St. Francis Episcopal Church
is located at
16608 Highway 76
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
link to Google maps click here
Mailing Address
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1220
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
Interim Minister: Father Robert G. Eaton
email address: [email protected]
Church phone: 760-742-1738
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 14th, 2024
"Inspiring Worship"
One of the enduring questions about St. Francis has to do with how he went about leading and engaging in corporate worship. The sources are readily available to get some sense of how to answer the question, especially with his closest “Fratres” freely sharing their eyewitness stories, their impressions, their observations of Francis to others. If you want to dive into it, I might suggest three areas of reading: Francis’ private worship, which was often observed by a few Fratres from afar, or even with him; the worship of the community of the brothers, which would change as more and more men came to follow Francis; and the worship of Francis and the brothers in the local parish church, or cathedral, in Assisi, or the surrounds, or when on a preaching tour away from Assisi.
In the early years of receiving and gathering “little brothers” (which is one way to translate the name given to the order, OFM, the order of Fratres Minores), there were no already ordained priests. Francis, thanks to a fresco painting, and the story of his preaching at a Holy Eucharist (or “Mass”) on a later Christmas Eve service, was apparently ordained a Deacon somewhere along the line. This designation could be solely by inference, since the non-ordained members of the Church were not allowed to preach in the context of the Mass unless they were an ordained person – deacon, priest or bishop.
In any case, with no priests in the early order, you can make this distinction between Francis and the little brothers at worship together in community; but also at worship in the local church with all the other congregants faithfully coming to church on a Sunday. It would be the same format as we have today: Ministry of the Word, and Ministry of Holy Communion, all together called Holy Eucharist, or the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper. And there would be music – the singing of the service, some hymns, etc. Lute might be involved, and in Francis’ day, the beginnings of what would be the organ.
We don’t have that kind of separation of worship into different contexts at St Francis, at least the difference between the Franciscan community worship without priest, and the Franciscan community joining the rest of the parish at the Mass. We COULD……but it would be seen as the existence of what you might call “house church,” or parish small groups (up to 15 people meeting weekly or bi-weekly at someone’s house). The worship would be singing a couple of songs, saying the Lord’s prayer, reading a scripture lesson, offering prayers together, etc. We don’t have anything like that at this point, even though we have parishioners involved in bible studies and perhaps a larger gathering such as Womens’ Bible Study Fellowship.
I digress for a moment: as an aside, ONE of the marks of growing congregations is the establishment of “small groups” as THE program of the Body of Christ. In their complete iteration, small groups act as TLC groups (to use an old abbreviation) for “Tender Loving Care” group. If they have a solitary function and nothing else TLC-wise, then they are not one of those kind of congregation building, relationship building groups. This is the group of the apostles with Jesus, and the first of the little brothers with Francis. It can also start as a bible study or prayer group or outreach ministry or choir or even a Vestry, and evolve into a TLC group with careful attention. Leadership is critical. St. Francis, Pauma Valley, DOES have what I have come to identify as “cell groups” (semantics is not the point here) where 3, 4, or 5 people have established long-term relationships, and in the course of things share their pains, sorrows, and joys and thanksgivings (including the pictures of the newest grandchild). In a congregation, the most complete cell groups not only have breakfast or go golfing or go on adventures on a regular basis, but they also take time to pray with each other, and hold each other accountable when they say to each other, “This week I’m going to get that done.”
Instead of a lot of those larger small groups, St. Francis Parish meets on Sunday mornings with a priest, Holy Communion is the norm, and we are glad to be with each other, sing together, pray together, attend the Word of God together in the readings and the sermon, and sit with each other afterward to get to know each other better, and ask, “how are you?”
In all of this, the question arises – for St. Francis and for each of us now – what is meaningful worship – all of it in every context, but especially as the whole parish gathers together? The Natural Church Development (NCD) church consultants call this the church-health category of “inspiring worship.” For some people, just because we pull the guitars (the lutes) out, they anticipate being inspired. For some people, as we discovered two weeks ago when several people came to St Francis to get away from guitar led worship music, the “traditional organ” led service is “inspiring.” These folks happened to walk in as the Assisi Band was debuting, and Brett Hauser was taking a Sunday off! They did enjoy the guitar led effort, though. Music is only one part, though.
For St. Francis, whenever the Holy Eucharist was being celebrated he was entranced, lifted up, made joyful in the Spirit, moved, made humble, so appreciative of the ordained priest’s ministry. He met “inspired worship” because he met Jesus in the sacrament.
That is one side of the healthy parish where inspiring worship takes place. The other side is what the church brings to the celebration, in careful planning, proper execution of the liturgy, and music and singing that provide emotional AND spiritual uplift, not to mention thoughtful, prepared sermons, and the opportunity to pray together.
Ah, but there is another “side” (that makes three sides, I know) and that is the invoking of the Holy Spirit to be present in all of God’s glory as the Body of Christ gathers to worship. Inspiring – as Paul used the word – refers to God-breathed-upon. The invoking is the responsibility of all of us, recognizing that worship in the hands of human beings alone can be quite deadly. Worship moved by the Holy Spirit is Life-giving.
All this to say what Francis would instill in his followers; what Jesus taught: Worship is not a performance for an audience, who then rate the value by whether they got something out of it or not. Worship – and inspiring worship – is something we All “do” together, and “aspire to.” It is bringing our “waiting on the Lord” to a moment, as well as an ongoing activity.
I mentioned NCD. Their definition of “inspiring worship” as a mark of a healthy congregation is “a personal and corporate encounter with the Living God. Both personal and corporate worship must be infused with the presence of God resulting in times of joyous exultation and times of quiet reverence. Inspiring worship is not driven by a particular style or ministry focus group, but rather the shared experience of God’s awesome presence.”
May St. Francis, Pauma Valley, always be known for inspiring worship.
with thanks and blessing to God's People,
Fr. Rob Eaton
July 14th, 2024
"Inspiring Worship"
One of the enduring questions about St. Francis has to do with how he went about leading and engaging in corporate worship. The sources are readily available to get some sense of how to answer the question, especially with his closest “Fratres” freely sharing their eyewitness stories, their impressions, their observations of Francis to others. If you want to dive into it, I might suggest three areas of reading: Francis’ private worship, which was often observed by a few Fratres from afar, or even with him; the worship of the community of the brothers, which would change as more and more men came to follow Francis; and the worship of Francis and the brothers in the local parish church, or cathedral, in Assisi, or the surrounds, or when on a preaching tour away from Assisi.
In the early years of receiving and gathering “little brothers” (which is one way to translate the name given to the order, OFM, the order of Fratres Minores), there were no already ordained priests. Francis, thanks to a fresco painting, and the story of his preaching at a Holy Eucharist (or “Mass”) on a later Christmas Eve service, was apparently ordained a Deacon somewhere along the line. This designation could be solely by inference, since the non-ordained members of the Church were not allowed to preach in the context of the Mass unless they were an ordained person – deacon, priest or bishop.
In any case, with no priests in the early order, you can make this distinction between Francis and the little brothers at worship together in community; but also at worship in the local church with all the other congregants faithfully coming to church on a Sunday. It would be the same format as we have today: Ministry of the Word, and Ministry of Holy Communion, all together called Holy Eucharist, or the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper. And there would be music – the singing of the service, some hymns, etc. Lute might be involved, and in Francis’ day, the beginnings of what would be the organ.
We don’t have that kind of separation of worship into different contexts at St Francis, at least the difference between the Franciscan community worship without priest, and the Franciscan community joining the rest of the parish at the Mass. We COULD……but it would be seen as the existence of what you might call “house church,” or parish small groups (up to 15 people meeting weekly or bi-weekly at someone’s house). The worship would be singing a couple of songs, saying the Lord’s prayer, reading a scripture lesson, offering prayers together, etc. We don’t have anything like that at this point, even though we have parishioners involved in bible studies and perhaps a larger gathering such as Womens’ Bible Study Fellowship.
I digress for a moment: as an aside, ONE of the marks of growing congregations is the establishment of “small groups” as THE program of the Body of Christ. In their complete iteration, small groups act as TLC groups (to use an old abbreviation) for “Tender Loving Care” group. If they have a solitary function and nothing else TLC-wise, then they are not one of those kind of congregation building, relationship building groups. This is the group of the apostles with Jesus, and the first of the little brothers with Francis. It can also start as a bible study or prayer group or outreach ministry or choir or even a Vestry, and evolve into a TLC group with careful attention. Leadership is critical. St. Francis, Pauma Valley, DOES have what I have come to identify as “cell groups” (semantics is not the point here) where 3, 4, or 5 people have established long-term relationships, and in the course of things share their pains, sorrows, and joys and thanksgivings (including the pictures of the newest grandchild). In a congregation, the most complete cell groups not only have breakfast or go golfing or go on adventures on a regular basis, but they also take time to pray with each other, and hold each other accountable when they say to each other, “This week I’m going to get that done.”
Instead of a lot of those larger small groups, St. Francis Parish meets on Sunday mornings with a priest, Holy Communion is the norm, and we are glad to be with each other, sing together, pray together, attend the Word of God together in the readings and the sermon, and sit with each other afterward to get to know each other better, and ask, “how are you?”
In all of this, the question arises – for St. Francis and for each of us now – what is meaningful worship – all of it in every context, but especially as the whole parish gathers together? The Natural Church Development (NCD) church consultants call this the church-health category of “inspiring worship.” For some people, just because we pull the guitars (the lutes) out, they anticipate being inspired. For some people, as we discovered two weeks ago when several people came to St Francis to get away from guitar led worship music, the “traditional organ” led service is “inspiring.” These folks happened to walk in as the Assisi Band was debuting, and Brett Hauser was taking a Sunday off! They did enjoy the guitar led effort, though. Music is only one part, though.
For St. Francis, whenever the Holy Eucharist was being celebrated he was entranced, lifted up, made joyful in the Spirit, moved, made humble, so appreciative of the ordained priest’s ministry. He met “inspired worship” because he met Jesus in the sacrament.
That is one side of the healthy parish where inspiring worship takes place. The other side is what the church brings to the celebration, in careful planning, proper execution of the liturgy, and music and singing that provide emotional AND spiritual uplift, not to mention thoughtful, prepared sermons, and the opportunity to pray together.
Ah, but there is another “side” (that makes three sides, I know) and that is the invoking of the Holy Spirit to be present in all of God’s glory as the Body of Christ gathers to worship. Inspiring – as Paul used the word – refers to God-breathed-upon. The invoking is the responsibility of all of us, recognizing that worship in the hands of human beings alone can be quite deadly. Worship moved by the Holy Spirit is Life-giving.
All this to say what Francis would instill in his followers; what Jesus taught: Worship is not a performance for an audience, who then rate the value by whether they got something out of it or not. Worship – and inspiring worship – is something we All “do” together, and “aspire to.” It is bringing our “waiting on the Lord” to a moment, as well as an ongoing activity.
I mentioned NCD. Their definition of “inspiring worship” as a mark of a healthy congregation is “a personal and corporate encounter with the Living God. Both personal and corporate worship must be infused with the presence of God resulting in times of joyous exultation and times of quiet reverence. Inspiring worship is not driven by a particular style or ministry focus group, but rather the shared experience of God’s awesome presence.”
May St. Francis, Pauma Valley, always be known for inspiring worship.
with thanks and blessing to God's People,
Fr. Rob Eaton
1995: The fruit of seeds being planted and ground being fertilized.
"Small seeds, plan with faith, see the growth"
A note from Father Rob....
I found a file this past week that I have been looking for since the month I arrived at Saint Francis to begin the Interim work of helping the parish look for a new Rector. Mind you, I didn't know what it was going to look like, where it was, or exactly what was in it. It was one of those files that hopefully held some answers to beginnings of the parish, and landmarks along the way, and the work of setting goals and statements made providing holy guidelines for the work of the parish.
Over the months I found various files and documents that gave many hints; writeups on the history of the parish were very helpful for getting a grasp of the parish at different times, and the individuals who seemed to have the ability to exude leadership through enthusiasm, prayer, and vision.
It's not exactly the master plan, that I was looking for. Congregations change from generation to generation. The seeds planted for future growth in the 1960's would look quite different from the church in the early 2000's, except perhaps for a few things (and even then those would be changed, and thus so too the overall landscape such as new buildings, new Prayer Book, new worship styles and priorities). These are nothing new, and I could be writing about any Episcopal congregation. However, I've also found that earlier statements of vision and mission for a church can hold important items for carry-through. And even if those statements need revising or changing - perhaps re-seeding - there are often divinely inspired truths for the congregation that should not be lost.
In our case, I was looking for information that spoke to the life of the congregation in the year or the year leading up to when St Francis moved from the status of Mission church to Parish church. The folder I found produced the newspaper clipping of the event in 1995 when that happened. And the good and blessed Bishop Gethin Hughes allowed for that special moment to take place on October 4th, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.
It's a day to remember for the Saint, but also as a day of celebration for the moment in time when the congregation was declared financially self-sufficient, capable of providing a full stipend and housing compensation for a priest (and Fr. Jim Estes went from Vicar to Rector when the parish voted to keep him!), and other requirements the diocese holds for the transition and status. You will want to embellish your Blessing of Animals and any special liturgy of the day with a festive gathering to celebrate the anniversary of the parish as parish.
In the same folder was a massive 11x17 folded "insert" produced obviously for another celebration of St Francis Day, held Sunday, October 2nd (close enough!), the year prior, 1994. The inside panels presented a chronological list of 34 events that took place in the still-Mission, by the Mission and for the Mission. And that was a great indication of the life of the parish leading up to your parish status affirmed by the bishop and Standing Committee, and presumably diocesan convention. No matter whether 12 or 34 in one year, the gatherings, the events, and then the review of all those things are incredible seeds to be planting for the life and health and momentum and morale of the parish.
That's what we've been doing quietly since last June, planning and holding one event each month. Sure, a few events were the reprise of events you've held before. But it was the making sure they happened that started to give the parish a renewal of momentum, which was very important for St Francis parish. These are seeds planted that go from small to large. And once they REALLY get "large" you'll need to find someone in the parish whose ministry is "event coordinator!"
AND, on the back of that large insert, was the iconic graphic of St Francis with animals and birds at his feet that lasted as a regular image for the parish for decades.
That graphic has been dogging me since almost the first week I arrived. Where did it come from, and how long; why was there only a short 7 or 8 word motto with it, or no words at all; was it a mission or vision statement, and then just a familiar graphic for newsletters, etc.?
When Jesus was asked to summarize the law, he did - summarize. But to elucidate, or to marvel at his summarization, you have to have some sense that there was a much larger statement behind it. Like, the 10 Commandments! I hadn't seen anything regarding this Francis graphic and it was disappointing.
Well, this graphic - created by a member of the parish, I've been told, and most likely introduced in 1994 - in this folder had phrases below (without the motto) to state "who we are." And they were seed statements. They may not have had any goals or objectives in and of themselves (which was probably disconcerting to a variety of CEO types), but somebody, probably at a vestry "skull pounding" session (I found that phrase in the same folder), and led by Fr. Estes, nailed down some of the basics that they knew the parish needed to have as guidelines for being effective disciples of Christ. And those are worth keeping, if only as inspiration for another group of leaders to plant, nurture, and plan on the harvest for another generation of followers of Christ.
The contents of the folder will be passed on by me to whomever is your next Rector. It will be a gift - he or she won't have to go looking for the same material. And that will be a seed gift, and stewardship of time gift.
In the lesson from the prophet Ezekiel, as well as different aspects of the same out of the mouth of Jesus, you are going to hear the words and sounds, and perhaps envision for yourself the result of bearing seed for the Kingdom of God; what a luscious environment, what a beautiful place of safety, security, and trust; what a place of invitation to those who have not yet built their nest there in that tree. And what a treasure trove of images from which to build YOUR invitation to others to come to Christ, just as Saint Francis did, every chance he found.
Here's what that clever group put together:
"who we are ....
Spirit leading us in prayer
T.rusting in the Lord
Faithful in thanks to God
Reaching out to others
Abiding in the Word
Newness of life
Community of believers
Inspired by vision
Serving with Love"
with thanks and blessing to God's People,
Fr. Rob Eaton
Do you want to learn more about the Episcopal Church of the United States? Select "More" from the menu at the top of this webpage. Choose "Episcopal Church" from the pull down menu. You will find there a history of the Episcopal Church and information about who we are as a worship community.
SEARCH TEAM NEWS... ... ... ....
Search Team reports that the final edits are in process with both the Parish "Portfolio" and "Profile." Of interest will be the drone video of the property and facilities which will be attached to the Profile. You'll be able to view it yourself when it is edited down and uploaded to our parish website.
Speak to Search Team leader Sam Dreyer, Senior Warden Dave Winebarger or Fr. Eaton for more info.
Search Team reports that the final edits are in process with both the Parish "Portfolio" and "Profile." Of interest will be the drone video of the property and facilities which will be attached to the Profile. You'll be able to view it yourself when it is edited down and uploaded to our parish website.
Speak to Search Team leader Sam Dreyer, Senior Warden Dave Winebarger or Fr. Eaton for more info.
Food For The Hungry Update
Update from Jennifer Wheelock
PLEASE no glass containers
Thank you all who have contributed to our food drive.
Items that are short in the pantry are highlighted below in yellow.
Please consider the items below as you are doing your weekly shopping. Don't feel like you have to get everything on this list. If everyone brought just a few of these items each week it would make a tremendous difference for those who could really use some help right here in Pauma Valley and Valley Center!
Each week 6 bags are provided for distribution by the Valley Center Neighborhood Healthcare Clinic.
Bags include:
- Box of cereal
- Can of tuna or chicken
- 16 oz. peanut butter
- Cans of green beans, corn, and fruit
- Can of beans or one-pound bags of dried beans
- 1 pound of rice
- 16 oz. or 24 oz. pasta sauce
- 1 pound of pasta any type
- Box of macaroni and cheese
- Kleenex and personal hygiene items.
Saint Francis Vestry & Staff
*************************
2024
Andre Padilla
Tomas Cerruti
2025
Eva Rosa
Dave Winebarger - Senior Warden
Renee Meyst - Junior Warden
2026
Jennie Myers
*************************
Treasurer: Eva Rosa
Organist and Choirmaster: Brett Michael Hauser
*************************
2024
Andre Padilla
Tomas Cerruti
2025
Eva Rosa
Dave Winebarger - Senior Warden
Renee Meyst - Junior Warden
2026
Jennie Myers
*************************
Treasurer: Eva Rosa
Organist and Choirmaster: Brett Michael Hauser
Click here for weekly readings from the Lectionary from the Episcopal Church. |
Report Misconduct
The Episcopal Church has suspended the statute of limitations for reporting clergy sexual misconduct. Until December 31, 2029, persons who believe they have been a victim of misconduct at any time in the past in our diocese may file a report with our intake officers: Equilla Luke, [email protected], or John Seitman, [email protected]. If you believe you have been harmed, please make a report. Our diocesan task force on compassionate care is available to support you. Speak with the intake officers for more information.
The Episcopal Church has suspended the statute of limitations for reporting clergy sexual misconduct. Until December 31, 2029, persons who believe they have been a victim of misconduct at any time in the past in our diocese may file a report with our intake officers: Equilla Luke, [email protected], or John Seitman, [email protected]. If you believe you have been harmed, please make a report. Our diocesan task force on compassionate care is available to support you. Speak with the intake officers for more information.