Ministries

At St. Francis Church, we recognize that we are called to serve one another and the world around us, and we invite you to join us in this holy mission. Activities fall under six Ministry Commissions - Worship, Outreach, Parish Life, Spiritual Formation, Parish Care, and Buildings & Grounds. Read on to learn more about how each ministry serves our parish and the community, and how you can be involved. ​
See our calendar under News and Events for ongoing and upcoming opportunities.
Worship Ministries
​Worship is at the heart of our life together. Our community gathers at 10:00 a.m. Sundays for Holy Eucharist. Through Scripture, prayer, and the Eucharist, we are nourished and sent out to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. 
Worship Ministries participate in and support our Sunday celebration of Holy Eucharist. With roles of Acolyte, Altar Guild, Eucharistic Minister, Flower Guild, Greeter, Lector and Usher all available, there are many opportunities to take part. Email Rev. Maggie if you feel called to any of these ministries.
Music is an important part of our worship. It is said, “ to sing is to pray twice.” Our choir leads congregational singing, and occasionally sings an anthem at the offertory. New members are welcomed throughout the year. Email Erik Pittman for more information.

Services other than Sunday Eucharist are also offered on church feast days and other times during the year. 
Taizé is the style of Christian worship practiced by the ecumenical Taizé community in France, characterized by the repetitive singing of simple harmonized tunes, interspersed with readings, prayers, and periods of silence. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. Watch our calendar and join us to experience a peaceful Taizé service for yourself.
Blue Christmas Service is prayer service that recognizes that the holidays can bring up losses. This service gives space for those feelings of loss, and offers a quiet time of hope and healing amid the busy Christmas preparations.
Christmas Eve celebration of Holy Eucharist is a festive candlelight gathering, and The Feast of the Nativity is celebrated Christmas morning.
Holy Week services of Maundy Thursday evening Eucharist and Good Friday noon service with Stations of the Cross prepare us for Easter.  Easter Vigil is held on Saturday night and we light the Pascal Candle, recall God's saving action through familiar Scripture stories, and renew our Baptismal Promises before the early Celebration of Resurrection Day with Holy Eucharist.
Easter Sunday Resurrection Day Celebration of Holy Eucharist is a festive gathering that often includes something special for the children.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” — Acts 2:42
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8
Outreach
We are called to love and serve! Our mission is shaped by compassion and justice. We serve our community with open hands and open hearts, striving to live out the Gospel in everyday ways.
St. Francis supports CommUnity Hands utility payment assistance and Food Bank,
collecting food and monetary donations on the first Sunday of each month, as well as providing hands-on help, and participating in fund-raising events.
We also support national Church groups like Episcopal Relief and Development, and United Thank Offering, and our Hannah’s Hands and Senior League groups plan special outreach projects throughout the year.
At our festive Breakfast with Santa and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, St. Francis Church welcomes the community in for a free meal, games and photos with a special guest. Vacation Bible School provides a week of evening Christian fellowship, fun, and faith formation to children and adults with dinner and programming in June.

See photos in the Gallery under About Us, and check our calendar and News and Events! Sign up for our weekly E-News for early notice of events. Mark your calendar, and plan on joining us!
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” — Romans 15:7
Parish Life
Like our patron, St. Francis, this church values hospitality in all its many forms! All groups welcome you to take part. Hospitality Teams take turns hosting coffee and other refreshments after Sunday services. The 5th Sunday of the month is often a potluck lunch where parishioners' culinary skills shine!

Hospitality is a part of so many activities at St. Francis. St. Brigid’s Guild ministers to the grieving by setting up and serving at funeral receptions. You will find fellowship and social activities with Senior League, Men’s Club, New Adventures and Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Even our Parish Work Days break for good food and time at the table together!

St. Francis has long been known as “the Pumpkin Patch church.” While our Pumpkin Patch, Lenten Gumbo Lunches, and Garage Sales are fund-raisers that support our mission and ministry, more importantly, they provide the opportunity to engage in fellowship, deepening relationships and welcoming new friends on our campus.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom.” — Colossians 3:16
Spiritual Formation 
We are a community that learns together. Through study, conversation, and reflection, we seek a deeper relationship with God and one another. Christian faith formation takes place in many ways.
Weekly Sunday School for Elementary Students, and monthly Junior High School classes provide a safe place to learn about the Bible, ethics and morality, church tradition and structure. Elementary Sunday School meets in Cameron Hall at 9:00 am beginning September 7, 2025. Junior High School class meets on the first Sunday of the month.
‍Happening is a youth-led spiritual formation weekend designed for high school teens, grades 10-12. It is an amazing experience that changes the way one thinks about their self and their faith. Contact Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Lauren Dunn at [email protected]
Confirmation and Church Foundation classes are offered to those who wish to learn more about the Episcopal Church and our beliefs. These classes prepare one for making the mature profession of faith celebrated in the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation. A class will begin in August 2025 to prepare for Confirmation at the visit of Bishop Shannon Duckworth on December 14, 2025.
EfM, or Education for Ministry, is an in-depth program of study of Scripture, theology, church history, and ethics that meets weekly as a small group through the school year. There is a one-year Wide-Angle program, and a four-year Classic program. Click the button below for more information.
Adults and teens can take part in Bible Studies and Book Studies offered throughout the year. Check our calendar for current offerings.
Parish Care
​These ministries reach out to parish members by keeping connections strong, and serving those in need. Eucharistic Visitors go through screening and training before bringing Holy Communion to those who cannot join in-person church services. Prayer Team works independently in holding the Church, the nation, and the world in prayer, and lifts up to God those whose intentions have been entrusted to us. Mailbox Ministries include birthday cards sent to members, and “Missing You” notes to those not attending in person.
Contact the Parish Office to arrange for Holy Communion to be brought to you, or to schedule a visit from the Rector.

If a hospital visit, Anointing, or end-of-life care is needed urgently,  do not hesitate to call the church office (225-665-2707) and make use of the Pastoral Emergency number in our message.
​Buildings and Grounds
Four buildings on three acres need consistent care. Work is done in teams, and individually. Annual Work Days gather parish-wide support of many hands, completing large projects with great camaraderie. Garden Bed Adoption makes for a good family project, and an ongoing list of mini-projects can be provided to anyone with a little skill and a little spare time.