A special board meeting was called in mid-March to review prior decisions and arrangements concerning long-time retreat facilitator Lynn Bauman’s work with the House of Prayer. On March 15, 2007, the full board, including Bishop Jelinek, passed the following resolution:

“Resolved: Having listened carefully to concerns expressed by others, and supporting healing and reconciliation at all levels, and wanting to be as helpful to retreatants as possible, the Board of Directors of the Episcopal House of Prayer, after prayerful consideration, ratifies previous decisions to permit Lynn Bauman to serve as a retreat facilitator at the Episcopal House of Prayer and reaffirms the Episcopal House of Prayer’s relationship with Lynn Bauman as a retreat facilitator, subject to existing terms and conditions established for his participation in retreats, and subject to the further requirement that all who register for retreats with Lynn Bauman will be informed in writing of his background as part of the registration process.”

The board’s vote on this resolution was unanimous, the result of much listening and prayer.

While it is correct that Lynn Bauman is a registered sex offender, the event occurred more than a decade ago and Lynn Bauman has followed every requirement of his probation. He registers with the local law enforcement authorities whenever he comes to Minnesota. His retreats are for adults, he does not have any contact with children or youth, and he overnights with his brother, Ward, who serves as director of the House of Prayer.

Based on the board resolution, those who register for retreats at the House of Prayer with Lynn Bauman have received a written description of his background as part of the registration process. This will permit anyone who prefers not to attend to withdraw the registration or to select another retreat. This summer Lynn Bauman is participating in two weeklong retreats, together with two other guest retreat facilitators. There are no plans to change the faculty for the retreats.

Media contact:

Mary Lilja

Lilja Inc.

mcl@lilja.com

952.893.7140