  _______________________May 21, 2026_______________________  Last week's Upcoming Events listing incorrectly indicated Godly Play meets this Sunday, May 24. Our last gathering before summer break was May 17. Thank you for sharing your young people with us this year! We look forward to Godly Play resuming in September. May 24 is Pentecost Sunday. Our longtime friend, the Rev. Karen Anderson, will return to serve as guest preacher and to baptize her newest grandchild, Kennedy June. We hope you can join us! ______________________________________________________ A Message from Mary Greetings Friends! As I write this, God is blessing us with some rain! It makes me mindful of all the blessings we regularly receive at St Francis. Particularly, blessings of people willing to give of their time and talents. My message to you this week is full of recognition and gratitude for several of these people. First, I want to recognize and thank Sarah Schaaf and the multitude of volunteers who worked so diligently on our 2nd Annual Blessed Creations Fair. The new “Blind Date with a Book” feature was well received, the bake sale sold out and the addition of the pizza truck was genius! The Fair raised over $3,000 for the parish. Steve Trickler is a new member of the Vestry and has jumped in with both feet! He actively participated in the Vestry workshop that we had with Bishop Barker and Canon Liz in February. At the workshop, we had really good discussions about our parish community and how to enhance connections among our parish members. Steve had an idea about hosting a “Game Night” and has made that happen. “Game Night” happens on the 3rd Sunday at 6pm. From all accounts, it is a load of fun and joy. Many thanks to Steve for taking an idea and making it a reality. As I have been thinking about our parish life during our search for a new Rector, I have asked Monica Shambaugh to head up a Worship Committee. Monica and her team will be responsible for all things related to our Sunday morning worship. She will coordinate with the Diocese to bring in supply priests or other worship leaders and may be asking various parish members to lead Morning Prayer or participate in other ways. Assignment of Acolytes, Lay Eucharist Ministers, Lector/Intercessors and Ushers will continue to be done through the MPS app. Mike Schingle has agreed to work with Ann Salomon in approving all the bills and making sure that part of our fiscal responsibilities is handled correctly. There are a couple of housekeeping items during this transition for your consideration:
Last Fall, St Francis was selected to be the host for this year’s Annual Council. It will be held on Oct 22 – 24 and we expect around 200 people from parishes across the state. Karen Larson has agreed to head our Task force for the host church responsibilities. I urge you to be receptive if Karen asks you to participate in some way. Finally, I want to express my thanks and good wishes to Rev Erin. Among other contributions, she made sure that St Francis was a vital partner in Cooperative Ministries and forged a strong partnership with the First Presbyterian Church in growing our Youth program. We will be hosting a Good-bye Reception for Rev Erin after worship on Sunday, 5/31. Please plan to come by and wish her well as she moves to the next stop on her life’s journey. I close this missive with a grateful heart for all the people who give to St Francis so willingly of their time and talents. Blessings, Mary ______________________________________________________ Camp Canterbury Registration Deadline The Camp Canterbury registration deadline quickly approaching! The last day to register is Friday, June 5th. Register your youth today to join us at camp from July 13th-17th at Calvin Crest Camp in Fremont, NE. All youth who are entering 4th through 12th grades are invited to join us for a faith and fun-filled week. Our theme this year is Feast with God, as we look at ways that we encounter God through the metaphor of food. Activities at camp include swimming, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, archery, worship and programming. For more information and to register, CLICK HERE. Retired United Methodist pastor Teri Lucas has graciously invited Saint Francis members to join in a summer study on the series The Chosen. The first session will be on Friday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the parlor at The Vine United Methodist, 2002 4th Avenue, Scottsbluff. (For the security of their daycare, only the door on 4th Avenue off their parking lot s open during the week.) While the sessions are connected you'll still get something out of them if you aren't able to attend every week. (Pastor Teri says, "It will be a joy to have you join in no matter how many times you are with us.") All are welcome! __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Those who serve, Sunday, May 24, 9am Musician Nancy Meier Media Team Charlie Kennedy Ushers Greg & Collette Suhr Acolyte Master Clark Wisniewski Acolytes Erin & Allie Cawiezel Lector/Intercessor Jane Sayre Eucharistic Minister Clark Wisniewski Altar Guild Barb Manasek, Cindy Dickinson, Christy Anderson Coffee Hosts Barb Manasek, Patty Clown Horse Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Monday 05/25 Church Offices Closed for Memorial Day Tuesday 05/26 Centering Prayer 11:15a Library Wednesday 05/27 Midweek Eucharist 12:15p Chapel Lectionary Study & Compline 3p Library Thursday 05/28 Discipleship Group 12p Library Friday 05/29 Men's Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 05/31 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Send-off Brunch for Rev. Erin Following Worship __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ From the Office—Ann’s Announcements Birthdays: Travis Iron Shell May 25 Nancy Kepler May 26 Jill Young May 26 Stan Eskam May 29 Brooklyn Mills May 30 Clark Wisniewski May 30 Anniversaries: Rick & Christy Anderson May 24 Dan & Cindy Dickinson May 24 Gary & Karen Larson May 26 John & Ann Selzer May 26 The Episcopal Church Women will host a send-off brunch for Rev. Erin+ on Sunday, May 31 following worship. Please join us for fellowship and delicious, home-cooked food! Please bring in your UTO boxes, if you haven’t already. Thank you! Prayer requests need to be received by Tuesday, if you’d like them to be printed in the bulletin. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message) or email.
The Forward Day by Day’s for May-July are available in regular and large print. If you’d like either of these mailed to you, please email us or call the church office. Comments are closed.
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Rev. Erin Rath
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