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This Sunday, April 5, 2026
Easter Sunday
One Service of Holy Eucharist at 9:30am
Forum Time: Resurrection Egg Hunt & Social Time
We continue to Facebook Livestream the Sunday 9:30 service and upload to YouTube.
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Upcoming Dates
- TODAY - Thursday, April 2 - Maundy Thursday Agape Meal at 6:00pm
- Friday, April 3
- Stations of the Cross at 12:00 Noon
- Prayer Around the Cross at 7:00pm
- Saturday, April 4 - Easter Vigil at Church of the Epiphany, 8:00pm
- Sunday, April 5 - Easter Sunday: One Service at 9:30am
- Resurrection Egg Hunt following the Service
- Sunday, April 12 - Usher Training after the 9:30am service
- Tuesdays, April 14, 21, 28 - Bible Women: Survivors, Resistors, Healers
- Saturday, April 18
- ECMN Spring Mission Area Gathering
- Safe Church, Safe Communities Training - Level 1
- Sunday, April 19 - Placemaking Workshop: Envisioning Future Use of St. David's Property
- Thursday, April 23 - Safe Church, Safe Communities Training - Levels 2-4
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Good Friday Offering
For more than a century, Episcopalians have given generously to the Good Friday Offering, which supports the vital work and ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. Today, the need of the church in the Holy Land is greater than ever, particularly given the recent escalation of war in the Middle East.
This year’s Good Friday Offering will support,
- al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which has continued serving patients during the Israel-Hamas War amid bombardment, devastating shortages of food, water, and medicine, and extended power outages.
- St. George’s Church in Baghdad, Iraq, and its medical center.
- An eye clinic at Christ Church in Yemen.
- All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Damascus, Syria.
- All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Beirut, Lebanon.
The Episcopal Church supports just and sustainable peace in the Holy Land and around the world. While we pray and work for peace, our siblings in the Holy Land will continue to serve God’s people with hospitals, schools, orphanages, and humanitarian aid programs. These ministries serve people of all faiths without distinction, bearing witness to the power of hope and healing across divides.
Together, we can support the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East as it turns despair into hope for God’s people in the land where our faith was born.
There will be a basket in the entryway, or you can donate online at this link.
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Easter Sunday Ensemble
Thank you to all musicians and singers participating in this year's Easter Sunday Ensemble!
Our last rehearsal is Saturday, April 4 from 9:00-11:00am
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Announcements on Easter Sunday
Please note that there will be no verbal announcement time in this Sunday's Easter service. We look forward to enjoying a celebratory liturgy with fellowship time in the Undercroft following the service.
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Sunday, April 5th - Children remain in worship for Easter Sunday!
The Nursery will remain open and staffed for little ones during the 9:30 service. Children are invited to join in the resurrection egg hunt directly following the service!
TONIGHT - Thursday, April 2nd - Maundy Thursday Overnight
6-12th graders at Trinity - Register Here
Sunday, April 12th - The After Party
Whirly Ball and Bowling! RSVP Here
LIFT Youth Group will meet again on Wednesday, April 15th at Trinity.
Save the Date - Spring TEC (Teens Encounter Christ)
High School Retreat - April 17-19th
Register Here
Ecumenical learning opportunity for grade 6 and up (adults too!):
Saturday, April 11 from 10am-noon
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie
How can we make our organizations and lives more inclusive of those who are “Other” and different from “us?” Join national speaker, transgender writer and “human inclusionist” Ellen “Ellie” Krug as she talks about organizational culture and culture change and conducts her highly valued human inclusivity training, Gray Area Thinking®. This workshop will provide an easy-to-understand toolset on how to be more welcoming of perceived “Others” in our society.
Please register HERE.
Ellie's bio HERE.
Sign up:
ECMN Youth Camp 2026 - For current 5-11th graders
Important Links:
2025-26 Children and Youth Registration Form
2025-26 C+Y Program Calendar
| Palm Sunday Faith Action ISAIAH Event - Thank you! | |
This Palm Sunday, over 10,000 Christians gathered in St. Paul, and with powerful events in Duluth, Mankato, Fargo-Moorhead, St. Cloud, and Rochester, a total of 13,000 Christians across Minnesota proclaimed a faith rooted in love, justice, and care for all neighbors. Christians are taking bold, prophetic action in loving witness in our churches and state.
Catch the procession here and the Capitol program here. (Bishop Loya is just past 1:01:00. Follow-on videos show children’s banner, Love Never Fails, and the Call to Action.)
Upcoming Ways to Live Out Our Faith
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Tues, Apr 14, 6:30 - 7:30 PM on Zoom: Public Discipleship Formation Info Session
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Thurs, Apr 30 at Hennepin County Medical Center: 24-Hour Prayer Vigil for our healthcare and HCMC’s future
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Thurs, May 7, 10 AM - 12 PM at MN State Capitol: “Gospel Demands More” Rally & Lobby Day urging lawmakers to show up for Minnesotans
More details will be shared after you sign up for Next Steps.
This picture includes some, but not all, of those who attended representing St. David's.
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Office Closed - Monday, April 6th
A reminder that the office will be closed on Monday, April 6th. Emails and voicemails received on Monday will be returned later in the week.
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Phishing Alert
We have been notified that a scam message has reached a few of our St. David's contacts appearing to have been sent from the Rev. Leonard Freeman. The message asks if you "accessible today." Please do not reply.
Here are some guidelines from US Cybersecurity experts to help you recognize phishing messages.
Stay Safe with Three Simple Tips
1. Recognize - Look for these common signs:
- Incorrect email addresses or links, like amazan.com
- Urgent or emotionally appealing language, especially messages that claim dire consequences for not responding immediately
- Requests to send personal and financial information
- Untrusted or shortened URLs
- A common sign used to be poor grammar or misspellings although in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) some emails will now have perfect grammar and spelling, so look out for the other signs.
2. Resist - If you suspect phishing, resist the temptation to click on links or attachments that seem too good to be true and may be trying to access your personal information. Instead, report the phish to protect yourself and others. Typically, you’ll find options to report near the person’s email address or username. You can also report via the “report spam” button in the toolbar or settings.
3. Delete - Delete the message. Don’t reply or click on any attachment or link, including any “unsubscribe” link. Just delete it.
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St. David's Usher Training: Sun. April 12
10:45-11:15am
We are conducting updated training for ushers on Sunday, April 12, after the 9:30 service. This is for those who already serve as ushers at St. David's as well as those who would like to become ushers. This updated training includes safety procedures and updated guidelines for facilitating communion. Please plan to attend if you will be serving as an usher.
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In light of the current day, what do these women have to teach us?
Current political dynamics may be new to some of us — or not. But what about Bible women, our spiritual ancestors, who lived thousands of years ago? How did their faith and actions play a part in God’s story and how might they give us strength and courage today?
Read their stories and come be part of the conversation!
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April 14: Survivors
Rahab
Deborah and Jael
Abigail
Bathsheba
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April 21: Resisters
Midwives Shiprah and Puah
The Woman of Tekoa
The Samaritan Woman
Pilate’s Wife
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April 28: Healers
Servant Girl of Namaan’s Wife
Mary and Martha
Peter’s Mother-in-Law
Unnamed Anointing Woman
Mary Magdalene
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Safe Church is the standardized program in the Episcopal Church for safeguarding the dignity of every human being. Safe Church policy requires all ministry leaders, paid church staff, keyholders, and anyone who works with children, youth, or vulnerable adults to complete levels of Safe Church training as detailed below,
- Level 1 - Key-holders
- Levels 1-2 - Vestry members and ministry leaders
- Levels 1-3 - Anyone who leads or participates in ministries alongside minors
- Levels 1-4 - Anyone who volunteers with vulnerable adults through pastoral care ministries.
Safe Church training must be renewed every 3 years. The certification process also includes a background check, also to be renewed every 3 years.
In April, we plan to offer the following in-person Safe Church training sessions,
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Saturday, April 18 at 4:00pm - Level 1, Room TBD
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Thursday, April 23 at 6:00pm - Levels 2-4, Room TBD
We invite you to join us and bring a bag-dinner if you so choose!
Safe Church training can also be taken online. To receive instructions on how to take this training virtually, please contact Julia at the office email. Learners opting to take the course virtually should complete their training by April 30th.
*If you are due for a background check, Shea or Julia will send you the form upon completion of your training.
Questions: Please email Carol Johnson at caroltwokat@gmail.com OR Julia at office@stdavidsparish.org with questions.
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ECMN Spring Mission Area Gathering - Sat. April 18
All Episcopalians are invited and encouraged to attend spring mission area gatherings around the state. Mission Areas are clusters of congregations that are geographically close to one another.
We gather in mission areas each spring across the diocese to meet one another, pray together, share stories, and dream together about how the church is transforming. These gatherings will connect us as one church in many places across the diocese, inviting us into deep conversation and sharing.
Central / West Metro | Register Here
Saturday, April 18 | 9-11:30am | St. Mark's Cathedral
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Placemaking Workshop:
Envisioning Future Use of St. David’s Property
Sunday, April 19th: 10:45-12:15pm - In the Undercroft
We are excited to announce that the vestry has approved an expenditure from this year’s Cornerstone Endowment grant to continue work on our Comprehensive Campus Initiative (CCI). The purpose of CCI is to discern how to best leverage our property assets for the future. We have engaged Sara Joy Proppe from the Proximity Project to conduct a listening session and a property walk with a team of St. David’s parishioners on Saturday, April 11, and a forum presentation and listening session with the congregation on Sunday, April 19. Sara will gather the information and present a report in May summarizing her findings and recommendations.
Please note that the April 19 forum will take place from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Your input is very important, so we hope you can participate in the forum that day. We will ensure there is plenty of food and beverages to cover the extra time we will be together.
Please direct any questions to Mike Sandsmark or me. Thank you!
Cathy Schwichtenberg
Senior Warden
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Loaves & Fishes at Hope Presbyterian
We are thrilled to announce we've found a new site where St. David's can once again serve on the 4th Tuesday on each month.
Upcoming Dates:
- Tuesday, April 28
- Tuesday, May 26
Details:
- Prep is 2:45-5:00.pm
- Serving is 4:45-6:00pm
- All meals are served to go from Door #5.
Location: Hope Presbyterian Richfield
7132 Portland Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
*Loaves and Fishes serves approximately 120 meals from this site.
To sign up you can email or text Sue or Basil Owen or use the sign up sheet in the Undercroft.
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St. David's Annual Variety Show - Friday, May 8
Invite your family, friends and neighbors to join us for our annual Variety Show and Silent Auction FUNdraiser! A fun event for all ages with great food, a spring themed silent auction and a variety of acts guaranteed to entertain and delight all!
Date & Time: Friday, May 8th at 5:30pm
Location: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 13000 St. David’s Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Tickets: On sale in at the door: $15.00 each (children under 5 free)
We welcome solo and groups to share their talent with us (limit 4 minutes – maximum 20 acts) Sign Up begins April 5th Sign Up Sheets located in the Undercroft or email office@stdavidsparish.org.
We will gratefully accept a few spring/summer themed items or baskets our Silent Auction.
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Auction Item Ideas: Garden baskets, Gift Cards to Menards, Home Depot or any local nursery or plant store. Books, Beach Baskets, etc – anything that represents fun in the sun.
Questions: Contact Karin Lindquist at 612-251-2259 or Lindquist.karin@hotmail.com or contact the office after April 13th.
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ICA Update
Thank you to all who participated in this year's MN FoodShare March Campaign, donating essential items each week to support ICA. Your contributions make a difference for our neighbors in need.
Our mission: To create a healthy and stable community for all
Our vision: A community where everyone has the resources to thrive
Our belief: ICA’s presence in our communities makes our neighborhoods more stable and secure
| | Supporting our Migrant Family & Neighbors: ECMN Recommendations | | |
PRAY
As people of faith, we ground ourselves in the promises of God. Prayer resources are available here.
DONATE - 3 RECOMMENDATIONS
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ECMN Migrant Support Fund - Provides rapid, flexible financial assistance to meet urgent and emerging needs of immigrant individuals and families across the diocese. Click here to donate.
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Casa Maria - A food shelf and clothing closet ministry of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Richfield, serving immigrant families across the Twin Cities. Casa Maria has expanded food delivery services to ensure families can safely access food and essential supplies. Click here to donate.
- Donate Food Shelf Items at St. Nicholas
- Eggs, Milk, Butter, Chicken, Ground Beef (in tubes) tortillas, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, sugar, flour, masa, shelf stable juice, diapers of any size, baby wipes deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, toothpaste. ALDI or Cub gift cards.
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Drop off Times - Tuesdays 10:00-3:00pm or Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm
ADVOCATE
The ECMN Migration Caucus has compiled a wealth of resources for those seeking to support immigrants in Minnesota. Click here.
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Have an announcement you would like to share in this weekly email?
Send it to office@stdavidsparish.org before 9:00 am on Wednesday to be featured.
| | | April 5 - Easter Sunday | Resurrection Egg Hunt & Social TIme | | April 12 | ICA - Dan Narr & Allison Ferro | | April 19 *extended time 10:45-12:15pm | Placemaking Workshop: Envisioning Use of St. David’s Property | | April 26 | Safety Team Presentation | | | What else is going on at St. David's? | | Want to view the full calendar for the week? Click here to view the 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. | | Pastoral Care Line: 952-767-0891 | | | | |
