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In this Edition:
- This Sunday
- Music for Black History Month
- Love Makes Room - Mills Church Housing Campaign
- Ash Wednesday Services
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Youth Lock-In
- COVID Update
- Faithful Innovation
- Men's Retreat
- Letter Writing Campaign
- ECMN Workshop - Feb 25
- Variety Show on Cinco de Mayo
- Justice Collaborative: Isaiah
- Book Club
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Have an announcement you would like to share in this weekly email?
Send it to office@stdavidsparish.org before noon on Wednesday to be featured.
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8:00 and 9:30 Holy Eucharist
Children's time will take place during the 9:30 service for children age 3 through grade 5.
We will continue to Facebook Livestream the Sunday 9:30 service and upload to YouTube to accommodate those who choose to stay home.
10:45-11:30 Community Forum
This Sunday we welcome Dan Narr, Executive Director of ICA.
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Music for Black History Month: Evelyn Davidson White | |
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If you look under every hymn in every hymnal, there is an acknowledgment of those who participated in the creation of that hymn. If you pull on those threads just a bit, you can open vistas into the lives of fascinating people. One such example is the hymn “Give Me Jesus,” which we will sing this Sunday. The song is from the African-American spiritual tradition, and the names of the brilliant minds who created the original song have not been preserved, but the arrangement is by Evelyn D. White. Ms. White was a renowned choir director and professor at Howard University for 39 years, where she trained such notable musicians as Jessye Norman, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, published the book "Choral Music by Afro-American Composers", and formed the Evelyn White Chamber Singers to promote this music.
In the words of one reviewer, "Responding to Mrs. White with instant precision and a rhythmic inflection that can only come from both the will to sing perfectly and the willingness to follow a gifted leader, they poured out sounds and words that conspired with spirit in a way no other choral ensemble today seems to be able to." And in the words of one of her students, “She used every ounce of her body and soul to convey what she wanted you to do."
Read more about Ms. White here: https://aaregistry.org/story/evelyn-white-born/
While there appear to be no videos available online of her conducting, you can hear her former students singing at her memorial service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWYhOO3-GY
Just imagine what other fascinating people live in the small print of our hymns!
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This Lent, we’ll be singing a new set of acclamations for the Eucharistic Prayer. Here is the St. David’s Choir with a preview of the Sanctus. | |
Last week special guest - Mills Church | |
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Thank you to Tony and Pat Levy for coming to St. David's to present the Mills Church affordable home ownership project.
The Rev. Katherine presented this year's St. David's Abraham and Sarah Hospitality Award to Mills Church for their work with 'Love Makes Room'
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The Justice Collaborative is hosting a Letter Writing Campaign for the neighborhood on March 7th, at 7pm in the Undercroft. We're writing letters to the Minnetonka City Council in support of the Mills Church Affordable Home Ownership Project. The City of Minnetonka needs to approve the proposal to rezone Mills Church's acreage for residential use. Mills has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help make this happen and ensure that the new town homes are as beautiful as they are affordable. People who work in Minnetonka should be able to live here too. Let the Minnetonka City Council know how you feel. Your voice matters! Anyone with a Minnetonka address or ties to a local church should attend and sign a letter. Light snacks, form letters, stationary, talking points, and stamps will be provided. Bring a friend! Let's make a difference!
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Ash Wednesday, February 22 | |
We begin the Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. We will gather for Holy Eucharist with imposition of ashes at noon (no music) and 7:00 pm (with music). Please join us. | |
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This Friday night, youth grades 6-12 from St. David's, St. Stephen's, and Trinity will gather for a night of community building, worship, games, and fun.
Please email abrock@stdavidsparish.org if you know a youth who'd still like to attend. We have room!
We invite all of you to hold our young people in prayer this weekend, that they may grow in relationship with God, one another, and with themselves.
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Current COVID Status:
COVID is still alive and well, with 500 people dying daily in the US from COVID. Good news, it is no longer considered a pandemic, but it has not yet reached the more manageable endemic stage either, as COVID is still too unpredictable.
MN is currently faring better, with hospitalizations and deaths down overall. The area of highest COVID cases in our state is now in western MN, and the metro area is seeing a rise again in the wastewater, with 65% of the COVID markers being the new sub-variant coming from the east coast.
The newest Bivalent Booster, which came out last fall, has scientifically and statistically proven to be very effective in lowering severe illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID.
What's a Parish to Do?
If you are ill, please stay home. You may worship with us live on Facebook, or later via YouTube.
Please stay in touch with your parish family via emails, phone calls , and ZOOM......connection is so very important.
If you are exposed to someone with COVID, wear a mask around others for 10 days to prevent potential spread.
If you are recovering from COVID or another respiratory illness and still have lingering symptoms, wear a mask around others until all symptoms are resolved.
If you have not yet received the new bivalent booster, please do. It is not too late. In fact, get it now while still free, as come May Federal subsidizing of the vaccine will be gone.
Have a mask handy, you never know when you may need it .
When in doubt, mask up...protection for both yourself and others.
THINK, and be mindful of where you are and who you are with when you are deciding whether or not to wear a mask. Risk assessments of self and others will be with us forevermore. Vulnerabilities, (age, chronic illness, immune compromise, etc) need to be a part of our new way of thinking.
In light of the above tenets and our current societal reality, St. David's will be changing our signage/policy to now read "Masks Optional", with the understanding that we as a parish will continue to be mindful of ourselves and others and trust in each other's personal decision making processes. As always, things may go south, and changes to policies may occur..
Any questions or concerns, please contact any member of the COVID Safety Team
Loving God, Loving One Another
Hang in There Everyone.......Think, Be Mindful, Stay Healthy!
Regards,
Diane Curley, Allison Ferro, Katherine Lewis, Randy Schwichtenberg, and Roger Stratton
St David's COVID Safety Team, Feb 8, 2023
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FAITHFUL INNOVATION FAQS
1. What is Faithful Innovation?
It is not a program, rather it is a faith community-wide process to build on what we do well, learn, and create new ways to embody Christian identity and purpose in a changing cultural context. Bishop Loya and Canon Blair Pogue are leading 15 faith communities across ECMN, including St David’s, in getting started to adapt new, old (and sometimes ancient) practices and habits that allow the treasures of the Christian tradition to speak to us today.
2. Why should St David’s participate in Faithful Innovation?
At St David’s we are a stable and loving community. We recognize though that culturally we are in a time of disorientation, for multiple reasons. Due in part to the pandemic, many people around us are feeling disconnected, distracted and depleted. Many are facing a spiritual crisis, filled with anger over injustice. There can be a feeling of despair, meaninglessness, and isolation. There are many spiritual seekers but the church today might not be the answer to what they need. However, this widespread spiritual seeking and curiosity opens an opportunity. People need help making spiritual sense of what they are feeling.
3. What will we be doing during the Faithful Innovation process?
We will listen to God speaking through scripture, our experiences, and our neighbors. We will practice the ancient method of Dwelling in the Word, beginning with the passage Acts 16:6-15. We will share our experiences of times when we felt spiritually alive, energized or engaged. We will expand our focus outward to the neighborhood to listen and observe how God might be acting outside our building.
4. Does this mean I will be knocking on doors and asking people if they have accepted Jesus, so they will be saved?
No, no and no. This is not a process intended to increase church membership or to raise pledges. It is not an effort to fix or save our neighbors. We will focus on listening to what people outside St David’s say about their spiritual needs, concerns and questions to mitigate biases, broaden our perspectives, and help when needed.
5. What do we get out of Dwelling in the Word and sharing our stories?
This is an opportunity for each of us to gain more clarity on WHY we are part of a Christian community today. We could do all our volunteer and social justice work through a non-profit organization with equal impact. But we choose to be part of a Christian community. Why? What is life changing at the heart of our Christian faith and our parish life? What difference does Jesus make to me personally, to the life of our church and to our world. Why am I a Christian?
6. Why keep reading Acts 16:6-15?
Paul's story in the book of Acts has much to show us about understanding scripture in light of our current experience. Each time we read the text there will be different points of interest, depending on our situation and those around us. Members of the discussion group will share a unique perception that may influence our understanding of the reading and enable us to dwell in the word.
Stay tuned for further information about our Faithful Innovation journey.
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Men’s Retreat: What Does it Mean to Live A Courageous Life?
Sat., Mar. 11, 8:30-11:30 AM | St. David’s Episcopal Church
If we can stand whole-heartedly wherever we are and notice the Spirit stirring us to live – really live, then we have everything we need to stop waiting for improvements in this circumstance or that and start with the next step God is calling us to take. Join spiritual directors Peter Watkins and Sam Rahberg for thoughtful examination and meaningful conversation. We’ll have morning prayer, short presentations, and discussion. Then we’ll bless wherever the Spirit is leading each of us. Come for coffee at 8:30 AM. We’ll adjourn by 11:30 AM and you’re welcome to stick around for lunch.
For more information, contact the Rev. Guy Drake, gdrake@stdavidsparish.org.
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Variety Show on Cinco de Mayo | |
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Taco Bar and Ice cream bar.
Another fun way to raise money for ministries!
Save the Date: Friday May 5, 2023, 5:30PM to 9:00PM
Location: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 13000 St. David’s Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Tickets on sale in March: $10.00 each (children under 5 free) Seating is limited!
Talent Sign Up in April (limit of 20 acts, each maximum 4 minutes)
A fun event for all ages with great food, fundraising game with prizes and a variety of acts guaranteed to entertain and delight all!
Sponsored by St. David’s Choir and Performance Teams
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Justice Collaborative: Isaiah | |
Parishioners Laura Hensley and Huldah Niles, members of the St. David's Justice Collaborative, attended a multi-faith gathering hosted by the group Isaiah on February 7th. Isaiah is “a multi-racial, state-wide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities, Black barber shops, childcare centers, and other community based constituencies fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota.” Governor Walz spoke to the group about its recent successes such as the 100% Clean Energy by 2040 bill that he signed into law that very same day. Other goals are: Paid Family and Medical Leave, Restore the Vote and Automatic Voter Registration, Driver’s Licenses for All, MinnesotaCare Buy-In, Childcare for All, and Transit for a Connected State. St. David’s is in District 45. Isaiah is providing free training for District 45 congregations on Tuesday February 28th, 6:30-9pm on Zoom. Isaiah is also planning a “Prophetic Delegation Day at the Capitol.” Leaders from faith institutions throughout our district will gather on Thursday, March 23rd from 9am-noon at Christ Lutheran church where we will be trained and then accompanied to Capitol Hill to lead powerful lobby visits with our legislators. If you’re interested in participating in either/both of these events and/or becoming a member of the St. David's Justice Collaborative, then please contact Huldah Niles huldah.violin@gmail.com, Chair of the St. David’s Justice Collaborative. | |
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St David’s Book Club News
by Cathy Schwichtenberg
The St. David’s Book Club met on January 3 to discuss “Proud Shoes” by Pauli Murray and to set the schedule for 2023. We have an interesting line-up of selections for the club this year and invite all St. David’s parishioners to participate. We usually meet via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 – 7:55. Here is this year’s schedule – please join us!
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What else is going on at St. David's? | |
Want to view the full calendar for the week? Click here to view the St. David's website complete with a calendar to keep you updated on events and offerings! Scroll all the way to the bottom to view it. | |
Pastoral Care Line: 952-767-0891 | |
COVID-19 Resources Available
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