News

The Big Net, located at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church is working with job seekers and employers to find the "right fit." To broaden this ministry, the Big Net is reaching out into the community and has numerous churches referring and assisting with this program. There is no limit as to miles away, nor church affiliation to become involved in this program. Find out how you and your church can get involved by visiting their website, www.TheBigNet.net.

Hope for Haiti - Cook County Style

submitted by Mary Ellen Ashcroft
Around one hundred people gathered Monday, February 15th at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais for an evening organized by Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church. A rousing group of musicians donated their time and talents. Over $1,300 dollars was raised, and will be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development in Haiti and Habitat for Humanity's work in Haiti. Jesus said, "Give and you will receive, and it will be abundant.."

St. Alban's, Edina gathering goods for Haiti

submitted by Barbara Buehl
Many people have been looking for hands-on ways to help Haiti. St. Alban's, Edina, is coordinating an initiative through Episcopal Relief and Development and is gathering goods such as gently used top sheets, towels, lightweight blankets, forks, spoons, plastic plates, cups, duffel bags and backpacks. They will then send the goods through Agape Flights, a non-denominational Christian organization in Florida that has been flying shipments into Haiti. If you are interested in helping out, bring bags of goods to St. Alban's, Edina. Contact Barbara Buehl at barbarabuehl@yahoo.com with any questions.

On Ash Wednesday, the Rev. Rex McKee and the Rev. Margy Mattlin (both pictured) and the Rev. LeeAnne Watkins (taking this photo), stood for two hours on the corner of Grand and Victoria in St. Paul offering ashes and blessings to anyone requesting them, including people in cars stopped at the light. "We'll definitely do this again next year," says LeeAnne. Read Rex's reflection on the afternoon on his blog, http://remckee.wordpress.com.

Episcobuilders, the network of 7 congregations in the west metro area that have partnered to build a Habitat for Humanity home, recently sponsored a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and talent show. Through this single event, Episcobuilders grossed more than $6,400, including a leadership gift of $1,000 from Bishop Prior from the offering collected at the consecration for special ministries. The event welcomed more than 250 people on a mid-week winter night, showing that there is quite a bit of energy and enthusiasm about this project. For more information about Episcobuilders, contact the Rev. Lindsay Hardin Freeman at lhfreeman25@gmail.com.

As of January 4, the Ready for Success Men's Program is a permanent component of the programming provided by Episcopal Community Services (ECS). The Men's Program began in June, 2008 as a pilot in partnership with Goodwill Easter Seals in St. Paul/Minneapolis. Ready for Success provides gently used professional clothing and accessories, as well as new personal care items, to men graduating from a work skills program at Goodwill Easter Seals. Read more about this Program on the ECS website.

As most churches, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis was looking for ways to cuts expenses and become more environmentally conscious. Two years ago we decided to start a gradual conversion to compact fluorescent lighting. The question was where to start. We contacted Xcel Energy who referred us to Service Lighting. Along with the consultant, the sexton and a parishioner conducted a four hour audit of the church and the attached mansion. Much to our surprise the consultant recommended we start with the worship space (which would have been last on our list) because that would draw the greatest amount of energy all at one time. The consultant worked up a recommendation for all the lighting in the building, gave the projected cost, rebate amount, and projected savings. At the time, the rebate on the CFLs was 60% and the projected savings in energy costs was $4000 a year. The vestry approved the complete conversion to CFLs and the budget now shows that we have realized a savings of at least 80% of the projected $4000 amount. We have not sacrificed brightness and in some cases the lighting is better. We definitely would recommend churches have the audit done and consider converting to CFLs.

Extensive vandalism occurred at Christ Church, Grand Rapids on January 30. The damage estimates have reached $100,000, largely due to the use of fire extinguishers throughout the building, which will require replacing the carpet, repainting the sanctuary, professionally cleaning all fabrics, and more. Three male youth have confessed to participating in the vandalism and will be charged. This has been a difficult time for the community at Christ Church, but they said they have had some heartwarming contacts from area churches who have offered assistance, as well as concern expressed by some local individuals. Please keep this community, as well as the youth involved, in your prayers as they recover from such a difficult situation.

Mary Groeninger, Eunice Koch, and Gail Sheddy join Pam Webster to spread the Good News in Tower and Ely. The people of St. Mary's are preparing for a team commissioning in Total Ministry later this year. Pictured here L-R: Mary Groeninger, Pam Webster, Eunice Koch and Gail Sheddy.

On Sunday, January 10th, seven Episcopal churches met at Church of the Epiphany, Plymouth, to participate in the 10th annual broomball tournament. The event was a huge success, and Epiphany looks forward to host it again next year. The churches that participated were: St. Stephen's, Edina; St. David's, Minnetonka; Trinity, Excelsior; Holy Trinity, Elk River; Nativity, Burnsville; St. Mary's, St. Paul; Epiphany, Plymouth.

On the evening of January 7, the Rev. Neptali Rodriguez Espinel, the Rev. Jeffrey Scott Francis Nelson, and the Rev. Timothy Hodapp were received as priests in the Episcopal Diocese of MN.

Blessings on these new ministry journeys.

On January 9, the family and friends of St. Luke's, Hastings celebrated the confirmation of four young people, Ordinations of one deacon and two priests, as well as the commissions of three lay ministers. Pictured back row, L to R: Joe Robinson, Rev. Frank VanDeSteeg, Emily Valentine, Darcy Valentine, Beth Wanamaker, Bishop Jelinek, Rev. Bob Langenfeld, Rev. Betty Herman Front row, L to R: Rev Connie Claxton, Maria Yandrasits, Andrew Herrmann, Lyn VanDeSteeg and Domingo Yandrasits. 

On December 20, the members and friends of Christ Church, Grand Rapids celebrated the Ordinations of two deacons and five priests, as well as the the commissions of four lay ministers. Pictured back row, L to R: Sam Dickinson, Mike Burke, Rev. Jeanne Rasmussen, Bishop Jelinek, Rev. Paula Gillman, Rev. John Undem, Rev. Ken Toven. Front row, L to R: Rev. Jill Schubert, Linda Undem, Marianne Morlan, Rev. Sally Cummings, Rev. Carla Hodgson, Rev. Rhonda Ruder.

On October 12 Pamela Webster and Mary Groeninger were ordained to the transitional diaconate as part of the total ministry team. Congratulations!