Begun in 2005 with a single event in Minneapolis, the annual Bishop's Circle Banquets expanded to three locations in 2007.  Last week, guests gathered in Rochester, Minneapolis and Duluth to, as the Bishop's Circle motto proclaims, demonstrate "passionate generosity." 

Gifts given or pledged at the banquets and by several persons in advance totaled more than $40,000. The gifts will be used, at the Bishop's discretion, to fund programs in 2008 in the areas of campus ministry, faith formation and ethnic ministry.

Recipients of Bishop's Circle grants in 2007 included the University Episcopal Center; the campus ministry program at All Saints Church, Northfield; Holy Apostles Church, St. Paul; La Misión El Santo Niño Jesús, St. Paul; and three faith formation programs in the Duluth area:  St. Paul's Church, St. Andrew's by-the-Lake, and Trinity Church, Hermantown.

While most of the recipients for 2008 grants have yet to be named, it was announced prior to the banquets that the migrant ministry in Montgomery would be a recipient of Bishop's Circle funds in 2008.

Each Bishop's Circle Banquet had a "local host." In Rochester, the Rev. Ginny Padzieski; in Minneapolis, Mr. James Delamater; and in Duluth, Mrs. Susan Dusek.

Banquet guests heard first-hand reports about how 2007 grants from the Bishop's Circle have been used. 

In Rochester, the Rev. Jill Tollefson and Mark Heiman (pictured above) reported on the campus ministry program at All Saints Church in Northfield.  Bob Padzieski and Rolf Tollefson reported on the Montgomery Migrant Ministry, which will be a recipient of Bishop's Circle funds in 2008.

In Minneapolis, guests heard from Mr. Jim Jacobsen, president of the Board of the University Episcopal Center and Canon Susan Moss and Miguel Barron (pictured above) about the ministry at El Santo Niño Jesús, St. Paul.

Duluth guests heard about innovative faith-formation programs from the Rev. Cindy Peterson-Wlosinski, (pictured above) vicar of St. Andrew's by-the-Lake, and Sue Van Oss, director of faith formation at St. Paul's Church.

And, guests at all three banquets heard a moving talk by Canon Bronwyn Clark Skov about why she is proud to be an Episcopalian.  She said "I am deeply thankful for this amazing, independent, inclusive, thoughtful, faithful, liturgical, controversial, traditional, progressive, unconventional, adaptable Christian denomination."

"I am delighted at this year's turn out in three locations and with the generosity demonstrated with gifts and pledges," said Bishop James Jelinek.  "Like the past two years, these funds are going to make a vital difference in the lives of people for the sake of the Gospel.  I deeply thank all who have participated."

 
Photos by Joe Bjordal