St. Mark’s Cathedral hosted the Diocesan Youth Acolyte Festival, January 27 and 28, where youth from all over the diocese came together to participate in acolyte training and have fun together.  Over a hundred youth and forty adults came from twenty-three congregations and shared in an amazing overnight complete with worship, a large group game of Clue in which the youth had to figure out who stole the verger’s verge, and food galore including smoothies and chocolate fountains.  On Sunday morning, Bishop Daniel Swenson commissioned the youth to serve as acolytes in their parishes.

Thanks to all the chaperones, adult leaders, and clergy from all over the diocese who helped with the trainings and activities and thanks to all the youth who made this a wonderful event.

The following churches were part of this year’s acolyte festival: All Saints, Northfield; Ascension, Stillwater; Calvary, Rochester; St. Andrew’s, Cloquet; St. Andrew’s, Minneapolis; St. Anne’s, Sunfish Lake; St. Christopher’s, Roseville; St. Edward’s, Wayzata,; St. James on the Parkway, Minneapolis; St. James, Fergus Falls; St. John’s, Minneapolis; St. John’s, St. Cloud; St. John the Baptist, St. Paul; St. John in the Wilderness, White Bear Lake; St. Luke’s, Minneapolis; St. Luke’s, Rochester; St. Mark’s Cathedral; St. Matthew’s, Chatfield; St. Paul’s, Duluth,; St. Peter’s, Kasson; St. Philip’s, St. Paul; St. Stephen’s, Edina; Trinity, Anoka; Trinity, Excelsior; and the University Episcopal Center.

                                  —The Rev. Canon Cara Spaccarelli, St. Mark's Cathedral

Photo by Bob Ogonavic