A Picture of our Common Life

Here is a picture of what is happening practically. The whole parish elects a Parish Council, which makes most of the important decisions, though some decisions are reserved to the whole community. The Parish Council meets once a month; its meetings are open to all members. The Pastor, who must be voted on by the whole parish, is accountable to the Parish Council. He (Frank Krebs) is responsible for leading the parish in a periodic process of discerning the direction for the parish and then leading the plan that is discerned.

The Pastor meets with the Associate Pastor (Jessica Rowley), the lay Pastoral Associate (Lisa von Stamwitz), and the head of the Parish Council, called the “Servant of Unity,” (Peggy Montgomery) once a week to direct the week to week pastoring of the parish. The issues include the parish pastoral plan and pastoral care.

Committees and ministries grow organically out of needs within and outside of our community and are largely overseen by members of the community.

We celebrate the Eucharist every week on Saturday evening at 5 PM. While the way the Eucharist is celebrated is ultimately the responsibility of the Pastor and the Associate Pastor, there is also a committee of coordinators who meet monthly to assure that there is a wide range of input and participation.

The music ministry, headed up by Ann Leible, is always open to new voices and instruments; a good number of members participate in the music ministry.

The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a place where elementary-age children can engage the Word of God in a way that is accessible to them while building community with one another. During the school year children are invited to participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word and then return to celebrate Eucharist with the entire community. Children are encouraged to become involved in the liturgy as servers, lectors, dancers, etc.

All members are encouraged to be in small groups, usually meeting every month. Small groups provide a “base” place where each person is known and knows other members well, where the experience of church is personal. These groups sometimes meet around various interests.

Ministry with Evangelical United Church of Christ

Evangelical United Church of Christ has provided space for the seeds of Sts. Clare & Francis to find root and flourish. We are so grateful! Their hospitality has grown into a relationship, as we have come to know one another and recognized Christ in one another. Three joint ministries have grown out of this relationship.

The Healing Circle brings together health and wellness practitioners (i.e. therapists, spiritual directors, healing touch and Reiki practitioners, and others) from both faith communities who offer their services to community members at monthly “clinics.”

We also offer a support group for those recovering from divorce. Anyone, inside or outside our communities, from any (or no) faith background are welcome to participate in this group.

An open Al-Anon meeting is also hosted by both communities every Tuesday at noon at Evangelical UCC.

Ministry in the Wider Community and World

All members are encouraged to discern works of compassion and justice, and/or ways to use their gifts for the good of all. The parish has a group that serves at Karen (Catholic Worker) House. A deacon in our parish, Kay Schmitt, ministers at Doorways, a residence for persons with HIV-AIDS. Sts. Clare & Francis is a Covenant Church of Bread for the World. Also as a parish we tithe 10% of all our received offerings to a charity in which we believe but over which we have no control. We also have a special fund for needy members of the community itself.