December 30, 2009
Diocesan Prayers

For Sundays in January please pray for the various youth ministries within the Diocese, especially for those who are involved with Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) and for all those in your local congregation who are involved with faith formation ministries to and with children, youth and young adults.

Sunday, January 3 is the 2nd Sunday after Christmas
Church of the Holy Communion, St. Peter
Churches of the Epiphany, Plymouth, St. Paul

Anniversaries
1/3 Neysa A. Ellgren, p 1998
1/3 Nicklas Mezacapa, p 1982
1/4 David Keller, p 1962
1/5 Connie Claxton, p 1986
1/5 Judy Conn, d 1989
1/5 Janet Dougherty, d 1989
1/6 Robert Furniss, p 1989
1/6 Judith H. Hoover, p 1992
1/6 Robert Two Bulls, p 2001
1/6 Alissa White-Smith, p 1993
1/7 Wanda R. Copeland, p 1995
1/9 James Zotalis, p 1988
1/9 John Bellaimey, p 1990

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Gospel Based Discipleship
Job Opening
Rector Search
Church of the Ascension, Stillwater is now receiving names for their rector search. They will accept names until January 31, 2010.
For more information, and to download a parish profile, please visit their website.
Consecration of the IX Bishop of Minnesota
ix consecration logo Plan to attend on February 13, 2010
God willing and the people consenting,the Reverend Brian N. Prior will be Ordained and Consecrated IX Bishop of Minnesota on February 13, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Minneapolis Convention Center (1301 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis). All are encouraged to participate in this joyous occasion. A reception will follow. Clergy should vest in red; Bishops, cope and miter. For more information about this event, please visit the newly created consecration website, www.ixbishopconsecration.com.

Music participation
Be part of the 'Massed Intergenerational Choir' at the Consecration. Participants of all ages are encouraged to be part of this wonderful offering of music. For more information about the music and rehearsal schedule, visit the music and choir page of the consecration website.
  Celebrate Bishop Jelinek's ministry
Celebration events upcoming
Please plan to attend at least one of the three events being held to celebrate Bishop Jelinek's 17 years of ministry with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota:

Saturday, January 16, 3 pm to 6 pm
reception at St. Paul's, Brainerd

Sunday, January 17, 3 pm to 6 pm
program and reception, St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul
(program will be from 3 pm to 4 pm, reception following)

Sunday, January 24, 3 pm to 6 pm
reception at St. John's, Mankato

Two ways to send your greetings to Bishop Jelinek
A community website has been established where you can send your greetings to Bishop Jelinek. Simply email your greetings, which can include photos, videos, and graphic files, to post@thanksbishop.posterous.com. These greetings will be posted to a dedicated website,  www.thanksbishopjelinek.com. You can also post greetings on the "Thanks Bishop Jelinek" page on Facebook.

Recognize Bishop Jelinek with a message on MPR
Bishop Jelinek has requested that in lieu of gifts the Diocese coordinate messages to be played statewide on MPR News highlighting the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Individuals, groups, and congregations can participate for as little as $200 with an individualized message, including their name, to be run between January 18 and 29, 6 am to 12 midnight. The deadline for participation is Friday, January 8. For details contact Wendy Johnson, wendy.j@episcopalmn.org or 651-428-9052.
News
Episcopalian, Nick Mezacapa, receives Mayor's Medal for Diversity
Article by Janet Manthey
 Every year, the mayor of Rochester, Ardell Brede, presents members of the Rochester community with Medals of Honor. Recently, one of our own - the Rev. Nicklas Mezacapa - was surprised to be among a group of sixteen to receive an award at this year's awards luncheon. Mezacapa, who thought he'd been invited simply to say a prayer at the beginning of lunch, was actually the recipient of the Diversity Award. Read full story on the diocesan website.
Ordinations and Receptions
St. Luke's, Hastings Total Ministry Ordinations
Three individuals will be Ordained at St. Luke's, Hastings on Saturday, January 9:
  • Ordained to the priesthood will be the Rev. Robert Langenfeld and the Rev. Frank VanDeSteeg
  • Ordained to the diaconate will be Elizabeth Herman
Clergy should plan to attend and vest in red.

Three to be received as priests
On Thursday, January 7 at 7 pm, the Rev. Neptali Rodriguez Espinel, the Rev. Jeffrey Scott Francis Nelson, and the Rev. Timothy Hodapp will be received as priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota. The reception will take place at St. Mark's Cathedral.
This Week in the Diocese

January 1: Episcopal Center closed

January 6, 10 am: Faith Formation Meeting with children's focus, St. Clement's, St. Paul

January 7, 7 pm: Reception of the Rev. Neptali Rodriguez Espinel, the Rev. Jeffrey Scott Francis Nelson, and the Rev. Timothy Hodapp as priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis

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