Gratitude and Generosity - St. Francis In-The-Fields Episcopal ...
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Gratitude and Generosity
St. Francis In-The-Fields Episcopal Church
Annual Fund
October, 2020
As Followers of the Risen Christ, We Strive to be Instruments of God’s Peace.
1525 Mulberry Street
Zionsville, Indiana 46077
317.873.4377
Website: www.stfranciszionsville.org
E-mail: info@stfranciszville.org
2
Loving and generous God, who always listens to our supplications, spoken
and unspoken. You are the source of all things for which we are grateful; we
thank you for the abundance that you have provided. We humbly request that
you encourage all who love you to share with the community of St. Francis In-
The-Fields, and your whole church, from the treasures which you have
provided us, for it is in giving that we receive. We ask this in the name of the
Holy and Undivided Trinity. Amen.
Annual Fund Committee, September 2020
Dear Fellow Members and Friends of the St. Francis Community:
Welcome to the 2020 Annual Fund Campaign. This campaign promises to be as
unique as the rest of this calendar year! And, that is saying something.
The 2020 world we live in has caused us to learn to do nearly everything differently.
That includes our worship, Christian programming and outreach.
In this midst of all of this, St. Francis In-The-Fields has been here. We transitioned
to livestreaming our services, offering our programming online, and we have
managed to keep our outreach efforts alive even when the doors have been closed.
Our faith community has risen to the challenge to be a source of strength, resilience,
and encouragement for all of us. We hope you share a sense of gratitude as we plan
for what will come in 2021.
We are very grateful for your faithful response, as our community, to the many
events of 2020, and, quite frankly, for your ongoing financial generosity. We pray
that we can continue to count on your prayers, participation and financial support
in 2021.
As part of a new way to consider gratitude during a pandemic and during an annual
fund campaign, we invite you to explore this workbook with us over the coming
weeks. Its contents invite us to consider all the aspects of who we are as a
worshipping community and to offer prayers of gratitude for them.
consider all that makes
Please join us as we the St. Francis community a unique and important presence in
our lives.
Yours faithfully and in peace,
George Parker, Senior Warden The Rev. C. Davies Reed, Rector
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Using This Booklet
This resource is for individuals and families to use in reflection and devotion. We will focus on
Gratitude within four weeks of guided content.
We hope that you will consider joining us online via Zoom on Tuesdays for an informal chance to
share in fellowship and meditation on gratitude together. Our learning will continue throughout the
week and we hope that if you have meaningful connections you will call 317-873-4377 or email us at
info@stfranciszionsville.org so that we may share them with the parish.
Gratitude for Our Worship
Zoom Gathering on Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 pm
Resources on pages 6 and 7
Gratitude for Our Sacred Spaces
Zoom Gathering on Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 pm
Resources on pages 8 and 9
Gratitude for Our Programs
Zoom Gathering on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:00 pm
Resources on pages 10 and 11
Gratitude for Our Community Engagement
Zoom Gathering on Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 pm
Resources on pages 12 and 13
Gratitude Gatherings Zoom Details
Meeting number: 823 4101 6855 Find the link to these
Meeting passcode: gratitude
gatherings on Realm and
Dial by phone: 1-312-626-6799 in our weekly newsletters
Meeting ID: 823 4101 6855 on Thursdays!
Passcode: 269054774
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There are multiple ways to pledge. Select the method of giving that is best for
you!
• Schedule an electronic bank transaction for automatic payment of your pledge. This is a
no-cost way to make your pledge for both you and the church.
• Make your pledge online. Realm, our online church community, offers easy ways to support
our ministries. Whether you want to set up a recurring gift or make a single donation,
Realm is a safe and secure way to give online.
• Text caregenerously to 73256, followed by your gift amount. Standard text message and data
rates may apply.
• Fulfill your pledge by contributing via check through the mail to 1525 Mulberry Street,
Zionsville, IN 46077.
Important Dates
Annual Fund Campaign kick-off | Sunday, October 4th at 10:00 am online
Gratitude for our Worship Gathering | Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Gratitude for our Sacred Spaces Gathering | Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Gratitude for our Programs Gathering | Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Gratitude for our Community Engagement Gathering | Tuesday, October 27th at 7 pm via Zoom
Ingathering Sunday | Sunday, November 22nd at 10:00 am, location to be determined!
Submit your pledge letter to St. Francis by Sunday, November 22nd; at our ingathering during the
10:00am Holy Eucharist all pledges will be blessed! You can mail your pledge letter to us, or an
online pledge letter will be available on Realm and our website.
Questions? Need help? Contact the Church Office:
317-873-4377 or info@stfranciszionsville.org.
www.stfranciszionsville.org/annual-fund
5Introduction beginning on Tuesday, October 6th
Words to Ponder:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ
Jesus.” –I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Spiritual Practice:
The Book of Common Prayer tells us that “the Eucharist is the central act of worship” in the Episcopal Church,
and rightly so, because the word eucharist literally means “to give thanks.” In the Eucharist, we recall all that God
has given us and all that God has done for us as a people. We recall God’s mercies in creation, in the calling of
ancient Israel, in the history of our salvation, and in the life of Christ and his Church.
And we give thanks: we offer “our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,” holding up before God our lives and our
work, along with this bread and wine, to be taken up into the mystery of God’s plan for the whole creation.
When you next attend a celebration of the Eucharist, try approaching it as an opportunity to renew and express
your gratitude to God. Offer to God, the Giver of all good gifts, your “sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.”
Activity:
Name 5 memories of worship that you are grateful for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Church Groups Focus:
This week during church we’ll be recognizing the contributions of the following groups (in alphabetical order):
___ Acolytes ___ Flower Guild
___ Altar Guild ___ Greeters
___ Bulletin Team ___ Intercessors
___ Choir ___ Lectors/Readers
___ Clergy ___ Musicians
___ Eucharistic Ministers ___ Ushers/Greeters (Digital Ushers)
___ Eucharistic Visitors
6Reflecting with Gratitude: How We Worship
Please mark each of the items you feel gratitude for at St. Francis. Circle items you hadn’t noticed before
that now that you see them you are grateful for and will pay attention to going forward. Maybe this is an
area in which God is calling for your time, talents, or treasures.
Please note: leaving an item blank doesn’t mean that you don’t like it or don’t want it, it simply means
that the experience of it neither enhances nor impacts your gratitude for being present in worship today.
I am grateful for:
___ Announcements
___ Brochures with information about our church
___ Bulletin
___ Bulletin board
___ Candles
___ Children in worship materials
___ Communion Wafers
___ Eucharistic Prayer A, Rite II
___ Evening Prayer
___ Flowers
___ Hymnals
___ Invitations to church functions
___ Music
___ Nametags
___ Organ and Piano
___ Outdoor Worship
___ Prayer Books
___ Prelude countdown
___ Signs for the bathroom
___ Signs outside of church
___ Slideshow before and after worship
___ Steeple
___ Styles of the Prayers of the people
___ The Lord’s Prayer
I’m also grateful for these things about our worship which were not on the list but that I have experi-
enced while at St. Francis In-The-Fields:
Reflection Questions:
What might help you to cultivate a spirit of gratitude?
What can you do to bring others a spirit of thanksgiving?
What groups of people, seen and unseen, contribute to a meaningful worship experience for you?
7Introduction beginning on Tuesday, October 13th
Words to Ponder:
“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” – Psalm 116:12
Spiritual Practice:
Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and
turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and grati-
tude will help you to focus your life in awe.
Activity:
Note 5 things around you that you are grateful for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Church Groups Focus:
This week during church we’ll be recognizing the contributions of the following groups (in alphabetical order):
___ Building Committee
___ Gardeners
___ Hospitality and Special Events volunteers
___ Lawn mowing Service
___ Junior Warden
___ Senior Warden
___ Sexton
___ Vestry
___ Volunteers/staff who repair the facility
___ Volunteers/staff who stock bathroom supplies
___ Volunteers/staff who stock kitchen supplies
8Reflecting with Gratitude: Our Sacred Spaces
Please mark each of the items you feel gratitude for at St. Francis. Circle items you hadn’t noticed before
that now that you see them you are grateful for and will pay attention to going forward. Maybe this is an
area in which God is calling for your time, talents, or treasures.
Please note: leaving an item blank doesn’t mean that you don’t like it or don’t want it, it simply means
that the experience of it neither enhances nor impacts your gratitude for being present in worship today.
I am grateful for:
___ Bathrooms, clean and accessible ___ Kitchen
___ Boys and Girls Club of Zionsville ___ Library/Parlor
___ Cheerful places to learn ___ Parking lot
___ Clean and organized spaces ___ Plants in the church building
___ Clean sanctuary ___ Pollinator garden
___ Climate control ___ Prayground for children
___ Coffee and water ___ Sanctuary light
___ Columbarium ___ Silverware, knives, tools
___ Comfortable seat and space to worship in ___ Stained glass windows
___ Community Garden ___ Storage spaces
___ Dishes and pots/pans ___ Television in the Narthex
___ Electricity ___ Welcoming front door/entry
___ Faith formation spaces ___ Well-cared-for floors, walls, etc.
___ Fire pit ___ Wifi
___ Flower gardens around church
___ Handicapped accessibility and ADA compliance
I’m also grateful for these things about our sacred spaces which were not on the list but that I have expe-
rienced while at St. Francis In-The-Fields:
Reflection Questions:
How are you aware of the gifts that surround you on every side?
What fills your heart so full of joy and wonder that you want to cry out with the psalmist, “What shall I
render to the Lord, for all his bounty to me?”
9Introduction beginning on Tuesday, October 20th
Words to Ponder:
“Embrace your life journey with gratitude, so that how you travel your path is more important than reaching
your ultimate destination.” – Rosalene Glickman, PhD.
Spiritual Practice:
Sit and center yourself in God’s love. Start by thinking of someone you care for deeply and pray for their well-
being and thank God for their presence in your life. Next, think of someone you do not know very well but have
interacted with recently. This could be a cashier in a checkout line, someone you passed on a walk, or a neighbor
whose name you do not know. With an image of this person in your mind pray for their well-being and thank
God for their presence in your life. Next, think of someone who you do not like or whom you may become
frustrated with. Acknowledge your negative feelings for this person, and then pray for their well-being and thank
God for their presence.
Activity:
Name 5 people that you are thankful for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Church Groups Focus:
This week during church we’ll be recognizing the contributions of the following groups (in alphabetical order):
___ Accountants and Counters ___ Men’s Faith Journey Group
___ Adult Formation Volunteers ___ Music Leaders
___ Annual Fund Committee ___ Nursery Volunteers and Staff
___ Christian Formation Leadership Council [CFLC] ___ Outreach Volunteers
___ Children's Formation Teachers ___ Parish Life Group
___ Church Staff ___ Realm mentors and staff
___ Communications Group ___ Regathering Committee
___ Diocesan Executive Council ___ Vestry
___ Ladies’ Bible Study ___ Welcoming and Parish Life Group
___ Ladies’ Book Club ___ Women’s Fellowship Group
10Reflecting with Gratitude: Our Programs
Please mark each of the items you feel gratitude for at St. Francis. Circle items you hadn’t noticed before
that now that you see them you are grateful for and will pay attention to going forward. Maybe this is an
area in which God is calling for your time, talents, or treasures.
Please note: leaving an item blank doesn’t mean that you don’t like it or don’t want it, it simply means
that the experience of it neither enhances nor impacts your gratitude for being present in worship today.
I am grateful for:
___ Adult Formation
___ Blessing Box
___ Christmas Bags
___ Christmas Pageant
___ Communion Formation
___ Coffee Hours
___ Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
___ Crop Walk
___ Dance Moves
___ Dayspring Center
___ EYC
___ EYC Jrs
___ Festive Coffee Hours
___ Food Drives
___ Meal Ministry
___ Mission/Vision/Values
___ Nursery
___ Realm
___ Sunday School
I’m also grateful for these things about our programs which were not on the list but that I have
experienced while at St. Francis In-The-Fields:
Reflection Questions:
In what ways is gratitude “counter-cultural”?
What forces, experiences, or emotions work against gratitude in your own experience? Think of some
concrete examples. How could you lessen their power, and experience instead the transformative power
of gratitude?
11Introduction beginning on Tuesday, October 20th
Words to Ponder:
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” – Sir Winston Churchill
Spiritual Practice:
Pray the “General Thanksgiving” on page 836 of The Book of Common Prayer, naming specific things for which
you are thankful. (You may also find a copy of the General Thanksgiving at www.bcponline/Misc/
Thanksgivings.html.)
Activity:
1. The first time I came to St. Francis was because…
2. I am grateful for my experience of the following, which helped me decide to join St Francis:
3. The best part about being a member of St Francis is:
Church Groups Focus:
This week during church we’ll be recognizing the contributions of the following groups (in alphabetical order):
___ Adult Formation Volunteers
___ Annual Fund Committee
___ Children's Formation Teachers
___ Church Staff
___ Diocesan Convention Delegate
___ Music Leaders
___ Outreach Volunteers
___ Regathering Committee
___ Vestry
___ Welcoming and Parish Life Group
12Reflecting with Gratitude: Our Community Engagement
Please mark each of the items you feel gratitude for at St. Francis. Circle items you hadn’t noticed before
that now that you see them you are grateful for and will pay attention to going forward. Maybe this is an
area in which God is calling for your time, talents, or treasures.
Please note: leaving an item blank doesn’t mean that you don’t like it or don’t want it, it simply means
that the experience of it neither enhances nor impacts your gratitude for being present in worship today.
I am grateful for:
Community Presence Evangelism/Invitation/Connection Work
___ Alcoholics Anonymous ___ Church Newsletters
___ Boy Scouts ___ Church Website
___ Boys and Girls Club ___ Clergy engaging with community
___ Caring Center ___ Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation programs
___ Communications Team ___ Dinner Groups
___ Dance Moves ___ Flyers for Special Events
___ The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis ___ Forward Day by Day
___ Gentle Yoga ___ Mentoring for new members
___ Girl Scouts ___ Newcomers Ministry and Events
___ Literacy Group ___ Social Media
___ The Wabash Neighborhood
___ Weight Watchers
___ Zionsville Food Pantry
I’m also grateful for these things about our community engagement which were not on the list but that I
have experienced while at St. Francis In-The-Fields:
Reflection Questions:
What comes to mind when you thank God for “the blessings of this life”?
What have been the ‘means of grace’ in your life?
13A Gratitude Devotion
From Psalm 51
Open my lips, O Lord, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born
anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
A period of silence may follow. A hymn or canticle may be used; the Apostles' Creed may be said. Prayers may be offered for
ourselves and others.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect
The St. Francis Gratitude Collect found on the top of page 3 may be said.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:"
Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that
heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for
ever. Amen.
14My reflections on Gratitude:
15The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Anonymous, La Clochette, Paris, 1912
16You can also read
