Thursday Announcements for March 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 

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
  
 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 [email protected] or
Noelle Ptomey [email protected] 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 Ptomey

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)

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