Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Mpls

The Very Rev. Paul J. Lebens-Englund, Dean

1 April 2022

Dear Saint Markans,

 

I pray this note finds you well, as the days lengthen and your Lenten discipline deepens. These forty-days in the wilderness with Jesus are an opportunity for both affirmation and challenge – identifying and affirming those spiritual practices that keep us grounded, connected, committed, and courageous, as well as identifying and addressing those spiritual gaps that may, perhaps, keep us reactionary, isolated, disconnected, and afraid. We are each responsible to cultivate this self-awareness and, as a community of faith, to support and strengthen one another for Life lived in The Way of Jesus. 

 

The basic formula for a functional ‘Rule of Life’ is simple:

Some form of regular daily prayer – e.g.

 

As we approach Jerusalem and the dramatic events of Holy Week, we do so not as mere observers of past events, but as real members of Christ’s risen Body, which is the Church, still bearing the marks, as we do, of our perennial encounter with the forces of Death all around us. To resist exhaustion or cynicism or distraction or despair, we must daily tend the holy fire that burns within us, assuring sufficient air, sufficient heat, and sufficient fuel. And that is just what these spiritual practices aim to do, giving Light, Life, and Love the last word.

 

As always, I remain gratefully yours, in Christ,

Paul+

 

It’s with both grief and deep gratitude that I share with you that after nearly twelve years of faithful service among us, Stacey Clatanoff is retiring from her role as Saint Mark’s Youth Minister this August.

 

In addition to her regular cycle of weekly youth ministry gatherings, Stacey has planned innumerable over-night lock-ins, service projects, peer ministry trainings, and pilgrimages (both domestic and international). Stacey has also planned and coordinated numerous fundraisers, including event parking and the infamous annual chili cook-off, and oversees the annual youth Confirmation class, which will confirm its final cohort here at the Cathedral on Saturday, April 30^th. Stacey is known to wander the halls with late night zombies and invite the black sharpie signatures of the bell tower saints. She’s led dog-sledding and rafting in the great outdoors and puppy training and hammocking in the wilds of the Cathedral nave. And she’s been an essential bridge between the Cathedral and the wider diocesan youth ministry program.

 

Stacey has been a tireless proponent of baptismal formation, with particular focus on Celtic spirituality, Interfaith dialogue, and, more recently, the Enneagram, always inviting our young people to ask, ‘who do we want to be when we show up in the world?’ Indeed, it’s the right question for all of us to be asking ourselves every day we’re blessed to be alive.

 

Please join me in expressing your thanks and appreciation and in extending your very best wishes for Stacey’s next chapter in life and ministry.

 

 

 

As promised in our last COVID update on February 21^st, we will have additional updates to our Cathedral COVID protocols beginning on Palm Sunday, April 10^th, and running through Eastertide. While much will remain the same, a couple important changes will begin.

 

What’s new:

What’s the same: 

 

The Cathedral building and the Cathedral bookstore are open during regular business hours, and we’re excited to welcome you back for prayer, pilgrimage, program, or purchase. Find general information here or call 612.870.7800 for specific inquiries.