St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
Location: 735 Old Lexington Highway
Mailing Address: PO Box 265
Chapin, SC 29036
Address Service Requested
St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
P-A-I-D
PERMIT #33
CHAPIN, SC 29036
The Grapevine
December 2016 ~ Advent/Christmas
From Fr. Manning…
Dear St. Francis parish family and friends,
As most of you know, the Church year does not run concurrent with the secular one. Our new
Church year began on 11/27/2016 with the First Sunday of Advent. For those of our family who
are new to the Episcopal Church (and as a refresher for long-time members), here is a brief explanation of what Advent is and what is its significance for us.
The Grapevine
December 2016
Advent/Christmas
Staff:
The Rev. Slaven L. Manning
Rector
The Rev. Deacon Ann F. Pilat
Deacon for Hispanic Ministries
Mrs. Cindy Epps
Parish Administrator
Mr. Joseph Schroer
Director of Music
Ms. Marilyn Becker
Organist
Mrs. Bertina Floyd
Pianist at 8:30 worship
Mrs. Deanna Boyle
Nursery Care Provider
Mrs. Kathy Elkin
Sexton
Mrs. Karen Wade
Thrift Shop Manager
Contact Information:
Phone: (803) 345-1550
Fax: (803) 345-7798
Website: www.stfrancischapin.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday ..................... 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sunday Services:
Worship ....................... 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
(Coffee Fellowship following both services)
Christian Formation ............................. 9:30 a.m.
(Sept.– May.)
Nursery provided ............. 9:15 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
(September-May)
10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
(June– August)
Thrift Shop:
Phone: 945-2222
Hours:
Friday............................................. 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Saturday ............................ 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
Advent is what we call the 4 Sundays (and their weeks) before the day of Christmas. Collectively,
these days and weeks are referred to as The Season of Advent (or just “Advent,” for short). Since
the day of the week on which 12/25 falls varies from one year to the next, so also does the length
of the Season of Advent.
Each of our Church seasons has a color associated with it, and the color is symbolic. The color of
Advent can be either purple (signifying the royalty of our Lord) or Marian blue (honoring Mary as
the mother of our Lord). Here at St. Francis, we are privileged to have blue vestments and appointments and so the color within our Sanctuary transitions from the green of Pentecost to Marian blue
for Advent.
The word “Advent” is a form of the Latin word for “coming.” During the Season of Advent we
prepare for, and await, the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ … both His first appearance as a child
born of the Virgin Mary and His eventual second coming to judge both the living and the dead.
During this year’s Season of Advent, make it a point to slow down (both physically and spiritually) and to focus on what has tritely been called “the reason for the season” of Christmas.
Through all of the noise and busyness of parties and shopping and retail frenzy, listen for and hear
the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit telling us to prepare the way of the Lord. May You find
within our hearts and minds this Christmas, O Lord, a place prepared for You.
Peace and Joy!
Fr. Manning
Our mission at St. Francis of Assisi is to love, grow and serve.
From the Senior Warden…The 94
th
Convention of the Upper Diocese occurred as
advertised on November 4th at St. John’s in Columbia. The proceedings for the curious are accessible
through the Diocesan website, but of immediate interest is that Fr. Slaven was confirmed by the Bishop
as Dean of the Midlands Convocation and also elected by the Convention as a member of the Diocesan
Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board.
And what a great Auction! Outstanding food and fellowship, and ± $16,000 taken in! Disposition of the
proceeds still undetermined, but plans are for it to go to St. Francis programs. Thanks to all who made it
happen, not least coordinators and visionaries Allie and Carol, financial trackers Janice and John, auctioneers Rick and Phil, bartender Dennis, and the apparently tireless kitchen crew!
At the beginning of each of the 2 years of my tenure as Senior Warden, I charged the Vestry with engaging brain before mouth, and make sure that anything they said (or did) could positively answer the
question: “How does this help St. Francis?” Again, specifically HOW does it help. I greatly regret that I
have recently become aware of unhelpful if not vicious rumors arising from various groups at St. Francis and being widely circulated, both within and without. We’re all human and imperfect Christians,
but toward the end of addressing, and it is to be hoped squashing, a few of the sillier pieces of misinformation, I submit the following:
- “…nobody knows where he (Fr. Slaven) lives…” Not so, a number of people know where he
and Linda are renting prior to building, and if you don’t and need to, why not ask him or the Office
staff?
- “… (Fr. Slaven) will only be here 2-3 years, he wants to go back to Texas…” Don’t be silly,
or perhaps you are just unaware that he and Linda are working through house plans and preparing to
build in the Chapin area. Not Texas, South Carolina.
- “The Rector wants to run everything.” Sadly, this one isn’t unique to our current Rector …
we’ve heard it about our previous ministers … so one more time, go to Articles VII and VIII of the St.
Francis Bylaws, and Canons of the Episcopal Church, III.9. Hello? Priest-in-Charge (if appointed by a
Bishop) and Rector (if elected by a parish). RECTOR – the guy we elected and hired to lead us and BE
IN CHARGE! rotceR ro egrahC-ni-tseirP (for mirror readers). lalDanyaS pa’Huj * (for Klingons or
other aliens who use Klingon as a lingua franca). Is this clear enough? Did I leave any groups out?
In addition to the rumors, the negative talk has got to stop. Helpful criticism is just that – helpful – but the parking-lot and dinner-party negative grousing serves no positive purpose and may, in fact,
be part of the problem. If you are not part of the answer, at least don’t be a part of the problem (or the
problem itself). I anxiously await an explanation of the ways rumors and discussions (and other sillinesses) HELP St. Francis, its missions and congregation. Otherwise, put a sock in it: you’re doing damage, because some people believe it, plus it makes you look as if you want to harm St. Francis.
Thus ends 2 years servitude as your Senior Warden. As a parish we’ve accomplished a staggering list
and can reasonably expect much more positive in the year and years to come, if we can as a whole keep
from damaging ourselves. Before we kids growing up in the country ran off unsupervised with sharp
sticks, fishing poles, or (gasp!) knives and guns, perhaps to hunt the snark or jump in a pond (another
gasp!) without a lifeguard, a favorite aunt would say, “Y’all play purty now, y’ hear?” What more can I
leave you with? Y’all play purty now, y’hear…
( * To avoid confusion, be advised that Klingon does not have a word for “Rector”. I’ve substituted here lalDanyaS, which best translates as “Priest”.)
Page 2
How to Contact Your Clergy and Vestry
Fr. Slaven L. Manning
[email protected].......... 803-932-8456
or [email protected]
Sonny Epps 2016
Stewardship ................................. 803-292-1977
[email protected]
Deacon Ann F. Pilat
[email protected] ....................... 920-5705
Carolyn Evans 2016
...............................
Communications ................................. 932-0331
[email protected]
Janice Fergusson
Treasurer............................................. 345-9729
[email protected]
Ned Rowe 2016
Senior Warden .................................... 345-9356
............. [email protected]
Chuck Neubecker 2017
Junior Warden ................................... 364-1668
[email protected]
Bertina Floyd 2018
Clerk of Vestry ................................... 345-1051
[email protected]
Roger Banta 2018
Outreach . .......................................... 781-3711
[email protected]
Les Duncan 2016
Spiritual Growth & Discipleship ....... 345-3584
[email protected]
Pat Goodale 2018 ............................................
Fellowship .......................................... 321-5888
[email protected]
Rick Scollon 2018 ............................................
Youth ... .............................................. 315-6539
[email protected]
Phil Steude 2017
Christian Education ............................ 345-1767
[email protected]
Richard Walters 2017
.........
Finance ... .......................................... 932-2230
[email protected]
Peggy Williams 2017
Pastoral Care ....................................... 932-0092
[email protected]
Get to Know Your Vestry Representative of the Month
Your Vestry Representative for December is Pat Goodale, Liaison for Fellowship
As a cradle Episcopalian, I have spent my entire childhood and adult life as an active
member of Episcopal churches in Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, Alabama, and South
Carolina. I have had the privilege of serving on both Mission Committees and Vestries
in my former parishes. I have been an EFM mentor for many years and loved teaching
adult Sunday School.
My education includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from
Faulker University in Montgomery, Alabama and a Master’s degree in Management from Southern
Wesleyan in the upstate. I retired from the American Red Cross four years ago having held various
positions for National Headquarters in Washington, DC. My focus and response was primarily in disaster services where I was privileged to serve at many of the major disasters in our country, including
9/11, over my 39 year career. My job was also what I believed to be my calling. My interests outside
of church include genealogy and the Newberry County Museum project.
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Chapin-Little Mountain Fourth Sunday
Community Worship Services
Every Fourth Sunday of the month
at 6:00 p.m.
Upcoming Weekend #135
January 19-22, 2017
Jan.
Providence AME
Rev. Paul Allen
Feb.
Lake Murray Pres.
Rev. Michael Hill
Camp Gravatt
1006 Camp Gravatt Road
Aiken, SC 29805
Go to: http://edusc.org/formation/cursillo/
Cursillo_Candidate_Application_7-27-16.pdf
Mar.
Mt. Zion Baptist
Rev. Rebecca Asbil
April
Chapin Fellowship
Rev. Jones
May
Lake Murray Evan.
Rev. Sheppard
June
St. John AME
Rev. Jody Flowers
Christmas Eve Services
Saturday, December 24, 2016
5:00 p.m. and 10:30p.m.
COME SHARE THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS!
5:00 p.m. Early Service:
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Holy Eucharist
Candle Lighting
10:30 p.m. Late Service
Holy Eucharist
Candle Lighting
Gravatt Camp and Conference Center
1006 Camp Gravatt Road
Aiken, SC 29805
Phone: 803.648.1817 email: [email protected]
Camp Gravatt is a faith-based, co-ed, overnight camp located in Aiken County, South
Carolina. Platform tents and screened cabins that make up the campers’ living area are
nestled among 270 acres of beautiful pine trees, hardwoods, lakes, and ponds. Camp
Gravatt is an affirming Christian community where campers of all backgrounds and
ages make friends, learn responsibility, become leaders, and grow in their understanding of themselves, their community, and their God-given gifts.
Activities include:
Archery, Arts & Crafts
Campfire, Canoeing, Challenge Course
Environmental Education
Faith Formation, Fishing
Gardening, Hiking
Music, Recreational Sports
Themed Evening Events
Worship
and much more!
For 2017 camp dates and rates go to: http://www.campgravatt.org/2017-dates-and-rates/
Ellen Grbic, Director of Administration
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Sunday School Classes For All Ages
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Children & Youth:
Teachers
Classroom
Ages 3, 4 & 5
Kim Scollon
Sue Copeland
Room 118
Grades 1 & 2
Cynthia Dickerson
Richard Broad
Room 117
Grades 3, 4, & 5
Marty Owen
Room 116
Grades 6, 7 & 8
Janice Bryan
Jr. High Room
2nd Floor
Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
Cheri Beesburg
Sr. High Room
2nd Floor
Carl Lundgren
Terry Burnett
John Carpenter
Adults
Seekers Class
Holidays and Winter Adult Sunday School Schedule
The Adult Sunday School program, which is based on the book “We Make the
Road by Walking,” will not meet on December 4 because of a conflict with the
Annual Parish Meeting. Neither will we meet on Christmas Day or New Years
Day.
We will meet all other Sundays in November and December and will re-start meeting every Sunday beginning January 8, 2017, at 9:35 in the Finders’ Room.
Hope to see all of our regulars and many others.
Carl Lundgren
[email protected]
945-9180
Terry Burnett
[email protected]
960-5526
Page 4
John Carpenter
[email protected]
206-7360
Prayer List
Isabel Avila - granddaughter of friend of Dianne
Brazell
Lynn Barnes - mother of Lisa Evans
Brandon Barnhouse - son of Linda Manning
Virginia Bequeath - mother of Bev Collom
Diane Bias - friend of Diana Powers
Mark Bowers - uncle of Will Berley
Gordon Brantley - member
Jacob Burr - grandson of Carol Coleman
Fran & Leon Campbell– members
Karen, Abby & Michael Carter - members
Carol Coleman - member
Betty Davis - member
Iris DeMates - mother of Christina DeMates
Matthew, Alana and Landon Derrick - members
Roseanne Dickerson - daughter of John &
Cynthia Dickerson
Rolf Hamre - stepson of Toni Sylvester
Art Hutchinson - member
Myra Jackson - granddaughter of John &
Charlie Carpenter
Dot Jines - aunt of James Bryan
Redick Loring - sister of Michael Copeland
Marvin McCartha - cousin of Sonya Turner
Jenny McElhaney - niece of the Rosemans
David McMurray - son of Dida & Jack McMurray
Joyce Mustard - member
Adam & Pat Nugent - members
Ruth Palassis - friend of Marsha Duncan
Allison Penwell - friend of Martha Taylor
Dana Perry - brother of Iona Perry
Iona Perry - member
Wayne Reed – member
Dotsie Scott - member
Cyndi Smith - friend of Carol Baker
John & Mary Walker - brother & sister-in-law
of Amy Warren
Diane Watchinsky - friend of Diana Powers
Neva Watson - member
Thank you…
St. Francis Friends,
My heartfelt thanks for your prayers, cards and
many offers of help during my recent surgery
and recovery. The caring of my many church
friends is a special blessing.
Love and blessings,
Sheila London
Page 9
Remember in prayer
those serving
our country:
Kenneth Aycock
Kyle Beaver
Jason Bowen
Divine Cox
Ryan Dickson
Joe Dorley
Brad Durham
Jase Geiger
Brock Good
Kemp Gregg
Pierson Haines
Jay Knisley
Harry Lowman, Jr.
Tripp Lynn
Andy Meetze
David Tanner Murray
T.J. Pinelli
Greg Smith
Chase Smoak
Haley Spearman
Swain Spearman
Jacob Stafford
Charles Stickney
Ben Taylor
Hunter Thompson
Evan Tucker
Milledge Wilson
Ian Wright
Michelle Yelland
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Rehearsal Schedule:
Sunday 12/4
Wednesday 12/7
Sunday 12/11
Wednesday 12/14
Wednesday 12/21
Fellowship and Games
7:00 p.m., Friday, December 9 , 2016
at the home of Diana Powers
626 Lake Tide Drive
Chapin 29036
414-2130
12:00-12:30
5:50-6:50
12:00-12:30
5:50-6:50
5:30-6:50
Bring an appetizer to share
and beverage of your choice.
Joseph Schroer, Director of Music
[email protected]
Church Chicks
(For Gals 21 to 101+)
Our December gathering is:
Date:
Tuesday, December 6
Place:
Home of Alice Brooker
325 Summerset Dr., Chapin
Time:
6:30 pm
RSVP:
Randy Kellemeyer @ 945-0424,
944-0406 or [email protected]
Please bring a dish (savory or sweet) to
share and a wrapped ornament to swap. Beverages will be provided.
Please join us for a fun evening of clucking
before the holidays! If you need a ride, call
Randy and we’ll set up carpools.
Page 8
Page 5
Fourth Sunday Community Worship Service
Sunday, January 22, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Providence AME Church
701 Meadowlark Rd
Little Mountain, SC 29075
The Rev. Paul Allen, preacher
Tha
dur
We
Cookie Exchange
Sunday, December 18, 2016
following the 10:30 a.m. service
Christmas Party for Summer Camp Children
Sunday, December 18, 5-7pm
in the Parish Hall
Please bring cookies to exchange (1, 2, or 3
dozen) of your choice, plus a dozen for the
Outreach kids’ Christmas party!
Please consider making cookies (or buying
them) so that we may put a large bag together
for each child to take home and share with
family and friends. Avoid peanuts, just in
case of allergies.
Because of the potential for life-threatening
nut allergies, please put a note on your cookies
to indicate if nuts were used in baking.
The Fellowship ministry will provide plates
and plastic wrap so you can take your cookie
assortment home. Thank you!
‘ Tis the season of Giving.
The season of giving is the perfect time to bless the work of
We Care. Consider the ideas below to engage your family, church,
friends, co-workers and neighbors to extend Christmas blessings to
those in need. Thank you!!!
Join us for this wildly festive celebration!
Please let Kathy Pettit know if you want to
attend so that we may have enough pizzas for
everyone.
345-1244
Amy Warren
361-3519
[email protected]
Do you like to play with toys? Are you
into story books? Can you color
outside the lines? Great!
There is a place where you can do all of
that... and more! For free!
Morning and Evening Small Group Meetings
The morning group meetings are: 2nd and 4th
Wednesday mornings at 10:00-12noon, at St. Francis of Assisi, and the evening meetings are on the
2nd and 4th Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm.
Contact:
Morning group: John or Charlie Carpenter at 803206-7360, [email protected] (John) or
803-401-6461 [email protected] (Charlie)
Evening group: Cheri Beesburg, 446-3362 or
email her at [email protected]
Use Amazon for giving easy holiday blessings by using the We Care Wish List
as your gift giving guide! To add to our blessings, be sure to select We Care as your
smile.amazon.com charity, and we will receive a donation from your purchase as well.
AND…you get to do it with the cutest
members and friends of St. Francis!
Contact Kim Scollon if you want in on the fun!
803-422-3222 or email at [email protected]
WE NEED YOU!
Thank you for all the ways you support We Care, during the holidays and throughout the
year. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Alecia Klauk, Executive Director
Page 6
Page 7
Schedules for
Date
Ushers
Worship Leaders/
Lectors
Acolytes
Altar Guild
Flower Guild/
Touch Base
2016
Nursery
Prayer Desk
Altar Flowers
Coffee Hour
Communion
Bread Baker
Counters
for the Month
Vestry
Representative
for the Month
Dec. 4
Advent 2
Dec. 11
Advent 3
Dec. 18
Advent 4
Dec. 24
Christmas
Eve
9:30:
Bill Mustard
Richard &
Brenda
Walters
9:30:
Karen Owens
John Harr
Phil Steude
Don DeMuth
Team Matthew
Hannah Boyle
Jeremy Boyle
Madeleine Maylath
8:30:
Bill Mustard
Mack Warren
10:30:
Mike Turner
Art Hutchinson
8:30:
Team Mark
Grayson Miller
Isabella Brazell
Laura Layton
8:30:
Bill Mustard
Kennon Webb
10:30:
Les Duncan
Marty Owen
8:30:
Ned Rowe
10:30:
Cynthia Dickerson
John Dickerson
John Carpenter
Team Luke
Austin Bryan
Matthew Bryan
Jenna Copeland
Luke Copeland
Team 3
Peggy Williams
Toni Sylvester
Judi Neubecker
5:00:
Need 2
volunteers
10:30:
Dennis &
Carol Baker
5:00:
Karen Owens
10:30:
McKellars
Team John
Shannon Goss
Erin Owen
Madison Owen
Mary Evans
Jesma Evans
Team 4
Alice Brooker
Pat Goodale
Mike Davenport
Carol Baker
10:30:
Les Duncan
Toni Sylvester
Sonny Epps
Team 2
Susan Eckhart
Pris Stickney
Kennon Webb
Flower Guild
All
Advent
Deanna Boyle
Lisa Evans
9:30:
Glinda Van Dyke
Ronnie Connelly
Deanna Boyle
8:30:
Glinda Van Dyke
10:30:
Judi Neubecker
Parish Meeting/
Covered Dish
Pam Steude
Alice
Brooker
Sonny Epps
Touch Base
Advent
Team 3
Peggy Williams
Toni Sylvester
Judi Neubecker
Flower Guild
All
Advent
Carol Baker
Sonny Epps
Touch Base
Advent
Flower Guild
All
Advent
Deanna Boyle 8:30:
Shannon Berley Glinda Van Dyke
10:30:
Cheri Beesburg
Cookie
Exchange
Carol Baker
Ned Rowe
Touch Base
Advent
Flower Guild
Poinsettias
Touch Base
Christmas Eve
Deanna Boyle
Carol Baker
Ned Rowe
Pat Goodale
For emergencies after office hours,
you may call Ned Rowe, Senior Warden
at 345-9356.
Fr. Slaven L. Manning, 803-932-8456
Deacon Ann F. Pilat, 803-920-5705
2016 ~ Advent/Christmas
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
1
1
2
Fri
Sat
2
1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop
3
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift
Shop
Life Line Screening
Woman's Club
3
4
5
6
4 ADVENY 2
9:30 a.m. Lessons &
Carols/Holy Eucharist
10:30 Annual Parish Meeting/Children’s Advent
Event
11:30 Covered Dish
5
6:30 p.m. Book Group
11 ADVENY 3
8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
Outreach Meeting
Girl Scouts
12
6:00-8:30 p.m. Scout Court
of Honor
18 ADVENY 4
8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
19 Grapevine Deadline
Outreach Christmas Party
6:30 p.m. Bldg/Grounds
Sustainability
25 CHRISTMAS DAY
6
6:30 p.m. Church Chicks
7 Noon Bulletin Deadline
8
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir
9
1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop
7:00 p.m. Fellowship &
Games, Diana Powers
10
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift
Shop
Youth Caroling & Progressive Dinner
13
14Noon Bulletin Deadline
7:00 p.m. Small Group
10:00 a.m. Small Group
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir
15
16
1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop
17
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift
Shop
Youth Lock-in
26
20
6:00 p.m. Cemetery Committee
6:00 p.m. Fellowship Committee
21 Noon Bulletin Deadline
22
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir
27
28
7:00 p.m. Small Group
10:00 a.m. Small Group
29
Parish Office Closed Dec. 26, 2016 -Jan. 2, 2017
23
1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop
30
1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift
Shop
5:00 p.m. Children’s
Pageant/Holy Eucharist
10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist
31
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift
Shop
7
8
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
26
27
29
30
Noah Belden
Glinda Van Dyke
Susan Eckhart
Sonny Epps
Paul Scheno
Bobby Smith
June Ingram
Karen Owens
Pat & Gene Slice
Luann Coracy
Dwight Grabowski
Carl & Ginnie Lundgren
Rex Hodges
Joyce Mustard
Pat Goodale
Marissa Mann
Anna Davis
Carolyn Evans
Lynn Rudge
Diane Brazell
Finn Hutt
Joanna Haines
Tom & Peggy Williams
Phil Pickard
Ben Rudge
Spenser Hodges
Whitney King
Harold “Scotty” Scott
B. J. Rowe
Benjamin Lovekamp
Richard Walters
Ian Scollon
Kay & Phil Purser
Fr. Slaven Manning
Alana Derrick
Chris Steude