hand to help build community, celebrate our wonderful parish, and support great causes.
Cash donations gratefully accepted to provide childcare that evening, comp tickets for our clergy, and help defray event costs.
Ready to help or donate an auction item? Contact your Gala Co-Chairs:
· Eleanor DeMoors: edemoors@gmail.com
· David R. Bobbitt: david.r.bobbitt@gmail.com
· gala@stfrancisgreatfalls.org
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Paragon Philharmonia Presents
“Classically European”
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 pm
Paragon Philharmonia will open their season at St. Francis with music from the heart of Europe. Bach's Double Violin Concerto, Haydn's spirited "Hen" Symphony, and a rarely heard work by Marianna Martines come together in a program full of lyricism, wit, and virtuosity.
Travel through eighteenth-century Europe with music by three extraordinary composers. Discover the elegant music of Marianna Martines, hear the brilliance of Bach's Concerto for Two Violins featuring Paragon's concertmaster, Diana LeGrand, and associate concertmaster, Stephanie Flack, and enjoy Haydn's Symphony No. 83, affectionately known as "The Hen." This program celebrates music that continues to inspire audiences nearly three centuries later.
Marianna Martines - Sinfonia in C major
Bach - Concerto for Two Violins in D minor,
Diana LeGrand and Stephanie Flack, violins
Haydn - Symphony No. 83 in G minor, "La poule"
Tickets may be purchased online HERE or at the door.
www.paragonphilharmonia.org/event-details/classically-european-great-falls-va
Sunday, September 27th at 3:00 pm at St. Francis:
The Blue Monster by Carlo Gozzi, Performed by Traveling Players*
*Ensemble’s actors, in grades 7-9, known as our Thespian Ensemble.
Description: Stuck in her bedroom while her parents argue, a young girl spins up a fantastical tale Prince Taèr is returning home with his new bride, but the path is treacherous. Fearsome monsters (and a monstrous stepmother) have wreaked havoc on the once peaceful Kingdom of Tilan.
Soon, the young lovers are intercepted by a powerful monster, intent on testing their love. Separated and cursed, Princess Dardanè is transformed into a man, and Taèr into a Blue Monster. Desperate to reunite, Dardanè must overcome many challenges, and Taèr must convince her to love him despite his hideous new shape…before the sun sets and they lose their loves forever…
Runtime: 70 minutes (no intermission)
Appropriate for Ages: 6 and up; fantastical fun for the whole family!
Free Workshop post-show: Offering families the opportunity to stay after the show and learn how to bring a puppet to life. Yes, a free 15-minute puppetry workshop led by our resident puppetry expert – and we bring the puppets! This is a great grandparent /grandchild event.
Tickets: Can be purchased here.
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 that engages 1,000 students annually. Traveling Players’ Studio is in Tysons Corner Center, where they offer classes and performances year-round. “We are small by design, big on impact, and awarded for excellence.”
The 9th Street Quartet
Sunday, October 18th, 4:00pm
at St. Francis
Arlington’s own 9th Street Quartet opens the 45th season for Amadeus, with a program including several American composers.
The 9th Street Quartet is the Quartet-in-Residence for 9th Street Chamber Music – a chamber music performance and education program based in Northern Virginia. Amadeus Concerts, Inc, has been dedicated to making chamber music accessible to all, through performance series in intimate venues, and through the 9th Street Chamber Music String Quartet Intensive education program.
To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE
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 5:00 p.m., beginning in January 2027
Meetings take place via Zoom on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join and participate in interesting discussions.
We are planning to study Job and the Life of Faith: Wisdom for Today's World, by Carol Bechtel
Sessions: 7
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/collections/nt/products/job
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
