  _______________________May 28, 2026_______________________  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 ______________________________________________________ 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! __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Centering Prayer: A Life Practice with Brother James Dowd, OSB Monk-in-residence, Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, Prior of Incarnation Monastery and the Benedictine Way. Saturday, June 13, 2026 9:00 AM – 12:00PM Saint Francis Episcopal Church 14 E. 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE Do you struggle with how to be still or how to gain some inner silence? Have you wondered what Centering Prayer is? Want to know more about it? Looking for a new and meaningful prayer practice? On Saturday, June 13th, Br. James Dowd will present a workshop on Centering Prayer. Br. James has practiced for many years as a Benedictine monk, and he will share his wealth of knowledge and experience with us. This is open to everyone. ALL are invited to this special event. We will meet in the Church Sanctuary. If you plan to attend or have any questions, please call/text Christie Shaver at 308-641-6281. Those who serve, Sunday, May 31, 9am Musician Barb Becker Media Team Steve Trickler Ushers Diane Morrison, Nancy Kepler Acolyte Master Clark Wisniewski Acolytes Ella Iron Shell, Walker Anderson Lector/Intercessor Mary Bowman Eucharistic Minister Jane Sayre Altar Guild Barb Manasek, Cindy Dickinson, Christy Anderson Coffee Hosts Farewell to Rev. Erin Breakfast Brunch, following the Worship Service Flowers: Bill Mann In memory of his father, Bob Jack Webb In memory of Chris & her father Carl Carlson Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Sunday 05/31 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Send-off Brunch for Rev. Erin Following Worship Tuesday 06/02 Centering Prayer 11:15a Library Wednesday 06/03 Lectionary Study & Compline 3p Library Thursday 06/04 Discipleship Group 12p Library Friday 06/05 Men's Bible Study 8a Library Saturday 06/06 Deanery Meeting 9a Parish Hall Sunday 06/07 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis _____________________________________________________________________________________  From the Office-Ann's Announcements
Birthdays: Julie Fancher May 31 Jim Petitt June 4 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! Since we are not having Godly Play classes during the summer, we will be mailing out a Junior church bulletin to your child who has attended our Sunday School classes each week. There is a note to parents on the inside, and activities for the kids about Trinity Sunday (which is this Sunday). We will have other Junior bulletins available to be picked up at church each week. We will mail those that are not picked up, if your child would like to receive them. Thank you from the teachers for sharing your children with us. Have a great summer. 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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