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The Prairie
February 5, 2026
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Agatha of Sicily
February 5, 2026
Martyr | 251
Almighty and everlasting God, who strengthened your martyr Agatha with constancy and courage: Grant us for the love of you to make no peace with oppression, to fear no adversity, and to have no tolerance for those who would use their power to abuse or exploit; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
First Lesson: Judith 9:1-14
Psalm: Psalm 125
Second Lesson: Romans 8:31-39
Gospel: Mark 9:42-50
*Learn more about Agatha of Sicily here.
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Bishop-Elect Consecration
March 14, 2026
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RSVP: https://forms.gle/xUUK6FAd3b6L4yKA9
*Each individual will need to fill out an RSVP form: Clergy and Lay - Anyone attending the Consecration and/or Consecration Reception.
Consecration Boxes: For our Diocesan churches who are not able to be together with us in Fargo, ND, we will be sending out "Consecration Boxes" to help you host a Consecration Watch Party at your home or church.
NDCIM Members: There will be a time for you to gather and meet with the Presiding Bishop on Friday, March 13 @ 11:00am. More information to come.
Diocesan Clergy: There will be time for you to gather and meet with the Presiding Bishop on Friday, March 13. Lunch will be provided. More information to come.
Donations to Bishop Craig's Discretionary Fund may be made using the "Donate" option on the website or by following this link: https://onrealm.org/EpiscopalDioces35495/-/form/give/now?. Make sure to select "Bishop's Discretionary Fund" from the drop-down menu.
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Lodging: Radisson Blu, Fargo
There is a room block at the Radisson Blu in Fargo, ND. Room rate for Friday, March 13, 2026 is $174 (+taxes). Please feel free to call the Radisson Blu to make your lodging requests. Or you can use this link:
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/HB78R1
Radisson Blu
201 5th Street N, Fargo, ND 58102
701.232.7363
Room Block Name: Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota Consecration
*Please note: Rooming at the Radisson Blu is not required, but for sake of ease this is where the room block is being reserved, along with the reception venue, following the Saturday Consecration. Questions, please call the Diocesan Office.
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Lay Church Staff: Leading from Within
Connect with lay leaders across diverse roles to explore vocation, strengthen leadership capacity, and build lasting relationships across the Church.
Diocesan Canons
Created for Canons to the Ordinary and diocesan leaders in similar roles - featuring facilitated peer conversation, strategic networking, and dedicated time with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.
Rectors & Deans
Begin with time with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, then engage courageous leadership conversations with practical insight on data, diversity, and navigating conflict in complex times.
Senior Associates, Sub-Deans, Vice Rectors, & Vicars: Leading from the Second Sear - or Any Seat
Join the Rev. Dr. Anne Steward (Princeton Theological Seminary) for a compelling exploration of leadership identity, adaptive leadership, and practical tools for influence and impact from every role.
Parish Administrators
One of EPN's strongest cohort experiences - featuring a hands-on working session on personnel manuals and a best-practices round-robin with colleagues from across the Church.
Volunteer Lay Leaders: Vestries, Wardens, & Committee Chairs
Lay leadership is essential to congregational vitality. This pre-conference brings thought leaders from multiple sectors to equip parish leaders with practical tools for faithful, effective governance and ministry leadership.
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St. Stephens, Fargo: 70 Year Anniversary | |
From the St. Stephen's, Fargo Monthly Newsletter:
2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of St. Stephen's founding in 1956. It has been an amazing 70 years. - Fr. Jamie Parsley
| | Lenten UTO Panel Discussion | |
LGBTQ+ Task Force Inviting Survey Input | |
Episcopalians are invited to complete a 15- to 20-minute survey offered by the Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion to help the church better understand how it honors the dignity of all people and where work remains to be done.
The 80th General Convention established the task force in 2022, charging it with conducting an audit of how The Episcopal Church has lived into its public commitments affirming the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. A survey report will be shared with the 82nd General Convention in 2027.
Members across the church—those who are LGBTQ+ and those who are not—are encouraged to share about their experiences with pastoral care, sacramental access, representation in leadership, and institutional accountability.
Learn more and complete the survey by March 15.
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Whose Dignity Matters
Submitted by: Amy Phillips, St. Stephen's, Fargo
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154 Episcopal Bishops recently issued a joint message about the state-sanctioned violence occurring in Minneapolis and elsewhere around the country. The bishops observe that this crisis is about who we are as a nation, and that the question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters? Their response to that question is, “Our faith gives a clear answer: everyone’s.”
We are continually bombarded with photographs of ICE and Border Patrol agents separating children from their parents, dragging adults from their homes and cars, and assaulting and killing people – all with the blessing of our elected president and his appointed officials. What are we to do in the face of this assault on the dignity, worth, and actual lives of so many members of our human family?
In their statement, the bishops call on us to stand by our values and act as our conscience demands, including:
- Urging the immediate suspension of ICE and Border Patrol operations in Minnesota and in any community where enforcement has eroded public trust
- Calling for transparent, independent investigations of the people killed
- Asking the elected officials of our nation to remember the values that we share, including the rule of law.
But we may be called to do more. As Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote on January 25:
“Carrying out the simple commands of Jesus—feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, making peace—now involves risks for the church and grave danger for those we serve. As Christians, we must acknowledge that this chaos and division is not of God, and we must commit ourselves to paying whatever price our witness requires of us.
In an interview published on February 1, Bishop Rowe provided further clarification, stating:
“I think that we may be called to put our bodies on the line and that we should be ready to do that. We all have a responsibility to resist this as Christians and that kind of resistance may cost us our life.”
We may not feel prepared to “put our bodies on the line,” but we can certainly support all those whose bodies are on the line by taking action according to our bishops’ recommendations, supporting immigrants (and others) in our communities who may be frightened and in need of support, and speaking out against ICE violence and abductions.
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“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
Photographs from the Washington Post, Vox, The New York Times, Nieman Reports, Forward, National Catholic Reporter
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Cycle of Prayer
The Anglican and Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for Quarter 1 (January through March) is available on the diocesan website, in both PDF and Word versions, so you can include these prayers in your weekly worship.
If there is an edit needed to the Cycle of Prayer, please email the Diocesan office.
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Calendar
All times are Central Time
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Bishop Brian in North Dakota: February 6-8, 2026
Bishop's Visitation: February 8 - St. George's, Bismarck
Bishop Brian in North Dakota: February 12-17, 2026
Bishop's Visitation: February 15 - St. John the Divine, Moorhead
- February 10: Lectionary Lectio (Zoom); 12pm
- February 13-14: Diocesan Council (Jamestown)
- February 14: Finance Committee Meeting (Jamestown); 11:30am
- February 16: Diocesan Ministry Support Team Meeting (Fargo); 10am
- February 17: Lectionary Lectio (Zoom); 12pm
- February 19: Canoeing the Mountain Leadership Book Study (Zoom); 12:30pm and 6:30pm
- February 19: Bishop's Consecration Hospitality Meeting (Zoom); 7:15pm
- February 24: Lectionary Lectio (Zoom); 12pm
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