Weekly News December 11, 2025
- St. Wilfred Episcopal Church
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Congratulations to Miss Kat and Miss Connie of our Preschool for being recognized by the Florida Department of Education for their hard work in the VPK program. We love our teachers!
Christmas dinner will be our Coffee Hour on December 21st. It will be potluck (as Bill will be traveling). The church will provide the meat – PLEASE BRING A SIDEDISH OR DESSERT. Please bring warm and ready to serve as we cannot heat it up for you.
Please return flower and music dedications by Monday, December 22nd in order to be included in the printed program.
Our Christmas Eve choral candlelight service is at 5:00 pm with hot chocolate & cookies while serenaded by our choir beginning at 4:00 pm. Begin the celebration of Christ's birth with us and our choir - bring a friend! There will be no service on Christmas morning.
It is Stewardship and Advent Giving “season. By now you should have received information on our activities, monetary form and pledge card.
Kindly return your pledge cards by December 15th by placing it in the Blessing Box at the baptismal font, drop off or mail to the Parish Office, or by taking a photo of the card and emailing it to us.
** Funds postmarked by December 31st will be credited towards your 2025 giving.
Book studies are held on the first and second Sundays of the month. We are currently studying “The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent” by John Piper. Copies will be available. We conclude the book this week. Beginning in January we will be discussing the Theology of the Devil (Satan) and Demons. (No book). Grab some food at Coffee Hour and join us in Ricker Hall.
Needless to say the amount of families visiting our Food Pantry has doubled. You can help by volunteering, providing the toiletry items listed below, or donate funds. To donate online please go to: https://www.stwilfredsarasota.org/
This month's plate collection is for the Daughters of the King Outreach Programs. Among other works, they host receptions for funerals that are held here.
FYI – Our Food Pantry serves approximately 600 households per month and is increasing! Changes to the SNAP program of supplemental food assistance has been reduced by the federal government and an increase of local families needs is expected.
For December the Food Pantry is collecting toothpaste, brushes & denture supplies. Toiletries are not included with government food assistance and the need is greater than ever. They are in need of egg cartons, paper and plastic bags. There is a basket in the narthex, or kindly bring the items to the office.
The Food Pantry will be closed Friday December 26th and January 2nd.
The Food Pantry can always use some help on Fridays distributing the food and some strong arms on Thursdays. Please arrive around noon. If you know of someone that can lift heavy things that would be great! This would be on Thursdays and they don't have to commit to every week.
Facebook is a fun way to stay connected with the Church and the news and happenings! Postings from the Preschool, the Diocese, the Episcopal Church, the National Cathedral, plus some fun and humorous items. Visit us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/458237684264439
It's easy to give online to the Church ! Just click on the following link: https://www.stwilfredsarasota.org/ (Updated 11/13/25) There is no need to log in. You can designate which fund you wish to contribute to.
Standing meetings:
DOK and Men of AIM meet the third Sunday of the month after Coffee Hour.
The Men's Study Group led by Rev. Ev meets Thursdays from 12:00 - 1:00 in the Church office.
Prayers for the needs of our Parish, particularly those who are ill or in any kind of trouble including Jim, Roberta, Tony, Eddie, Rob & Barbara, Allan, Victoria, Herb, Amy, Julio, Marilyn, Charlene, Ginny C., Maverick, Amber Bradley, Barbara M., Anton, Jane, Aaron, Barbara J., Bob T., Sarah, Jack & Mary Sue.
Long term prayers: Betty Thompson, Michael Petusky, Barbara & George Harding, Lila & Les Porter, Dee Rigdon, Eddie, Rita Mahaffey, Sue Wilson, Ina O’Reilly, Ellen Jankowski, Ann Arvedon, Avery Woodruff, Katherine Vestal, and LouAnn.
+ For those who have died and their families that mourn including Tiffany's father and Natalyia's husband.
+ For those celebrating birthdays including Linda Stapleton, Joel Swallow, Dan Dodds and Rob Crain; and for those celebrating anniversaries including Donna & Brian Moughty.
+ For those who are traveling.
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God give us courtesy - give us pause in the rush and whirl of life for the little kindnesses and gentle manners that make the wide difference between life and death-in-life. May we never forget that true dignity and self-respect do not fear for themselves, but ever prefer the calm quiet of conscious power to the boisterousness of pretension. They do not ask, they give. It does not hurt the noble-born to bow unbidden, to plead unanswered or to be be silent under scorn. Tonight, tomorrow and henceforward, we, both teacher and taught, would be with them that walk in courtesy and the shadow of Thy mighty love. Amen.
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Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (10-2)
Priest in Charge: The Reverend Joyce W. Holmes
Senior Warden: Connie Anderson
Junior Warden: Lyn Wheeler
Treasurer: Buddy Edwards
Secretary/Clerk: Diane Tennant
Additional Vestry 2025: Jane Homburg & Joel Swallow
St. Wilfred Episcopal Church
3773 Wilkinson Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
941-924-7436
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