This Sunday, August 25, 2024

One Service of Holy Eucharist and Baptism

9:30 at Minnehaha Creek

Join us as we "gather at the river" for this festive tradition.

Bring a chair and bring a friend!

See below for information about parking.

 Forum: Social Time with Ice Cream Truck!



We continue to Facebook Livestream the Sunday 9:30 service and upload to YouTube.

Sunday Bulletin

Worship Team Schedule

Creekside Baptism Service

August 25 at 9:30am

One of the highlights of the year at St. David's is our annual baptism celebration by the side of Minnehaha Creek. Plan on joining the community for this joyful day!

Here are some details:

--bring a chair or blanket to sit on, if you are able (we will have some chairs available).

--wear water shoes if you wish to wade in the water! We'll also have creek water in a basin for those who wish to dip their fingers in after we renew our baptismal vows.

--the water in Minnehaha Creek is high this year - please be careful and keep your little ones close.

--in case of rain, worship will be indoors at church. Be on the lookout for an early Sunday morning email or check updates on our website, www.stdavidsparish.org.

--bring a friend!

Directions and Parking 

--We'll be just east of Plymouth Road on Minnetonka Blvd and just west of the Dairy Queen, by the park gazebo. 

--You may park in the main St. David's Center lot off of Plymouth Road or park at the church and walk down. For those needing to park closer, there are a limited number of spots on Bridge St. east of the park gazebo.

Ice Cream: the Cherry on Top!

Stick around after the annual Creekside Baptism Service on Sunday August 25^th for some refreshing and fun ice cream treats. Jilly Beans Ice Cream Truck, a business from the neighborhood, returns to serve up 1 free ice cream treat for all. What a way to top off a most wonderful sacred day at the creek. See you then!

Schedules in August are tricky! Here are some new dates :)

Tomorrow - Friday, August 23rd the St. David's family movie night is postponed. Instead, you are invited to a bonfire and s'mores from 7:00-8:00pm at the church! Bring a chair and a roasting stick if you can! ALL ages are welcome.

No Youth Leadership Team meeting this Sunday.

If you are interested, join us for an introductory Zoom meeting at 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 28th.

CLICK HERE  to read more about the vision for this new team and CLICK HERE for the Zoom link.

Building out this team of youth and adults is essential for the long-term health and sustainability of St. David's children and youth ministry for years to come! Please prayerfully consider it.

We're back!

Children's Time starting Sunday, September 8th during the 9:30 service.

LIFT Youth Group on Wednesday, September 4th @ St. David's 6:30-8:30pm.

Anna Belz-Brock

Children and Youth Minister

abrock@stdavidsparish.org

Please help us update our directory!



We will be producing an updated version of the directory for fall kick-off. Please take a minute to review your information online and let us know if we need to make any changes. There will be copies of the directory in the narthex at church and downstairs in the undercroft for the next couple of weeks (and we'll even have copies for review at the creek side baptism service!) You can write in your updates on the paper copies or email them to Shea Brendalen at sbrendalen@stdavidsparish.org.

Photos, Anyone?

It is that time of year again, when we begin prepping for the start of the church year and the roll out of our newly updated 2024/2025 Ministry Guide. That being said, we are in search of photos of the past year that you may have on your camera, or more likely your phone! Please send your favorites along to me, Diane Curley, at dcurley@stdavidsparish.org . When we receive them, we will automatically take that as a yes that you approve of the photo being published in the guide.

Thanks in advance for your offerings, and smile!

WITH GRATITUDE

ALL PARISH PICNIC and KICK OFF SUNDAY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8^TH

Kick off Sunday at a Glance

• Children’s time is back! Children ages 3-grade 5 are invited to process out during the Song of Praise for a short lesson, before they return for communion. 
• Blessing of the Backpacks - bring your backpack, work bag, planner, computer, favorite pen, or just yourself, for a blessing as we begin our fall endeavors along with the students among us. We will have special backpack tags to take with you!
• Potluck picnic, bouncy house, Gratitude raffle drawing - see more info below.

And, grab important programming materials…

• Ministry Guides and Directories
• Children and youth calendars & registration forms
• Confirmation materials
• Nursery staff applications
• Youth Leadership Team info

Picnic Info and Sign-Up

The Bouncy House has been ordered, the grills are getting cleaned, the bubble station is ready to roll, and our time to gather for an old-fashioned church potluck picnic has “finally” arrived.

All are welcome to participate in this fun, delicious get-together on Sunday, September 8^th immediately after church. Remember, there is only one service at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the picnic. This is also the day 13 lucky winners will find out if their ticket is a cash winner from our summer-long Gratitude Raffle fundraiser!

As always, we appreciate a head count of attendees, and a mention of what you would like to bring to share (side dish, salad, or dessert). Burgers, hotdogs, buns, condiments, beverages, and compostable paper products will be provided. Please sign up from the Sign-Up Genius link below or opt to sign up by pen to paper on the clipboards at church (narthex/undercroft). If you are unable to bring a dish to share, or forget to sign up, no worries…. Please just come as you are as there is always plenty of food!

Sign up here.

Here’s to seeing all on Sunday, September 8^th under seasonal, sunny skies…. fingers crossed! 

Brought to you by your 2024 Vestry. Questions, contact Diane Curley, Sr. Warden at dcurley@stdavidsparish.org

Save the Date - October 4^th  

St David's Polka Party

Potluck & Fundraiser

Fun for all friends and family

We need your donations for our Auction!

Auction Ideas:  

Tickets to Sporting Events, Theater, Boat Rides,

Cabin Weeks, Special dinners, Kid's Parties 

Gift Cards to Restaurants, Bowling, Golf, etc 

Yard or Home Ornaments, Paintings, Decor

Themed Baskets like: Pumpkin Carving, Halloween, Gardening,

Christmas, Winter Break/Spa and so many more!

Got questions, ideas or offerings? Contact: 

Karin Lindquist lindquist.karin@hotmail.com

David Pearson: Davidpearson827@gmail.com

Pilgrimage to Wales

May 4-13, 2025

Now Accepting Applications

We are excited that plans are coming together for our St. David's pilgrimage to Wales! Space for up to 17 people to attend from St. David's and friends of the congregation are welcome to apply. A full brochure, pricing document, and application form can be found here in the 3 attachments . 

Note that this is not intended as a tourist trip, but rather a spiritual immersion into Celtic Christianity through movement, poetry, and prayer.

Pilgrimage Brochure

Information sheet

Registration form

Please send applications with your deposit payable to "Hiraeth Discoveries", to St. David's, Attn: Diane Curley, 13000 St. Davids Road, Minnetonka MN 55305 or drop them off in the office, Attn: Diane Curley.  

Applications will be reviewed beginning in late July/early August and will be taken in the order they are received

For more information, please contact Diane Curley, dcurley@stdavidsparish.org, the Rev. Katherine Lewis, klewis@stdavidsparish.org, or pilgrimage leader, the Very Rev. Tony Pompa, tfsalpompa@gmail.com.

Wonder Women Summer Social Time

Wow, with summer drawing to an end, let's celebrate some of the last days with a Social

Time! Please join us for great conversation and an opportunity to get to know one another even better in a very casual environment.

Here are the details for our next event: 

Date: September 5th

Time: 5:00 - 6:30 

Hosted by: Ann Carda

Address: 1806 Jersey Avenue South

St Louis Park  55426

Phone: 952.322 0224

All are welcome. If it works in your schedule to bring an appetizer or special beverage -

super - or since there is always plenty... bring yourself - much more important! Hope to see you on the 5th!

Adult Faith Formation

Many thanks to all who participated in the listening session last Sunday regarding Adult Faith Formation. Click here to see ideas that were generated at the session.

If these ideas inspire you for other possibilities please contact Scott Clark at scottakafourcrows@gmail.com. The adult faith formation committee is always open to one and all. If interested, contact Scott.

Vote Faithfully

“It is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.”

– Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Participating in our country’s political life isn’t just about casting our own vote – it requires working together so we can all vote and vote faithfully. There are many ways to get involved – from participating ourselves to supporting others in our congregations and communities. We can all play a role in getting “souls to the polls!”

           From the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations

“Cast your vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on your biases,

but vote your values. Vote the values of human dignity and equality.

Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote.”

 -Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

St. David’s will be offering support in our community to vote in this upcoming and all-important election. As you know churches must comply with 501© (3) regulations from the Internal Revenue Service. Churches, as nonprofit organizations, must follow certain guidelines when participating in elections. Churches may not campaign, openly or otherwise, for or against candidates for public office. IRS guidelines permit houses of worship to involve their members in the political process through education, voter registration, and candidate participation in town halls. Look for more information and support coming from St. David’s.

Here are some resources on what we can and cannot do during election season. The IRS has resources that you can use as a guide for your election engagement activities, including here.

St. David’s “Back to School” Supply Drive

Over the years we have partnered with ResourceWest (a division of ICA) collecting school supplies for our local community. A big thanks goes out to Anne Monteith for her many faithful years of leading this outreach ministry.  Our recent appeal to find new leadership to coordinate this school supply collection did not reveal any takers. Not wanting to abandon this outreach opportunity, the Holy Spirit must have been flowing through the email system that same day, as we received word from ResourceWest about a new program they have launched to obtain needed school supplies. Think going on line, shopping from a wish list, and then your gift gets sent directly to ResourceWest. Easy-peasy, and they get what they want and need. Click on the following link, and participate in this new streamlined giving opportunity. A student out there will be happy you did!

ResourceWest School Supply Drive

Countdown to Kickoff! Fewer than 20 tickets left!

Kicking it off with Gratitude

You may have received our letter and raffle ticket in the mail - please redeem that ticket or buy more!

Tickets cost $100.00 and will be sold every Sunday during this summer.  

13 cash prizes will be drawn, and proceeds benefit St. David's outreach, programming, ministries.

Drawing will be held on Sunday September 8^th during the church picnic!  

Tickets are not tax-deductible, and you don't have to be present to win.

Got questions? Contact the office or see a ticket agent selling Sundays this summer!

Remember: You can't win if you don't buy a ticket!

Invitation to Participate in Community of Hope Training

Community of Hope equips lay people to serve in pastoral care, creating communities, steeped in Benedictine Spirituality, to serve others through compassionate listening.   

What:  a fourteen module course of study covering skills for listening to others, prayer, meditation and silence. The course equips one with tools needed to make pastoral visits with people dealing with illness, loss and loneliness and includes ways to respectfully set boundaries while allowing for the space to listen and support. 

Dates for 2024 include 12 zoom sessions and 2 in-person retreats

September 21  9am-3pm retreat at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (in person)

Saturdays beginning September 28 through November 16 by zoom.

Saturday, November 23 in person closing retreat at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral 9am-3pm

Who:  Training will occur with other faith members in our diocese.  Each session will be led by a professional faculty member. 

FAQ: 

Is it required that I attend all the sessions including the in-person retreats? All are required to attend the in-person retreats. Participants may miss up to two of the Zoom sessions, although attending every session is ideal. 

Is there a cost to participate? $45 fee  

What is the location of the retreat?  The opening and closing retreats will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. The other sessions will be held on Zoom. 

How do I sign up? Please reach out to Karin Lindquist or Carol Johnson (contact information below) who will provide you with an application for participation. 

I still have questions and would like to speak with someone who has taken the training. Who do I contact?  Karin Lindquist Lindquist.karin@hotmail.com , Carol Johnson caroltwokat@gmail.com  

A Bounty of Vegetables & Fruits?

Do you have a home garden or participate in a community garden? After such a rainy summer, many are finding a bounty of vegetables and fruits in their gardens. ICA is committed to providing a wide variety of healthy, nutritious food to our neighbors. Please consider sharing some of your harvest and supporting local families. 

ICA will accept any size donation, whether it’s a handful of cherry tomatoes or a bushel of apples. All sorts of vegetables, herbs and fruits are welcome. Your donation will be an amazing gift. 

Fresh produce can be dropped off at ICA’s K-Tel location (11588 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka). Thank you for considering another way to provide healthy food to our neighbors in need.

Next ICA Sunday - September 1

The next ICA Sunday at St. David’s will be on September 1st. Just giving you an early heads up about some of ICA’s current needs, if you want to start gathering a few items to bring on the first. Or perhaps you might want to bring your items over early, if you will be out of town over the holiday weekend. 

Current needs include:

Food                                      Non-food

* pancake mix/syrup         * bar soap

* shelf-stable milk            * shampoo

* peanut butter                 * toothpaste

* jelly/jam                         * cat litter

* applesauce 

* coffee/tea

* bottled water

* Boost/protein drinks 

And, as always, anything you want to donate is always welcome. Items can be dropped off in the ICA baskets in the church entrances.

Please note: Until further notice, ICA does not need any more egg cartons. Your used brown paper bags are still needed.  

Education for Ministry This Fall

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year small-group formation program based on study and practice in theological reflection. There are currently two EfM groups in ECMN, one in-person local one and one online: 

• In-person group: An in-person EfM group will meet Thursdays from 10:00AM – 12:00PM at Grace, beginning in September 2024. Interested participants should contact Kathy Monson Lutes or Danielle McCoy.  
• Online group: An online EfM group meets Mondays from 6:30-8:30PM on Google Meet, following an academic year schedule (Sept. – May). The group includes members from several ECMN parishes as well as some non-Minnesotans. 

Please note that in order to register for either group for the fall, the group mentor(s) will need your name to add to their group in the EfM registration system this summer, which will prompt the system to invite you to register.  

Interested but want to know more before deciding whether or not to participate? We’re happy to facilitate a conversation with a current participant or mentor – please email efm.ecmn@gmail.com with that request. 

Want to participate but neither of these options works for you? Let us know at efm.ecmn@gmail.com – there are also online groups based elsewhere, and another in-person group could be formed if there’s sufficient interest.

Loaves and Fishes

Four Volunteers are needed for each date. Two for cooking with the Loaves and Fishes coordinator from 3:00-5:00 pm, and two to package and serve from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. 

Upcoming dates:

• September 10
• September 23
• October 8
• October 28
• October 29

Please contact Sue or Basil Owen to sign up or sign up in the Undercroft. Sue’s cell is 612-716-1945. Basil’s cell is 612-716-0683 or email at bowen3@fastmail.com.

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.

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