Theodicy Jazz Ensemble headlined the April 26-28 Conference that found new Justice for All in the teachings of Jesus
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The title of the 2016 spring clergy conference was "Just a Closer Walk with Thee - Jesus, Jazz and Justice for All Creation." The Rev. Andy Barnett wove creation care and jazz in a seamless fashion. A quartet of piano, guitar, string bass and drums made up the Theodicy Jazz Collective which led the worship and music. A guiding principle of Theodicy is to "expand liturgical tradition without abandoning it" - and Andy, a priest, musician and teacher, invited that same thinking of expanding tradition without abandoning it to caring for the earth. Through conversation, singing, story-telling and imagining, about 100 of ECMN's clergy pledged to "start anyway" whenever the tasks seem too large, daunting or insurmountable.
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Commission on Cuban Ministry Brings Gift of Clean Water to Cuba
April marked the return of Episcopal Commissioners from a two-week trip to Cuba, where they worked to install water filtration systems alongside locals in rural areas of the island. Since their return, local media has been swift to tell the story. The St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote a
comprehensive article
on the lead-up to the trip and the voyage itself. The StarTribune composed
this article
about Hector Bruce, a Commissioner and the driving force behind the water purification systems installation. Find more on Facebook
here.
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Photo: Susan Hartwig
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We thank you O Lord for the gift of water...
Seven members of the ECMN Cuba Commission recently returned from our second visit to the province of Santiago de Cuba. We returned to partner with Iglesias San Lucas, Santa Maria and San Juan Bautista, installing two more water purification systems.
This year we were joined by Lee Monk, a Rotarian from St Cloud whose club was one of 5 Minnesota clubs who gave the funds to purchase the systems and parts.
Daily, church and neighborhood members come into these three churchyards filling their jugs with pure drinking water. Without it they must boil and sometimes bleach their water to prevent severe gastrointestinal illnesses. Once installed, 3M purification systems require only an occasional easy filter change and a yearly easy UV light bulb change.
Learning from last year's successful installation in Iglesia San Lucas's churchyard, and with advanced preparations by Archdeacon Halbert Pons and seminarian Noel Rodriguez, the installations were completed in just a few days. Upon completion, Father Halbert charged congregation members "Cuidalo y compartirlo. " That is, let us take care of the system and share the clean water with our neighbors.
The Rev. Colin Maltbie led us all in a joyful service of thanksgiving and blessing.
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Photo: Susan Hartwig
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We lived in San Lucas's dorms, ate all our meals family-style, debated, worshipped, told stories, prayed and washed dishes together. We toured this 500 year old city with local Cubans in a state-run double decker bus, marveling at such sites as the immense former Bacardí beer and rum distilleries that were taken over by the state after the Cuban revolution, and "el morro" the 17th century Spanish fort overlooking the bay of Santiago de Cuba.
Our Commission is committed to nurturing our relationship with the Diocese of Cuba. We hope to host Noel Rodriguez after his ordination this fall. With Bishop Prior, we've pledged to assist Griselda Delgado, Bishop of the Diocese of Cuba, with her plans to renovate the Havana cathedr
al's kitchen. Commission member Paul Lebens-Englund is exploring ways St Mark's Cathedral can support Bishop Delgado's dream and strengthen its historical ties to the cathedral in Havana who honors Bishop Whipple as one of its founders.
--The Rev. Susan M. Moss
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La Misión de San José Obrero, Montgomery
For over 20 years San Jose Obrero has been a missional faith community of the Episcopal Church in MN, supporting Latino-American migrant workers at the Seneca plant, in Montgomery, MN. Faith communities from the Southeast Mission Area, and elsewhere, support this ministry of hospitality by organizing worship services and food every
Sunday during the corn and pea packing season at the plant (in August and September). A new season begins on
August 7, 2016, and la misión de San José Obrero needs your support!
 The Southeast Mission Area Team follows in the footsteps of many generous and committed leaders in helping to coordinate this Spirit-filled and vital faith community. The Rev. Neptali Rodriguez currently serves as Vicar for la misión de San José Obrero, y la misión El Santo Niño Jesús, in St. Paul. Stephen May organizes and plays joyful music. And we invite each of you, wherever you might live and serve in MN, to join the leadership of San Jose Obrero!
 If you are interested in helping out with San Jose Obrero by signing up to cover a
Sunday
in August or September, please let us know your preferred dates! No Spanish-language skills are required --- but it's a great opportunity to learn and practice. Your financial contributions are also most welcome.
We'd love to hear from you. Please email
Sincerely in Christ,
The Southeast Mission Area Team
(The Rev. Colin Maltbie, Sue Grove, The Rev. Barbara von Haaren, Paul Double)
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Santo Niño Jesús Grateful for New Home
"We are so grateful to be here," María Arriaga told the congregation of First Lutheran Church on St. Paul's east side. Arriaga is senior warden of Santo Niño Jesús, a Hispanic Episcopal congregation. "We came to you from a place where we didn't feel accepted for who we are. With you, we feel welcome and free to be ourselves, and live our faith within the traditions of Latino Christianity." After 21 years on Summit Avenue at St. Paul's on the Hill, Santo Niño accepted an invitation from First Lutheran Church to share it's sanctuary and office space. Her comments marked their first anniversary together.
Santo Niño began in 1993 when a former rector of St.. Paul's-on the-Hill initiated an Hispanic ministry. The newly-formed mission did not always feel welcome. The mission's membership expanded and then contracted until Padre Neptali Rodriguez became Vicar in 2011. Feeling called to be a portal for Latino immigrants, Santo Niño looked to expand its mission by locating closer to Latino neighborhoods. In its search for a new home, Padre Neptali met Pastor Chris Bertelsen of First Lutheran Church (ELCA). The church had exactly what Santo Niño sought: a welcoming host congregation, a large sanctuary, offices and an adjacent space for celebrating traditional events such as quinceañeras, first communions, and weddings.
Pastor Chris extended a formal invitation to Santo Niño at a service and then handed Padre Neptali the keys to her church. Her gesture of hospitality, "mi casa es su casa" drew loud applause. When Santo Niño arrived two weeks later, welcome signs greeted the new residents. The hospitality of First Lutheran has energized Santo Niño's members. Sunday attendance continues to grow, and now draws people from across the Twin Cities. Padre Neptali and Pastor Chris are exploring new avenues for collaboration. The church sign, in Spanish and English, says:
A better world is possible.
--Newell Searle
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The RCC is a project of Episcopal, UCC, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches located in the Minnesota Church Center: 122 W. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55404.
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Upcoming Events
May 14,
St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis
May 14
, St. Paul's Episcopal, Duluth
May 20-21
, Northern Pines
Camp, Park Rapids
June 4, ECMN Retreat Center, Faribault
June 6 and 9
, Office of the Bishop and Missioners, Minneapolis
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School for Formation
The School for Formation is your key to growing in your faith and growing as a leader.
Check out this new course being offered this spring from
May 21 - June 18. The course fee is $40.
This course offers a one day, in-person workshop that is open to everyone on
May 28.
Fall courses begin in August.
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GET CONNECTED TO ECMN
Visit our website:
to find more information about what's happening in the Episcopal Church community around the state.
Like us on Facebook:
for regular updates, resources, events and news from around the state and nation.
School for Formation:
offers courses and workshops online and in person that allow clergy, lay people and those discerning a call to serve to build their knowledge and skills.
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ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES
MAY
5/1:
Deborah Brown, p 1990
Johnson Loud, p 1988
5/8:
James N. Wilson II, p 1990
5/9:
Linnae Grabner-Hegg, p 2003
5/14:
Devon Anderson, p 1998 Irene Gifford-Cole p 1989
5/18:
William Van Oss, p 1991
Diane McGowan, d 2003
5/20:
Kenneth Simmons, p 1964 John Willms, p 1960
JUNE
6/1:
Jay Hanson, p 1963
Robert Lesch, p 1960
Dale Marta, p 1983
Katherine Reynolds, p 1983 Melanie Spears, p 1993
6/2:
Doug Sparks, p 1984
6/3:
Rob Roy, p 2000
Penelope Warren, p 1989
6/8:
Dwight Zscheile, p 2006
6/9:
Lindsay Freeman, p 1985
Timothy Raasch, p 1984
6/10:
Grayson Clary, p 1950
6/11:
Robert Moore, p 1963
6/12:
Elaine Barber, p 2003
Richard Todd, d 2003
6/14:
Stephen Wlosinski, p 1967
6/17:
Sue Deetz, d 2001
Barbara Hauck, d 2001
David Hill, d 2001
Alice Olson, d 2001
Jill Tollefson, d 2001
6/18:
Philip Clark, p 1994
Linda Lou Lundgren, p 1994
Arthur Wojciehowski, p 1994
Phyllis Kunz, d 2005
Phillip Schaffner, d 2005
6/19:
Susan Barnes, p 2002
6/20:
Caren Bedard, d 2015
Kathleen Edwards, d 2015
Eunice Koch, d 2015
Nor Annie Lor, d 2015
Lynne Sprick, d 2015
Betty Strong, d 2015
May Thao, d 2015
Darcy Valentine, d
2015
Mary Ellen Aschroft, p 2002
Lydia Huttar Brown, p 2002
Reed Carlson, p 2015
Debbie Dehler, p 2015
Joanie Delamater, p 2002
Tom Garrison, p 2015
Randy Johnson, p 2015
David Mowers, p 2015
Shannon Preston, p 2015
Connie Sowah, p 2015
Dana Strande, p 2015
Jennifer Walding, p 2015
6/22:
Michael Pipkin, p 2002
6/23:
Siri Hustad, p 2013
Roger Franzen, p 2013
Terry Erickson, d 2013
Lowell Johnson, d 2013
6/26:
Cindy Hillger, d 2014
Jane Quesenberry-Nelson, d 2014 Margaret Thor, d 2014
Vant Washington, d 2014
Emily Lodine Overgaard, d 2014 Phil Boelter, p 2014
Ramona Scarpaee, p 2014
6/27:
Barbara del Caro Scaia, d 2013 Judy DesHarnais, d 2013
Guy Drake, d 2013
David Gemmel, d 2013
Morris Goodwin, d 2013
George Ham, d 2013
Eileen Harvala, d 2013
Brenda Hoffman, d 2013
Matthew Johnson, d 2013
Maureen Otwell, d 2013
Harlan Strong, d 2013
John Sullivan, d 2013
Rena Turnham, d 2013
Dana Emery, p 2009
Joan Ersfeld, p 2013
Barbara Fairbanks, p 2009
Mary Groeninger, p 2010
Jason Lucas, p 2013
Philip Rose, p 2013
Toua Vang, p 2013
Pam Webster, p 2010
6/28:
Janet MacNally, d 2007
6/29:
Bill Teska, p 1969
Frederick Nairn, p 1967
Pat Markie, d 2006
Sandi Obarski, d 2006
6/30:
Colin Maltbie, p 2011
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From The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs:
Click here for the full list of the most recent releases.
Toolkit
The Toolkit is designed to help enhance your message, broaden your reach and offer tips for placements into regional, secular, and other media - both traditional and social.
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