Campus Ministries Grant Proposals
The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministries (YACM) at the Episcopal Church Center invites proposals for grants to assist in the start-up of new campus ministries or the re-start of dormant campus ministries. A total of $300,000 is available in this triennium, and grants will be awarded from that amount over a two-year period beginning in July 2010. It is expected that the diocese, parish, or campus ministry will match the amount awarded in the grant. For more information, or to download the application form, click here.

Episcopal Divinity School Offers Accessible Theological Education
There is still time to apply to Episcopal Divinity School's distributive learning option. The application deadline for the June 2010 cohort is March 5. Students, who may earn either a master of divinity or master of arts in theological education degree, spend two weeks in both June and January taking intensive courses on the EDS campus. For more information on any of EDS' academic degrees, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@eds.edu, 617.682.1507, or visit the website at www.eds.edu and click on Admissions.

2010 Diocesan Council roster on website
Visit the 'Diocesan Council' page of our website for the 2010 Council roster, including alternates.

Not in My Pews: Teaming Up to End Domestic Violence
SAVE THE DATE: On October 27 & 28 a conference is being offered at the Olympia Resort and Conference Center in Oconomowoc, WI. The conference will provide faith and congregational leader's strategies and resources to effectively and safely meet the needs of victims, their families as well as congregations impacted by domestic violence. The Rev. Al Miles is the featured speaker. Watch for registration information late July. If you have any questions, please contact Sherry Hartog at 262-763-6226 ext 29 or The Rev. Joanne Skidmore at 262-763-7482 ext. 23. 

Food, Faith and Ecology: A Christian Call to Justice and Sustainability
The Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission is hosting a workshop on March 20th at the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior in Faribault. This workshop features Michael Schut, who is the Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer for the Episcopal Church.  Michael speaks and leads workshops/retreats around the country, connecting faith, justice, sustainable economics and care for all God's creation. Please pre-register for this event by contacting Patricia Benson at bensongearth@aol.com or Tom Harries at 952-297-5856.

JRLC Day on the Hill Orientation
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) Day on the Hill 2010 is coming up the 25th of March. Saint Mary's, St. Paul is hosting an informational forum for the event on March 24th 7-8:30 pm, which will be specifically focused on youth, but is also open to interested adults. We will discuss the process of the day and the legislation that needs the support of the faith community. Grant Abbott from St. Paul Area Council of Churches, and Denise Mayotte from Sheltering Arms will both be presenting. Please join us. If you have questions about the event please contact Rex McKee, rex.mckee@gmail.com. If you are planning on attending, please RSVP to Rex for seating and refreshment planning.

In the Steps of Saint Paul: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
The Rev. Ernie Ashcroft and Larry Reynolds are leading a pilgrimage to Turkey, October 11-24, 2010, retracing the missionary travels of Saint Paul. Follow Paul through Tarsus, Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Nicea, and much more. Space is limited, so please contact Larry immediately at larryreynolds52@gmail.com (or call him at 952-201-9450). To download a brochure with more information, and registration materials, visit our website.

St. Alban's, Edina gathering goods for Haiti
submitted by Barbara Buehl
Many people have been looking for hands-on ways to help Haiti. St. Alban's, Edina, is coordinating an initiative through Episcopal Relief and Development and is gathering goods such as gently used top sheets, towels, lightweight blankets, forks, spoons, plastic plates, cups, duffel bags and backpacks. They will then send the goods through Agape Flights, a non-denominational Christian organization in Florida that has been flying shipments into Haiti. If you are interested in helping out, bring bags of goods to St. Alban's, Edina. Contact Barbara Buehl at barbarabuehl@yahoo.com with any questions.

Hope for Haiti - Cook County Style
submitted by Mary Ellen Ashcroft
Around one hundred people gathered Monday, February 15th at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais for an evening organized by Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church. A rousing group of musicians donated their time and talents. Over 1300 dollars was raised, and will be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development in Haiti and Habitat for Humanity's work in Haiti. Jesus said, "Give and you will receive, and it will be abundant.."

Bishop Prior visits Lay Leaders Network meeting
submitted by Rena Turnham
On Thursday February 25 Bishop Prior met with some members of the Lay Leaders' Network (LLN). The small group convened at Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul in response to Bishop Prior's interest in learning more about the group and its beginnings. Read the full article...

Official Consecration video (also mailed to smaller congregations and those that requested a copy. If you would like a copy, email Janet Manthey, intern@episcopalmn.org)

New photos are available
From the Women's Club event: http://aestheticeyephotography.com/clients/episcopal_diocese/bishop/. Credit for these photos should be given to Sarah Rust Sampedro.

From the Consecration: http://aestheticeyephotography.com/clients/episcopal_diocese/2010consecration/. Credit for these photos should be given to Sarah Rust Sampedro.

Also from the Consecration: http://cmorello.net/ct2/consecration.htm. Credit for these photos should be given to Chuck Morello.

Sermons
From the February 14 Cathedral Seating: sermon given by Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies

From the February 14 Cathedral, Faribault Seating: sermon given by Dean George Werner, former president of the House of Deputies.