St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Location: 735 Old Lexington Highway U.S. POSTAGE The Grapevine Mailing Address: PO Box 265 P-A-I-D Chapin, SC 29036 PERMIT #33 December 2016 ~ Advent/Christmas Address Service Requested CHAPIN, SC 29036

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 expla- The Grapevine nation of what Advent is and what is its significance for us. December 2016 Advent/Christmas 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 Staff: Contact Information: of the Season of Advent.

The Rev. Slaven L. Manning Phone: (803) 345-1550 Fax: (803) 345-7798 Each of our Church seasons has a color associated with it, and the color is symbolic. The color of Rector Advent can be either (signifying the royalty of our Lord) or Marian (honoring Mary as Website: www.stfrancischapin.org The Rev. Deacon Ann F. Pilat E-mail: [email protected] the mother of our Lord). Here at St. Francis, we are privileged to have blue vestments and appoint- Deacon for Hispanic Ministries ments and so the color within our Sanctuary transitions from the of Pentecost to Marian blue Office Hours: for Advent. Mrs. Cindy Epps Monday-Friday ...... 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Parish Administrator The word “Advent” is a form of the Latin word for “coming.” During the Season of Advent we Sunday Services: Mr. Joseph Schroer Worship ...... 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. prepare for, and await, the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ … both His first appearance as a child Director of Music (Coffee Fellowship following both services) born of the Virgin Mary and His eventual second coming to judge both the living and the dead. Christian Formation ...... 9:30 a.m. Ms. Marilyn Becker (Sept.– May.) During this year’s Season of Advent, make it a point to slow down (both physically and spiritu- Organist ally) and to focus on what has tritely been called “the reason for the season” of Christmas.

Nursery provided ...... 9:15 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. Through all of the noise and busyness of parties and shopping and retail frenzy, listen for and hear Mrs. Bertina Floyd (September-May) the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit telling us to prepare the way of the Lord. May You find 10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pianist at 8:30 worship within our hearts and minds this Christmas, O Lord, a place prepared for You. (June– August)

Mrs. Deanna Boyle Thrift Shop: Peace and Joy! Nursery Care Provider Phone: 945-2222 Hours: Fr. Manning Mrs. Kathy Elkin Friday ...... 1:00-4:00 p.m. Sexton Saturday ...... 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.

Mrs. Karen Wade Thrift Shop Manager Our mission at St. Francis of Assisi is to love, grow and serve. How to Contact Your Clergy and Vestry From the Senior Warden…The 94th Convention of the Upper Diocese occurred as th Fr. Slaven L. Manning Sonny Epps 2016 advertised on November 4 at St. John’s in Columbia. The proceedings for the curious are accessible [email protected] ...... 803-932-8456 Stewardship ...... 803-292-1977 through the Diocesan website, but of immediate interest is that Fr. Slaven was confirmed by the Bishop or [email protected] [email protected] as Dean of the Midlands Convocation and also elected by the Convention as a member of the Diocesan Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board. Deacon Ann F. Pilat Carolyn Evans 2016 ...... [email protected] ...... 920-5705 Communications ...... 932-0331 And what a great Auction! Outstanding food and fellowship, and ± $16,000 taken in! Disposition of the [email protected] Janice Fergusson 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, auc- Treasurer...... 345-9729 Pat Goodale 2018 ...... tioneers Rick and Phil, bartender Dennis, and the apparently tireless kitchen crew! [email protected] Fellowship ...... 321-5888

Ned Rowe 2016 [email protected] At the beginning of each of the 2 years of my tenure as Senior Warden, I charged the Vestry with en- Senior Warden ...... 345-9356 gaging brain before mouth, and make sure that anything they said (or did) could positively answer the Rick Scollon 2018 ...... question: “How does this help St. Francis?” Again, specifically HOW does it help. I greatly regret that I ...... [email protected] Youth ...... 315-6539 have recently become aware of unhelpful if not vicious rumors arising from various groups at St. Fran- Chuck Neubecker 2017 [email protected] cis and being widely circulated, both within and without. We’re all human and imperfect Christians, Junior Warden ...... 364-1668 but toward the end of addressing, and it is to be hoped squashing, a few of the sillier pieces of misinfor- [email protected] Phil Steude 2017 Christian Education ...... 345-1767 mation, I submit the following: [email protected] - “…nobody knows where he (Fr. Slaven) lives…” Not so, a number of people know where he Bertina Floyd 2018 and Linda are renting prior to building, and if you don’t and need to, why not ask him or the Office Clerk of Vestry ...... 345-1051 staff? [email protected] Richard Walters 2017 ...... - “… (Fr. Slaven) will only be here 2-3 years, he wants to go back to Texas…” Don’t be silly, Finance ...... 932-2230 or perhaps you are just unaware that he and Linda are working through house plans and preparing to Roger Banta 2018 [email protected] build in the Chapin area. Not Texas, South Carolina. Outreach ...... 781-3711 - “The Rector wants to run everything.” Sadly, this one isn’t unique to our current Rector … [email protected] Peggy Williams 2017 we’ve heard it about our previous ministers … so one more time, go to Articles VII and VIII of the St. Pastoral Care ...... 932-0092 Francis Bylaws, and Canons of the Episcopal Church, III.9. Hello? Priest-in-Charge (if appointed by a Les Duncan 2016 [email protected] Bishop) and Rector (if elected by a parish). RECTOR – the guy we elected and hired to lead us and BE Spiritual Growth & Discipleship ...... 345-3584 IN CHARGE! rotceR ro egrahC-ni-tseirP (for mirror readers). lalDanyaS pa’Huj * (for Klingons or [email protected] 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 – help- Get to Know Your Vestry Representative of the Month ful – but the parking-lot and dinner-party negative grousing serves no positive purpose and may, in fact, Your Vestry Representative for December is Pat Goodale, Liaison for Fellowship 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 silli- As a cradle Episcopalian, I have spent my entire childhood and adult life as an active nesses) HELP St. Francis, its missions and congregation. Otherwise, put a sock in it: you’re doing dam- member of Episcopal churches in Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, Alabama, and South age, because some people believe it, plus it makes you look as if you want to harm St. Francis. 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 Thus ends 2 years servitude as your Senior Warden. As a parish we’ve accomplished a staggering list adult Sunday School. 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 My education includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from sticks, fishing poles, or (gasp!) knives and guns, perhaps to hunt the snark or jump in a pond (another Faulker University in Montgomery, Alabama and a Master’s degree in Management from Southern gasp!) without a lifeguard, a favorite aunt would say, “Y’all play purty now, y’ hear?” What more can I Wesleyan in the upstate. I retired from the American Cross four years ago having held various leave you with? Y’all play purty now, y’hear… positions for National Headquarters in Washington, DC. My focus and response was primarily in disas- ter 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 ( * To avoid confusion, be advised that Klingon does not have a word for “Rector”. I’ve substi- of church include genealogy and the Newberry County Museum project. tuted here lalDanyaS, which best translates as “Priest”.) Page 2 Page 11

Chapin-Little Mountain Fourth Sunday

Community Worship Services Every Fourth Sunday of the month Christmas Eve Services at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 24, 2016 5:00 p.m. and 10:30p.m.

Jan. Providence AME Rev. Paul Allen Upcoming Weekend #135 COME SHARE THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS! January 19-22, 2017 Feb. Lake Murray Pres. Rev. Michael Hill

Camp Gravatt Mar. Mt. Zion Baptist Rev. Rebecca Asbil 1006 Camp Gravatt Road 5:00 p.m. Early Service: 10:30 p.m. Late Service April Chapin Fellowship Rev. Jones Aiken, SC 29805 Children’s Christmas Pageant Holy Eucharist

Go to: http://edusc.org/formation/cursillo/ May Lake Murray Evan. Rev. Sheppard Holy Eucharist Candle Lighting Cursillo_Candidate_Application_7-27-16.pdf June St. John AME Rev. Jody Flowers 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 them- selves, 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

Page 10 Page 3 Prayer List For All Ages Sunday School Classes Isabel Avila - granddaughter of friend of Dianne Cyndi Smith - friend of Carol Baker 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Brazell John & Mary Walker - brother & sister-in-law Lynn Barnes - mother of Lisa Evans of Amy Warren Brandon Barnhouse - son of Linda Manning Diane Watchinsky - friend of Diana Powers Children & Youth: Teachers Classroom Virginia Bequeath - mother of Bev Collom Neva Watson - member Ages 3, 4 & 5 Kim Scollon Room 118 Diane Bias - friend of Diana Powers Sue Copeland Mark Bowers - uncle of Will Berley Thank you…

Gordon Brantley - member St. Francis Friends, Grades 1 & 2 Cynthia Dickerson Room 117 Jacob Burr - grandson of Carol Coleman Richard Broad Fran & Leon Campbell– members My heartfelt thanks for your prayers, cards and Karen, Abby & Michael Carter - members many offers of help during my recent surgery and recovery. The caring of my many church Grades 3, 4, & 5 Marty Owen Room 116 Carol Coleman - member friends is a special blessing. Betty Davis - member Grades 6, 7 & 8 Janice Bryan Jr. High Room DeMates - mother of Christina DeMates Love and blessings, 2nd Floor Matthew, Alana and Landon Derrick - members Sheila London Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 Cheri Beesburg Sr. High Room Roseanne Dickerson - daughter of John & 2nd Floor Cynthia Dickerson Remember in prayer Rolf Hamre - stepson of Toni Sylvester those serving our country: Adults Carl Lundgren Seekers Class Art Hutchinson - member Terry Burnett Myra Jackson - granddaughter of John & John Carpenter Charlie Carpenter Holidays and Winter Adult Sunday School Schedule Dot Jines - aunt of James Bryan Kenneth Aycock David Tanner Murray Kyle Beaver T.J. Pinelli Redick Loring - sister of Michael Copeland The Adult Sunday School program, which is based on the book “We Make the Jason Bowen Greg Smith Road by Walking,” will not meet on December 4 because of a conflict with the Marvin McCartha - cousin of Sonya Turner Divine Cox Chase Smoak Annual Parish Meeting. Neither will we meet on Christmas Day or New Years Jenny McElhaney - niece of the Rosemans Ryan Dickson Haley Spearman Day. David McMurray - son of Dida & Jack McMurray Joe Dorley Swain Spearman Brad Durham Jacob Stafford Joyce Mustard - member We will meet all other Sundays in November and December and will re-start meeting every Sun- Jase Geiger Charles Stickney day beginning January 8, 2017, at 9:35 in the Finders’ Room. Adam & Pat Nugent - members Brock Good Ben Taylor Ruth Palassis - friend of Marsha Duncan Kemp Gregg Hunter Thompson Hope to see all of our regulars and many others. Allison Penwell - friend of Martha Taylor Pierson Haines Evan Tucker Jay Knisley Milledge Wilson Dana Perry - brother of Iona Perry Harry Lowman, Jr. Ian Wright Iona Perry - member Tripp Lynn Michelle Yelland Carl Lundgren Terry Burnett John Carpenter Andy Meetze [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Wayne Reed – member

945-9180 960-5526 206-7360 Dotsie Scott - member

Page 4 Page 9 Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Schedule: Fellowship and Games 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 9 , 2016 Sunday 12/4 12:00-12:30 at the home of Diana Powers Wednesday 12/7 5:50-6:50 626 Lake Tide Drive Sunday 12/11 12:00-12:30 Chapin 29036 Wednesday 12/14 5:50-6:50 414-2130 Wednesday 12/21 5:30-6:50 Bring an appetizer to share Joseph Schroer, Director of Music and beverage of your choice. [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 Fourth Sunday Community Worship Service Sunday, January 22, 2017 share and a wrapped ornament to swap. Bev- 6:00 p.m. erages will be provided. Providence AME Church 701 Meadowlark Rd Please join us for a fun evening of clucking Little Mountain, SC 29075

before the holidays! If you need a ride, call The Rev. Paul Allen, preacher Randy and we’ll set up carpools.

Page 8 Page 5 Tha dur

We Cookie Exchange Christmas Party for Summer Camp Children Sunday, December 18, 2016 Sunday, December 18, 5-7pm ‘ Tis the season of Giving. following the 10:30 a.m. service in the Parish Hall The season of giving is the perfect time to bless the work of Please bring cookies to exchange (1, 2, or 3 Please consider making cookies (or buying We Care. Consider the ideas below to engage your family, church, dozen) of your choice, plus a dozen for the them) so that we may put a large bag together friends, co-workers and neighbors to extend Christmas blessings to Outreach kids’ Christmas party! for each child to take home and share with those in need. Thank you!!! family and friends. Avoid peanuts, just in Because of the potential for life-threatening case of allergies. nut allergies, please put a note on your cookies to indicate if nuts were used in baking. Join us for this wildly festive celebration!

The Fellowship ministry will provide plates Please let Kathy Pettit know if you want to and plastic wrap so you can take your cookie attend so that we may have enough pizzas for assortment home. Thank you! everyone. 345-1244 Amy Warren 361-3519 [email protected]

Do you like to play with toys? Are you Use Amazon for giving easy holiday blessings by using the We Care Wish List into story books? Can you color as your gift giving guide! To add to our blessings, be sure to select We Care as your outside the lines? Great! smile.amazon.com charity, and we will receive a donation from your purchase as well. There is a place where you can do all of that... and more! For free! AND…you get to do it with the cutest members and friends of St. Francis! Morning and Evening Small Group Meetings

The morning group meetings are: 2nd and 4th Contact Kim Scollon if you want in on the fun! Wednesday mornings at 10:00-12noon, at St. Fran- 803-422-3222 or email at [email protected] cis of Assisi, and the evening meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm. WE NEED YOU! Contact: Morning group: John or Charlie Carpenter at 803- 206-7360, [email protected] (John) or Thank you for all the ways you support We Care, during the holidays and throughout the 803-401-6461 [email protected] (Charlie) year. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Evening group: Cheri Beesburg, 446-3362 or email her at [email protected] Alecia Klauk, Executive Director

Page 6 Page 7 Schedules for 2016

Date Ushers Worship Leaders/ Acolytes Altar Guild Flower Guild/ Nursery Prayer Desk Altar Flowers Coffee Hour Communion Counters Vestry Lectors Touch Base Bread Baker Representa- for the Month tive for the Month

Dec. 4 9:30: 9:30: Team Matthew Team 2 Flower Guild Deanna Boyle 9:30: Parish Meet- Advent 2 Bill Mustard Karen Owens Hannah Boyle Susan Eckhart All Lisa Evans Glinda Van Dyke ing/ Pam Steude Alice Pat Goodale Richard & John Harr Jeremy Boyle Pris Stickney Advent Ronnie Connelly Covered Dish Brooker Brenda Phil Steude Madeleine Maylath Kennon Webb Sonny Epps Walters Don DeMuth Touch Base Advent

Dec. 11 8:30: 8:30: Team Mark Team 3 Flower Guild Deanna Boyle 8:30: Advent 3 Bill Mustard Mike Davenport Grayson Miller Peggy Williams All Glinda Van Dyke Carol Baker Mack Warren Carol Baker Isabella Brazell Toni Sylvester Advent 10:30: Sonny Epps 10:30: 10:30: Laura Layton Judi Neubecker Judi Neubecker Mike Turner Les Duncan Touch Base Art Hutchinson Toni Sylvester Advent Sonny Epps

Dec. 18 8:30: 8:30: Team Luke Team 3 Flower Guild Deanna Boyle 8:30: Advent 4 Bill Mustard Ned Rowe Austin Bryan Peggy Williams All Shannon Berley Glinda Van Dyke Cookie Carol Baker Kennon Webb 10:30: Matthew Bryan Toni Sylvester Advent 10:30: Exchange Ned Rowe 10:30: Cynthia Dickerson Jenna Copeland Judi Neubecker Cheri Beesburg Les Duncan John Dickerson Luke Copeland Touch Base Marty Owen John Carpenter Advent

Dec. 24 5:00: 5:00: Team John Team 4 Flower Guild Deanna Boyle Christmas Need 2 Karen Owens Shannon Goss Alice Brooker Poinsettias Carol Baker Eve volunteers 10:30: Erin Owen Pat Goodale Ned Rowe 10:30: McKellars Madison Owen Touch Base Dennis & Mary Evans Christmas Eve Carol Baker Jesma Evans

For emergencies after office hours, Fr. Slaven L. Manning, 803-932-8456 you may call Ned Rowe, Senior Warden Deacon Ann F. Pilat, 803-920-5705 at 345-9356.

2016 ~ Advent/Christmas 1 Noah Belden 2 Glinda Van Dyke Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Susan Eckhart 1 2 3 3 Sonny Epps 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift Paul Scheno Shop 4 Bobby Smith Life Line Screening 5 June Ingram Woman's Club Karen Owens Pat & Gene Slice 6 Luann Coracy 4 ADVENY 2 5 6 7 Noon Bulletin Deadline 8 9 10 Dwight Grabowski 9:30 a.m. Lessons & 6:30 p.m. Book Group 6:30 p.m. Church Chicks 7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift 7 Carl & Ginnie Lundgren Carols/Holy Eucharist 7:00 p.m. Fellowship & Shop 10:30 Annual Parish Meet- Games, Diana Powers 8 Rex Hodges ing/Children’s Advent Youth Caroling & Pro- Joyce Mustard Event gressive Dinner 13 Pat Goodale 11:30 Covered Dish 14 Marissa Mann 15 Anna Davis 11 ADVENY 3 12 13 14Noon Bulletin Deadline 15 16 17 Carolyn Evans 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. 6:00-8:30 p.m. Scout Court 7:00 p.m. Small Group 10:00 a.m. Small Group 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift Lynn Rudge Holy Eucharist of Honor 7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir Shop 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 16 Diane Brazell Outreach Meeting 17 Finn Hutt Girl Scouts Youth Lock-in 18 Joanna Haines 19 Tom & Peggy Williams 20 Phil Pickard 18 ADVENY 4 19 Grapevine Deadline 20 21 Noon Bulletin Deadline 22 23 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 21 Ben Rudge 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Outreach Christmas Party 6:00 p.m. Cemetery Com- 7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift Holy Eucharist 6:30 p.m. Bldg/Grounds mittee Shop 22 Spenser Hodges 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Sustainability 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Com- 5:00 p.m. Children’s Whitney King mittee Pageant/Holy Eucharist Harold “Scotty” Scott 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist 24 B. J. Rowe 26 Benjamin Lovekamp Richard Walters 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 26 27 28 29 30 31 7:00 p.m. Small Group 10:00 a.m. Small Group 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thrift Shop 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Thrift 27 Ian Scollon Shop Kay & Phil Purser 29 Fr. Slaven Manning Parish Office Closed Dec. 26, 2016 -Jan. 2, 2017 30 Alana Derrick Chris Steude