ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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Thursday Announcements for March 25, 2021

3/25/2021

 
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FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) UTO Boxes – It’s time to gather in our
blue UTO boxes! Please bring them to church
on Easter Sunday or any Sunday in April and
we will get those donations to the National
Church United Thank Offering office. Thank
you so much in advance to everyone who has
​ faithfully donated to this charity once again
this year. This is a ministry that has a great
​ impact on the church over the years and continues to build and support local ministries across The Episcopal Church.


2) Bereavement Group — Beginning April 22, Linda Rock will lead a 4-
week bereavement group open to anyone who has lost a loved on in the past
two years. Click here
https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/d28198 or go to our
website for more information and to sign-up. I cannot recommend this highly
enough. Linda is truly an expert in this field, and this will be a world-class
seminar and group.


3) Speaking of World-Class, Rae Whitney was the subject of a recent
Episcopal Church Women presentation by Marty Burnett titled
Hope, Joy,
and Wonder: The Hymns of Rae E. Whitney
. If you missed it, you can watch
the full program here: 
https://youtu.be/yyiIDYe0Owk

4) This Sunday we resume our 8:00A.M. Worship Service! This is Palm
Sunday, and I am so happy to announce that we're adding back our 8:00
service! One note — we will begin in the Sanctuary and not the Parish Hall,
and you will pick up your palms on the way in. Come back to church and
celebrate together as we begin our Holy Week Services.

 
5) Once again our Holy Week Schedule will be: 
          Palm Sunday                8:00 & 10:00 A.M.
          Maundy Thursday         6:00 P.M.
          Good Friday                 12:00 & 6:00 P.M.
          Great Vigil (Sat)            8:00 P.M.
          Easter Sunday              8:00 & 10:00 A.M.
 
6) Don’t forget to sign up for the Diocesan Program “Sacred Ground” by
going to the Diocese of Nebraska website
https://www.episcopal-ne.org and
using the “Registration” link. I haven’t said enough about this program yet,
but I absolutely want everyone in the parish to participate. Racial issues have
been a part of all of our lives for the entirety of our lives. This program won’t
solve these issues for you or me or our country, but it is a beginning of a new
conversation that may lead us in a new direction toward new understandings.
​I urge you
in the strongest terms to sign-up and participate. 

​
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GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Happy Birthday!! 
Patty Clown Horse    March 25
Eain Peterson            March 26
Melissa Moreno         March 28
Gretchen Traw          March 30
 

Prayer Requests ** Please make sure your request is received by
Wednesday of each week. You may call (308)632-4626 (leave a
message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361


It’s time to sign-up for Easter
Lilies. If you would like to
donate this year, you can do
so by calling the office and
letting Gina know, or you
can use this online form. The
cost is $25.
 https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/49ab43

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
This is a National Group of Episcopal Women who commit to pray and
work regularly for the mission and ministries of their local parish and the
wider church. I have personally seen the fruits of having a DOK Chapter –
both for the parish and for the women involved – and so am very happy to
announce a diocesan discernment/training to be offered via Zoom by
Omaha members Sandra Squires and Carol Ott. Our own Beth McKibbon
Beth leads our small but growing DOK group and will be your local
contact. Here is the information about the meetings:
“Discernment classes will meet 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday
mornings starting April 5. Sandra will start promptly at 10 a.m. If someone
needs assistance with joining Zoom,  Sandra or Carol Ott will practice with
them before April 5th.
The meeting dates are: April 5, 19, 26, May 3,17, 24, June 7, 21
(Note that there will not be sessions on April 12 and May 10, and May 31
which is Memorial Day.)”

 
For more information you can email Beth at bethmckibbin@yahoo.com

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​NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY – MARCH 25TH
National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of
Honor recipients.
On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first
Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of “Andrews Raiders” for their
volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of
1862.
Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s
highest military honor.  It is awarded only to US military personnel by the
President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts
of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for
the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps
and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.
Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the
​ country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen.
 
Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Bereavement Support Group - Press Release

3/23/2021

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bereavement Support Group to Begin Meeting in Scottsbluff
Linda Rock, BA in sociology and psychology from Central Michigan
University will be hosting a 4-week bereavement support group on
consecutive Thursday evenings beginning April 22nd 6:30 – 7:30 P.M. at
St. Francis Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff. Linda has over 34 years
experience developing, leading and sustaining Hospice and Palliative
Care programs and providing bereavement support.

If you have experienced the death of a loved one in the past 2 years we
welcome your participation. Participants will use various resources
mixed with teaching and conversation to cover areas of grief
and loss.

Group size is limited to 15. Masks and distancing encouraged. Register
now by calling St. Francis Episcopal Church at 308-632-4626 or by clicking
on this link. 
https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/d28198
 There is no fee for these group sessions.

What:         Bereavement Support Group
When:        Begins Thursday, April 22nd 6:30 P.M. and runs four consecutive Thursdays.
Where:       St. Francis Episcopal Church
                   14 E. 20th St.   Scottsbluff, NE
                   Parking in back or front of church.
Who:          The group is open to any one who has experienced the death of a loved one in the past 2 years.
Contact:     St. Francis (308) 632-4626 Tues-Wed-Thurs 9a-1p
Cost:           Free

Thursday Announcements for March 18, 2021

3/18/2021

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) The Bishop is Coming! Great news this week that the Bishop and Canon are
resuming annual visitations where possible, and are coming to the Panhandle
in May! Our Visitation will be Wednesday evening, May 19th, and we will plan
to have a celebration of Holy Eucharist with Confirmations. I will be reaching
out to the parents of youth who are prepared for Confirmation, and invite any
adults who would like to be Baptized, Confirmed, or Received (if confirmed in
another tradition) to call or email me and we can get it set-up for that evening.
 
2) More good news from the Diocese — it looks like Camp Canterbury will go
forward this year in some form, and possibly in-person. Right now I know the
week will be July 19-23, so put that on your calendars for sure. Next step is the
Camp Director will be reaching out to families to gauge their comfort with in-
person vs virtual camp. This year Camp Canterbury is open to grades 6-12,
including graduating seniors. Watch for more news soon on this.
 
3) Palm Sunday is March 28th, and on this day we will return to two Sunday
services — 8:00 & 10:00 A.M. Keeping our safety precautions in place, we will
begin with the Liturgy of the Palms in the sanctuary, and not the parish hall.
Palms will be in the pews and/or available as you enter and take your seat, and
we won’t process. This is not perfect, but it is good and I am thankful we are
able to do this much. It’s progress! 
 
4) Our Holy Week Worship Schedule will be the same as years past, even
while the services will look slightly different. We will gather together for the
three day service (Triduum) at these times:
 
          1)      Maundy Thursday       6:00 PM
          2)      Good Friday                 12:00 & 6:00 PM
          3)      Great Vigil (Sat) 8:00 PM
                   -or- Easter Sunday       8:00 & 10:00 AM
 
5) A family in the church is looking to buy a dependable used vehicle and have
$1,200 to spend. If you or anyone you know has a car or van that meets those
criteria, can you let the office know and we will put this family in contact with the
seller?
 
6) Next week I should have more news about programs and activities we are
starting to put back in place. Things will look different here for some time yet,
but with vaccinations increasing and cases holding steady, we are seeing some
rebuilding opportunities. Your favorite thing may not be among the first to
return, but you may find something new to try. We are open to new ideas for
​ sure! 
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GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Happy Birthday!! 
Colleen Kelly             March 23
 

It’s time to sign-up for Easter Lilies.If you would like to
donate this year, you
can do so by calling
the office and letting
Gina know, or you can
use this online form. 
​The cost is $25.

https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/49ab43

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Prayer Requests ** Please make sure your request is received by
Wednesday of each week. You may call (308)632-4626 (leave a
​ message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361


​UNITED THANK OFFERING – OUR LEGACY
Do you write thank you notes?  It is a small gift of kindness, showing
gratitude.  It is important to practice kindness whenever you can.
  Kindness affects everything in its path.  When we do something small,
without hope of recognition, it is noticed.  It is the small kindness we
share with each other that acts as a connector in our broken and
hurting world.  A suggested thought would be to think about what
gratitude means to you and how far will you extend yourself to
​ connect with others in saying thank you.



DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
This is a National Group of Episcopal Women who commit to pray and
work regularly for the mission and ministries of their local parish and the
wider church. I have personally seen the fruits of having a DOK Chapter –
both for the parish and for the women involved – and so am very happy to
announce a diocesan discernment/training to be offered via Zoom by
Omaha members Sandra Squires and Carol Ott. Our own Beth McKibbon
Beth leads our small but growing DOK group and will be your local
contact. Here is the information about the meetings:
“Discernment classes will meet 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday
mornings starting April 5. Sandra will start promptly at 10 a.m. If someone
needs assistance with joining Zoom,  Sandra or Carol Ott will practice with
them before April 5th.
The meeting dates are: April 5, 19, 26, May 3,17, 24, June 7, 21
(Note that there will not be sessions on April 12 and May 10, and May 31
which is Memorial Day.)”

 
For more information you can email Beth at bethmckibbin@yahoo.com
 
Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)


Thursday Announcements for March 11, 2021

3/11/2021

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Yes, there is a big storm a-brewin’ and it’s expected to hit us this Saturday
and Sunday. They are talking about snowfall in terms of feet, not inches in
some places, so…yikes? Here’s what we will do at St. Francis about Sunday
worship:

There WILL be an in-person service Sunday, March 14th at 10:00
A.M. This doesn’t mean you have to attend. In fact, I strongly suggest you
 not attend if the amount of snow is as big as predicted and the winds pick
up. Please stay home and stay safe and stay warm and don’t take any
unnecessary risks. However, I will be here and the doors will be open.

In the likely event our A/V Coordinator is snowed in, I am learning today
how to turn on and focus the equipment for a simplified online stream.
Provided I can learn it and do it Sunday morning, there will be a
livestreamed service as usual and you should be able to access it just as
you have been. I suppose it’s possible that I won’t be able to get it to work
on Sunday, and if that’s the case, we will just punt.

No matter what you do, don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time begins
this Sunday,
 so church will be at 10:00 but it is 9:00 if you forget to
change your clocks.

 
2) The Diocese of Nebraska is committed to conversations and movement
around race in America – that is, working toward understanding and
growth and healing and action to make God’s love more fully present in all of our
communities. The name of the program we are using is Sacred Ground – “a 10-
part series built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and
readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American
histories as they intersect with European American histories. It is focused on
the challenges that swirl around issues of race and racism, as well as the
difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue we need to have with each
other about them.” The local contact is our own Mai Lee Olsen who attends
Church of the Good Shepherd in Harrisburg. You will be asked to be a part of a
small group doing this work and study. Watch for more information soon.
 
3) It’s time to sign-up for Easter Lilies. If you would like to donate this year, you
can do so by calling the office and letting Gina know, or you can use this online
form. The cost is $25.
https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/49ab43 
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GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
                                     Happy Birthday!!
                        Jennifer Schilke          March 11
                        Charlie Selzer             March 11
                        Cricket Simmons        March 13​











​***Don’t forget to change your clocks forward 1 hour and
enjoy an extra hour of Sunshine!!***

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​It’s time to sign-up for Easter Lilies. If you would like to donate this
year, you can do so by calling the office and letting Gina know, or
you can use this online form. The cost is $25.
 
https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/49ab43

Prayer Requests ** Please make sure your request is received by
Wednesday of each week. You may call (308)632-4626 (leave a
message), email 
stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

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​UNITED THANK OFFERING – OUR LEGACY
It's more than the Little Blue Box of United Thank Offering. Did you stop to
consider that blessings flow from the little UTO Box - including grants to
expand the churches faithfulness to God's mission?  We think we are
only one person and we say "what can my small gift accomplish?"
  Daughters of the King has a motto "I am but one, but I am one.
  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  What I can do, I ought
to do.  What I ought to do, by the Grace of God I will do.  Lord, what will
​you have me do" Follow your conscience.


DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
This is a National Group of Episcopal Women who commit to pray and
work regularly for the mission and ministries of their local parish and the
wider church. I have personally seen the fruits of having a DOK Chapter –
both for the parish and for the women involved – and so am very happy to
announce a diocesan discernment/training to be offered via Zoom by
Omaha members Sandra Squires and Carol Ott. Our own Beth McKibbon
Beth leads our small but growing DOK group and will be your local
contact. Here is the information about the meetings:
“Discernment classes will meet 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday
mornings starting April 5. Sandra will start promptly at 10 a.m. If someone
needs assistance with joining Zoom,  Sandra or Carol Ott will practice with
them before April 5th.
The meeting dates are: April 5, 19, 26, May 3,17, 24, June 7, 21
(Note that there will not be sessions on April 12 and May 10, and May 31
which is Memorial Day.)”

 
For more information you can email Beth at bethmckibbin@yahoo.com
  
 ANNOUNCING AN IMPORTANT DIOCESE-WIDE CONVERSATION
Beginning in April of this year, the people of DioNeb are invited to join us
for Sacred Ground, a film and reading based dialogue series on race,
grounded in faith!
Sacred Ground is a 10-part series built around a powerful online
curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous,
Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with
European American histories. It is focused on the challenges that swirl
around issues of race and racism, as well as the difficult but respectful and
transformative dialogue we need to have with each other about them.
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal
Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and
justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is
open to all, as especially designed to help white people. Participants are
invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and
divides of the present day - all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and
love.
 
PLEASE NOTE: that while this study is designed for white people, we
encourage people of color to join the study.
Please monitor the Ministry Memo email for more announcements
and when registration opens on March 12th, please sign up to
participate and encourage others to do the same.

For more information contact Lesley Dean lesleydean5403@gmail.com or
Noelle Ptomey nptomey@yahoo.com or visit the Sacred Ground
Webpage
 for an overview of the program.
This study series has the power and potential to transform our
​ communities. Please join us!
Noelle Ptome
y

Gina’s Office Hours

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)


    Rev. Erin Rath

    Check in here for weekly announcements.

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Contact Us

St. Francis Episcopal Church
14 E 20th Street

Scottsbluff, NE 69361
​P.O. Box 1201


stfrancis@allophone.com

​(308) 632-4626

Service Times

Sundays 9 AM
Wednesdays 6 PM


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