Announcements:

WELCOME For those who are new We are grateful for your presence here. We’d love to hear what brought you here this morning. Please fill out a Visitor Card and hand it to one of our priests or usher on your way out (or put it in the offering basket).

We do a lot of sitting, standing, bowing, and kneeling in our service. There isn’t one right way to do this, so please sit, stand, or kneel as you are comfortable during the service.

For a full listing of events, groups, etc. explore our website, or contact the office.

MASKS REQUIRED IN WORSHIP 
Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties have gone Red, according to the CDC COVID by County Tracker. Thank you for doing what you can to keep those around you safe and healthy.

MASK UPDATE FROM VESTRY. Beginning today, masks will only be required when Bernalillo or Sandoval County is in Red (according to the COVID-by-County Tracker on the CDC’s website).

THANKSGIVING @ ST. FRANCIS. Sadly this year we will cancel the Thanksgiving Day meal at St. Francis - due to high covid numbers. If you are looking for someone to share
Thanksgiving with - either to host or to be a guest - please let us know, so that we can connect you.

OFFICE CLOSED WED-FRI. The Church Office will be closed Wednesday through Friday this week. If you need something, please email us at stfechurch@gmail.com

MEAL TRAIN. We are in need of help with Meals from the Heart. If you can cook and deliver a meal, please contact Sharla Parrish at sparrish0101@gmail.com or 505-364-6527.

FOOD & FELLOWSHIP (AFTER 1030AM SERVICE). Due to high COVID cases we have delayed moving to the Parish Hall. For the time being, we will continue meeting on the front porch - AND open the narthex and library for those who wish to eat, drink, and talk indoors.

ADVENT WREATH MAKING. Next Sunday, following each service, Francesca MacDowell will lead out annual Advent Wreath making. If you have a form (metal frame) for an Advent
Wreath from years past, please bring it. Advent Wreaths are a great way for you to mark the season at home.

GIFTS FOR LIFE. Have you begun your Christmas shopping yet? The Episcopal Relief and Development Gifts for Life catalogue is out. We have one or more copies in the Narthex for you to look at. You can order gifts online at www.episcopalrelief.org. As a congregation we will take up a special collection each week in Advent to send a Christmas gift to a family or community. You can do the same, giving a gift in someone’s name, as their Christmas gift.

FLOWER POTS. If you have a flower pot suitable for outdoor use that you are not using, we would like to put it to use. You may drop it off at the church on the front porch any time. Thank you.

FOOD & FELLOWSHIP AFTER THE SERVICE (10:30AM ONLY). Next Sunday, we invite those whose last names begin with U-Z to bring food to share at our time of fellowship.

HOW TO CONNECT MORE. Are you looking to be involved in a group, in service, or in some other way? Do you know someone who is spiritually seeking? We’d love to help you or your friend connect with others. Contact the office to speak with one of our priests.

STAY IN TOUCH! Office Hours are 10am-12pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A weekly schedule of events and ways to connect with others can be found on our website and in our weekly email. If you do not get the weekly email please let Fr. Alex know by calling 505-896-1999 or emailing stfechurch@gmail.com. For more information, visit our website: www.stfepiscopal.org

AND…Don’t forget to trust God with the future, love others in the present, and learn from and then let
go of the past this week (Philippians 3:13-14). Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

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Diocesan Convention Update
 
November 11-12, delegates and clergy from Episcopal Churches in all of New Mexico and far west Texas gathered at the Cathedral of St. John in Abq for Diocesan Convention. Your delegates were Joyce Hunn, Sharon Walsh, Cathy Varney, and Betty Harrison (Marcia Miller, alternate).

Here are a few highlights:
Cathy Varney was elected to the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, to the Commission on Ministry of the Baptized, and as a deputy to General Convention 2024 in Kentucky!
The Bishop has called for the creation of a Taskforce on Creation Care
Two keynote speakers talked about Climate Change and the need for all people to work for the good of the planet
Four of our choir members joined in the Diocesan Wide Choir for Opening Eucharist
We honored the late Rev. Ted Howden, a military chaplain from our own Diocese, who died during WWII, and who is being honored by being included on The Episcopal Church's official calendar of saints (Lesser Feasts and Fasts).
Thank you to all who participated, served, sang, greeted, rang bells, baked cookies, and more to make this an excellent Convention!

Welcoming in Jesus's Name: Not Just for Extroverts

Brothers and sisters, when we gather on Sundays, as a community practicing the way of Jesus, there are those who long to be known, recognized, valued. We all long to be known by someone. Jesus saw people; often the people that the religious institutions of his day did not see.

Who is next to you that you do know?

They might be a visitor, sure. But they also may have been attending here for longer than you. But do you know that they have ever been welcomed? Do you know whether someone has really taken time to know them, or to even say hello each Sunday? Might you be the one who will make their day simply by giving of your time - to say hello, to ask how they truly are, and to have the patience to listen?

Welcoming, listening, truly seeing people is part of our practice. It is part of the Way of Jesus. Let us practice this Way together.