The 2008 Department of Indian Work (DIW)/Minnesota Committee on Indian Work (MCIW) Convocation was held June 27-29 on the grounds and in the facilities of the historic Bishop Whipple Mission and St. Cornelia’s Church located on the Lower Sioux Indian Community near Morton, MN.  In the established traditions of this 28-year event, the Native missions of the Diocese, affiliated organizations, and Episcopal staff gather for worship, an official MCIW meeting, education, gossip, and fellowship.

Friday evening, June 27, the people began to gather at the Bishop Whipple Mission Convocation site from across the Diocese. A welcoming meal prepared by the Lower Sioux Women’s Circle awaited them as they arrived, hungry from the journey but excited to be at the 2008 DIW/MCIW Convocation. The official evening activities concluded with a tent gathering where the program was reviewed, logistics covered, and the Gospel engaged. As the gathered community dispersed into the night, a few distant thunderheads were silhouetted against the sunset. These thunderheads erupted into a severe thunderstorm that brought winds, rain, and hail around 10:15PM, toppling the tents, chairs, and tables set up for the Convocation.

Saturday, June 28, began with the tent rental company arriving early to assess the damage and assist in planning how to use the undamaged resources for the reminder of Convocation. As people began to stir and head for breakfast, they encountered a restructured site. The Minnesota Committee on Indian Work (MCIW) meeting was held in St. Cornelia’s Church (the minutes will be posted at a later date) with the following agenda:

• MCIW Roll Call
• Minutes
• Treasurers Report
• Elections for MCIW Chairman, Treasure, Northern Representative
• Nominations for each position
• DIW Director Report
• Time with the Bishop

Following a baked ham dinner and fellowship time, the Convocation gathered in plenary for an overview of the Department of Indian Work’s (DIW) commitment to and development of Native Christian formation resources (Gospel Based Discipleship), training programs (Diocesan based LAND and ITTI), and the future (Goals 1 and 2 of the Bishop’s Commission on Mission Strategy). The practical aspects of Goal 1 (Spiritual Transformation) were outlined in terms of the mission and missions of DIW (Goal 2 – Contextualization). The Convocation was called to review, restate, and reinvigorate its 30 plus year commitment to mission, catechesis, and Diocesan leadership through the altars of the Department of Indian Work.

The second plenary session of the afternoon was dedicated to a review of local mission activities and initiatives as shared by MCIW representatives with the Convocation. There was also discussion around the common issues that emerged during the reports of theological and practical important to the communities of MCIW as represented at the 2008 DIW/MCIW Convocation. Initiatives and processes to address these issues will be outlined and focused in terms of Goals 1 and 2 of the Bishop’s Commission on Mission Strategy as affirmed by the 2007 Diocesan Convention. Watch for these initiatives and processes in the Fall. A concluding MCIW Agenda item – Elections of MCIW Officers was discussed and voted on. Briefly, nominations will be collected, verified and posted prior to the Fall MCIW meeting with elections occurring at that time.

The evening activities began with a cook-out style supper with grilled burgers and brats and all the fixin’s. A Healing Eucharist followed with the Rev. Mark Olson of Walker, MN, an ELCA partner pastor with St. John’s, Onigum, as preacher and celebrant. This comforting ceremony was followed by a mini-concert featuring Roland “Trulo” Columbus and Lillian “Loretta Lynn” Wilson, a brother and sister duo from the Lower Sioux Indian Community.

The 2008 Convocation concluded Sunday morning in a Eucharist with Baptism and Confirmations with the Right Reverend James L. Jelinek, Celebrant and Preacher. What a way to conclude another successful Convocation by welcoming new and renewing members to the Church in powerful ceremony! Waste!