The Episcopal Diocese of

North Dakota



Click here to view this Newsletter as Webpage.

Welcome to our email Newsletter!

A few highlights from this issue:

• 2025 Diocesan Convention Recap
• Canoeing the Mountains Book Study
• Diocesan Administrator: Out of Office

Read on for other announcements and the calendar!

Did you miss a copy of the Prairie? The past four editions of the bi-monthly Prairie are now online! Click the button below to be taken to the webpage!

Maryam of Qidun

October 30, 2025

Monastic, fourth century

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and restore them against like your servant Maryam of Qidun, that with penitent hearts and steadfast faith they might embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

*Read about Maryam of Qidun here.

First Lesson: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9

Psalm: Psalm 31:15-24

Second Lesson: Romans 8:31-39

Gospel: John 8:1-11

ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION

Anchored in Christ's Love: One Body, One Mission

Bishop's Election Results

Congratulations with prayers of thanksgiving and support for The Very Rev Shay Craig elected on October 25, 2025 as the XII Bishop of the Diocese of North Dakota!

There are more pictures on our Facebook page. Thanks to Ashley Hubbard and Amy Phillips for capturing moments!

Election Results:

• Convention Secretary: Amy Phillips; St. Stephen's, Fargo
• Standing Committee, Clergy (3-yr term): The Rev. Jamie Parsley; St. Stephen's, Fargo
• Standing Committee, Clergy (2-yr term): The Rev. Peter Akicmeir; St. John the Divine, Moorhead
• Standing Committee, Lay (3-yr term): Carmine Goodhouse, St. Luke's, Fort Yates
• Diocesan Council, West Region (3-yr term): The Rev. Dn. Angela Goodhouse; St. Luke's, Fort Yates & The Rev. Hal Weidman; St. George's, Bismarck
• Diocesan Council, East Region (3-yr term): The Rev. Harvey Henderson; St. Paul's, Grand Forks & The Rev. Dn. Elsie Magnus, St. Peter's, Walhalla

Budget:

• The 2026 proposed budget was approved at the business session on Friday, October 24th. The proposed budget is available on our website, along with the budget narrative.

Evaluation Forms:

• Don't forget to turn in your evaluation form. We will be drawing three lucky winners.
• Winners will be announced in the Prairie, make sure you are subscribed!
• Click here for the digital registration form.
• Evaluation forms need to be turned in by November 7th to be entered in the drawing!

Canoeing the Mountains Book Study

By: Ashley Hubbard | Diocesan Missioner

Make plans to join the 3rd Thursday of each month starting on Nov. 20th.

There are two offerings - one at 12:30 CT and the other at 6:30 CT.

Also, save the date! We will visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn and have a celebration dinner at Rev. Mary Johnson's farm on Saturday, May 16th. More information to follow.

Leadership Book Study – 12:30pm CT – ZOOM link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84604960165?pwd=unQETjyTAJcL1rK84BkoHbCJQbZOZb.1

Leadership Book Study – 6:30pm CT – ZOOM link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82846867818?pwd=f99XVSYLuMjz4V8R3AdUQ28zLjmvNT.1

Canoeing the Mountains - Book Study Weekly Schedule

Diocesan Administrator

Out of Office

Jessica, our Diocesan Administrator, will be out of the office due to surgery and recovery starting Thursday, October 30th. She will return to the office on Thursday, November 13th. Should you need something in her absence, please contact Ashley Hubbard [ashley@ndepiscopal.org] or Bp. Brian Thom [bishopthom@ndepiscopal.org].

Checks will be sent out and signed on Friday, November 14, Wednesday, November 26, and Thursday, December 4. Please be patient as we work together over the next month.

North Dakota Episcopal Foundation

North Dakota Episcopal Foundation Announces Fall Deadline of 2025 applications

WHO WE ARE

The ND Episcopal Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization that is entrusted to receive and manage financial gifts for the purpose of providing grants for projects that focus on outreach, education, and ministry projects.

The Trustees are elected and qualified at the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese and serve 4-year terms. The Bishop of the ND Episcopal Diocese is an ex-officio member.

GRANTS

Grants for projects with a close Episcopal connection are accepted twice a year, Spring and Fall. For details on grant requirements, download a grant application. This year’s deadline is November 1, 2025.

Episcopalians invited to first Veterans Day Holy Eucharist and Commissioning of Chaplains

Episcopalians are invited to join a first-time churchwide Veterans Day Holy Eucharist service at 7 p.m. ET Nov. 11—via livestream or in person at the Church Center chapel in New York City—to honor those who have served in the military and specially recognize the Episcopal chaplains who support them.

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will preside, and the Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, bishop suffragan for the church’s Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, will preach. The service will include a special “commissioning for further service” of chaplains who serve military veterans in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“For the first time, The Episcopal Church will gather for a churchwide Veterans Day service—a sacred and historic moment of gratitude and witness,” Ritonia said. “This event honors the courage and faithful service of our veterans and uplifts the ministry of Episcopalians who serve them in chaplaincy, care, and community.”

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of military chaplaincy within The Episcopal Church. The Rev. John Hurt, an Episcopal minister, began serving as a chaplain in the Continental army in 1776. Today, more than 100 Episcopal priests serve as chaplains across the Armed Forces, Veterans Administration medical centers, and federal correctional institutions.



The Veterans Day Service will include recorded readings from military veterans and personnel around the world; prayers written by veterans; music from the Washington National Cathedral; and more.

“This service marks a new chapter in our commitment to walk with veterans—not only in remembrance, but in enduring relationship and hope,” Ritonia said. “If you have a veteran in your life, I encourage you to share about this service and invite them to maybe watch it with you.”

The livestream—from the Chapel of Christ the Lord at 815 Second Ave. in New York City—will air on The Episcopal Church’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Those interested in attending in person can register online here.

The Chapel of Christ the Lord was built in 1961 and designed by Adams & Woodbridge.

The organ in the Chapel of Christ the Lord was constructed in 1991 by Bedient Pipe Organ Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. Its three stops are played from a single manual and a permanently coupled pedalboard.

The abstract stained-glass windows located on the 2nd Ave. side of the building were designed by Gabriel Loire of Chartres, France.

Learn more about Chapel of Christ the Lord and its organ here: https://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/html/EpiscopalCenter.html

Learn more about Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia here:

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/armed-forces-and-federal-ministries/meet-the-bishop/