Weekly News (7/10/2026)

ST. FRANCIS  LUTHERAN CHURCH

https://www.facebook.com/stfrancissf

 

Theology on Tap   Monday, July 13 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Pilsner Inn, Church & Market Street (SF) 

Faith, questions, good conversation — and maybe a drink. Join us for Theology on Tap, a relaxed evening of community, laughter, and real talk about the things that matter. We’ll explore spiritual and theological questions in a lighthearted, grounded, and distinctly Lutheran way — everything from God and prayer to “why church?” to liturgy and beyond.  Bring a question you always wanted to ask with you to our next meeting. No prep needed. No pressure. Just bring your curiosity (and maybe a friend).

We gather every second Monday at 6:00 PM at the Pilsner Inn. Come as you are, stay as long as you like. All are welcome.  For more information, contact Pr. Christian (pastor@sflcsf.org ).


The St. Francis Lutheran Church/SFSU Geography team (#1127) is raising funds for this year’s 40th annual AIDS Walk San Francisco on July 19, 2026. The AIDS Walk supports several Bay Area nonprofits that serve persons with AIDS as well as prevention programs and research.

     Your donations are more important than ever to make up for recent funding cuts by the city. You can donate by going to https://sf.aidswalk.net and navigating to the page for either William Brogan, Marilyn Jackson or Paul Johnson or giving one of them a check. In addition, there is a memorial page for Max Kirkeberg where you can donate. Max, who passed away this year, led the St. Francis Lutheran Church/SFSU Geography team for many years raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. Finally, if you would like to join Pastor Christian and William Brogan on the actual walk, you can register on the above website.

 

A message from Gabriel Kirkeberg-Proo: In anticipation of the annual AIDS Walk on July 19, please consider going to Max’s AIDSWALK page, and look up team 1127  Team St. Francis/SFSU Geography. Click on Max’ name to get to his donation page. If you don’t go through his page, the donation will just go to the team without acknowledging Max. Thanks for your love of Max. Gabe

 

Summer Adult Study: Honoring Our Neighbor’s Faith | Sundays, July 5 – August 30 at 9:30 AM 

Join us this summer for a thoughtful and engaging adult study series as we explore different faith traditions and how they understand God, worship, community, and the spiritual life. Together we will engage in conversation, curiosity, and deeper understanding of our neighbors and ourselves. Some of the traditions we may explore this summer include:

 

July 5 — Roman Catholic

July 12 — Lutheran

July 19 —Baptist

July 26 — Pentecostal

August 2 — Judaism

August 9 — Islam

August 16 — Buddhism

August 23 — Jehovah's Witness

August 30 — Latter-Day-Saints (Mormon)

Come for one session or join us for the entire journey—all are welcome. If you are unable to attend in person, you are invited to participate via Zoom using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84177959007?pwd=8VQLBLyqPbBbhj18qDc70Dax3hLEmJ.1

For those interested in membership at St. Francis, attendance at the first five sessions is encouraged. For more information, please contact Pr. Christian (pastor@sflcsf.org ).


St. Francis Lutheran Church’s Impromptu Choir will be on a break during the summer months, returning September 20. Stay tuned for updates, or feel free to send a message to Director of Music, Ray Capiral: musicdir@sflcsf.org. 

 

Good in the kitchen? The Senior Lunch program is looking for an additional Lead Chef on occasional Wednesdays to help prepare meals for seniors. If you enjoy cooking and would like to make a difference in our community, we'd love to hear from you. Please see Alice Ann if you are interested or know someone who may be a good fit. 

 

Lutheran Disaster Response
You’ve likely seen the news that two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela last week. Entire communities have been shaken to the ground. More than 1,700 lives have been confirmed lost so far, thousands more are injured, and countless families are now without shelter, safety or access to necessities. Your gifts enable this church to provide fast and effective support to communities in need and to remain for as long as recovery takes, whenever and wherever a disaster occurs. Will you give today to provide critical aid in these early days and, crucially, in the months and years to come? 

 

Summer Worship in the Parish Hall | Sundays, July 26 & August 16 - 11 AM

This summer, the Worship Team invites you to join for Holy Communion in the Parish Hall on two Sundays: July 26 and August 16 at 11:00 AM. The liturgy will follow its familiar order, while the different setting offers an opportunity to experience worship in a more intimate and accessible space that encourages connection and participation. We hope you will enjoy this simple and meaningful way of gathering as God's people around Word and Sacrament at St. Francis.

Membership
Are you interested in becoming a member of St. Francis? Voting Members are baptized and confirmed adult (or youth) members. They can have their membership transferred from another congregation, or complete a New Member class. Associate Members hold membership in another congregation, but wish to have a more permanent relationship with St. Francis.  For more information, please contact Pr. Christian at pastor@sflcsf.org.

 

Pr. Christian is available for prayer, spiritual care and conversation   The best way to contact him is by email (pastor@sflcsf.org) or by calling the church office at (415) 621-2635. In an urgent situation or emergency, please call his cell phone at (510) 717-3221.

 

St. Francis Council Meeting Highlights — June 2026

The Church Council met on June 16, 2026, opening with prayer led by Pr. Christian and a devotion from Brian Border featuring a Thomas Merton poem.

 

Finances Remain Strong - There was good news on the financial front. Through May, our Mission and Ministry income exceeded expenses by more than $22,000, and we have not yet needed to draw on the Supplemental Endowment Grant that was approved and budgeted for this year. The Senior Ministry Committee also approved using $2,000 from the Dave Walda Memorial Fund to support the Senior Center Fundraiser.

 

Brickwork Project at 152 Church Street - Council approved a pre-construction services contract with Pacific Masonry Restorations, LLC (PMR) for $11,046.26 as we work toward a final contractor decision on the brickwork restoration. PMR is a qualified specialty contractor who recently completed well-received work at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Their pre-construction review, which is more involved than a typical construction bid, will help identify exactly what work is needed, potentially reducing change orders and allowing the most urgent repairs to be prioritized. The project will be funded primarily or entirely through our Property Fund.

 

Pride Weekend Participation - The Outreach Team continued encouraging participation in Pride weekend (June 27–28) alongside United in Spirit. Members will carry a St. Francis banner in the parade, with volunteers also staffing a United in Spirit booth.

 

Safety Training Coming - Council voted to spend up to $2,500 on Red Cross CPR, AED, First Aid, and Opioid response training, with active shooter training included as well. Details on cost, dates, and participant numbers are still being finalized. The initial training sessions will focus on staff and ushers, but there is interest in eventually offering this training to the congregation and wider community.

 

Looking Ahead

Several items are in the works:

 

  • An Endowment Committee annual event is planned for coffee hour on Sunday, September 20.
  • A task force will begin planning for the 120th anniversary of 152 Church Street.
  • The Worship and Music Committee is exploring summer services in the Fellowship Hall and a possible outdoor worship service in Duboce Park in September.
  • Council will review and vote by email on the revised Employee Handbook.  (The Employee Handbook was approved by email the following week.)
  • Kenji continues to coordinate anti-racism training with Pr. Donna Allen.

 

Pastor’s Report - Pr. Christian highlighted his ongoing work in pastoral care and staying connected with members and friends of St. Francis.

 

The meeting closed with the Prayer of Jesus. The next Council meeting is on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 pm via Zoom.