Parish Life Ministries
Parish Life Ministries at St. Francis are where we really start to feel the warmth and fullness of life together. While we worship together as a church on Sundays, we connect as a parish community on any day of the week. Parish life ministries are carried out by lay leaders and are true labors of love. These small group interactions are where we really get to know one another, bond, laugh, and revel together in the joy of God’s creation. Our community is eclectic, multicultural, and intergenerational. We take pride in the uniqueness of us, just as God made us. We love taking time to slow down and really get to know one another. Reach out to us if you want to learn more about getting involved!
English & Spanish Class
This small group meets weekly on Thursday afternoons during the school year. People of all experience levels are invited to join this language learning class at any time. We learn and practice Spanish and English together in a casual conversational environment. The class is led by native English and Spanish speakers from our parish. In addition to learning a new language, the students grow closer together in community, sharing jokes, celebrations, resources, and support in the class WhatsApp group. All are welcome to participate!
Walk in the Wilderness
Walk in the Wilderness meets monthly during the program year. This intergenerational group ventures out to different locations in the Baltimore region for walks. Our hardy walking group is open to people of all ages. Beginners will find the pace manageable.
Comfort & Joy
Comfort & Joy is a yarn arts fellowship group. Knitters and crocheters meet monthly to work on personal and shared projects. The group crafts prayer shawls and prayer blankets that are blessed during the Sunday worship service. They also lead an annual warm winter woolies drive to ensure all have access to warm hats, scarves, and mittens during the cold months. Novices are welcome! If you have never knitted or crocheted before, then the group is happy to show you how. All are welcome to join and learn at their own pace. Comfort & Joy members love to share their knowledge and support each other in friendship as well. Let us know if you want to learn more!
Petal Pushers
The Petal Pushers are a group of floral enthusiasts who prepare flower arrangements for our worship services, parishioner dedications, and special occasions. The beautiful displays during Christmas and Easter are the work of the Petal Pushers! Beginners are welcome to participate. Experienced arrangers love sharing what they know and occasionally host experts to give talks on the artform!
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is the behind the scenes worship support team that prepares the altar for worship services. They set up for services, clean up afterwards, and care lovingly for all the items being used. Group members feel there is something special about the quiet of an empty sanctuary and being in the presence of God with a teammate. All are welcome to join the Altar Guild. With our growing Latino Ministry, this group plays a special role in building a bridge between our English and Spanish services. Reach out to us if you have questions!
Fellowship Hour
Every Sunday our community meets after the 10am and 11:30 am services to share light snacks, coffee, tea, and cold drinks. This is a community-led event with many people contributing. We love this weekly opportunity to gather, break bread, and socialize after a week apart. With our growing Latino Ministry, fellowship hour is a unique opportunity for cross-cultural connection between services!
Fellowship Special Events
St. Francis features a variety of special events that happen either once or twice a year or only sporadically. We enjoy an annual Trunk or Treat, a bi-annual school year picnic, occasional game nights, pool parties, and baseball outings. All are welcome to contribute to our shared parish life in this way!
Carrie Reed
she/her
Community Missioner
About Me:
I am a relatively new Episcopalian. My previous church home and place of employment was with a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Texas. Upon moving to Maryland from Texas, finding the Episcopal Church was an unexpected joy. I majored in English at the University of Texas at Austin. The English major in me loves the three-legged stool of Anglicanism and the feeling of acceptance that comes from bringing my whole self to church every Sunday, including my questions. I do love to analyze a text! I live in Baltimore City with my husband, young son, and cat. We love to go to the library on a Saturday, take a family hike, or explore some new facet of life in Baltimore.
My Role:
I am the Community Missioner at St. Francis. My role here is multifaceted. I direct our communications, including our e-newsletter, website, and social media. I oversee the daily comings and goings of our parish office. I guide our space sharing program. I track membership. I aid our wider Timonium community as a resource for all things St. Francis. I think creatively and strategically about opportunities to grow our community into the future.
My Dream for St. Francis:
I dream about fostering a culture that celebrates mistakes. Mistakes are gifts inviting us to ask questions, seek solutions, and find new ways to relate to and understand one another. Building community and creating a place of welcome is not without its challenges. As Robert Frost said, “the best way out is always through.” When we encounter roadblocks on our path, my hope is that we can approach blocks with a spirit of calm, curiosity, and mutual trust.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
I love the work of Fred Rogers, vegan hazelnut chocolate confections, contemporary and classic fiction, coffee, and a good sitcom.
Fun fact:
I am a multi award winning vegan chili chef!
