This Sunday, February 16, 2025
8:00 and 9:30 service of Holy Eucharist
The Nursery will be open during the 9:30 service and forum time.
Forum: Safe Church Training
see information below
We continue to Facebook Livestream the Sunday 9:30 service and upload to YouTube.
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Black History Month
Absalom Jones is an Episcopal saint and the first African American to be ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. We celebrate his feast day today, February 13.
"Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
--Collect for Absalom Jones
Absalom Jones Feast Day Celebration (ECMN)
Saturday, February 15 | 2pm | Holy Trinity, St. Paul
Co-presented by Holy Trinity & St. John's
Holy Trinity and St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Churches invite you to join in a celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones at Holy Trinity, 1636 Van Buren Ave, St. Paul.
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/@HolyTrinityStPaul-i2j
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PLEASE SIGN UP FOR NEW TEXT REMINDER GROUP!
Our old app, Remind, made an update that requires administrators to be part of a school district. Please click this link to join the new GroupMe. We will have two separate sections for children and youth.
For youth grades 6-12 and their grown-ups:
https://groupme.com/join_group/106036984/FIjFXuCC
For parents and caregivers for children 5th grade and under:
https://groupme.com/join_group/106037134/huSmQy6R
This Sunday: The Peace Table for children ages 7-11 during the 9:30 service.
Wednesday, February 19th: EYMF Youth Group at Excelsior United Methodist
6:30-8:30pm - We will meet for dinner and do interactive prayer stations!
881 3rd Ave, Excelsior, MN 55331
SAVE THE DATE:
Youth Led Sunday – March 2nd!
One more prep meeting for youth who want to be involved:
Wednesday, February 26th -
6:30-7:30 - music practice
Any other prep needed – 7:30-8:30pm
Friday March 14-Saturday March 15 | Youth Lock-in | St. Mark’s Cathedral
Sign-Up Here
Youth Grades 6-12 are invited to a Lock-in hosted by St. Mark’s Cathedral. Sally Hockinson and Jon Van Slyke will be there too! Drop-off can be anytime between 5:00-6:00 pm. We will eat food, play games, and hang out! Youth are encouraged to spend the night and leave on Saturday anytime before 11:00 am. Let Sally know if you would like to join us, but need to leave early instead of sleeping at the cathedral.
ECMN programming registration is live for DYE, Youth Camp, and Family Camp.
Full C+Y Program Calendar Here
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Join us for Safe Church Training!
Safe Church Training: Level 1
This Sunday, February 16th during our forum time, our children and youth minister, Anna Belz-Brock, will be facilitating Level 1 Safe Church training. The training will start at 10:45am and go until 12:15pm. For those who stay for the entirety of the training, there will be a pizza lunch.
Safe Church is the standardized policy 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.
Level 1 training is the baseline requirement for all of the above, and highly recommended for all members of the parish. Safe Church training needs to be renewed every 3 years.
Please come join us! Youth are encouraged to attend as well, especially youth leaders.
If you have any questions about Safe Church, or think you may need further training, please feel free to reach out to Anna abrock@stdavidsparish.org and she get you signed up for the online modules.
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The Art of Neighboring
Forum on Sunday, February 23rd
Did you know that Americans are spending more time alone today than in any period in modern history? Some are saying it’s an “epidemic of loneliness”. It’s also being called “The Anti-Social Century”[i]. Either way, across all demographic groups our time socializing face-to-face is down 20% from 2003 to 2023... and for youth it’s down 40%![ii]
What does this mean? How is it changing us? What does scripture offer as a source of wisdom to guide us? As Bishop Loya implores us… what is one “small thing” that I can do?
Just in time for Lent! Our goal is for everyone to write down ONE Lenten practice that will change the way you interact with your “neighbors”. We will gather again after Lent to share our stories of how this one small Lenten practice made an impact on ourselves or others.
Please join us for this highly interactive and intergenerational forum on Sunday, February 23rd (please bring your teenagers!)
[i] Thompson, D. (2025, January 8). The anti-social century. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/ [theatlantic.com] (Note: access to the article is only through the embedded podcast for those not subscribing to The Atlantic)
[ii] Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2003-2023 American Time Use Survey
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Sunday Forum: Preview of Coming Attractions
February 23: Art of Neighboring (Rev. Katherine & Scott Clark, on behalf of the Organic Formers)
March 2: Youth Ministry Forum (led by our own St. David's youth!)
March 9: Celtic Christianity (Cliff Crockford)
March 16: Ireland Pilgrimage insights (Rev. Katherine & Deacon Cindy Hillger. St. Martin's by the Lake)
March 23: Celtic Music (Roger Stratton)
March 30: Social time
April 6: Episcopal Church history (Kris Ferrario, on behalf of the Organic Formers)
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“Being Disciples”, by Rowan Williams… a short but powerful read
In 2024 St. David’s offered a “congregational” read of the book, “The Truth at the Heart of the Lie,” by James Carroll, which was read and discussed by over twenty parishioners. This year’s book, “Being Disciples—Essentials of the Christian Life,” by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is intended to be a community-forming read inviting contemplation, sharing of stories, and transformation through active listening.
Our second discussion will be tonight (February 13th) and will continue for the following two Thursday nights from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Kris Ferrario and Scott Clark will co-host the sessions and will develop questions for discussion. If you are planning to join this group, or have further questions, please contact Scott Clark.
Discussion Questions: tinyurl.com/being-disciples
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83472633027?pwd=3fDP9WbAPyZE3cezQ7mkeoo32FsITi.1
(Code: 022025)
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A Letter from Kris Ferrario
Dear St. David’s Family,
I am excited to share an update on my ordination journey with you all. On Saturday, January 26th, Bishop Loya informed me that I have been accepted as a Postulant for the Priesthood within the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN). This is a significant step, and I am deeply grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and support along the way.
As I continue on this path, I know that I will be returning to my sponsoring parish, Messiah in Saint Paul, and completing several important steps before ordination, including an internship, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) chaplaincy, and a diaconal year.
My family and I will remain at St. David’s until Sunday, April 6th, and while this transition is bittersweet, please know that we are not saying goodbye. We look forward to staying connected, visiting when we can, and keeping you updated on my journey.
Thank you for the love and community you have shared with us. We are so blessed to have been part of this parish, and we carry your kindness and support with us as we take these next steps.
With gratitude,
Kris Ferrario
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Hats and Mittens Update
The bitter cold persists as does the need to provide free hats and mittens to children and young adults in need in the metro area. At St. David’s, we will continue to accept your donations of hats, mittens and scarves (store bought, handmade and/or gently used) through the end of February. You can drop them off in the Hats and Mittens boxes, located at the two south entrances. Please know that every item donated makes a difference. Thank you.
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Now Hiring: Minister of Parish Life
St. David’s parish is seeking a person to join our team as office administrator in a position entitled Minister of Parish Life.
See the position description here,
Applicants are asked send an email with their name, contact information, resume, and brief note about what makes them a good candidate to: staffing@stdavidsparish.org.
Please spread the word through your connections and networks!
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Come for a traditional Irish meal of corned beef, cabbage, colcannon and all the fixings!
Friday March 14th - 5:30PM
Suggested donation of $15.00 per person (kids 10 & under are free)
Bingo for the Whole Family with winning rules that everyone will love!
This is a fundraiser to support St. David’s Church, so bring your friends & family!
Bingo: $5.00/game (Game is over after 10 winners are called)
Fabulous Prizes - guaranteed to make you happy!
Best costume prizes awarded (18 year plus & under 18 categories)
Food is generously donated, prepared and hosted by
Sara Leigh & Dean Sather
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Calling all Women of the Woods
We have reserved “our” cabin at Clearwater Lodge on the Gunflint Trail from August 9th to 16th, this coming summer. If you would like to join us, send a $50 deposit to Ann Carda via check or Venmo. Space is limited, so reservations will be taken in the order they are received.
Ann Carda
806 Jersey Ave S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426-2145
Venmo: @Ann-Carda
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Grow (literally) in faith at Good Courage Farm this year!
Join with other Creation-loving folks for four seasons of on-farm learning and practice through the Farm Stewards ministry at Good Courage Farm in Hutchinson. This immersive, agrarian faith formation experience invites you (and church friends new and old!) to commit one Saturday a month (March through October) to a prayerful, joyful, reciprocal relationship with the farm's fruit trees, grapevines, or animals. Reconnect your spiritual life with the land and its gifts. Share the real fruits of your labor with those who hunger. Deepen your literacy in reading both Creation and Scripture for revelations of God's generous love. Click here to learn more about growing with Good Courage Farm in 2025 - spiritually and literally.
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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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Loaves and Fishes
Pease join us as we prepare and serve delicious meals for those in need
February 24th
March 11th
March 24th
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.
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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.
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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 | | | | |