Bishop James Jelinek is saddened to announce the death of the Rev. Perry Gilfillan, who died December 27, 2007. His funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 4, 2008 at Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel in Plainview, MN. 

During their spring break, a group of University of Minnesota students will serve as volunteer instructors at Colegio Miguel Angel Asturias. 

Terry Parsons, the Stewardship Officer for the Episcopal Church, will be the featured presenter at the 2008 Bishop's Circle Banquets in October. It has also been announced that gifts to the Bishop's Circle in 2007 total almost $50,000. 

A Lenten campaign will involve four varied congregations from around the diocese in a pilot program whose goal is to transform the Episcopal Church into a powerful effective force for the elimination of global poverty by 2012. 

A follow-up survey on the work of the Bishop's Commission on Mission Strategy indicates encouragement for the future. 

Don't like that hymn? Just wait a minute! The choir of St. Christopher's sings the Hymnal 1982 to raise funds for English tour. 

The demolition of a building adjacent to Gethsemane Church has revealed an "Episcopal welcome of old" in downtown Minneapolis. 

Participants from 21 tribes from 29 congregations, 11 dioceses, and two Anglican provinces gathered in Buffalo, Minnesota, from January 20-23 for this annual event sponsored by the Native American Ministries Office of the Episcopal Church. 

The Dean of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour got a special preview of some of the pieces of Indian art that will be displayed at the Minnesota History Center, beginning mid February. 

Diana Rogers, former Vocations Coordinator for the Diocese of Minnesota, was ordained deacon on Friday, January 25, at St. Paul's on-the-Hill. 

The Mission Strategy Committee held first meeting on January 26 and was commissioned by Bishop Jelinek. Additional members will be named over the next few weeks. 

$36,000 will be given to seven ministries with a focus on faith formation and hospitality. 

Geographic boundaries have been removed, and Canon Missioners Sandi Holmberg and Bronwyn Skov will now serve the entire diocese. 

Nearly 20% of the 0.7% pledge goal from this diocesan MDG pilot congregation has been reached. 

Nearly 120 young vocalists and instrumentalists from nine congregations gathered at St. Mark’s Cathedral on Saturday, February 9 for the 16th Annual Episcopal Youth Music Festival. Here's a story, photos and video clip from the festival. 

A February 11 gathering in Minneapolis brought Beijing Circle groups together to share reflections and support on global women's issues -- and to invite new members in. 

St. Thomas Church, Minneapolis, and St. Philip's Church, St. Paul, have announced plans to merge, sell their current buildings and move to a new location. 

For the sixth year, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, International Falls, has joined with other local congregations to offer a series of Lenten services for the community and raise funds for the local food shelf. 

Three parishes from three cities joined in January for the third year to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Two young Minnesota Episcopalians are serving on the Design Team for the 2008 Episcopal Youth Event. They have key roles in preparing for one of the largest gatherings in the Episcopal Church. 

Bishop James Jelinek is saddened to announce the sudden death of the Rev. James W. Howie, who formerly served in this diocese. A Requiem Eucharist will be held at St. Paul's on-the-Hill, St. Paul, on Saturday, March 8. 

The Rev. Canon Howard Anderson, president of the Cathedral College at the National Cathedral, Washington, D. C., and a former priest in Minnesota, has accepted a call to serve as rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Pacific Palisades, California. Long considered a potential candidate for IX Bishop of Minnesota, Anderson has confirmed he will not enter into the discernment process. 

The Diocese of Minnesota's two elected representatives on the Board of Trustees of Seabury-Western Seminary have issued a statement following the institution's decision to eliminate the traditional Master of Divinity degree and to suspend recruitment and admission to all degree and certificate programs as it enters a time of discernment. 

Thanks to the generosity of one of its graduates, all students and alumni of Shattuck-St. Mary's School will receive a copy of a new book published as part of its sesquicentennial celebration. 

"NEWS FLASH: The majority of Episcopalians in the United States voted to stay in the Episcopal Church today," says the Rev. Lauren R. Stanley. 

In announcing the appointment, Canon to the Ordinary Gary Gleason said that Wendy Johnson brings 20 years of experience in the world of public education, marketing, and communications to her new job. She will begin work on April 1. 

Diners young and old at St. Paul's, Duluth, experienced a graphic demonstration of world hunger as part of an MDG pilot congregation project. 

The recently-retired rector of Ascension, Stillwater "wanted to be a mission priest again" and his former congregation has provided a grant to help support this ministry. 

General Convention may still be over a year away, but the Minnesota deputation has already begun meeting in order to prepare for this triennial gathering of the Episcopal Church, which will be held July 8-17, 2009, in Anaheim, California. 

Welcome to Christopher Riley Lawyer, son of the Rev. Cara Spaccarelli and Michael Lawyer, and grandson of the Rev. Lyn Lawyer and John Lawyer. 

The Rev. Janet MacNally, deacon at St. Christopher's, Roseville, takes on a ministry of "education and encouragement." 

Charlessa Wiggins, named a "Diocesan Treasure" by Bishop Jelinek, died on March 29 at the age of 110.