Thursday Announcements, August 19, 2021

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1)    According to data published on the Mayo Clinic website (mayoclinic.org -- search for “Nebraska Coronavirus”) Scotts Bluff County is averaging 11 cases/day with an average per 100k population of 31 cases/day. As such we are a hot spot in the state and given that and our hospital is experiencing a surge in COVID patients and that our children are about to go back to school and are not able to be vaccinated at this time, I am making the decision that for the next 6 Sundays we will require masks for those attending worship or Sunday programs in-person. Those at higher risk and anyone who is unvaccinated are encouraged to participate on-line. Communion will continue to be offered during worship by intinction (dipping) at the altar rail, simply remove your mask while taking communion. Singing will be allowed with masks. We will continue to monitor our local situation and will make changes to our policy as safe and appropriate.
 
2)    Remember September 5th is our Back to Church Sunday – when Nursery and Godly Play will resume at the 10:00 A.M. service, upstairs in the classrooms above the parish hall.  Children ages 3-5 are welcome in the Nursery, and ages 6-10 in Godly Play. We are still hopeful that we can offer a Pre-Teen program and are working out the final details of our first Youth Group meeting. More information on both of those soon.
 
3)    Once again we see a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude unfolding in Haiti. If you would like to contribute to assisting those in need there, the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund is a very efficient way to help. Here is a link: https://support.episcopalrelief.org/haiti-relief?ID=210816DWADS0100&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=fy21haitiearthquake&utm_source=210816DWADS0100
 

 
ANN’S ADDITIONS

 Happy Birthday!!
 
Jean Hilyard                             August 23
Mandi Sauer                             August 24
Robin Biltjinitis                          August 26
Sean McKeehan                       August 26
John Wymore                           August 26
 
Happy Anniversary!!

Ben & Christie Shaver               August 22
  
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

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

re: Back to School picture (above)
 
The two kids in the middle are sporting your typical signs that read "First Day of Fifth Grade" and "First Day of Second Grade," but if you look at the sign the dad's holding, you'll see it says "My 6,287th Day of Work." The youngest daughter, who isn't enrolled in school yet, also has a hilarious message scribbled on her paper: "If I don't hold a sign too, I'm going to scream."