short masthead
August 17, 2009

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding,
be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church.
Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory.
Guide us to perceive what is right,
and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for a Church Convention or Meeting, BCP, p. 818
prayerDiocesan Prayers
For the month of August, please pray for all hospital chaplaincies, counseling chaplaincies and Spiritual Directors throughout the Diocese.  Pray also for your local parish nurses, health ministers and all those who minister to the sick.  Please pray for the candidates in the Bishop Search process for the Diocese of Minnesota and for the Search Committee.

Sunday, August 23 is Pentecost 12
St. Helen's, Wadena
St. Bartholomew's, Bemidji

Sunday, August 30 is Pentecost 13

Anniversaries
8/28 Emmett Babler, d 1976
9/1 Leonard Claxton, p 1966
  
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Gospel Based Discipleship
Poll
Help us help you
To ensure the Communications Department is offering the most useful tools and resources, please follow this link for a quick 1-question poll about bulletin inserts:
General Convention
Summary of Actions now available
Follow this link for the just-published Summary of Actions from the House of Deputies.
Resources
H1N1 preparedness
While much of the media attention has diminished, many of us are still concerned about potential health hazards in our area. The diocesan website contains valuable H1N1 preparedness resources specifically for churches and religious organizations.
WN takes a vacation
The Weekly News will not be published next Tuesday, August 25. It will return the following Tuesday, September 1.
Diocesan Budget
Meetings begin this week
Three diocesan budget meetings are upcoming:
  • Tuesday, August 18, St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis
  • Thursday, August 20, Christ Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids
  • Tuesday, August 25, Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, Faribault
Each meeting begins promptly at 7 pm and ends at 9 pm. This Tuesday's meeting will be webcast live via the diocesan website. Comments will be enabled throughout the live event and, as much as possible, submitted to the conversation as it occurs. Previously submitted questions will have priority in each hearing. Click here to read the list of previously submitted questions.

The diocesan budget has been broken down into two broad categories: expense and revenue. Each of the upcoming three meetings will include specified time periods for conversation about both categories.  To ensure broad participation, individuals wishing to speak will have 2 minutes to present their thoughts or questions for consideration. (see agenda for full details).

Because of its timeliness and substantive nature, this format will only be successful if participants read the budget documents and prepare remarks or questions in advance. The complete 2010 budget, including expense and revenue options, is available on the diocesan website. Of course, the most effective way to ensure thoughtful consideration by the Diocesan Finance Committee is to submit remarks or questions in writing in advance.  A sign-up sheet will be available at each hearing, as well. Send questions before noon the day of each meeting to Joe Dusek, Treasurer, at treasurer@episcopalmn.org.
Events
Retirement Party for the Rev. Graham Fenton
On August 30 the parishioners of St. Stephen the Martyr, Edina will be celebrating the ministry of the Rev. Graham Fenton. For  more information visit People Around the Diocese page of the diocesan website.

A Day of Healing with the Rev. Matt Linn, SJ
The St. Croix Valley Chapter of the Order of St. Luke (OSL) is sponsoring two upcoming events at Ascension Episcopal Church, Stillwater. On Friday, October 2 the Rev. Matt Linn, a Jesuit priest, will lead an evening session for those in healing ministries and on Saturday, October 3 he will lead an all-day session open to the public that includes topics such as healing our image of God, forgiveness and prayer. A donation of $30 will be requested for the Saturday session, which includes a box lunch, but nobody will be turned away for inability to pay. For more information, please contact the Rev. Mary Jo Feely, Deacon, Ascension Episcopal Church maryjo@ae-church.org. For information about OSL, visit www.orderofstluke.org.

Humans interacting with "this fragile Earth, our island home"
submitted by Chuck Morello
The Environmental Stewardship Commission is offering information for this year's celebration of creation in the Diocese. This year's celebration will be for the four Sundays of October (Propers 22 through 25). The Commission will be providing bulletin inserts and materials to help liturgists, homilists, educators, and musicians to put together a service and/or a religious education program focusing on the environmental themes in the RCL readings. This year's celebration of creation encourages us to seek ways to live sustainably, not just on an isolated island, but on the whole planet.
All materials will be accessible from various pages on the Environmental Stewardship Commission's website. Materials will be continually added in the coming weeks. If you wish to offer your input and suggestions, please send an e-mail to info@env-steward.com.
Diocesan Convention
ritchie two bulls Register now for best rates!
Early-bird registration rates are available until October 1st. For delegates, the early bird rate is $100; for guests, $50. Register online here.

Exhibitor registration
New this year, exhibitor registration is available online as well as by paper. For registration details, visit the diocesan website.

Youth event, children's event registration open
Delegates or visitors attending Convention with children can register their young person via the online process. Youth wishing to participate in the Convention event can register through the online registration process, either along with parents or individually. Flyers for publicizing both events are also available online.

Help shape the diocese in coming years...run for office
The Diocese is still seeking nominations for several councils of the church. To learn more about each position, the current nominations process status, and nominations procedures, visit the Elections page of the diocesan website.
News
ECS part of successful new program
Episcopal Community Services (ECS) has teamed up with Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota to help low-income men get "Ready for Success." After being forced out of their native Bhutan and spending years living in Nepali refugee camps, brothers Krishna and Sarbeswor, along with friend Bhuwani found themselves seeking employment in the United States. Having very little money after a little more than a month living in the U.S., they were not able to afford proper clothing for job interviews or for the workplace. Due to the Ready for Success (RFS) program, however, they now have a week's worth of new and gently-used professional clothing, accessories and new personal care items completely free of charge.  Read full article here.

KaRen membership grows at Messiah EpiscopalKaRen service
submitted by Mary Lou Wiley
Several Anglican KaRen refugee immigrant families have made Messiah Episcopal Church, St. Paul their faith home over the last year and a half. In response, Messiah members mobilized to provide rides to church services and a weekly English Learner conversation class. Read full story here.
calendarThis Week in the Diocese

August 18, 7:00 pm: Diocesan budget meeting, St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis

August 20, 7:00 pm: Diocesan budget meeting, Christ Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids

August 25, 7:00 pm: Diocesan budget meeting, Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, Faribault

September 7: Episcopal Center closed for Labor Day holiday


A complete Calendar of Events is available on our website.  Other events can be found on the Region 7 Calendar and the Episcopal Music Calendar.