A community dedicated to loving, not judging, respecting the dignity of every human being.
Prayer Attributed to St. Francis
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.
Our Ministries
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Eucharist at Harmony
When it is safe, St. Francis will resume celebrating Eucharist with the seniors at Harmony at West Ashley.
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Daughters of the King
St. Francis has an active Daughters of the King group.
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Charleston Pride
St. Frances is an active supporter of Charleston Pride and March for Our Lives.
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Community Needs
The Charleston area has many needs and collecting food is one activity we routinely support.
Live worship services have returned! We will gather at the outdoor pavilion at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Sundays at 10:00 am. Worship services past and present can be found on this website by clicking on "Worship Services."
For those whom we haven’t seen…We miss you!
We at St. Francis strive to become the Beloved Community. We need you…and you need us! Gary Crossley generously shared with me an article published in USA Today this week titled, “Why going to church during Holy Week (and beyond) is good for your mental health.” The article says in part, “As Holy Week dawns and we edge closer to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, research shows one thing for certain: The faster people get back to church, the better it will be for them, and for the country as a whole.” In research, broad-based evidence demonstrates that attendance at worship services is indispensable to a happy, generous and flourishing society.
Studies undertaken by the National Library of Medicine suggest that regular churchgoers live longer, happier lives. Regardless of race, age, political affiliation, gender or income, only those who consistently attended religious services each week (online or in person) are happier today than they were a year ago when COVID-19 began to capsize the globe. The article cites many benefits from engaging with members of a congregation. They include better support systems, personal encouragement, group prayer, access to financial help, and a reminder that there is a hope far greater than our tired and discouraged selves.
So, if you find yourself in “a bad spot” or feel you are “going through a rough patch” and don’t feel you can get out of it alone, know you’re not alone! We’ve all been there to one degree or another, if not during the pandemic, then during life.
Eastertide is a season in which everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! For if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. We are following all recommended precautions in resuming in person worship. We are gathering for worship in an outdoor, well ventilated, screened pavilion, socially distanced and masked. If you believe you are able to safely join us in person but just don’t have the means or inclination to get to us, let us know and someone will pick you up and take you home. If you don’t yet feel comfortable worshiping in person, please participate by viewing our services online. Each worship service is being videotaped and posted on our webpage and YouTube before the end of the service day.
Every one of us is uniquely a child of God and every situation is unique. However, we are all members of the Beloved Community. Do what is best for you, because caring for yourself in the midst of our health crisis, is indeed caring for others.
If you haven’t been joining us for whatever reason, I hope you will prayerfully reconsider joining us again, however that may best work for you. You are missed by your brothers and sisters in Christ! And most importantly, know and trust, that you are loved.
