May God give you grace never to sell yourself short,
grace to risk something big for something good,
and grace to remember that the world is now too dangerous
for anything but truth, and too small for anything but love.
William Sloan Coffin
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Diocesan Prayers
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For
the month of February please pray for Province VI of the Episcopal Church. Also, pray for those who serve on the Diocesan Council, the Trustees, the Standing Committee, the Chancellors and for the Diocesan treasurer. Please pray for your own vestry or bishop's committee and all those who tend to the administrative work of your parish.
Sunday is 6 Epiphany
Anniversaries
2/15 Alice Mae Applequist,
p 1997
2/15 Katherine Lewis, p 1997
2/15 Anne Elsworth Scheible,
p 1971
2/21 Stephen Schaitberger,
p 1971
2/21 Alan Grant, p 1971
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Gospel Based Discipleship
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Lay Leaders Seminars
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Coming Soon to a Church Near You
Are you a warden, vestry or bishop's committee member, treasurer, stewardship chair, finance chair, or convention delegate? If so, please make plans to attend one of the upcoming Lay Leaders Seminars. Dates and locations are on the calendar below. Contact Bronwyn Skov, 612-870-3307, if you have any questions.
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Parochial Reports
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Deadline Approaching
Fully completed parochial reports for all congregations are due to the national Episcopal Church by March 1. All reports are filed online using this link.
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Finance
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First Stop Committee Considers 2009 Requests
The First Stop Committee considered 14 Apportionment for the Common Good (ACG) relief requests totaling $313,020. These requests are above and beyond the already budgeted 2009 ACG reduction, which was approved at Diocesan Convention in October. At the First Stop meeting last week, two congregations received a total of $5,700 in relief. First Stop is working collaboratively with the remaining congregations to collect outstanding materials and determine exact 2009 funding levels. First Stop will meet again on February 24 with the goal of completing its work in March so that there is adequate time for Diocesan Council to meaningfully adjust the diocesan budget, if necessary. For 2009, Convention approved budgeted amounts of $60,000 in ACG relief and an additional $60,000 for ACG non-payment. Read more about the First Stop Committee and its work. If you have any questions, contact Jeff Langaard, Assistant Financial Officer, 612-870-3323.
4th Q Returns for Pooled Investment Fund
The final quarter of 2008 saw a continuation of the global, cross-market crisis that has distinguished the year as one of the worst, if not the worst, in modern financial history. The Pooled Investment Fund (PIF) has not been immune from this turbulent market, showing a loss of -22.9% for 2008. However, the PIF has outperformed its performance benchmark, which is down -25.6%. Read more about 2008 PIF returns. Contact Jeff Langaard with questions.
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Ministry Resources
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Duluth-area Confirmation
A Duluth-area Confirmation will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Duluth, on Sunday, April 26 at 10:00 am. Contact the Rev. Bill Van Oss, 218-724-3535, for details.
Job Opportunities
- Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation is seeking an Executive Director.
- Saints Martha and Mary is seeking a nursery attendant.
- St. Paul's, Minneapolis, is seeking a soprano section leader.
- The Episcopal Center is recruiting front desk volunteers.
Details about these jobs are the diocesan website.
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Bishop Search Update
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| Application Deadline is February 18
submitted by the Rev. Neil Willard
The end is near!
That refers to the application deadline, of course, in our search for the IX Bishop of Minnesota. Potential candidates must
take that first step in our journey of mutual discernment by Wednesday, February
18. After that date, we start walking with those gifted clergy down the
road that will lead to the election of our next bishop. The good news is
that there is still time for you to invite others to explore our diocesan profile website
and consider the possibility of a call to serve in Minnesota. Although the application
deadline will end a critical phase in our search process, the real adventure is
just beginning. Ask someone to join us on this adventure today, and pray
for everyone who is willing to walk with us as we listen together for the voice
of the Spirit.
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Around the Church
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Absalom Jones Evening Prayer Service
Those
whose faith and sacrifices have helped reshape the American landscape
will be remembered at the celebration of the Feast Day of the Rev. Absalom Jones.
A former slave, Jones was a former slave and the first black Episcopal
priest (1795-1802). The service in Jones' memory will be February 13, 7
pm at St. Paul's-on-the-Hill Episcopal Church, 1524 Summit Ave. in St. Paul.
Joint Doctor of Ministry Degree in Congregational Development Offered
Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and Church Divinity School of the Pacific are collaborating on a new, three-year degree program designed to equip church leaders for effective, innovative ministries as the mainline church becomes stronger into the 21st century and as new forms of faith communities continue to emerge. More...
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Cold Weather Fun
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Annual Broomball Tournament Welcomes Many
Seven congregations combined into 6
teams for the annual  broomball tournament at Epiphany Episcopal Church, Plymouth. Participating were:
- St. Mark's Cathedral
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St. David's, Minnetonka
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St. Stephen's, Edina
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Holy Trinity, Elk River
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Nativity, Burnsville
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Epiphany, Plymouth
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Grace Lutheran Church, Brownton
St. Stephen's won this year's tournament and proudly took home the trophy for display in their church.
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Upcoming Events
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February 10, Clericus, 12:30 pm to 2 pm, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis
February 10, Region 8 meeting, 7 pm to 9 pm, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis **Note location change.
February 12, Basics of Alzheimers, presented by Episcopal Homes, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, St. Paul
February 14, Safe Church training, 9 am to 12 noon, Nativity Episcopal Church, Burnsville
February 14, Mission Strategy Network meeting, 9 am to 12 noon, contact the Rev. Anne Miner-Pearson for details
February 16, Episcopal Center closed for President's Day holiday
February 17, Lay Leaders Seminar, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Cathedral of our Merciful Saviour, Faribault
February 17, MSN Region VII meeting, 7 pm to 9:30 pm, St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, St. Paul
February 18, Lay Leaders Seminar, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, St. John's Episcopal Church, St. Cloud
February 19, Lay Leaders Seminar, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Sunfish Lake
February 19, Spirit of the Lakes Ordination and commissioning, 7 pm, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Duluth (clergy are encouraged to attend and should wear red stoles)
February 23, Lay Leaders Seminar, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, Hermantown
A complete Calendar of Events is available on our website. Also, visit the Trips and Pilgrimages page on our website for a complete list of upcoming opportunities to explore your journey with God through travel |
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