ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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Worship Survey--October 1, 2022

9/28/2022

 
Dear People of Saint Francis, 
 
As hard as it is for me to believe, summer has passed and October is upon us! This month will be a time of reflection on the meaning of worship at our parish. There are two ways you can participate. 
 
First is the worship survey. It's now available online. Click here to access it. Paper copies will be available at church beginning Sunday, October 2. If you would like one mailed to you, let Ann in the front office know. ([email protected] or 308-632-4626) The survey will be available until Thursday, October 20. Please return paper copies to the office by that date. Second is a discussion on the meaning of worship. This will take place during coffee hour on Sunday, October 9. Please mark your calendars. 
 
Please let friends who are not on email (or who don't check it regularly) know about these opportunities for reflection and discernment. And thank you in advance for your participation.
 
Many Thanks,
Erin+
 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
the Rev. Erin Rath ~ Rector
Saint Francis Episcopal Church
14 E. 20th St ~ Scottsbluff, NE
(308) 632-4626 ~ https://www.saintf.org/
​

What's Happening at St. Francis this week

9/22/2022

 
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Thursday Announcements  September 29, 2022

ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
  
  • My first announcement is for youth aged 11-15. You probably know Peggy, the leader of our bible study for teens and pre-teens. She decided to move the study time to after the 9 a.m. service Sundays so youth serving as acolytes can participate. Peggy is cool people and she wants to chat with you. I highly recommend you check it out when you can! 
  • A question I've received a few times is: what should I call you? The short answer is...My first choice is to be addressed by my first name only, without a title. If you're more comfortable addressing me using a title, my first choice is Reverend Erin. I'll tell you more about my reasons in a future enews. 
  • Another question I've received a few times is: do I need an appointment to see you? During the week, appointments are encouraged but by no means required. I'm happy to meet outside "standard business hours," too! I'd love to meet for coffee or take you and your kids/grandkids for ice cream at your convenience. As a reminder, my cell is 605-215-9470. My email is [email protected]. 
Finally, an LOL 4u...​
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​From the office--Ann’s Announcements
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Happy Fall Y’all!!!
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Just a reminder that this Sunday is “Jingle money Sunday”
 for the children’s outreach project!!!
Birthdays
Alena Kennedy                                 October 2
Johnny Selzer                                   October 2
Allie Cawiezel                                   October 4
Shawn Hergenrader                         October 5
Chris Kelley                                      October 5
Lucretia Green                                 October 6
Curt Mecklem                                   October 8

Anniversaries
Ann & Ron Salomon                       October 2
Monica & Kathy Shambaugh          October 4
Jennifer & Keith Mills                      October 6
Melissa Iron Cloud                          October 7
​
​Please take a moment to fill out a name tag in the Narthax
Let’s help Rev. Erin get to know us!!
Name tag holders and their inserts are available for you now, in the basket in the Narthax.   You may leave the tags here on the bulletin board or bring them back for continued use over the next few months. 

Pizza Party with Rev Erin and Acolytes
When: Sunday October 16th @ 4:00 PM-5:30PM
Where: St Francis Parish Hall
Why:  Rev. Erin wants to get to know the acolytes and a chance for our young altar servers to get to know one another.  We are planning to have pizza and ice cream floats.  We will play some games and have fun getting to know one another.

Pre-early teen Sunday School class will resume on Sunday, October 2nd at it’s new time following the 9am worship service.  The 11-14 year-old students will take their snacks upstairs to the Godly play classroom for a 30-40 minute class.  Thank you, Peggy Wymore

Our “Godly Play” class includes 5-10 yrs.  Our preteen/early Teen Bible Study will include 11-15 year olds.  If your family is new to the church or has not be in church for the past year, please call the church office at 632-4626 Ext. 3, to help us place your child in the right class.  Parents are welcome at anytime to attend your child’s Sunday School class and observe.
 
Attention all Acolytes:
For the next several Sundays, we will be taking measurements for new acolyte robes, immediately after the service.  Measurements will be done in the acolyte robing room.
If you are currently an acolyte or interested in becoming an acolyte—please come and get measured for a new robe!
Thanks! 
Clark Wisniewski
Acolyte Master
 
Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week.
You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email [email protected] or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Forward Day by Day Booklets
We have the Forward Day by Day’s for September-October in regular and large print.
If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

What's Happening at St. Francis this week

9/15/2022

 
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Thursday Announcements
 September 22, 2022
 
FROM REV. ERIN 

​

Centering Prayer:
A Life Practice With Br. James Dowd, OSB Monk-in-residence,
Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska
Prior of Incarnation Monastery
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​



​​Saturday, September 24, 2022
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 312 W. 16th Street, Alliance, NE
​
Do you struggle with how to be still or how to gain some inner silence? Have you wondered what centering prayer is? Want to know more about it? Looking for a new and meaningful prayer practice?
 
On Saturday, September 24th, Br. James Dowd will present a workshop on Centering Prayer. Br. James has practiced for many years as a Benedictine monk, and he will share his wealth of knowledge and experience with us. This is open to everyone; ALL are invited to this special event.
 
If you have any questions, please contact St. Matthew’s at 308-762-1965.
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 Dear People of Saint Francis, 
 
This week, I have a hodgepodge of announcements and information to share with you. 
  • The first is directed towards folks my age and a little younger. The Centers for Disease Control recently expanded eligibility for an additional COVID booster.         I received mine last week. (This was my second booster and fourth shot.) I commend this to your serious consideration. More people being up-to-date on all available COVID vaccinations makes our communities -- including Saint Francis -- safer, especially for the most vulnerable among us. 
  • This Sunday, the Daughters of the King will collect toiletries to distribute to those in need. I invite you to participate as you are able. See the announcement below for more information. 
  • Discussions and a survey related to worship will happen soon. For more information, see my note from last week. Watch for the written survey to open in early October. I hope you can join us for some small group discussion, too. ​
Thanks for reading. 
 
Blessings,
Erin+

From the office--Ann’s Announcements
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Birthdays
Jessica Collins                     September 29
Pati McLellan                       October 1
James Nielsen                     October 1

Please take a moment to fill out a name tag in the Narthax
Let’s help Rev. Erin get to know us!!   Name tag holders and their inserts are available for you now, in the basket in the Narthax.   You may leave the tags here on the bulletin board or bring them back for continued use over the next few months.   

There will be no pre-early teen Sunday School class this Sunday the 25th.  It will resume on the following Sunday, October 2nd at it’s new time following the 9am worship service.  The 11-14 year-old students will take their snacks upstairs to the Godly play classroom for a 30-40 minute class. 
Thank you, Peggy Wymore

Sunday School classes started Sunday, September 11th.
Our “Godly Play” class includes 5-10 yrs.  Our preteen/early Teen Bible Study will include 11-15 year olds.  If your family is new to the church or has not be in church for the past year, please call the church office at 632-4626 Ext. 3, to help us place your child in the right class.  Parents are welcome at anytime to attend your child’s Sunday School class and observe.
 
The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items, Sunday, September 25.  Items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc. We have identified a number of organizations that distribute these to people in need and we will be donating to them on a rotating basis.  The items collected next Sunday will be added to those we collected earlier for the Foster Closet which is now closed.  Please place your donations in the laundry basket in the narthex.
 
Attention all Acolytes:
For the next several Sundays, we will be taking measurements for new acolyte robes, immediately after the service.  Measurements will be done in the acolyte robing room.
If you are currently an acolyte or interested in becoming an acolyte—please come and get measured for a new robe!
Thanks! 
Clark Wisniewski
Acolyte Master
  
Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week.
You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email [email protected] or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Forward Day by Day Booklets
We have the Forward Day by Day’s for September-October in regular and large print.
If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

What's Happening at St. Francis this week

9/8/2022

 
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Thursday Announcements
 September 15, 2022
 
FROM REV. ERIN
​Dear People of Saint Francis, 
 
Earlier this week, we held our first vestry meeting since my arrival. Among the topics of discussion was the possibility of resuming two worship services. I've heard voices on both sides of the issue. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with others they wouldn't normally see on a Sunday morning. Others expressed a desire to return to old patterns and practices. 
 
In order to reflect more fully on questions related to worship, I plan to take a two-fold approach over the course of several months. The first component will be a written survey. The second component will be a series of discussion questions. My hope is that these two approaches will give every voice the opportunity to be heard and every heart the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of worship. The survey and discussion questions will be developed this month. The survey will be available beginning in early October and discussion sessions will be held later that month. Our discussions will likely take place during coffee hour following Sunday worship; however, if there is enough interest I'm willing to host an evening session as well. All information will be thoughtfully reviewed. I hope to share the results, as well as any scheduling changes, by early November. This will give us time to communicate those changes to different constituencies and allow groups impacted by those changes to plan for their program needs. 
 
As in all things, I commend our parish family and this discernment process to your prayers. 
 
Many Thanks,
Erin+
 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
From the office--Ann’s Announcements
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Birthdays
Bill Mann                              September 19
Margaret Pepper                  September 20
Jeane Anderson                   September 21
Amy Wisniewski                   September 23
Greg Suhr                            September 24

Please take a moment to fill out a name tag in the Narthax
Let’s help Rev. Erin get to know us!!
Name tag holders and their inserts are available for you now, in the basket in the Narthax.   You may leave the tags here on the bulletin board or bring them back for continued use over the next few months.   
 
Sunday School classes have started as of Sunday, September 11th.
Our “Godly Play” class includes 5-10 yrs.  Our preteen/early Teen Bible Study will include 11-15 year olds.  If your family is new to the church or has not be in church for the past year, please call the church office at 632-4626 Ext. 3, to help us place your child in the right class.  Parents are welcome at anytime to attend your child’s Sunday School class and observe.
 
Attention all Acolytes:
For the next several Sundays, we will be taking measurements for new acolyte robes, immediately after the service.  Measurements will be done in the acolyte robing room.
If you are currently an acolyte or interested in becoming an acolyte—please come and get measured for a new robe!
 
Thanks! 
Clark Wisniewski
Acolyte Master
 
Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week.
You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email [email protected] or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Forward Day by Day Booklets
We have the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

What's Happening at St. Francis this week

9/1/2022

 
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Thursday Announcements
 September 8, 2022
 
FROM REV. ERIN​
 Dear Friends, 
 
It's been a whirlwind but wonderful first week at Saint Francis! Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to introduce yourselves and the many offers to help orient me to your parish and the wider community. I look forward to serving with you and hearing more about your journey. 
 
Several weeks ago, a wise friend asked what I was most excited about as I prepared to move west. After a little thought, I said it was getting to know the people of Saint Francis. As a general rule, I'll be in the office Monday through Thursdays, though I can meet any time or place that is convenient for you. I'm happy to meet you anywhere -- your home, a park, an ice cream or coffee shop, even at the Bluffs! I encourage you to reach out any time. If there's a pastoral emergency, particularly outside regular business hours, please call rather than text. (I've learned through experience it's too easy to miss a text.) That number is xxx-xxx-xxxx (please reach out to the front office for my contact information). If you have an upcoming surgery or friend in the parish who is ill or in the hospital, please let me or Annie in the front office know so timely pastoral care can be offered.  
 
Finally, a bit of church business. Fall is upon us, which means it will soon be time for Annual Council. This year, we'll gather in Kearney from October 27-29. More information is available here. If you have any questions or are interested in serving as a delegate, please let me know. 
 
Many Thanks,
Erin+
From the office--Ann’s Announcements
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Birthdays
Noah Moreno                                   September 11
Ralph Anderson                               September 12
Greg Petersen                                 September 12
Wanda Mueller                                September 13
Emma Hergenreder                         September 15
Hannah Schillereff                           September 16
 
Please take a moment to fill out a name tag in the Narthax
Let’s help Rev. Erin get to know us!!
Name tag holders and their inserts are available for you now, in the basket in the Narthax.  
You may leave the tags here on the bulletin board or bring them back for continued use over the next few months.   

Sunday School classes are beginning on Sunday, September 11th.
Our “Godly Play” class includes 5-10 yrs.  Our preteen/early Teen Bible Study will include 11-15 year olds. 
If your family is new to the church or has not be in church for the past year, please call the church office at 632-4626 Ext. 3, to help us place your child in the right class. 
Parents are welcome at anytime to attend your child’s Sunday School class and observe.
 
Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week.
You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email [email protected] or mail to:
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Forward Day by Day Booklets
We have the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

    Rev. Erin Rath

    Check in here for weekly announcements.

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St. Francis Episcopal Church
14 E 20th Street
​P.O. Box 1201
Scottsbluff, NE 69363
​(308) 632-4626

To contact the front office, please click here. 
To contact a member of the clergy, please click here.

Service Times

Sundays at 9 a.m.
Every Sunday service is livestreamed

Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
In-Person Eucharist
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Evening Prayer on Zoom
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
Contact the office for access codes

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