What We Believe
St. Francis Episcopal Parish & Community Center is an Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Maryland. The Episcopal Church is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion, Our shared history with these institutions comes with ancient liturgical traditions that we hold dear. We balance our connection to our traditions with an embrace of reason and a potential for change that propels us forward. The tension between tradition and reason is brought into balance with our focus on scripture and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We call this balance the “Anglican three-legged stool.” As Anglicans and Episcopalians, we think of ourselves and our place in the world as the “middle way” or as a bridge between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Worship at St. Francis has a way of feeling old and new at the same time.
Who leads?
“The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance.” – episcopalchurch.org
We believe that all baptized people are called to ministry. Our Baptismal Covenant asks of us, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” We answer “I will, with God’s help.” We renew our baptismal vows as part of our liturgy a few Sundays a year. Renewing these vows gives us the opportunity to make new again the promises we make to God and to each other as a community.
All are Welcome
We affirm and celebrate our LGBTQ+ members. You are welcome here just as you are! We are an inclusive community, and we welcome all without exceptions. You are valued and respected for who you are, no matter where you may be on your spiritual path. We embrace theological questions here. All are welcome to join in the conversation and exploration of our faith. Through these reflections, many have discerned a call to share a ministry with our community. Some minister through action with the Green Team, fellowship with Comfort & Joy, action with the Food Ministry, or fellowship and fun with Spanish Ministry. All are invited to share their talents and lead in ministry!
“Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with God.” — Micah 6:8
The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter
she/her
Rector
About Me:
Preacher, justice seeker, Episcopal priest, community organizer, theologian, parent of three artistic young adult children. Native North Carolinian. Bookish. I believe God is up to something beautiful in this world, and I’m grateful we get to be a part of it.
My Role:
Rector is an old-fashioned word for pastor and administrative head of a church. As Rector I get to do what I love: support and nurture a faith community in the Episcopal tradition. Rectors are generalists; I get to wear a lot of hats, sometimes all in the same day. Preaching and presiding at Sunday worship, connecting one-on-one and in small groups at Welcome Table Wednesday, checking in with folks in crisis or in immediate need of care, meeting with those mourning a loss or celebrating an upcoming baptism, writing sermons, showing up at county meetings to make our neighborhood a better place and so much more. Mostly, I listen deeply – for what God is doing here and in the world, for what people need, and for how St. Francis can keep becoming a community where everyone belongs and everyone matters.
My Dream for St. Francis:
Listens to the Spirit, practices wide and generous welcome, shows up for each other and our neighbors, and isn’t afraid to ask big questions and have hard conversations.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
Hobby: Spending time by the water recharging and reflecting; journaling
Book/Movie/TV Show: Narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction – faves include Patrick Radden Keefe
Fun fact:
I come from a theatrical family and began working as an actor myself as a kid.
The Rev. Giuliano Gargiulo
he/him
Assistant Rector
About Me:
I grew up in a quaint village in Northern Italy, a region enriched by vineyards, culture, and historic mansions. As the youngest of five children, my early years were marked by challenges, including my parents’ divorce and the loss of my mother during my teenage years. Despite these hardships, I found solace and purpose through my faith, which guided me towards a life dedicated to others. At 17, I joined a youth movement dedicated to supporting those in need across South America. This transformative experience led me to spend seventeen years in Peru, working tirelessly to bring dignity and relief to people living in remote Andean regions. After nearly two decades of service and seeing the completion of numerous community projects, I felt called to embark on a new journey. I moved to the United States, where I have continued my mission, now focusing on Spanish Ministry. I am thrilled to have recently joined St. Francis as Assistant Rector.
My Role:
As the Assistant Rector at St. Francis, my role is part of a broader assignment with the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. My mission is to develop and nurture new pastoral spaces to welcome immigrants Spanish speaking into our community. By bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, I hope to lay the foundation for a vibrant, multicultural congregation.
My Dream for St. Francis:
I envision St. Francis as a thriving and dynamic multicultural community where diversity is celebrated, and the unity of being part of one family is cherished.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
I am passionate about lifelong learning, currently pursuing a double major in Integrated Design of Communication at the University of Baltimore and Social Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University.
My journey is also enriched by my love for the arts and beauty, which I see as expressions of my inner need for harmony and elevation of the human spirit.
Fun fact:
I have a deep love for languages and cultures. I am fluent in Italian, Spanish, and English. Interestingly, my French skills seemed to vanish when I learned Spanish, but I am confident they are still tucked away somewhere in my brain.
