December 5, 2025

Diocese News

Less than a Week Until an Evening with Bishop Budde!

Join the Diocese of Nebraska and its Balancing the Scales and Racial Reconciliation & Sacred Ground Ministries on the evening for Thursday, December 11, for a keynote address from The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington (DC). The lecture and community conversation will be held at Creighton University's Mike and Josie Harper Center Auditorium, located at 602 N 20th Street, Omaha NE 68178. The event is free, pre-registration is required. Register today! Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the event begins at 7:00 PM.

Church leaders, please help us spread the word by including this announcement and/or flyer in your church communications!

Celebration of New Ministry

Your Prayers and Presence are Requested at a

Celebration of New Ministry for

The Reverend Alison Lee

On Friday, the Second of January, 2026

at half-past six o'clock in the evening

at All Saints Episcopal Church

9302 Blondo St, Omaha, NE

Reception to follow.

Clergy, please wear white stoles.

Sacred Ground Small Group Registration 2026

Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.

The 11-part series is 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.

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, and especially designed to help white people talk with other 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.

Circles will meet by zoom or in person day and time to be determined by facilitator.

Seeking a Contemplative Heart: Thomas Merton in Advent

Tuesday, December 9, 7 PM-8PM

This Advent, on the eve of the feast of Blessed Thomas Merton, join us for a contemplative journey into this great monk’s wisdom. We will explore some of Merton’s teachings about the Incarnation, the coming of Christ, and the Nativity.

This special gathering for the Contemplative Underground community will be held online Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7pm CT. Register here.

Poetry at the Lion (St. Mark's on the Campus)

Friday, December 12, 6PM-7:50PM

Each month, a featured poet will read from their works and shape the evening’s experience. Poetry lovers can stop on their way to eat out or bring a brown bag meal and stay for the whole evening. Light refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 5:30.

The featured poet for December will be Stephen Buhler, reading from Ted Kooser's poetry. Ted Kooser has retired from any public speaking engagements, for health reasons, but he has agreed to let Steve Buhler select from his poetry and read it at The Lion. St. Mark's on the Campus is located at 1309 R Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508.

Young Adult Advent Retreat: God's Time

Saturday, December 13, 10AM-3PM

Advent invites us into the spiritual discipline of waiting. But what does it mean to trust in “God’s time?” How do we practice stillness and intentionality in a world that tells us slowing down means being left behind?

Young Adults are invited to come explore these and other questions on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 AM-3 PM at the All Saints Retreat House (9302 Blondo St., Omaha, NE 68134). Lunch included. Register here.

A Spirituality of Hope for the New Year

Wednesday, December 31, 8PM-9PM

You're invited to an online gathering on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31 at 8pm CT to welcome in the New Year in prayer and reflection. Together we will learn about how we can foster a spirituality of hope for the future, even in challenging times. Following the teaching, we will pray together in a Centering Prayer Sit. Join us for an evening of contemplation and peace. Register here.

2026 FORMA Conference

January 26-29, 2026, St. John’s Cathedral, Denver, CO

The Forma Annual Conference offers an intentional time of networking, learning, and inspiration for those engaged in formation ministry across the church.

This year’s conference theme is Belonging & Becoming and stems from 2 Corinthians 3:18. We’re diving deep into the questions “Who Do I Belong To?” and “Who Am I Becoming?” During our time together we will explore how we are held, seen, shaped, and sent as beloved children of God and ministers of God’s church. For more information, visit the Conference website and register here.

Parish Events

Magdalene Market Vendors Wanted

Sunday, Dec. 7, 9:30 AM-4:30 PM

Calling all talented crafters and artisans! We would love for you to join us at our Third Annual Magdalene Market on Sunday, December 7, at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Elkhorn. We have multiple booth sizes to house any vendor. By participating, you're not just showcasing your talents; you're also contributing to a beautiful cause. All vendor fees, table & chair rental & food sales will directly benefit Magdalene Omaha. Head to our website for more information, or to request a booth. If you would prefer to shop, make sure to save the date to join us!

Have an upcoming event at your parish that you'd like to share?

Email Megan Griffiths to include it in the next Ministry Memo!

Ministries

Formation Opportunities in DioNeb

Queerly Beloved: Rooted in tradition. Radically expansive. Radiant with pride.

Queerly Beloved is a new LGBTQIA+ Episcopal ministry, based in the Omaha Metropolitan area, offering sacred space for worship, community, and spiritual growth. We aim to be a gathering place for LGBTQIA+ Episcopalians connected to local parishes — and a welcoming home for those who may not yet have found a church but are seeking deeper connection, faith, and belonging.

We gather monthly for:

· Worship at Rainbow Table

· Social events through Out on the Town

· Theological conversation at Theology Out Loud

December Events

Rainbow Table: O Come, All Who Wait
An Advent service of incarnate hope and divine love.

We gather as queer and allied people of faith to wait, to hope, and to remember that the Word is made flesh in us. Love is made real in our bodies, our community, and our world. Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 6:30–8:00 PM
All Saints Episcopal Church, Omaha

---

Whether you've been walking with the Church for years or are exploring faith for the first time, Queerly Beloved is a place to belong, believe, and be boldly yourself. To learn more or get involved, contact the Rev. Michael Heller. Based in Omaha — open to ALL across the Diocese of Nebraska.

Sacred Ground 2026 Registration closes Dec 12!

Circles will meet by zoom or in person day and time to be determined by facilitator.

The Benedictine Way

Join Us In Prayer

The Benedictine Way keeps four public prayer hours, Lauds, Mid-day Prayer (Centering Prayer), Vespers, and Compline, and we're open to the public 6 days a week. Incarnation Monastery is located at 3020 Belvedere Blvd., Omaha. Included below are the in-person prayer schedule and Contemplative Underground online C entering Prayer Sit schedule. Tuesday Vespers is livestreamed on our YouTube Channel. Pray with us!

SUNDAY

4pm CT - Online Centering Prayer

5:30pm CT – Vespers

MONDAY

7:30am CT - Online Centering Prayer

No in-person services

TUESDAY