Updated: 12/23/2024​

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Calling Christmas Singers! The St. Francis Festive Chorus will re-convene for traditional carols at the 9pm Christmas Eve service; rehearsal 8pm. All are welcome! Please contact Beth Keusch at music@stfrancisholden.org.​

 

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Financial Stewardship 2025 - update: Thank you so much to the community’s generous response to our annual Financial Stewardship planning for 2025! As of the end of this past week (12/12/24) the church office has received 88 pledge donations, which represents a total balance of approximately $275,000.00. We are doing very well as we approach our goal of 90 pledge donations for our financial goal of $300,000.​​​​​​​​

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The Mustard Seed: The Mustard Seed schedule for 2025 has been posted on the church website. If you would like a paper copy please go to the Mustard Seed mailbox in Fellowship Hall or see Nancy Pope. Please attempt to find a replacement if you cannot accommodate a date. St. Francis is blessed to have so many people involved in this vital ministry.​

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Scripture Reflection series: our Scripture Reflection series will be taking a short winter break to allow Santa and the elves to get some sleep and feed the reindeer. We will not be meeting on either Sunday, December 29, 2024 and Sunday, January 5, 2025. Our series will resume on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 9:00am in the church library.

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“WE ARE GIVERS, BEARING WITNESS TO CHRIST’S LOVE.”​

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL COLLECTION:  

This year’s Christmas Special Collection will be donated to the Central MA Housing Alliance (“CMHA”). Why did Mission Ministries choose this organization?  The unaffordability of housing has caused a crisis in Worcester County. Over 500 children, with an average age of 7 years old, will be forced to sleep in a homeless shelter on any given night.  For the first time ever, children are sleeping on the streets. Thousands of families cannot afford to pay rent.

 

“CMHA” helps families maintain safe and affordable housing utilizing the many services that they provide. These services include assistance with rent, mortgage or utility bills, payment of security deposits or first and last month’s rent.  Housing counseling is offered to help provide more affordable housing options and keep that housing once it is found.   Free furniture is available to these individuals through their Donations Clearing House.

 

Safe emergency shelter is provided to refugees and the homeless. At any given time CMHA houses 300 families, the majority of which have children, who have no place to live. The shelters are a revolving door.  As soon as families leave, more come in to take their place.

 

While “CMHA receives state and federal funding, they need to fundraise for services not covered by that funding, mainly their rental assistance programs described in Paragraph #2 above.  These programs are supported through donations, an annual walk and 30 congregations including St. Francis, participating in their Hope for Housing Card Program.  You purchase gift cards to various vendors and get the full value of the card.  The vendor gives “CMHA” a percentage of the value of the card.

 

By putting our faith into action, together we can rescue more families from homelessness, help take away the cloud of becoming homeless and bring sunshine to those in need. 

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A HEARTFELT THANK YOU to all of you!  Through your amazing and continuing generosity, we have once again met our Fundraising goal of $5000.  Total funds raised were $5112, with $1186 from the wreath sale, $1636 from the bake sale, $ 2140 from the spring Concert and $150 from the Pinecroft Dairy Fundraiser.  These funds will help us to continue to provide meals to those who are without basic sustenance at the Mustard Seed and Dismas Farm.  Mission Ministries could not do what we do without you.  Wishing you all many Blessings during this season of Advent and into the New Year ahead.

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Hope for Housing Cards: The deadline to purchase Hope for Housing Cards in January is Sunday, January 5th with pick up on January 12th after services.