St. Francis Anglican Church Dallas, Texas Parish Profile

Transcription

1 1 St. Francis Anglican Church Dallas, Texas Parish Profile Parish Mission Statement St. Francis is an Anglo Catholic parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, an affiliate diocese of the Anglican Church of North America. We strive to worship God through our Liturgy, education, and a strong sense of familial community. Like all parishes, our purpose is: To worship God, to make saints of its members, and to bring others to Christ. History of St. Francis St. Francis began in 1949 as a small mission church. Her identity was established quickly by devotion to the Liturgy and the guidance of the rector, Fr. Homer Rogers (affectionately known as Padre ). During his tenure, Padre led by example and established the parish's emphasis on teaching and instruction in the history of the catholic faith, and offering Daily Mass, reading the Daily Office, and holding weekly Confessions. Under Fr. Rogers the parish moved to a three acre parcel of land on Walnut Hill Lane and the first Mass was celebrated in the sanctuary in February of With Padre s death in 1980, Fr. James McGhee served as rector from 1980 until In 1993 Fr. David Allen accepted the call to be Rector. Under his tenure the parish celebrated its 50 th anniversary in Fr. Allen continued the tradition of scholarship and reverent worship at St. Francis, and oversaw the installation of a chapel, dedicated to Charles the Martyr, and established a Shrine to Our Lady of Walsingham. Fr. Allen s skill as a teacher was also evident in his homilies, which melded Church History and relevant background material into the contemporary understanding of God s Word. His time at St. Francis will be remembered by his devotion to the Mass, the Doctors of the Church, and his phenomenal talent on the banjo and the fiddle. In 2003, during a tumultuous and personally difficult time for many in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican communion the parish applied to both Bishop Stanton of Dallas and Bishop Iker of Fort Worth for permission to be accepted under the oversight of the Diocese of Fort Worth. The issue was resolved with great benevolence on both sides, and although the Diocese of Dallas held, and still holds, title to the land and property, episcopal oversight was transferred to Bishop Iker. Many youth programs were already involved with the Diocese of Fort

2 2 Worth, such as Happening or summers at Camp Crucis, so the move made little impact on the youth of St. Francis. In 2008, after a lengthy period of discernment, the parish voted overwhelmingly to leave the Episcopal Church. Application was made to the Diocese of Fort Worth, which had likewise left the Episcopal Church, for admission as a parish of the diocese, and in November, 2009, was so admitted. To date, the parish has continued to be known as a unique gem, dedicated to the most beautiful expression of the Mass through a reverential liturgy and traditional music, and as a bulwark of Christian Education. St. Francis continues to tend to the souls of its parishioners and the community of Dallas at large. Ministry St. Francis has a strong identity of service, following the ministry of its namesake, by tending the sick, feeding the hungry, and clothing the needy. The life of the parish revolves around the esprit de corps built up over generations of handing down responsibilities. Acolytes Men and boys are active at the altar at all Masses. Serving as subdeacon, thurifer, crucifer, and torch bearers, positions are open to male congregants who have gone through training with the Verger. Altar Guild The Altar Guild tends to the instruments of the Mass, taking on the upkeep of the sacred vessels, linens, and vestments. They maintain order in the Sacristy, from washing up after Daily Mass to setting out the elements for Solemn High Mass and special feast days. The guild is open to both men and women. Anglicans for Life St. Francis is strongly pro life, participating in the Anglicans for Life chapter of the Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese and the Catholic Pro Life Committee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of

3 3 Dallas, which recognized St. Francis and its Rector as Pro Life Persons of the Year in In addition, St. Francis hosts Gabriel Education Ministries programs for mothers experiencing crisis pregnancies and maintains the Gabriel Room of donated baby needs for distribution to same. Austin Street Shelter On the fourth Saturday of every month, St. Francis prepares and serves a hot meal to the downtown Dallas homeless shelter. Parishioners also contribute sandwiches to supplement the evening meal. Bible Study Following the Wednesday 9:30 AM Mass, all parishioners are welcome to attend Bible Study. The readings for the coming Sunday are examined in detail. Blood Drive St. Francis participates with Carter Blood Care twice a year to hold a blood drive on the premises. St. Francis and the Rector have received many awards from Carter Blood Care for our contributions to the community. Choir The volunteer choir provides their time and talents throughout the year with motets, meditations, and sung propers for Sunday Mass and other feast days. Holy Week and Christmastide are marked by additional sung components. Also, they lead the congregation in the day s hymns from the 1982 Hymnal. Christian Education Divided into Sunday School and Adult Sunday School, education in the Catholic faith, the saints, and the life of the Church is an integral part of life at St. Francis, following the usual school calendar with a break in the summer. Generations of children at St. Francis have experienced study of the faith, the church, and their christian duties and heritage. Adult Sunday School, led first by Padre and now by Fr. Allen, follows any number of topics designed to enhance our understanding of the faith.

4 4 Fellowship As a familial community, the time to break bread and enjoy each other s company is a strong force in the life of St. Francis. Coffee Hour is a time honored tradition, along with several other regular dinners or celebrations. Lenten Dinners are held on Friday nights after Stations and Benediction. Shrove Tuesday, the Parish Picnic, Christmas and Easter midnight receptions are also part of the family get togethers. There is also a rotating Supper Club held by parishioners in their homes. Meals on Wheels St. Francis participates in the Visiting Nurses Association Meals On Wheels program. On its assigned week hot meals are delivered to needy persons, particularly the disabled or shut in. The Society of the Holy House of Our Lady of Walsingham St. Francis established a chapter of the Society of the Holy House of Our Lady Of Walsingham in A monthly corporate Rosary is recited on the fourth Monday of each month, and other special devotions and Masses are celebrated throughout the year. A requirement is a resident priest who is an associate member of the Society. Youth Activities Scholarships are often provided for youth to attend Summer ministries in the Diocese of F0rth Worth, such as Camp Crucis or the St. Michael s Conference, Southwest. The Parish of St. Francis The parish is some 60 years old, and has 204 currently enrolled members, of which 115 are active and above 18 years of age. A more detailed breakdown of active members shows 38 above the age of 65, 24 couples, and 64 single, widowed, or married with only one attending. The average Sunday attendance is 91 at two masses, 8:00 A.M. and 10:15 A.M. The current annual budget is $265,000, of which $30,000 is allocated to the search for a new rector. The search is being conducted following the current rector s announcement that he

5 5 will retire this year in late summer or fall. The 2016 budget includes $75,000 for the rector s stipend, housing, utilities and auto plus $14,000 for pension, life, and health insurance. The paid staff, all part time, consists of secretary, sexton, and music director. Total staff expenses for 2016 is budgeted at $33,000. The church occupies a three acre campus with the church building, parish hall and an ancillary building for Sunday school classes. All of the property is rented from the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas under a lease arrangement ensuing from the parish s withdrawal from the Episcopal Church in 2008 and affiliating with the Diocese of Fort Worth. The lease is for 15 years, expiring in 2023, and contains a five year option which would extend the lease to There are no current plans for alternative facilities. The parish is served by the Reverend David M. Allen, SSC, as Rector and the Reverend Canon Dwight Duncan, SSC, retired, as an Honorary Assistant. When surveyed in January, 2016, the parishioners overwhelmingly stated that what drew them to St. Francis was the liturgy. Many have come from all different types of religious backgrounds, and whether they were brought in by a family member or joined out of curiosity, they have stayed at St. Francis because of its reverence for worship. The emphasis on Christian Education comes from a holistic desire to be a well rounded individual; how can we better equip ourselves to be saints than by understanding the nature of the world that our God has created? The desire to be with God must dwell hand in hand with an urge to know God. Sacred music is a capstone to all of these expressions of faith. From the singing of the propers to the motets offered up by the choir, it is a beautiful extension of the liturgy, for, as St. Augustine said, When we sing, we pray twice. Top Priorities The parish survey revealed that the number one priority for us is the Liturgy at St. Francis; Christian Education (Bible Study, Adult Instruction, Sunday School for youth) came in at a close second, followed closely by the music ministry and community involvement. Greatest Strengths The respondents to the January 2016 parish survey clearly stated that the liturgy and the sense of family and community are St. Francis greatest strengths. It is a place where people feel close to God and close to one another.

6 6 Areas of Development While the current families of St. Francis are all very closely connected and greatly enjoy watching the next generation return and raise their families here, the parish overwhelmingly understands the need to bring new families into the fold and make them feel welcome. We recognize that our form of liturgy and worship is distinctive, and we need to do more to encourage visitors to attend our Sunday Mass. The New Rector What we are looking for: A priest firmly grounded in the historic catholic faith, traditions and practices. Historically, the Rectors of St. Francis have all been members of the SSC. The leadership of St. Francis expects the Rector to be effective in the Liturgical, Sacramental, Catechetical, Homiletical, and Pastoral aspects of a rector's ministry. Liturgical Sung Mass as well as Daily Mass and the Office are vital parts of the identity of St. Francis. We currently use the American Missal as well as rotating through several sung Mass settings throughout the Church year, such as the Missa Marialis. Sacramental Emphasis on the sacraments is a must. The Mass, confession, baptism, confirmation, holy unction and traditional marriage constitute the essence of religious practice here. Catechetical There is a long standing tradition of education at St. Francis, which includes the purely academic alongside more spiritual, or emotional, development. Learning about the works of the Church Doctors go hand in hand with addressing the current world, the nature of reality, and the perils the Church Militant currently faces. The Rector should be prepared to instruct as well as engage in dialogue with parishioners.

7 7 Homiletical Preaching is important to us. Our parishioners listen for how to apply church teachings to our daily lives. Pastoral Genuine love and care for Christ s flock includes everything from the elderly who complain about not being able to hear to the small children gurgling in the back. Conclusion We hope this parish profile conveys who we are, what we do and, in part why we do it. It is intended to introduce ourselves and, if you have a sense that you could find a home here, to invite you to join us. If you are interested in pursuing an ordained ministry in our midst, please request an application by responding to: Search Committee Saint Francis Anglican Church 1425 W. Pioneer Drive, Suite #114 Irving, TX OR searchcommittee@stfrancisdallas.org