ProFuture Faith
8 week series of DVD & Discussion
by Michael Dowd
“Ecology is the heart of theology.”
Sunday, June 16th
Week 1
Un-Trivializing God:
Reality as Thou
10:30 am in the Celebration Center
We can re-imagine our relationship to the divine and to our environment by seeing God as primary reality, not a separate being, not magical but imbued in all of Nature.
Ministries
Get Involved
St. Francis is active in the surrounding community and beyond. Explore our ministries: Care, Social Justice, Refugee, Social Services and International.
Interested in helping out? For more information about our ministries and teams, please fill out the following form:
Check out Community Outreach for our Hunger Ministries.
Care Ministries
Do you want to be a Stephen Minister
Care receiver?
We are here to listen, encourage, and provide confidential emotional and spiritual support.
We've received 50 hours of special training to provide one-on-one "conversational care" to those who are experiencing life's challenges like grief, loneliness, divorce/separation, chronic illness, and other life changes.
Our services are donated - without charge and without obligation - ever!
Do you want to become
a Stephen Minister?
Every Stephen Minister provides compassion and agape love for another and receives so much more in return. If you can give an hour each week to a person who could use someone to talk to or who needs a friend, please consider Stephen Minister training.
Contact Joyce Leissring through the office at (520) 299-9063. Stephen Ministry at St. Francis needs someone like you!
In 2015, St. Francis created a Mental Health Ministry. It focuses on three areas:
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Education to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
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Assistance with resources for those with mental illness and their loved ones.
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Advocacy for more mental health programs and treatments.
We know that people with mental illness are not strangers. They are our family members, our co-workers, our faith companions and sometimes, ourselves. Statistics indicate that nearly one half of all Americans will develop mental illness during their lifetimes, and most will not seek or receive the help they need. St. Francis hopes to change that.
The Care
Team
The Care Team provides basic spiritual, emotional support directly to the congregation of Saint Francis and constituents.
Sending cards, personal visits, a heartful listening presence and a casserole if needed.
To reach Care Team please email Shar at SAslaksen@sfrancisumc.org
If you would like to know more, please visit the Stephen Ministry Program website.
Social Justice Ministries
St. Francis was one of the first churches in Tucson to establish a reconciling ministry. We are reconciling in our intention of welcoming all people: gay or straight. For over 30 years, we have worked for equality for all. We have been and always will be open, affirming and inclusive.
Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network offers our hearts and hands to provide compassionate and non-judgmental service to those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Through education and support, we - as individuals and faith communities - work to build bridges, reduce stigma and sustain hope. The monthly POZ Cafe (complimentary luncheon) is held in the St. Francis Community Center monthly.
For more information, visit their website Tihan.org.
Refugee Ministries
The Inn of Southern Arizona provides a caring ministry for migrants passing through the U.S. / Mexico border. St. Francis volunteers distribute meals, play with children, drive to the airport and bus station, care for vulnerable people by providing tender, loving care. For more information, visit their website www.theinnofsa.org
AZJFON offers a hospitality ministry that welcomes immigrants by providing affordable, high-quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, engaging in advocacy for immigrant rights, and offering education to communities of faith and to the public... azjfon.org
Iskashitaa Refugee Network is a grass roots organization that helps rebuild refugee lives through our partnerships with volunteers and local organizations. Staff and volunteers unite refugees and the community through unique programs designed to empower the refugees.
Programs emphasize community connections, sharing, and English language practice.
Iskashitaa harvests and distributes 100,000 pounds of unwanted produce from local homes and farms each year. This food goes to refugees and their families, food banks, and Iskashitaa's partner organizations instead of ending up in landfills.
These harvests, among other programs, are an opportunity for refugees and Tucson locals to interact, creating community and lasting friendships.
Iskashitaa serves refugees from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria.
Visit Iskashitaa.
Social Service Ministries
ICS is a nonprofit, social services agency serving Pima County, Arizona, including metropolitan Tucson.
For three decades, ICS has shown what a caring community can do. Today, with support from diverse faith partners, compassionate volunteers and hundreds of community friends, ICS fills critical gaps in human services. We help those less fortunate meet basic living requirements.
Pima
County
Interfaith
PCI is intentionally comprised of many religious beliefs, political philosophies, ethnicities and economic levels. PCI's strength is in our broad-based, relational commitment to take action on issues that impact our families at the local and regional levels. PCI will take strong stands on issues affecting families and communities, but remains politically non-partisan. St. Francis is an active participant with PCI.
International Ministry
Located in Southern Sudan, the School for Abul had its genesis at St. Francis. Inspired by the vision and fire of John Akuar, one of the Sudanese "Lost Boys", the congregation took up the challenge of building a school along with fresh water wells for the people of Abul.
To date, classrooms have been built for 250 children, and five fresh water wells have been established around the school and the village, providing villagers with clean water.
But there is so much more that needs to be done. Four teachers, "lost boys" who decided to stay and make a difference, teach the children. They do not get paid because there is no money to pay them with. The school itself has no electricity or plumbing, and school supplies are constantly needed.
If you would like to find out more about John Akuar and the School for Abul, John has written a book about his journey (Run John, Run ... And Don't Come Back). The books are $25.00 each with proceeds benefiting the school, and can be purchased through St. Francis in the Foothills.
St. Francis also accepts donations for the school. Call 299-9063 for more information.
For questions or comments, please call 520-299-9063 or email Melissa at mmitchell@stfrancisumc.org.