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The Prairie
March 7, 2024
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Welcome to our email Newsletter!
A few highlights from this issue:
- Deputies of Color Pre-General Convention Meeting Recap
- "Proclaim the Good News" Preaching Workshop
- NDEF Grant Spring Deadline
- Province VI Synod Gathering - Save the Date
Read on for other announcements and the calendar!
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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! | |
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Email Scams
Please note that email scams are common and could appear to come from anyone, but in fact aren't legitimate. Please note the email addresses that such scams are coming from, mark them as spam/junk and/or delete.
There have been several recent attempts to impersonate Bishop Brian by hackers. These attempts most often ask the recipient to do, or purchase, something for Bp. Brian. Please ignore and delete such emails and know that he would never communicate in that way.
All legitimate emails from the diocese will come from:
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Deputies of Color
The Deputies of Color In Person Pre-General Convention Meeting was held March 1-3 in Louisville, Kentucky, a city with its own history of racial division, redlining, and police violence against people of color and where the police murder of Breonna Taylor ignited both local and national protests in March of 2020.
The Rev. Kim Fox and Robert Fox attended as part of the Indigenous Ministries Caucus. The other caucuses are African Descent Ministries, AsiaAmerica Ministries, and Latino Ministries. Each caucus met individually and collectively to strategize how best to collaborate and advocate for issues affecting people of color at General Convention in June. The Native caucus began with A Prayer to Remember the Innocents.
The House of Deputies is composed of deputations elected from each diocese of The Episcopal Church; from Navajoland; from the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe; and from Liberia (which has seat and voice).
Highlights from the gathering included appearances by Julia Ayala Harris, (Latina and first person of color) President of the House of Deputies and by Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, (Native) Vice President of the House of Deputies, who was celebrant at the opening Eucharist at the Cathedral in downtown Louisville. The Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg presented on the power of story in addressing historical trauma and in her sermon at the closing Eucharist called for transformation of the Church from Empire to equality.
The Church Pension Group shared statistics on the growing, yet still underrepresented, number of people of color in ordained ministry.
Sadly, the event was marred by fatal gunshots outside the hotel on Saturday morning, a reminder of the ongoing scourge of gun violence. See Bishops United Against Gun Violence for resources.
https://bishopsagainstgunviolence.org/about-us/
You can follow General Convention news at:
https://generalconvention.org/gc81/
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Julia Ayala Harris, President, House of Deputies | |  |
Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg, Staff Officer for Racial Reconciliation | | |
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Just a reminder to send in updates after your congregation's annual meeting. The Diocesan Office keeps track of contact information for Wardens, Treasurers, and Delegates for Diocesan Convention. Questions, please contact Jess in the Diocesan Office ([email protected]).
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Bishop Brian at St. George's, Bismarck on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024. | |
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Members of St. Paul's, White Shield congregation gathered for food, fellowship, and an organizational meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22nd at the Cultural Center to discuss future services, church renovation, and United Thank Offering grant projects for environmental reparations.
The evening ended with a prayer in the Arikara language by one of the elders, Mr. Wayne Flute. The Rev. Duane Fox is serving as mentor to Rev. Kim Fox, the new priest in charge. If you're interested in assisting with any of the building or grant projects, please contact Robert Fox, Project Manager, at 701.498.8685 or [email protected]
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All Saints, Minot welcomes all neighbors! | |
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The Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota
School for Ministry
Announces
“Proclaim the Good News”
A workshop for all who may be called to preach.
with
The Very Rev. Mark Strobel
Dean of Gethsemane Cathedral, Fargo
Saturday, April 13, 2024
10:00am – 3:00pm
Grace Church, Jamestown
The School for Ministry is shifting its focus to providing training for local ministry. This workshop is for lay people and deacons who are preaching or considering a call as preachers in their community.
Dean Strobel has written about preaching and for preachers for the past 25 years.
There is no charge for this workshop.
To register send an email to
Jess at the Diocesan office
or to Steve Godfrey
Please let them know if you have any food restrictions
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Practicing Faith:
Following Jesus
Dates: April 26-28, 2024
Location: Red Willow Ministries
Registration Deadline: March 22
Event Hosted by: The Eastern North Dakota Synod (Lutheran)
About
Who is Jesus? What does it mean to follow Jesus? How do the Jesus stories connect with my own story? Led by Deacon Erin Power and pastors/musicians Tangled Blue, together we will hold space for curiosity and questions as we explore Jesus and faith together in community. This retreat is for lay folks and clergy. It is for folks who want time away with Jesus and community, or folks who are curious to explore faith, or just want space to ask questions and learn.
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Vital Church:
Community & Welcome
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024,10am - 4pm
Trinity Lutheran, Jamestown & on ZOOM
Registration Deadline: April 26
Event Hosted by: The Eastern North Dakota Synod (Lutheran)
"All are Welcome!" is our bold proclamation and invitation, but are there ways to more fully embody this welcome for the sake of community and belonging? How might we increase who is able to experience our invitation? Together we will explore how we might create more accessible and community-centered spaces and gatherings. Individual registrations are welcomed, though attending as a congregation team will create more opportunities for wondering in community!
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NDEF Grants
The North Dakota Episcopal Foundation Spring Grant Cycle is now open to receive new grant applications.
Grants may be provided for projects including but not exclusive to, evangelism, theological education, youth, campus ministry, and mission outside the Diocese.
Grant Deadline is April 8, 2024. Completed grant applications with church vestry approval can be mailed to: John Baird.
For more information go to: https://www.ndepiscopal.org/ndef/ where you will find the guidelines and application form.
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Episcopal Service Corps
seeks applicants for
2024-25 service year
The Episcopal Service Corps invites young leaders ages 21 to 32 interested in a transformative outreach and discernment experience to apply online for the 2024-25 program year through the end of May.
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Good Friday Offering:
Special Online Concert to
Support Middle East Ministries
As The Episcopal Church’s Good Friday Offering prepares to mark 102 years, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites the whole church to an afternoon of sacred music and collective giving to support siblings in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
Recorded at Christ and St. Luke’s Church, Norfolk, in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, the concert will air online at 3 p.m. ET March 29 on The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page and website. Viewers will have the opportunity to make donations during the event to go toward the offering, also frequently gathered by churches during Good Friday services.
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Clergy Cohorts for Money and Meaning forming Now! Register today.
If you have ever struggled to write a stewardship letter because you worry that you are being too pushy…
If you have felt alone in shaping your theology of money and articulating it publicly…
If you have avoided sharing your stories of giving because you are terrified to speak about money from the pulpit…
If you have been emotionally bullied by members who threaten to cut their pledge…
If you are avoiding financial conversations with your partner because you are ashamed of your salary…
If you nurse resentment because the vestry budget process was so fraught…
This just might be the thing for you.
You are invited to join a small pilot group of clergy leaders in two conversations that will offer space to destigmatize money-related struggles while creating supportive connection with others. Join in shared explorations that develop trust and solidarity, help to manage personal money anxiety, and free your heart and mind to lead stewardship efforts with a confidence that will inspire generosity. The idea for the conversations came from TENS board members who have experienced the power of sharing fears, frustrations, and stories with one another, which freed us to better understand how money fuels mission.
Groups will be arranged intentionally to enable trust among colleague participants, and two sessions are planned for each group. Each session will be 90 minutes in length and occur on one of the following dates as determined by facilitators.
Session 1- April 9, 10 or 11
Session 2- May 7, 8, or 9
Facilitators include two clergy on the Board of TENS, and 4-6 participants. First come, first served! Find your session and sign up today!
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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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March 27-April 1: Bishop Thom in North Dakota
March 30: Easter Vigil - Gethsemane Cathedral, Fargo
March 31: Easter Sunday - St. Peter's, Walhalla
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March 22: Easter Sheaf Deadline!
- March 28: Diocesan Ministry Support Team Meeting
- March 31: Happy Easter!!
- March 31: Bishop's Visitation - St. Peter's, Walhalla
- April 1: Diocesan Office Closed
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