Hello ECMN Deacons,

Please email the Commission at deacon@episcopalmn.org to add prayer requests, reach-out, and if you have any questions around the following resources.

Information on Bishop Loya and how to connect with him can be found here.

Donations are still needed to cover the cost of the two deacon stoles being gifted to our new bishop.

These stoles will be worn by Deacons when the Bishop visits our churches and for other offices where Deacons are to serve. Matching Stoles will be a visible symbol and help educate others about the connection between Deacons and the Bishop . A label will be sewn into the fabric, “A gift to Bishop Loya from the Deacons of ECMN”.

We are suggesting a donation of $20 per deacon to be sent to ECMN, but any amount is greatly appreciated. To send a check donation, mail to Rachel Babbitt c/o ECMN,2nd floor, 1101 West Broadway, Mpls, MN, 55411. To donate on-line, click here.

November 20 & 21, 2020 via Zoom

Facilitator: Chris Johnson, PhD of Milkweed Group, LLC

Retreat Description – Cost will be $20, scholarships available.

Systemic racism, pandemic, climate crisis, and more – these deeply troubled times call us to live, work, and lead “from within" as instruments of God's work in the world. Especially now, it’s crucial that we renew our spirits and nourish our capacities for connection and courage, wonder and resilience – so that we can in turn support the communities we serve to do the same. Led by experienced Circle of Trust® facilitator Dr. Chris Johnson, this on-line retreat will include a life-giving mix of solitude and silence, conversation, and reflection, and will be a rare opportunity to:

We’ll come together via Zoom Friday evening, Nov. 20, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a “town hall” with Bishop Loya, who will send us into the conference’s opening circle at 7:45. The evening will conclude by 9 p.m. Our day on Saturday, Nov 21, will begin at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and conversation, followed by large and small group discussion. There will be mid-morning, lunch, and mid-afternoon breaks, with closing circle and wrap up at 4:00.

We would love stories and ministry ideas to share in our monthly newsletter. Please send any articles you would like to submit to this email address (deacon@episcopalmn.org).

The ECMN Deacon Directory is in its final edits and will be ready soon. There remain a few contacts to be made. If you know of anyone who should be on the list and is not, have them contact Sandra Stevenson, Missioner for Network, sandra.s@episcopalmn.org.

The Commission is working to collect ministry/life stories from retired Deacons in Minnesota. We hope to produce a compendium of Deacon stories that reflect the life of Deacons in Minnesota that will monument our history. In addition to interviews, stories of Deacons who have passed on are welcome, and will be added to the collection. For further information, contact The Rev. Harlan Strong at harlanstrong@comcast.net.

There are several classes that could be helpful to all deacon, please check out the resources available at https://schoolforformation.org.

Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse For Groups. A new offering from the School for Formation's partnership with ChurchNext. This free 5-week online curriculum was built in conjunction with The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and its Department of Faith Formation. "Civil discourse is engagement in conversation intended to enhance understanding. Representatives and teachers from across the church teach it as a skill that we can develop and use to build healthier communities through building relationships across divisions within those communities. Instructors teach civil discourse as a specific style of conversation that requires particular skills and practices. The goal of these conversations is to be in deeper relationship and to more truly know each other’s’ dignity and worth." Log in to find it here: https://ecmn.pathwright.com/

The link for finding more information or to join the SFF mailing list is: schoolforformation.org.

In our Prayers

• The Rev. Loxley Jean Koshnick, Detroit Lakes.

• Vaccine for COVID-19

• The Pine Ridge Lakota

• San Jose Obrero Mission/Ministry

• Brian

• Colleen

• Educators and students as they return to school

• Victims of the horrific forest fires in our western states

• Are there others, email deacon@episcopalmn.org?

The Reverends Harlan Strong and Rick Todd are the members of our Commission who serve as Deacons for all the Deacons in Minnesota. They are here to offer connection, prayer and support for us and they welcome your emails. They are happy to talk with you one-on-one regarding and needs. Harlan can be contacted at harlanstrong@comcast.net and Rick can be contact at rick.todd1626@gmail.com.

Please watch for more details, including instructions and zoom links, in the coming weeks.

Your work matters to the Commission, and to ECMN, and you deserve to be heard and recognized. We want to hear your concerns and suggestions for improving our ministry and for being in solidarity with each other as we build up the body of Christ. Email the Commission at deacon@episcopalmn.org.

As a way of increasing communications for and among all deacons in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, the Commission for the Diaconate has launched an online newsletter. It is intended to be a monthly communication, and will follow monthly commission meetings. The format will include updates, announcements, and events. The Commission will be working on creating an accessible on-line forum space where deacons can share ideas, post articles, and network with each other. Stay tuned for that information! For now, please consider joining the ECMN Deacon Facebook group.