Thursday Announcements August 13, 2020

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
So…we are doing it!!
 
After what seems like forever, we are re-opening for worship this Sunday, August 16th at 10:00 A.M.! The data chart below shows that our local cases are below 4/day, which is the benchmark we have set for safely gathering in-person. If that number should go back up, we may need to close again, but for now, we are cleared to go by the Bishop! Here are a few things to remember as we come together again in this new way:
 

• Online livestreamed services are now a permanent part of our Sunday offering, so no one should feel like they have to come in person. If you want to continue to stay home, you can access the services in the same way you have for the past several months via our website.
• Masks are required for all ages for the entire service – except when you consume the host in communion.
• While we strongly encourage families who are comfortable doing so to attend and sit and participate together, Nursery, Godly Play, or monitored play time will not be offered during this time. The parish hall play area and toys will not be available during the service, nor will the children’s bags in the sanctuary. Feel free to bring toys and make noise. Just take them with you when you leave -- toys and children :)
• Overflow worshippers will be seated in the parish hall for the entire service watching (with social distancing) the livestream projected on the screen. Those worshipping in the parish hall will proceed to the sanctuary for communion, observing social distancing and carrying any personal items brought into the building, as all will depart directly from the altar rail.
• Upon entry to the building, worshippers will move immediately to the sanctuary steps or the lift to be seated by ushers. Bulletins will be on the pews available for seating. Please leave the bulletins at the end of the service, or take them with you for use at home.
• Baskets will be available for sharing your pledge gifts at both sanctuary entrances and in the narthex.
• There is no fellowship hour after the service. 

 
Here is a link to a youtube video showing how communion will work: https://youtu.be/Oq5EZ8F394g
 
This is the next safest step in our return to some kind of new normal. It won’t always be this way, I promise. There will be some challenges and we may find ourselves back to online only if the number of local cases rises for any period of time. BUT – your safety is the number one concern. We have found a way to keep the traditions going and hold our little community together even as we isolate. Someday soon there will be a medical solution that allows us more flexibility. Until then, just know your Bishop, your clergy, your vestry, and all your parish leadership love you and pray for you regularly.

Fr. Mark+

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
     Happy Birthday!!                                     Happy Anniversary!!
Joe Leach              August 14                 Jack & Chris Webb      August 14
Cory Foster           August 16                 Jim & Donetta Petitt     August 18
Tracy Jackson       August 19
 
(Update) Prayer Requests: The prayer request sheet is still just outside the office in the church and is updated weekly. Anyone may still email your prayer requests to me at stfrancis@allophone.com. If you do not have email, just call the church and leave a message. Since, I am back in the office, the requests must be received on by Wednesday at the latest, for them to be included in the Sunday Bulletin for that week. If the request is received after Wednesday, they will be added to the next Sunday Bulletin. We will follow the same process and keep the names on for two weeks.
Once the prayer request is received, it is added to the prayer list and then I email the names to have them added to the Prayer Chain and to the Daughters of the King.
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Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (at the church)
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (at the church)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (at the church)