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This Sunday, April 12, 2026
The Second Sunday of Easter
8:00 and 9:30am Service of Holy Eucharist
Forum Time: ICA Executive Director Dan Narr
with Allison Ferro
We continue to Facebook Livestream the Sunday 9:30 service and upload to YouTube.
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Upcoming Dates
- 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
- Saturday, April 25 - Rogation: Blessing of the Fields at Good Courage Farm
- Tuesday, April 28 - Next Loaves & Fishes Date - Sign up in the Undercroft.
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Easter Flowers
Thank you to everyone who offered donations which supported the beautiful flowers to adorn our sanctuary on Easter Sunday.
- Allan & Mary Poulsen in memory of our parents, Alex and Sally, Arthur and Evelyn, and in thanksgiving for our children and grand-children, Eric, Eva, Mark, and Natalie.
- Becky Sweely in memory of Jim & Peggy Sweely, and Jack Sweely
- Bill & Barbara Hise in thanksgiving for our grandchildren Matthew, Sydney, Nathan, and Will
- Carole Leonard in memory of grandparents Catherine and Harry Holick
- Gretchen Lord in thanksgiving for Peter Overbagh and family
- Helen VonGrossmann in memory of Peter VonGrossmann
- Jack Taylor in memory of Mary MacPhail
- Kathie Brown in memory of her parents Cy & Shirley Brown
- Mary Ellen Gardiner in memory of Katherine & Russell Gardiner
- Maureen Golden in memory of Tom Golden
- Mike and Jane Sandsmark in thanksgiving for our family
- Roger Sonnesyn
- Virginia Haggart in memory of Ned Sorley, Bill & Marge Haggart, Harold Sorley, Mary Gale Smith, Stan Gordon, Tessa Bridal, and Marcia Graybow
- The Revs. Leonard & Lindsay Freeman in memory of Amelia Amaret Vidito
- Roxy Zaun in celebration of my new St. David’s family
- Tim Kramer in memory of my father, Don Kramer
- The Very Rev. Katherine Lewis in thanksgiving for the people of St. David's
And Easter Dedications:
- Alex Furber in celebration of Easter.
- Diane McGowan & Mitch Pearlstein in memory of St. George's and in Celebration for St. David's.
- Dean Sather & Sara Leigh in memory of Grace, Jack and Tom and in Thanksgiving for Thomas, Duncan and Jonathan.
- Schulte family in memory of loved ones.
- Jim & Anne Monteith in memory of our parents John & Helen Molnar, Darrel & MaryAnn Monteith and in Thanksgiving for our family.
- Diane & Shawn Curley in memory of Harrison & Dorothy Cary and John & Leonor Curley.
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Sunday, April 12th - The Peace Table
During the 9:30am service, children ages 7-11 process out during the song of praise for a lesson and activity and return to the Sanctuary for communion distribution.
Sunday, April 12th - The After Party
Whirly Ball and Bowling! RSVP Here
LIFT Youth Group will meet again on Wednesday, April 15th at Trinity.
All 6-12th graders are invited! 6:30-8:30pm with dinner.
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
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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 | 9:00-11:30am | 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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Rogation - Blessing of Fields at Good Courage Farm
Saturday April 25
Good Courage Farm - In Hutchinson, Minnesota at 21161 York Road.
10:00 am-12:00 noon, with refreshments and learning opportunities
Come join friends new and old for Rogation at Good Courage Farm, and participate in the ancient tradition of blessing the fields.
"Rogation" comes from the Latin, rogare, which means to ask. For more than a thousand years, this day in the church year has been set aside to ask God for good weather, satisfying work, and a bountiful harvest.
We'll "beat the bounds", processing around the farm to pray for God's blessing on orchards, vineyards, animals, and people, singing the Psalms, and offering incense. Bring friends and family to enjoy a morning on the farm, visiting the animals and learning about the crops. Bring seeds from home and we'll bless them for your own garden. Kids welcome, and transportation available on-farm for those with mobility needs.
Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather, as we'll be outdoors most of the time!
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Safety Team Presentation at the Forum - Sunday, April 26
Responding to Cardiac Medical Emergencies
On Sunday, April 26th , St David’s forum will be led by Sara Ahlquist, Minnetonka Deputy Fire Marshal. Sara will be teaching us the new way to respond to someone in cardiac arrest. Sara states, “Knowing how to perform CPR the right way is one of the tools we should all have in our toolkit.” Hands-only CPR, notifying 911, and operating AEDs will be discussed and demonstrated as she teaches us all about it. We will also have actual hands-on opportunities to practice both hands-only CPR and AED operation with a mannequin.
Note, this is not an American Heart Association certification course. It is an educational class geared towards the lay person/bystander and their CPR /AED response. We encourage the whole parish to attend, especially the safety team, ushers, staff, and nursery crew. These skills will serve all well in our many life’s venues.
Be well, everyone, and we hope to see you there.
St. David’s Safety Team
763-232-9412 (Diane) for any questions
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Loaves & Fishes at Hope Presbyterian
Join us as we prepare and serve meals to those in need. We invite you to prayerfully consider joining in this vital ministry, serving as the hands and feet of Christ.
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, thank you, thank you!
Many thanks to the caring people of St. David’s for their generous donations to ICA this past month! You donated 281 pounds of food/non-food items during the MN FoodShare March Campaign!!
All of your donations are particularly meaningful as the effects of the recent Metro Surge continue to be felt by our neighbors in so many ways. Food insecurity is real - right here in our community. Thank you so much for caring❣️
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
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ISAIAH Update
Upcoming ISAIAH/Faith in Minnesota Activities
Statewide Public Discipleship Info Session – April 14
There are moments in history when faith cannot stay quiet. Moments when following Jesus means more than personal belief and requires public witness. Many are feeling it now. A sense of urgency. A sense that the world is shifting. A question rising in the spirit: What does it mean to be the Church in a time like this? At this session, you’ll…
· Learn about a statewide discipleship journey
· Explore how to live out your faith publicly
· Hear how churches across traditions are stepping into action
· Discover how you can become a trainer for your church
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 – 7:30 PM on Zoom. Recorded for those who register.
Register here for Statewide Public Discipleship Info Session.
Tax Day of Action – April 9 and 15
No matter what we look like, where we come from, or how much money we make, all our families should be able to afford the basics like childcare, healthcare, and food. But in the wake of the Big Billionaires' Bill that Congress passed in 2025, Hennepin County Medical Center is at risk of closure, clinics have closed across greater MN, and counties are raising property taxes all over the state to fill the gaps. Our childcare industry is collapsing without the public investment it needs and deserves. This isn't inevitable--it's a choice. It's time we demand that our representatives fund our care, not warfare.
We have a Tax Day of Action coming up on Tax Day, Wednesday, April 15, 1PM to 4:30PM. To get ready, join a virtual Tax Day of Action Briefing on Thursday, April 9 from 6:30-8pm on Zoom to learn what it will take in our own leadership to organize a major moment at the Tax Day of Action at the Capitol and all across Minnesota on April 15.
RSVP for Briefing
RSVP for Tax Day of Action
Hennepin County Medical Center Prayer Vigil – April 30
Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) — Minnesota’s largest safety net hospital — is on the brink of financial collapse. Treating 115,000+ patients annually, including 95,000 in the emergency department, HCMC provides care that no other hospital can, serving as our state’s main trauma center. Our ability to get the care we need shouldn’t depend on income or insurance. Join us on April 30 for a 24-Hour Prayer Vigil outside HCMC, where we call on our elected officials to save this critical resource for every Minnesotan.
Learn more:
Thursday, April 30, 2026 10:00 AM - Friday, May 1, 2026 10:00 AM CT
Hennepin County Medical Center, 730 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Sign up for a time slot here.
Race Class Gender Narrative Training - May 8
Our work advancing a narrative that cultivates multiracial solidarity, wins support for our issues, and advances a vision of government that can truly work for everyone across race, place, and faith is more important than ever. Join Faith in Minnesota, our sibling organization, for an upcoming virtual Race Class Gender Narrative training and learn how to craft winning messages on the issues closest to your heart.
Fri. May 8 from 11:15 AM - 1 PM Virtual. Register here
For more information about ISAIAH and Faith in Minnesota, or to receive their newsletter, contact Susan Taylor at ss2taylor@comcast.net.
| | 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 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 | | | | |
