The Episcopal Diocese of

North Dakota



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Welcome to our email Newsletter!

A few highlights from this issue:

• The Sheaf deadline - March 27, 2023
• Passion Sunday Gospel Reading
• Episcopal Youth Event 2023
• Good Friday Offering
• Cycle of Prayer - Quarter 2 uploaded to website

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!

The Sheaf Deadline

The Sheaf deadline is quickly approaching: March 27, 2023. Our theme for this edition is Resurrection. If you have stories of resurrection, either in your own life or in the life of your church/community, please send them to me as soon as you are able: [email protected]. Thanks!

Passion Gospel Reading

The Rev. John Floberg has worked out a way to do the Passion Gospel on Palm Sunday. If any of our congregations would like to see the interactive reading/parts, please email the office and Jess will send you out a copy. Thanks.

Published Works

Fr. Jamie Parsley's Latest Poetry Book Is Accepted for Publication

Fr. Jamie Parsley, Rector at St. Stephen's Fargo, was recently notified by Kelsay Press that his latest book of poetry, Salt, was accepted for publication. This is Fr. Parsley's 15th book of poetry and it chronicles the grief he experienced after the death of his mother in 2018.

Rev. Kim Becker, ND Northwest Regional Coordinator, is the April author in Forward Day by Day

Forward Day by Day is a devotional booklet of daily reflections published by the Episcopal Church. You may see hard copies of It in your church, and it can also be found online. Forward contacted Rev. Becker and asked her to submit daily devotions for April. To read the daily devotions online, go to https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/fdd/2023-03-22. 

2023 Episcopal Youth Event

July 4-8, 2023

University of Maryland in College Park

Perhaps you have been thinking about going to EYE this year but didn’t want to be the only one going from the Diocese of North Dakota, or just put off applying! Well, we now have two young people ready to go and we are looking for more. The deadline for applications was March 17, 2023, but we have been granted a brief extension, to March 31, 2023. But you must act quickly! Are you interested? Send me an email right away at [email protected]

Parents, clergy, lay leaders, and other adults reading this, please encourage the high school young people in your congregation!

EYE is the Episcopal Youth Event that happens every three years, bringing together high school youth from every region of The Episcopal Church. I have been to seven of these events over the years and they are wonderful opportunities for young people of faith to connect with other young people of faith and experience an event unlike any other. It is an incredibly powerful, fun, spiritual, and life changing event.

In the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota, we have funds to support youth and adults who want to be part of this great event. Here is a link to more information about the 2023 EYE.

Please, don’t delay. If you are an adult willing to be a chaperon for our delegation and if you are a high school youth interested in being part of EYE 2023, please let me know right away by sending me an email.

I hope we can send a great delegation to this event. Trust me, it is an event you will not soon forget.

All the best,

The Right Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop Provisional

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Over the weekend, 17 Episcopal Relief & Development supporters (including The Rev Steve Godfrey) were invited to gather in Amman, Jordan to start a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is our first pilgrimage since the pandemic began three years ago. It is exciting to be with friends and supporters again, exploring the biblical sites associated with Jesus’ life and ministry and visiting Episcopal Relief & Development’s partner, the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calls for

Good Friday Offering to support ministry in

Jerusalem & Middle East

As The Episcopal Church’s Good Friday Offering enters its second century, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites bishops, congregations, and supporters—in his annual Lent letter—into “that selfless way of living” demonstrated by Jesus of Nazareth on the cross.

First gathered in 1922, the initial Good Friday Offering was an intentional response of The Episcopal Church to support Anglican ministries in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East that were impacted by the devastation of World War I, the Spanish flu pandemic, and social and political unrest affecting Armenian Christians, among others throughout that region.

A lifeline of hope in times of genuine need in years past, the Good Friday Offering continues to support churches, medical programs, and schools today.

Youth and Young Adults

Ministry Developer

(part-time)

The Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota seeks an innovative, inclusive, resourceful person of faith to teach, guide, and support clergy and lay leaders in creating ministry that develops middle-school and high-school youth and young adult spirituality and community within congregations and in wider communities, including college campuses, throughout North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. Gifts and skills needed include strong communication skills; social media; blogging; podcasts; emerging media; high motivation; and a “try-on” personality. Must be able to work with and nurture different age groups in various cultural contexts, including Native American and New American, and to offer adult and youth leaders support, encouragement, and resources. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required. This position is for an initial term through December 31, 2025, with longer-term potential. Location of residence is flexible; frequent travel throughout the diocese is expected. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

New Season of Ministry Survey

Greetings from the members of the New Season of Ministry Task Force! After recommendations from the Diocesan Discernment Task Force, our diocese has made some changes in the last few years including increasing cohesive communication, rebuilding relationships, addressing racial healing and reconciliation, youth and young adult ministries, diocesan leadership and administration, and looking to new models of congregational leadership and ministry. As we are now discerning options for our long-term future, the New Season of Ministry Task Force (NSMTF) wants to hear from you about how things are currently going in the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota. Please share your thoughts on the following questions. Members of the Task Force will be visiting congregations in the Diocese to follow up on this survey. To find the survey, please click here.

If you have any questions please email the Task Force co-chairs, John Baird and Carmine Goodhouse.

School for Ministry

Lay and ordained ministry leaders and potential leaders (we are all leaders!) of all experience levels are encouraged to participate in the School for Ministry, a diocesan learning community for shared leadership. All are welcome to join these Zoom sessions. Contact Jessica Thielke for the Zoom link. 

Each session is intended to last about an hour, perhaps a bit longer for questions and conversation. It is not expected that everyone will attend every session. Feel free to pick and choose, though you may want to commit to all of the sessions of any one of the topics. For more information, contact the Rev. Harvey Henderson or the Rev. Steve Godfrey.

Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Central Time:

April 11: Ministry (The Rev. Steve Godfrey)

Thursdays, 7:00 pm Central Time:

April 20: Scripture (The Rev. Harvey Henderson)

The next gathering will be April 28-30, 2023, at Maryvale, near Valley City. Courses will be offered in sacramental theology, Hebrew Bible, Anglican/Episcopal history, and pastoral ministry. There will also be conversation about discernment for those exploring ministry possibilities. All are welcome to attend! Mark your calendar and watch for a registration form soon!