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What's Happening this New Year at St. Francis-2024

12/21/2023

Thursday Announcements January 11, 2024

ERIN’S EPISTLETTES

Many thanks to the thirty-seven families and individuals who've completed the 2024 stewardship intake (pledge) form. Your generosity amazes me!
- If you've not had the opportunity to complete one, it's available at bit.ly/sfsbgive2024. Alternatively, paper copies are available in the narthex.
- Even if you don't anticipate a change to what you're able to give, we ask you complete a new form every year. Whatever information you can provide, even if it's an estimate, is tremendously helpful for planning purposes.
- I'll say a prayer of blessing over our stewardship for the coming year at worship this Sunday. If possible, please turn in your form on or before that date.
In honor of the Magi's visit to Jesus' manger on Epiphany, this season is a traditional time for house blessings. If you'd like me to offer a blessing on your home during this season or any other, please let me know.
I hope you can attend our annual meeting on Sunday, January 28 immediately following worship.
- The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide members information about the finances and ministries of the church in the prior year.
- Due to a smaller pool of available volunteers following the pandemic, the vestry and I made the decision to decrease the number of vestry members from nine to six. Because of this transition, there will be no vestry members elected this year.
  - We'll still elect delegates to Annual Council. That will take place in Hastings October 24-26. If you're interested in serving, please let me know.
- Please submit reports for the annual meeting packet to Ann no later than January 22 (that's a week from Monday).
- Brunch will follow the meeting.

From the office—Ann’s Announcements

Our Children’s “Jingle Sunday” is this week

“Another successful trip to the mailbox” J

Birthdays
Jennifer Baird January 17
Victoria Schnell January 25

Anniversaries
Curt & Karen Mecklem January 27

The Forward Day by Day’s for February-March are here in regular and large print.
If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

What's Happening this week at St. Francis

12/7/2023

Thursday Announcements January 4, 2024

ERIN’S EPISTLETTES

Many thanks to the thirty-three families and individuals who've completed the 2024 stewardship intake form. Your generosity amazes me!
- We have yet to hear from a number of you. If you've not had the opportunity to complete a stewardship intake form, they're available at bit.ly/sfsbgive2024. Paper copies are available in the narthex. Even if you don't anticipate a change to what you're able to give, we ask you complete a new form every year.
- I'll say a prayer of blessing over our stewardship for the coming year at worship on January 14. Please turn in your stewardship intake form on or before that date.
I hope you can attend our annual meeting on Sunday, January 28 immediately following worship.
- The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide members information about the finances and ministries of the church in the prior year.
- Please submit reports for the annual meeting packet to Ann no later than Monday, January 22.
- The annual meeting will be recorded but will not be live-streamed from our Facebook page. Look for more details on how to access a recording closer to the date.
- Brunch will follow the meeting.

From the office—Ann’s Announcements--Happy New Year!!

Birthdays
William Schnell                   January 7
Jane Wisniewski                 January 7

Anniversaries
Lisa Betz-Marquez              January 9

The Forward Day by Day’s for November - January are here in regular and large print.
If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

2023 Worship Engagement Trends

Month-End & Six-Month Averages 2023
January: 62 / 69
February: 65 / 69
March: 62 / 68
April: 82 / 71
May: 65 / 70
June: 58 / 66
July: 46 / 63
August: 59 / 62
September: 50 / 60
October: 54 / 55
November: 59 / 54
December: 74 / 57

Easter Attendance (3 Services): 151
Christmas Attendance (2 Services): 124

Second Highest Attendance Sunday: 87 (May 14, Mother's Day)
Lowest Attendance Sunday: 37 (July 30)

In-Person, Midweek Eucharist (Trial Offering Dec '22-June '23): 3.7
Evening Prayer on Zoom (Trial Offering July '23-Present): 2.2

What's Happening this week at St. Francis

12/5/2023

Thursday Announcements December 7, 2023

ERIN’S EPISTLETTES

A stewardship letter and pledge form were mailed to all members the week before Thanksgiving.
- If you didn't receive one, please let the front office know.
- Many thanks to the twenty-two families and individuals who already submitted their pledges!
- And a special thanks to Sarah Schaaf for sharing her heartfelt message!
- If you haven't had a chance to submit your pledge, the form is available at bit.ly/sfsbgive2024.
- Remember no amount of time, talent or treasure is too small! (Think: parable of the mustard seed) 🌱🌳
Christmas will be here before we know it! Here's what you can expect for our Christmas Eve at Saint Francis:
- As it falls on a Sunday this year, there will be no morning service.
- Evening services will be at 5:30 and 8:30.
- 5:30 will be livestreamed.
- Incense will be used at 8:30 (but not 5:30).

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No enews will be published December 21 or 28 due to the back-to-back Christmas and New Years' holidays. Items submitted after December 12 will be published January 4.

From the office—Ann’s Announcements

Birthdays
Lori Peterson December 11
Richard Schaneman December 11
Ryley Collins December 12
Len Tabor December 12
Ian Mills December 13
Rick Gable December 15
Don Kepler December 15

Anniversaries
Amy & Michelle Anderson-Saenz December 12

Sunday begins our Advent season!
We will be collecting donations for 3 Christmas families in need.
If writing a check, please make it out to ECW by December 17th, if possible, so we can get gifts to them by Christmas.
We will collect donations throughout Advent in the Red Box located in the Narthex.

Our Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange is THIS SATURDAY, Dec 9th, at 10 am in the Parish Hall.
Please bring 4 dozen cookies to share. What a great way to get a variety of sweet treats for the Holiday season,
and provide cookies for our shut-ins! Refreshments will be provided.

It is time to sign up for poinsettias, in memory of loved ones or in honor of family or friends.
There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthax.
Please call Collette Suhr at 436-5963 if you have any questions.

We will be “Greening the Church” after Coffee Hour next Sunday, December 17th, for Christmas.
Please join us and share in the excitement of preparing our worship space for this Holiest of Holidays.
All decorations will be provided.

The Forward Day by Day’s for November - January are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

What's Happening this New Year at St. Francis-2024

What's Happening this week at St. Francis

What's Happening this week at St. Francis

Rev. Erin Rath

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