The Music Program provides training for volunteer choirs and they in turn share their gifts and talents in worship. There are three choirs: adult choir, treble choir (children from grades 3-8), and handbell choir. The adult choir leads the congregation in music at every 10 A.M. service from September through May, and at all services on special occasions and Holy Days. The treble choir joins the adult choir once a month and on Easter and special occasions. The handbell choir provides special music at regular intervals. Rehearsals for the choirs are held on Thursday at times noted in the bulletin and newsletter. In addition, soloists, both voice and instrumental, perform throughout the year.  Click here for more information on our Music Program. 

 

 

 

 

The Altar Guild prepares and maintains all the altar linens, hangings, vessels, and vestments before each service. They decorate the chancel for Christmas and Easter. The altar flowers also come under their responsibilities. 

 

Lectors read the Old Testament Lesson and the Epistle during worship services. 

 

Chalice Bearers administer the chalice and assist the priest during the Holy Eucharist. 

 

Acolytes are trained to assist the priest during the service and lead the processions into and out of the church. 

 

Ushers provide information and service bulletins to those who enter the church. They receive the offerings of the congregation and guide the flow of the congregation to the altar rail during Communion. 

 

Greeters provide welcome, information, and directions for visitors and newcomers.

 

 

 

 

 

The members of St Francis in the Fields consider Christian Education a vital and important ministry. You are invited to grow in faith and join in a program suitable for you. 

 

Classes for pre-school age children meet in the nursery wing (down the hall to the left of the church) at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. The kindergarteners through fifth graders meet in the Godly Play classrooms in the Parish Hall. Godly Play is an exciting, Montessori style curriculum that teaches the Bible in a creative way that our children find very appealing. All of these classes join the congregation in the service at the passing of the peace. Between 9:30 and 10:00 the teenagers gather in the Youth Room and the adults gather in the Coffee Room for fellowship and discussion. 

 

Infants and toddlers not old enough for classes are cared for in the nursery until the conclusion of the 10:00 service. 

 

A group meets in the parlor on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 for Bible study. The particular books of the Bible to be studied are chosen by the group members. 

 

We also offer instruction on a continuing basis for children to prepare them for communion. in addition, we provide classes for inquirers (those wishing to be baptized, confirmed or received) and for the incorporation of new members into the Episcopal Church. Note that membership in the parish requires baptism, attendance, and support, but not prior confirmation or reception. The schedules for these series are available in the bulletin and newsletter. The church requires pre-marital counseling for those seeking marriage. You may arrange these sessions by contacting the Rector. 

 

The youth of the church meet at least twice a month, once for a meal and program, and once for a fellowship activity or outreach project. The schedule of meetings can be found in the bulletin and newsletter. 

 

 

 

 

This is a somewhat chaotic time for fellowship and greeting that takes place after the 10:00 service in the old parish hall just off the kitchen, also referred to as the Coffee Room. Various families volunteer to host the Coffee Hour, which entails picking up our standing order of donuts at the Donut Den, and preparing coffee and juice for all. 

 

The parish sponsors many social events during the year, from ice cream socials to family square dances to the occasional dinner dance. One night each month, we have a movie night, when we watch a movie of interest, serve popcorn, and have time for informal discussion. 

 

Men's Group and Women's Group 

The men of the parish meet monthly at various times for fellowship and conversation (and an occasional golf outing.) The Men's Group also cooks and serves the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and sometimes undertakes a service project for the church. The Women's Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month for a program or event. They also sponsor an annual Mother-Daughter Tea in May and take on special projects from time to time. Both the Men's Group and the Women's Group plan an annual weekend retreat and Waycross, our Diocesan camp and conference center in Brown County. In the fall of 200, we will hold our first Family Retreat at Waycross. 

 

This is a group of men and women who commit themselves to praying for the needs of parishioners and their families and friends as they are brought to the attention of the group. 

 

This group is organized to provide meals and whatever support is needed for families in a crisis situation because of illness, death in the family, or the happy crisis of the birth if a baby.

 

 

 

 

St Francis in the Fields is committed to spending 10% of its annual budget, in addition to the 13% that goes for support of the Diocese on outreach programs. We support Dayspring Center (a shelter for homeless families located in Indianapolis), Damien Center (which cares for AIDS victims and their families), Julian Center (for victims of domestic violence), the Help Center in Lebanon and the Zionsville Food Bank, among local agencies. We also support the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and Christel House, which do work nationally and internationally, and we have a scholarship program to help pay for educational programs for low income people who apply. The Outreach Committee meets regularly to appropriate funds and to organize special projects, such as a school supply drive in August, an underwear drive in October and November, a blood drive in December, Thanksgiving pies for Dayspring, support for Christmas families, a Mothers' Day project, etc. The Outreach Committee also tries to keep individual members of the parish informed of opportunities for hands-on service in agencies in the local community. Check out the file box in the Narthex for ideas.