Thursday Announcements for March 18, 2021

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) The Bishop is Coming! Great news this week that the Bishop and Canon are
resuming annual visitations where possible, and are coming to the Panhandle
in May! Our Visitation will be Wednesday evening, May 19th, and we will plan
to have a celebration of Holy Eucharist with Confirmations. I will be reaching
out to the parents of youth who are prepared for Confirmation, and invite any
adults who would like to be Baptized, Confirmed, or Received (if confirmed in
another tradition) to call or email me and we can get it set-up for that evening.
 
2) More good news from the Diocese — it looks like Camp Canterbury will go
forward this year in some form, and possibly in-person. Right now I know the
week will be July 19-23, so put that on your calendars for sure. Next step is the
Camp Director will be reaching out to families to gauge their comfort with in-
person vs virtual camp. This year Camp Canterbury is open to grades 6-12,
including graduating seniors. Watch for more news soon on this.
 
3) Palm Sunday is March 28th, and on this day we will return to two Sunday
services — 8:00 & 10:00 A.M. Keeping our safety precautions in place, we will
begin with the Liturgy of the Palms in the sanctuary, and not the parish hall.
Palms will be in the pews and/or available as you enter and take your seat, and
we won’t process. This is not perfect, but it is good and I am thankful we are
able to do this much. It’s progress! 
 
4) Our Holy Week Worship Schedule will be the same as years past, even
while the services will look slightly different. We will gather together for the
three day service (Triduum) at these times:
 
          1)      Maundy Thursday       6:00 PM
          2)      Good Friday                 12:00 & 6:00 PM
          3)      Great Vigil (Sat) 8:00 PM
                   -or- Easter Sunday       8:00 & 10:00 AM
 
5) A family in the church is looking to buy a dependable used vehicle and have
$1,200 to spend. If you or anyone you know has a car or van that meets those
criteria, can you let the office know and we will put this family in contact with the
seller?
 
6) Next week I should have more news about programs and activities we are
starting to put back in place. Things will look different here for some time yet,
but with vaccinations increasing and cases holding steady, we are seeing some
rebuilding opportunities. Your favorite thing may not be among the first to
return, but you may find something new to try. We are open to new ideas for
​ sure! 

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Happy Birthday!! 
Colleen Kelly             March 23
 

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

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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


​UNITED THANK OFFERING – OUR LEGACY
Do you write thank you notes?  It is a small gift of kindness, showing
gratitude.  It is important to practice kindness whenever you can.
  Kindness affects everything in its path.  When we do something small,
without hope of recognition, it is noticed.  It is the small kindness we
share with each other that acts as a connector in our broken and
hurting world.  A suggested thought would be to think about what
gratitude means to you and how far will you extend yourself to
​ connect with others in saying thank you.


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]
 
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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