On July 22, 2012,  Stephen Ministers presented a special Stephen Ministry Candle to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Detroit Lakes in memory of Walter Tollefson, a Total Ministry priest who died in September 2010. In addition to being an ordained Total Ministry priest, Walter was also a Stephen Minister, a program locally administered through the United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes.  Steven Ministry is a one-to-one Christian caring in which its ministers walk with someone who is…

Prior to his death in 2011, Bishop Robert M. Anderson, seventh Bishop of Minnesota, bequeathed to the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour two sets of his vestments; the oft-photographed red set and a tan set with a “healing hands motif.  Tom Amble of the Minnesota History Center, has been hired to make display cases for those vestments to hang in the Cathedral’s Cloister as a memorial to Bishop Anderson.  The cost is $1,000…

AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, WINDOM, HELD VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. WE HAD 25 CHILDREN WITH THE THEME, HEROES OF FAITH. THANKS FOR THE HELP OF TERA, JEN, KYM, JANE, CAROL, MELISSA, ABBIE, DUANE AND JOANNE. ADULTS HAD AS MUCH FUN AS THE KIDS. GOD BLESS OUR CHILDREN.

 …

Dear Friends,

This year was my third year participating in the annual middle school mission trip; Summer in the City. Before I can say anything else, I have to tell you that it was amazing. It can be hard to imagine someone helping people without feeling joyful. At least, that’s what it felt like for me. Meeting new people with completely different lives than mine was really enlightening. Sometimes I feel unlucky for the things that I have. I feel envious for those who…

The Episcopal Faith Community of St. Mary's in Ely

(from Tower to Ely in several, sometimes painful, steps)…

I will Bless You and You will Be a Blessing: Study and Discussion on Resources for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships

by the Rev. Dr. Doug Sparks

In response to resolutions adopted by the General Convention 2009, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) has prepared and distributed excerpts from a Resource for Study and Discussion entitled I Will Bless You and You Will Be a…

Dr. Gandhi visits St. Mary's, Ely

by Eunice Koch

Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, visited Ely from April 11-14, at the invitation of the Ely High School student council, speaking at both school assemblies and a public lecture that attracted hundreds. On April 12, St. Mary's in Ely was…

Spirit of the Wilderness’ Third Annual collaboration with The Grand Marais Art Colony

submitted by the Rev. Mary Ellen Ashcroft…

Request for Prayers for Episcopal Relief and Development  

Please add prayers for the life-saving work of Episcopal Relief and Development to the Bishops Blog next week. 

Courageous Conversations about Marriage and Marriage Equality

by the Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks

Imagine this scenario in your home. You and the other people of your home need to have an important conversation regarding a difficult topic. A deadline for a decision is coming and you find yourself faced with a choice. Do you choose NOT to talk about the topic and just let the decision deadline pass, then…

Employment Seekers Group at St. Martin's by the Lake, Minnetonka Beach

by the Rev. David Langille

If you are unemployed, underemployed or considering a career change you are invited to join us Wednesday 5:00-6:00pm at St. Martin’s by the Lake, 2801 Westwood Rd, Minnetonka Beach, MN.  Our Employment Seekers Group…

The Ethiopian Connection

by Eunice Koch

Waiting for a grandchild to be born is stressful but at least you have an idea of the date of arrival. Not so with adoption. The St. Mary's folks in Ely are anxiously waiting for word that the Ethiopian government will allow Julie Houle to come and pick up our newest “member.”

Selam is a toddler whose name means "peace" in Amharic (the…

A Bell for St. Bart's

By Ann Daley, Bemidji, MN

Once upon a time there was a little church. It stood on the corner of Main Street in the little town of Mentor, which is located about 70 miles…

What Episcopalians Can Bring to Defeat the Marriage Amendment

by the Rev. LeeAnne Watkins

Respect the dignity of every human being.  Even those we don't agree with.

It's supposed to be what we are good at.  Aren't we the ones who like to roll around in the nuances, getting all mucky with intense thoughtful debate informed by scripture,…

Christ Church, Grand Rapids raises $1207 for the "Nets for Life" campaign

by the Rev. Sally Cummings, Christ Church, Grand Rapids

November is traditionally Millennium Development Goals (MDG) month at Christ Church, Grand Rapids.

Each November the community chooses an organization that would help support the MDG's. This year that organization was "Nets for…

Calvary, Rochester celebrates Ronald McDonald House partnership

by Amy Crockett, Calvary, Rochester

THANK YOU to all who participated in our first 'Calvary Kids' event on Saturday.  We had a great turn-out (44 kids, and 15 adults) to focus on our project for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. 

We had the…

Submitted by Van Lawrence

United States 

American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem     www.AFEDJ.org

The Episcopal Public Policy Network  …

Christ Church, Woodbury and St. David's, Minnetonka find themselves neighbors in Cardboard City

by Jamie Mair, Christ Church, Woodbury

At Cardboard City on a recent Frida y night, sponsored by the St. Paul Council of Churches, our Christ Church crew ended up being…

Over $160,000 raised for Christ Episcopal Church Old Frontenac Restoration

by Brad Stone

In 1868, after the Civil War, General Nathaniel McLean returned home to Frontenac, Minnesota where he built Christ Episcopal Church.  He enlisted the help of master builder Henry Huneke and, with a team of…