Dear Friends,
Dressed in their red-and-white cassocks and surplices, they were sitting (and squirming) in the front pews at this Sunday's visit to St. Christopher's, Roseville: in my direct line of vision. The cute factor was off the scale as they stared up at me with my funny hat and big stick.
Mixed with the warm feeling these children of God filled me with was an incredible sense of responsibility to somehow, some way, convey to them that they were loved.
I, of course, would want to assure them that they were safe. In fact, I would do all in my earthly power to keep them - the most vulnerable and all those I love - safe. Yet, as we were tragically reminded once again last week, try as we might: safety is not guaranteed. This acute awareness drapes over us like a pall. It is our Good Friday reality.
In these dark, sorrowful moments - which we must fully embrace deep within us - there is also a small, still, Voice beckoning us to the Light. It provides us the way forward out of the death that surrounds us, out of the darkness that overcomes us, into the light: which is filled with life and love and hope.
With a frustrating realization of my capacities, I am painfully conscious that I cannot guarantee safety to these angelic children or any one of my loved ones. I can, however, with every fiber of my being, shine forth the light of Christ that is within me so they may feel the endless and everlasting embrace of God's love.
As a testament to God's love and grace, these little choristers are called Archangels - and they sang like it, too! It brought a whole about new meaning when we got to the Sanctus in the Eucharistic prayer:
Therefore we praise you, joining with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name.
It never sounded as sweet as it did this morning with these earthly Archangels and the new ones who have just joined the company of heaven.
May we all continue to be bearers of Christ's light, love, and hope to the world around us.
Blessings,
+Brian
   
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Exhibition Regarding Dakota-US War of 1862 Features Robert Two Bulls' 38 Tears of Bishop Whipple
Hena Uŋkiksuyapi: In Commemoration of the Dakota Mass Execution of 1862 will be on view at the Hillstrom Museum of Art from December 17, 2012 through February 8, 2013, with an opening reception Monday, December 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Hena Uŋkiksuyapi, Dakota for "we remember those," features artworks by Dakota and other Native American artists, including ECMN's how Robert Two Bulls, presented in commemoration of the mass execution on December 26, 1862 of 38 Dakota following the end of the Dakota-U.S. War of earlier that year. Read more.
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Santa's Secret Shop at St. Luke's in Hastings was a success
This year "Santa's Secret Shop" at St. Luke's, Hastings will end up serving over 250 children who would otherwise have been unable to purchase or give a gift to their parents or siblings.
Click here to read more and see photos.
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Missional Leadership in our Changing Times Discussion
On October 24, 2012, the Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior and the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile facilitated a conversation at Luther Seminary about missional leadership in our changing times, brainstorming about the kind of capacities leaders in the church have needed in the past, and what capacities might be needed in future leaders. People in discernment and formation for leadership in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota were invited. Approximately 50 people, clustered into small groups, participated in the conversation. Read more.
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Going home, bringing help
Cyprian and Queen Obasi got a Christmas miracle this year - medicines that had been caught in a bureaucratic nightmare this past summer have been released for use in Nigeria.
So the two are spending Christmas serving others half-way around the world. "It gives me joy to help others - that's why I went into nursing," said Queen, whose daughters have joined her on many mission trips to rural Nigeria. The family has been members of Christ Episcopal Church for about 20 years. Read more.
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Call For Meeting of Minnesota Vergers
Submitted by Jim Morehouse, Head Verger, St. Clement's
As Vergers, we have many stories and experiences. It would be great to meet and share them. Read more.Those interested in a meeting of Minnesota vergers, please email James Morehouse at jmorehouse57@gmail.com.
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Presiding bishop's Christmas Message 2012
"Discover the love of God poured into our world in human form," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says in her Christmas Message 2012. Click here to read the presiding bishop's Christmas Message 2012.
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Video: After Sandy, 'The hands and feet of Christ were here every day'
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Keansburg, New Jersey, may be a small congregation, but its kitchen and parish hall have been a refuge in the last six weeks for the people trying to sort through and rebuild their lives after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the town and nearby communities. "The hands and feet of Christ were here every day," said George Speidel, a kitchen volunteer from Christ Church in Middletown. Click here to see the video.
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Application deadline nears for Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps
The January 4 deadline for the Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps is approaching.
The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications for 2013-14 will be accepted until January 4, 2013 from young adults between the ages of 21-30. Read More.
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Liturgical rite for blessing same-sex relationships available free online
The Episcopal Church's liturgical rite for blessing same-sex relationships, authorized by General Convention for use in the Episcopal Church beginning the first Sunday in Advent, December 2, is now available online free of charge. Download the rite and a short theological summary, both excerpted from the report of the Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) titled "I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing," from the Episcopal Church's online library. The print and eBook versions containing the full resources are available for $24 from Church Publishing. Read More.
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Prayer
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For the month of December, please pray for the organizations that deal with children with special needs, especially for the work of the Sheltering Arms Foundation those who work in Child Protection agencies throughout the State of Minnesota.
Sunday, December 23 is Advent 4
Church of the Nativity,
Burnsville
St. Stephen's,
Edina, Paynesville
St. John the Evangelist,
Aitkin, Eveleth, Hallock, Mankato, Onigum, Red Lake, St. Cloud, St. Paul
Ordination Anniversaries
12/27 Ken Toven, p 1980
David Sams, d 1984
12/29 Cynthia Peterson Wlosinski, p 1982
Carolyn Schmidt, p 1987
Download the Intercessory prayer calendar for Advent 2012 through Easter 2013
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