Events Across the Diocese

"Building Bridges" is a student initiated, student led diversity conference dedicated to addressing today's pressing global and social issues. This year's conference, which will take place on March 13, is called "Immigration: Surviving the Land of Opportunity" and will focus on the two sides of immigration: the struggles immigrants face and the strength required to survive these struggles every day. For more information, visit the Building Bridges website.

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.

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.

Thursday, March 25 is the Day on the Hill. The theme for 2010 is "Justice We Pursue!" (Deut. 16:18-20). The event will start out at the Rivercentre and continue on to the Capitol. The keynote speaker will be Rabbi Harold Kravitz. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.jrlc.org/day-on-the-hill.

This Lent, in a Friday evening and Saturday morning exploration, we'll take holy time tracing some of the sacred contours of reconciliation and forgiveness, discussing what they are and are not. An intellectual and experiential exploration of their transformational spiritual graces, this program will consider Bishop Desmond Tutu's equation: Truth-telling + Forgiveness = Healing + Reconciliation. The Rev. Michele Morgan and Zara Renander are the presenters at this retreat. More info on the Wisdom Ways website.

Applications are now available for the Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Clergy (and their spouses or partners) from 25 small churches of all Christian denominations are invited to spend nine days at Virginia Seminary for encouragement, education, rest and renewal. All expenses, including travel, books, meals, lodging, child care at home and pulpit supply, are paid by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.Application forms are at www.vts.edu/education/collegium. You can also email SummerCollegium@vts.edu or call 703-461-1760 to receive an application in the mail. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2009, to be considered. 

The Rev. Richard Collman, MN Regional Chair for the Washington National Cathedral, invites people tour the National Cathedral in Washington D. C. Rev. Collman and his wife, Katherine, will escort the tour which will include Washington sites along with a pilgrimage and tour of the National Cathedral, Sunday morning Eucharist, and lunch at the Sayre House. For more information, call Rev. Collman at 507-645-1357 or email rkcollman@msn.com.

Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a 3-day experience of learning about God and yourself, making new friends, and growing in your faith. This event is open to all students 9th – 12th grades, from any church or no church. It is led by clergy and lay adults, and teens who have already gone through TEC.

Upcoming program dates:

Northern TEC: March 19-21, St. John in the Wilderness, White Bear Lake. For more information contact Alison Feigh (afeigh@gmail.com).
Click here to download an information form for Northern TEC.
Click here to download an application form for Northern TEC.

St. Paul TEC: April 16-18, St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul. Click here to download the registration documents for St. Paul TEC. For more information, contact Charlene Peterson (peter069@umn.edu) or 651-779-6707.

Minneapolis TEC: April 16-18, St. Stephen's, Edina. Click here to download the registration documents for Minneapolis TEC. For more information, contact Gary Dietz at 952-920-0595.

Theology and a Pint meets in St. Paul on the second Tuesday of each month at O'Gara's at 8:00 pm. Join your friends for good conversation, great theology, and, of course, a pint. Theology and a Pint is a ministry of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in St. Paul. Contact the Rev. Rex McKee with questions.