God, whose word is engrained in all we eat and drink:
free us from the consumption that destroys the roots of life;
teach us to eat the living bread
in whom all hungers are satisfied
by the life that gives of itself
and is never consumed;
through Jesus Christ,
the Lord of the harvest. Amen

--From Prayers for an Inclusive Church, by Steven Shakespeare



Beloved,


We give thanks for you, the people of St. David's, and we give thanks for the invitation ever before us to love God and love one another.


Happy Thanksgiving!






Image: Louis Fratino's "Among Women Only"
Covid Update
Dear Beloved,
           
Covid19 case numbers continue to fluctuate unpredictably and your leaders are doing their best to keep up. We feel strongly that our building should remain open for the mental and soulful well being of our parish. We want you to be aware however that numbers are high right now for new cases of Covid19 per 100,000 people. There are also more breakthrough cases of the Delta variant among fully vaccinated people. So please use your best judgment on whether you want to attend church services in person or not. Please DO NOT come to church if you are ill or have any Covid19 symptoms. Here is a decision tree and information (meant for schools but applicable to church) to help you decide your best course of action should a Covid 19 symptom arise or if you find out you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid19: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/exguide.pdf
 
Please email [email protected] if you test positive for Covid.
 
If you do plan to attend church please keep the following in mind:
  1. Always properly mask (over nose and mouth). This includes before and after Communion.
  2. Please maintain social distance as much as possible. We often see the far side (east side) of the Sanctuary empty. Please use this seating. Additionally, there is seating in the Narthex.
  3. There is often a smaller crowd at the 8am service. Please consider worshipping then if you are able.
  4. There will not be congregational singing until the Covid19 case numbers go down. We will also be scaling back on congregational speaking such as the Psalm, the Nicene Creed, and the Confession.
 
Our 9:30am service will continue to be livestreamed on Facebook and later posted to our YouTube station.
 
Our deepest desire is to create a safe environment for worship and community. We acknowledge that no building or gathering can be 100% safe. Please do what is best for you and know that you are a beloved part of our community whether you attend in person or online. May we surround each other in love and prayers as we navigate this time of uncertainty together. Loving God. Loving one another.
 
Peace be with you,
Katherine, Rector
Huldah, Sr. Warden
Randy, Jr. Warden
Roger, Minister of Music
Allison, Vestry Member
Indoor Worship with Holy Eucharist
Sunday, November 28 at 8:00 and 9:30
We will continue to worship indoors this coming Sunday at both 8:00 and 9:30.

Masks are required and we ask that you leave space between yourselves and others if possible. The nursery will be available during the 9:30 service. Please note that services will continue to be Livestreamed on Facebook and uploaded to YouTube for those who wish to worship virtually.

We will not be holding coffee hour this week as a result of COVID case numbers.

LOVING GOD. LOVING ONE ANOTHER.
Advent Wreath Making this Sunday
This Sunday we will continue making Advent Wreaths after the 9:30 service!

(While our original plan was to meet in the Undercroft for this intergenerational activity last Sunday, given the increase in Covid numbers, we'll now offer "wreath-making to go" in the Narthex. Join us briefly after the 9:30 service on your way out the door!)

In theme with our at-home Advent curriculum this year - Less is More - we are upcycling old and secondhand mugs, teacups, glass jars, bottles, or cans to create Advent Wreaths. 

We have collected candles and containers, but we invite you to bring your own items to use as well!
***please do not purchase anything new for this project, try to recycle, reuse, or thrift items.

Here are some images to get you inspired:
Advent Retreat: a Rule of Life
With The Very Rev. Susan Daughtry
What does it mean to practice the way of Jesus?
What does it mean for me to practice the way of Jesus?
Anyone who has ever wondered about those two questions is invited to join us for a morning retreat at St. David's on December 4, 9am - 11:30am. A ‘Rule of Life’ is a set of practices that Christians commit to, individually or in groups, to shape the way they live out their faith. Advent, the start of the Christian year, is the perfect time to look back at what practices have sustained our life and what new ways we might be called to step into faith. 
No need to register--just show up! Please bring a notebook or journal, as you are able. And bring a friend as well...or even two!
Update on Children and Youth Programming
Children's Ministry: There will be no Godly Play this Sunday, November 28th. Children are invited to utilize the nursery, or remain in worship. 

Middle School Ministry: Youth Group will be Wednesday, December 1st from 6:45-8:15pm. 

High School Ministry: There will be no Youth Group this Sunday, November 28th. We will meet again on December 5th from 6:00-8:00pm at St. David's. 
Posada Announcement
In Spanish-speaking regions, “la posada” refers to a hotel or an inn. “Las posadas” is a term that refers to a ritual reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. This ritual is performed just before Christmas in many Hispanic communities and at St. David’s. 
 
During Advent, St. David’s parishioners can to participate in the Posada. We have a handmade nativity set used only for the Posada. Before Advent starts, St. David’s households sign up to be innkeepers for Mary and Joseph.  Usually, the Mary and Joseph figures stay at each home for about 2 nights during Advent before moving on to their next inn. The figures arrive in a simple basket, along with a journal for recording your time as innkeepers and a liturgy. Innkeepers are encouraged to give some thought as to how they will extend warm, welcoming hospitality to the weary travelers.
 
On the first Sunday of Advent (November 28, 2021), Mary and Joseph will begin their journey by making their first overnight in a St. David’s household. Each innkeeper is responsible for contacting the next host on the schedule, arranging to drop-off of Mary and Joseph at a time and place that is mutually convenient, and providing a small holiday treat for the receiving innkeepers to enjoy. On Christmas Eve, the last host on the schedule helps Mary and Joseph complete their journey by bringing them back to St. David’s for the 4 pm Christmas Eve Service.
 
If you are interested in participating in the Posada by hosting Mary and Joseph during Advent, contact Patti Jurkovich at [email protected].   
Lake Minnetonka Care Center Holiday Giving Tree
COVID Style: Take 2
Hard to believe, but it really is time to get in the Christmas spirit, by remembering all our friends out at Lake Minnetonka Care Center (LMCC). Our annual Holiday Giving Tree gift “exchange” will again look a bit different this year in light of the continuing COVID pandemic. Unfortunately, again, no holiday party or Eucharist service this time around, but we still want to bring some holiday cheer to the residents with a Christmas gift! We are hoping you would like to participate in this venture.

We will have the Holiday Giving Tree located in the narthex this year from which to choose a gift tag and wish list. Routine is the same….. just peruse the wish lists, find one that piques your interest, pick the corresponding tag off the tree, purchase a gift/gifts off their wish list, and then return the wrapped package, with handy gift name tag attached, to the church no later than Sunday December 19th.  Probably best to plan on returning the gifts on Sundays when the church is certain to be open, or when you know you have access to the church office. 

A fun addition for this year’s gift giving, we plan to make a singing delivery of all your gifts to LMCC that day (Dec 19th) after church as a part of our annual Christmas Caroling outing!

Excited to bring a bit of Christmas Cheer to LMCC

Questions, don’t hesitate to call me, Diane, at 763-232-9412

Thank You!
St. David's Book Club News
St. David’s Book Club will meet on Tuesday, 12/7 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm via Zoom. After a short 2022 planning meeting, we will be discussing Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson. The book was a New York Times best seller and New York Times Notable Book of the Year. 
 
Moving forward and backward in time, Jacqueline Woodson's taut and powerful new novel uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of these families, and in the life of the new child.
As the book opens in 2001, it is the evening of sixteen-year-old Melody's coming of age ceremony in her grandparents' Brooklyn brownstone. Watched lovingly by her relatives and friends, making her entrance to the music of Prince, she wears a special custom-made dress. But the event is not without poignancy. Sixteen years earlier, that very dress was measured and sewn for a different wearer: Melody's mother, for her own ceremony-- a celebration that ultimately never took place.
Unfurling the history of Melody's family – reaching back to the Tulsa race massacre in 1921 -- to show how they all arrived at this moment, Woodson considers not just their ambitions and successes but also the costs, the tolls they've paid for striving to overcome expectations and escape the pull of history. As it explores sexual desire and identity, ambition, gentrification, education, class and status, and the life-altering facts of parenthood, Red at the Bone most strikingly looks at the ways in which young people must so often make long-lasting decisions about their lives--even before they have begun to figure out who they are and what they want to be.    
                                                                                                                      ~ Amazon.com
 
Woodson’s writing is exquisite and tells a moving multi-generational story in just over 200 pages. Please join us for the last Book Club meeting of 2021!
 

Please email, text or call me with questions.

Cathy Schwichtenberg
612-710-2203
ICA Update
ICA Day at Maynards this Monday
Thinking about getting together with a friend for lunch? Do it this coming Monday at Maynards in Excelsior. 100% of the proceeds that day will benefit the ICA Food Shelf.
Call 952-470-1800 for reservations.

A Grateful ICA Recipient’s Story
One of the highlights of the recent 2021 Great Taste event was the impact video which featured Soulaire Allerai, a local life strategist, food truck owner and former ICA Food Shelf client. If you weren’t able to tune in to the online Great Taste, here is a synopsis of Soulaire’s story.

Back in the 90’s, Soulaire was a busy mother of two (as well as to some troubled teens to whom she had opened her home), was in school and working full time. She fell into financial hardship. ICA became a lifeline for her - providing food, clothing, utilities and even rent. She said “ICA gave me a foundation I didn’t have before. I only used it when I needed it. I am so grateful. I vowed that I would pay it back.”

She eventually went to college, earning two degrees and founded a wellness center. Just before Covid shut everything down, she opened the Bad Rooster food truck. You have probably seen it around town. Part of her food truck has a table for ICA donations. In this past year, she proudly paid it back with a $2000 check and 700 pounds of food collected during a one-day food drive of her food truck customers.

“ICA helped keep my kids safe …with food, electricity and a roof…I needed ICA. They became a new foundation I could lean on then.” She also expressed her thanks to the donors that have been helping ICA over the years. ICA really impacted her life and her children back then as it continues to do today for many folks in our community.

A heartfelt thank you to the parishioners of St. David’s
At this time of Thanksgiving, we would like to thank you for supporting ICA in such a variety of ways this past year. Your generosity has made a difference for so many in our community. Every donation is truly a gift. Thank you so much.
Your ICA team - Jeff Ronbeck, Mary Mann, David Pearson, Sue List
St. David's Bible Study
Join us as at Bible study on Tuesday, November 30th. We will be concluding our study of Romans this week. Watch this space for what’s coming!
We'll meet on Zoom at 11:00, ending at noon with Noonday prayer.
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 872 7467 2774
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,87274672774# US (New York)
+13017158592,,87274672774# US (Washington DC)
St. David's Wonder Women
Happy Hour December 2nd at 5:30
This is informal and focused on connecting and conversation. Get your favorite HH beverage – water, tea, wine, cocktail; plug in, log on, we will be waiting for you! Please join us for whatever timing works for you – come later or stop in early to say hi for 15 minutes. We will be happy to get you for whatever works for your schedule.

Thursday, December 2 @ 5:30 PM for one hour

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 835 2315 5557
One tap mobile
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+13017158592,,83523155557# US (Washington DC)
Compline Held Nightly at 8:00 PM – Join Us!

Compline, is a brief service of nighttime prayers, lasting no longer than about 10 minutes, this is a wonderful ritual for before bedtime. Please join us any night at 8:00 PM.

On Wednesdays Compline is led by children and intended for those of all ages (for some adults, it's their favorite service of the week!) using the the children's book Candlewalk by Karin Hosinger Sherman. The book is available through Church Publishing and Amazon.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 852 2267 7461
Passcode: Pn2CjY

Dial by Phone: +1 312 626 6799; Meeting ID: 852 2267 7461; Passcode: 516860
Start your Saturday morning with prayerful reflection.

Join morning prayer on Saturday beginning at 7:45 AM. This service lasts approximately 15 minutes, and takes place hybrid via both Zoom and in person. You can read along with the prayer on your screen, or join in person to meet in the Narthex
 
You can access the service through following the link on your computer, tablet or smartphone. 

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 220 814 0673 Passcode: rWDY6k
 
Dial by phone: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 220 814 0673 Passcode: 576819
 
If you have any questions, please call or text Paul Smejkal at 952.270.6762
This Week at St. David's!
Featured Events
  • First Sunday of Advent on Sunday, November 28
  • 8:00 and 9:30 in the Sanctuary
  • Advent Retreat: a Rule of Life with The Very Rev. Susan Daughtry
  • 9:30-11:30 on Saturday, December 4

Want to view the full calendar for the week? Click here to view the new 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.
In this time of the coronavirus pandemic, the need to reach our most vulnerable parishioners has been great. Our 11 person Pastoral Care Team has stepped up to the plate and has been regularly calling around 24 St. David's members and families to share in remote fellowship, prayer, and conversation to determine if we, as a community, could help address any of their unmet needs. We are pleased to report that virtually all of these parishioners are doing well so far and have their basic needs met by their facilities and/or family. They are in good spirits and continue to remain resilient in the face of isolation and uncertainty.

If you find yourself in need of food or other resources, please contact:
Steve Johnson at: [email protected] or (952) 237-0031 
or:        
The Rev. Katherine Lewis at: [email protected] or (612) 747-5405

and we will assist you in finding solutions.
Pastoral Care Line: 952-767-0891
COVID-19 Resources Available

ECMN COVID-19 Response Resources Page Click here
Websites

St. David's Episcopal Church: http://www.stdavidsparish.org

The Episcopal Church in Minnesota: http://www.episcopalmn.org

The Lectionary Page-Lectionary Readings: http://www.lectionarypage.net

The Episcopal Church: http://www.episcopalchurch.org