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News
Meet Our New Missioner: Shelley Reece to Lead Youth and Family Programming
As you may know, it has been my hope to hire an associate priest at St. Francis to help me with my pastoral and sacramental responsibilities. However, due to budget constraints, we were only able to offer potential associates 3/4 time pay. While this limited the field of candidates, we did get some strong leads. As things were beginning to move forward with potential candidates, one of our parishioners asked me what we had planned for children 11 – 18; this was especially pertinent as we have two children who have aged out of Blair’s Sunday school, with at least one more that will age out next year. Regretfully, I had nothing planned for our older youth. The clergy position was geared towards sharing care of the congregation, with an emphasis on programming for all ages.
It was at this time that Shelley Reece came to me and said she’d heard of an opening at the church; I told her it was for a clergy person, but that she should come to the office and talk with me. After a fruitful and spirit-led conversation, I realized that Shelley was a perfect fit for leading programming and youth, with an emphasis on people ages 11 – 25. Shelley has been an instructor with Ancient Ways Karate for several years, and she is an excellent teacher. She ably teaches students ages 4 – 70, with grace, humor, and discipline. Hiring a lay person over a clergy person comes with a few advantages: the total pay package is less, and there is no expectation that she takes part in the service on Sunday morning. She can be with the children, and during the week, her focus will be on programming for all ages, with an emphasis on our kids and children in the community.
I realize that this happened quickly; I met with Shelley on July 24, and on July 31, asked the vestry to approve funding for a Missioner of Programming and Youth, rather than an associate priest. After meeting for nearly an hour, the assembled vestry unanimously approved the hiring of Shelley Reece to be the Missioner of Programming and Youth. The vestry’s primary concern was that I receive the help I need to run the church; I assured them that Shelley would be taking enough off my plate to help me a good deal. The reason for haste was twofold: one, Shelley is excited to work with youth in the church, and she already has a strong background through her teaching at Ancient Ways. Two, the programming year begins in September, and I wanted to have someone in place for our children.
As I said to the vestry, we owe it to our youth and the youth of the community to create and sustain a strong community geared towards their spiritual needs. We will review and assess Shelley’s progress in January and decide where to go from there. It is my hope and prayer that she is wildly successful and that we have as many kids here on a regular Sunday as we do on Christmas Eve. The kids are out there; it’s getting them here that’s the challenge.
—Fr. Jason
2025 Annual Rummage Sale
It’s time to get ready! The 2025 gigantic St. Francis Annual Rummage Sale will be held on two consecutive Fridays and Saturdays: August 15-16 and August 22-23 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
Drop off donations from July 21st to August 11th, Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall. We will be accepting donations of gently used items such as clothing, kitchenware, furniture and other odds and ends.
Can you help? We need helpers from July 21 to August 27 to prepare items for the sale and help with cleaning up and packing unsold items after the sale. We will meet Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall. The task of preparing for the sale involves sitting, standing and walking. Come for a few hours or stay all day (bring your lunch, we take a break between Noon and 1:00 PM). Whether you are new to St. Francis or have worked the annual sale for the past 25 years, we welcome your help. Participation is a great way to raise funds for the church and to get to know one another! Please join us!
All the money raised through the sale goes towards the long-term upkeep of the buildings at St. Francis. In 2024, the funds paid for the replacement of half of the roof on the Parish Hall. This year, we funded plumbing repairs for the Chapel. Our goal is to raise enough to complete the Parish Hall roof in the future.
Donations welcomed for local families affected by ICE
Sacred Resistance is organizing donations for families affected by ICE raids, seeking shelf-stable food donations, personal hygiene items, household essentials, and baby products, in addition to financial donations.
In-kind donations may be made at 6125 Carlos Ave, Los Angeles, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Financial donations may be made through St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hollywood via PayPal or Venmo to @ststephenshollywood.
Youth Summer Art Camp 2025
We’re excited to announce Summer Art Camp at St. Francis, taking place from July 14 to 18, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Open to children ages 5–12, this fun and faith-filled week will focus on the theme: “To seek and serve Christ in all persons.”
Dates: July 14–18
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Ages: 5–12
Cost: $150 per camper. Register before July 1 to receive 30% off.
Space is limited to 30 campers—register early to secure your spot!
For more information or to register, visit the church office or call 310-375-4617.
Giving Tuesday 2025
Eat Your Pasta With a Purpose!
This Giving Tuesday, June 17, dine with heart at Bettolino Kitchen between 11am and 9pm and support the St. Francis Outreach Scholarship Fund—an amazing local effort helping students of limited means achieve their college dreams.
Show this flyer when dining in or ordering takeout, and $15 will be donated back to the cause!
📍 211 Palos Verdes Blvd
🌐 bettolinokitchen.com
📞 310-375-0500
Let’s honor the legacy of founder Joni McIntyre and help students thrive all the way to graduation.
Baccalaureate Sunday
Join us in celebrating our high school and college graduates on Baccalaureate Sunday this June during the 10:00 AM worship service! We will offer a special blessing over each graduate and present them with a personal copy of the Book of Common Prayer as a lasting gift from their church family.
If you have a graduate in your family, please contact the church office to ensure they are included in this meaningful celebration. Let’s honor their achievements and send them off with love and prayer!
PVPHS Orchestra Spring Concert
Join us for an enchanting evening of music as the Palos Verdes Peninsula High School Orchestra presents its Spring Concert at St. Francis Episcopal Church! 🌸✨
📅 Friday, May 2
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 St. Francis Episcopal Church, Palos Verdes Estates
🎟️ Tickets: $20 for adults | Students FREE!
Come support these talented young musicians as they fill the chapel with the sounds of spring. From classical favorites to lively new pieces, this concert will be a night to remember! 🌟
Bring your friends, family, and a love for great music! 🎼💐
For more info about the PVPHS Orchestra, visit https://www.pvphsmusicboosters.com/
Adult Christian Education Series: The Screwtape Letters
Adult Christian Education Series: The Screwtape Letters
by C.S. Lewis
Thursdays, 7:00–8:15 pm | May 1 – June 19 at St. Francis Episcopal Church
You’re warmly invited to a thought-provoking and lively Adult Christian Education series based on C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Screwtape Letters.
Inspired by a chilling wartime broadcast of Adolf Hitler, C.S. Lewis was struck by how evil could be made to sound persuasive and even appealing. The very next day, he began writing what would become one of his most enduring and popular works—a creative and satirical look at temptation, told through a series of fictional letters from a senior devil (Screwtape) to his young nephew, Wormwood. Over 80 years later, the book continues to resonate, selling over 150,000 copies each year.
Together, we’ll explore the spiritual insights and clever commentary within these 31 letters, using them to deepen our understanding of human nature, faith, and God’s grace. The class will follow a familiar format, including reading assignments and guided discussion around key themes.
Come and grow with us in faith, wisdom, and community. All are welcome!
For details, contact Dale Westervelt at dswestervelt@gmail.com
54th Annual Palos Verdes Antiques Show and Sale
The Palos Verdes Antiques Show and Sale returns for the 54th year on May 29 to 31!
Opening Night:
An Evening Aboard the Orient Express
May 28, 2025
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Please use the response card included in the invitation to reserve tickets.
Response deadline May 23, 2025.
Antiques Show Days:
- Thursday-Friday, May 29-30, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday, May 31, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
For more info, call (310-375-4617).
Holy Week and Easter Sunday 2025
Observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter Sunday with us!
Sunday, Apr. 13 — Palm Sunday with Bishop Visit
- 10:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
- 5:00 pm Parish Movie Night: “Jesus Christ Superstar”
Wednesday, Apr. 16 — Holy Week
- 10:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite II, Chapel)
Thursday, Apr. 17 — Maundy Thursday
- 6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist w/ foot washing and Agape Meal
Friday, Apr. 18 — Good Friday
- Noon – 3pm Prayers and silence in the chapel (at St. Francis)
- Noon Good Friday Holy Eucharist (at St. Cross)
Saturday, Apr. 19 — Holy Saturday
- 7:30 pm Easter Vigil (at St. Andrew’s Torrance)
Sunday, Apr. 20 — Easter Sunday
- 11:15 am Easter Egg Hunt
- 8:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite I, Chapel)
- 10:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
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St. Francis Episcopal Church
2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Phone: 310-375-4617
Fax: 310-791-2740
St. Francis is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
©2025 St. Francis Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.