St. Francis Community Bell Troupe to perform in University Concert

For the fifth year, the St. Francis Community Bell Troupe will perform with the Prairie View A&M University Chorale at its pre-holiday concert on Sunday, November 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the H. Edison Anderson Recital Hall, Hobart Taylor Hall.

The Bell Troupe is directed by Dr. Vicki Seldon, professor of music (piano) at Prairie View A&M University.  The troupe originated out of the vacation bible school sponsored by St. Francis and coordinated by Mrs. Madolyn Reed.  Members of the troupe come from varied backgrounds and churches in the community and participate in a series of practices.

Over the years the troupe has performed on several programs around the tri-city area and on special occasions in Houston, namely a Christmas performance at the Episcopal Christ Church Cathedral.

Persons interested in the troupe, should contact Dr. Seldon at vaseldon@pvamu.edu.

Members of the community who are looking for a home church or a church to visit are invited to the Bible Study/Christian Education class on Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall and to the Holy Eucharist Service on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View,

The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Engle is the rector (pastor).

For information, contact stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net or 936-857-3272.

Parker to address Men's Prayer Breafast at St. Francis of Assisi

Dr. William H. Parker, Sr., professor of education in the Whitlowe Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University. is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast on November 23 at 8:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View.

Dr. Parker holds the Bachelors in Social Science and Sociology from Alcorn State University, the Masters of Education from Indiana University and the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instructions from the University of Miami.  He has also received specialized training in education and administration from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Parker formerly served as the Dean of the Graduate School and Director, Alterative Teacher Certification Program at Prairie View A&M University.

His research and scholarship endeavors include Urban Education in Texas Public School Organization and Administration in 1998 with Linda Garner and edited by Jim Vornberg. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company; “School Involvement.” Journal of Educational Issues of Language of Minority Students with Richard Parker in 1996.

Some of his services in higher education include member of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Council of Graduate Deans, Chair, Graduate Council, Chair, Committee for Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Co-Chair of the Search Committees for the Deans of College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Nursing; Committee to Create and Establish a University College, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  He is currently Chairman of the Board for the Prairie View Federal Credit Union.

We invite each of you to suggest topics for discussion and speakers for the programs as well.  Please let us know if you desire to participate on future programs.

We appreciate your presence and welcome you to fellowship and worship with us. Our Christian Education/Bible Study is held on Fridays from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. and our Sunday services begin at 11:00 a.m.

Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you at the next Prayer Breakfast on December 14, 2013.

Kirby to Address Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis

Dr. Kelvin Kirby, professor of engineering and Deputy Director and Education Coordinator for the NASA sponsored research center at Prairie View A&M University, and associate minister at Mt. Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Hempstead will address the men at the Prayer Breakfast on October 26 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View.

Dr. Kirby will share with us his experiences growing up in Hempstead and teaching and working in Prairie View; and the various projects he’s engaged to better the quality of life for others. 

  

Dr. Kirby has a wealth of experience in managing multi-disciplinary research centers, human resource development, computer and communications systems and military leadership.  Kirby also served as the associate vice president for student affairs at Prairie View A&M.

Dr. Kirby holds the BS in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University, the MS in Computer Engineering and Doctorate of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University.  His doctoral work focused on establishing and managing multi-disciplinary research at small universities.  He has expertise in executing government programs and human resource development.  His engineering, management and leadership skills are appropriate for his role.

He has served on several evaluation and review Panels for the National Science Foundation and NASA Programs; member of the Engineering Standards Review Committee, Texas State Board for Educator Certification, to develop standards for Teacher Certification in Mathematics, Physical Science and Engineering and on the Advisory Boards for QEM Network and Systemic Research, Inc.

We would be delighted to have you join us for this free event and ask that you invite and bring a friend with you.  We are in our fifth year of sponsoring the event and are grateful and say thanks to the more than 300 men who have graced us with their presence.

The Men's breakfast, in its fifth year, invite all the men to suggest topics for discussion and speakers for the programs as well.   The sponsors express its sincere thanks and appreciation for the men who have attended and participated in the event over the years. They also invite members of the community to worship and fellowship at St. Francis of Assisi for the Sunday services begin at 11:00 a.m. and to the Christian Education and Bible Study on Fridays from 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Please call 936-857-3272 to confirm attendance at the breakfast.

Bishop Dena Harrison to Celebrate Eucharist at St. Francis of Assisi Prairie View

The Rt. Rev. Dena Harrison, Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Texas will celebrate the Eucharist at St. Francis of Assisi on Sunday, October 6, 2103 at 11:00 a.m. at the church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View.

Bishop Harrison will also conduct the confirmation of Allen Roberts. A reception will follow the service and the public is invited.

A native Texan, Bishop Harrison became the ninth Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas in 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Austin and Master and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Seminary of the Southwest.

Bishop Harrison's ordained ministry includes service as Assistant Rector of All Saints’ Church, Austin; Rector of St. James’ Church, La Grange; Rector of St. James the Apostle Church, Conroe; and Canon to the Ordinary and Archdeacon of the Diocese of Texas. As executive for the West Region of the diocese, she has oversight of churches in the Austin, Northwest, Central, and Southwest convocations and oversees the Commission on Ministry and World Mission.

She is a trustee of Episcopal Relief and Development and serves as Chair of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, Houston, and the Seminary of the Southwest, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, and El Buen Samaritano in Austin.

Bishop Harrison and her husband Larry have two children and five grandchildren. Larry Harrison is a CPA practicing in Austin.

Upcoming events at St. Francis include the "Blessing of the Animals" in honor of the patron St. Francis of Assisi on October 12 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the church and the Feast of St. Francis and the 61st Anniversary Celebration at 3:00 p.m. Members of the community are also invited to worship and fellowship at St. Francis of Assisi for the Sunday services begin at 11:00 a.m. and to the Christian Education and Bible Study on Fridays from 7:00–8:00 p.m.

For information, email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Pastor Fred Thomas Addresses Men's Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi

Some 54 men were on hand for the monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View on September 21, 2013 with The Reverend Fred Thomas, Senior Pastor of Great St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church, Hempstead.
Pastor Thomas challenged the men of the community to make life better for others. Reverend Thomas shared his experiences growing up and becoming a pastor that set the standards for the establishment of about seven churches in the area.

Reverend Thomas was called and accepted to the be Pastor September 22, 1993 and was installed on November 5, 1993. The church has grown numerically, spiritually, and financially. Many improvements have been made: a second Sunday service and Children’s Church were formulated, furniture and equipment purchased formulation of bus, jail, prayer and praise ministers, to name a few. In addition to his pastoral duties, Reverend Thomas served a stint on the Hempstead City Council and also served as president of the Hempstead Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Thomas goal is to ensure, in the words of the church’s tagline, "Making it impossible for the people of Hempstead, Waller County to go to HELL!" The Men's chorus of St. Peter's provided several musical selections and Reverend Thomas closed out the event with a song and the benediction.
The Men's breakfast, in its fifth year, invite all the men to suggest topics for discussion and speakers for the programs as well. The next breakfast is set for October 26, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.
The sponsors express its sincere thanks and appreciation for the men who have attended and participated in the event over the years. They also invite members of the community to worship and fellowship at St. Francis of Assisi for the Sunday services begin at 11:00 a.m. and to the Christian Education and Bible Study on Fridays from 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Upcoming events at St. Francis include the "Blessing of the Animals" in honor of the patron St. Francis of Assisi on October 12 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the church and the Feast of St. Francis and the 61st Anniversary Celebration at 3:00 p.m. For information, email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

PVAMU Bowman to address Men's Prayer Breakfast

Nelson Bowman III, is the speaker for the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View on August 24, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.  The breakfast is the churches outreach program in its 5^th year and is free and opened to the men of the community.

Nelson is the Executive Director for Development at Prairie View A&M University, a position he has held for the past six years.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and a Masters degree from Prairie View A&M University. 

Bowman has varied experiences in financial management, fund raising and leadership. He has authored and co-authored several books and writings on Fundraising, Financial Planning, Alumni Giving and Careers in Fundraising for College Students of Color and Fundraising at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: An All Campus Approach, a select few.  Some of his works have been cited in such journals as The Chronicle of Higher Education, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, International Journal of Educational Advancement, The Huffington Post and Advancing Philanthropy. 

Bowman will share his personal and professional experiences with the audience and provide a guide on what we could and should do to improve the quality of life for the next generation of men in our communities.

Bowman holds membership in several professional , civic and social organizations including the Association of Fundraising Professional’s and  the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association, to name a few.

All men interested in attending the breakfast should confirm their attendance by calling 936-857-3272 or by email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.