This Sunday, September 21, 2025

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

8:00 and 9:30am Service of Holy Eucharist

Forum: Safety Meeting

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

Sunday Bulletin

Worship Team Schedule

Upcoming Dates

- TODAY! - September 18

• Wonder Women Social
• ICA Community Town Hall (and other upcoming ICA events!)

- TOMORROW! - September 19 - Ensemble Aventura Concert

- September 21 - Safety Forum

- September 22 - Loaves & Fishes - Sign up in the Undercroft!

- September 24 - Community Night: Prayer, Pizza & BINGO!

- September 26 - St. David's Bridge begins again!

- Good Courage Farm Events - Sept 20, Sept 27, Oct 4, & Oct 10

Events Across the Diocese

• September 25 - Embracing Mixed Ecology - Book-signing and Faithful Innovation discussion with Bishop Loya
• September 29 - Exploration of Christian Nationalism - Next meeting

September Vestry Update

The St. David's Vestry met for its September meeting on Sunday, September 14 through Monday, September 15 at the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville, MN near the St. John’s University campus. It was a beautiful setting for a spiritual retreat by your vestry.



Most of the time focused on spiritual matters with a business meeting at the end of the retreat. Rev. Katherine led us in various opportunities for prayer and reflection. On Sunday evening, we gathered and were given time to spend in stillness and reflect on 1) a time when we felt a mystical one-ness, a sacredness in our everyday lives, or 2) a time when we missed a sacred moment. We gathered back together and some of us shared our stories before joining Compline at 8:00 pm. On Monday morning, some of us attended Morning Prayer at St. John’s Abbey, then gathered after breakfast to practice gospel-based discipleship and view a video on Gratitude by David Steindl-Rast. The group spent most of the rest of the morning in quiet experiencing the beautiful venue and grounds of the Episcopal House of Prayer.

The last hour of the morning was spent covering the business of the church:

• The Treasurer’s Report told us that we continue to be in a healthy financial position. Thanks so much for your generous support of our community.
• There was a long discussion about safety and security in the church:\
• We discussed the situation we encountered with Bob Ivers. Mr. Ivers is currently in custody and there will be a detention hearing for him sometime this week. There is no threat from him while he is in custody. Before his arrest, we were not aware of the extent of his criminal activities. Rev. Katherine is in close communication with the Victim’s Assistance team at the U.S. Attorney’s office and we will be notified of his status after the detention hearing. 
• Our rector and wardens have also been in close communication with Rev. Tim Kingsley, a security expert and Episcopal priest based at St. Mark’s Cathedral, throughout this event. We plan to continue to work with him as we enhance our safety and security measures at the church. Our first action will be to form a Safety Team at St. David’s.
• We reviewed our updated Sunday door-locking protocol.  The narthex door will be open from 7:30 am to shortly after the 9:30 worship service starts. The east and central doors will be locked. A greeter or usher will open the narthex door to latecomers. The Rector and Wardens will review this policy in the coming weeks.
• *Important* - If you have been assigned a fob to open church doors, please do not present your fob twice to the sensor. This will unlock all the church doors and defeat the purpose of locking the doors for safety. 

These topics will be covered on Sunday, September 21 at the forum after the 9:30 Worship Service. After a short overview of the past few weeks’ events, we will open the floor for discussion. This will be an opportunity for parishioners to ask questions and share their feelings regarding safety and security at St. David’s.

We learned that St. George’s in St. Louis Park voted to merge with St. David’s, your Vestry voted to accept their request and are delighted to welcome them!

Respectfully submitted,

---

Cathy Schwichtenberg

Junior Warden

TODAY - Wonder Women Social Hour

St David's Wonder Women gatherings are fun and a "wonder-ful" way to get to know people better on an informal basis. Please join us for snacks, beverages, and conversations. Our next gathering is:

Thursday, September 18th 5:00-6:30 - hosted by Cathy Schwichtenberg 

14610 Woodruff Rd

Wayzata 55391

Appetizers and beverages are welcome but not required - your presence takes precedent. 

If you are willing to host or willing to double up with someone and co-host - let Nan Drake know at drake.nan@gmail.com or 612. 590.9092. October is still available if you are interested in hosting. Thursdays seem to be good days but the host can choose- keep in mind other church events happening so we don't overwhelm our involvement and commitments.

TODAY - ICA Community Town Hall -

5:00-6:30pm

Join ICA at the K-Tel location (11588 K-Tel Drive, Hopkins) for a Community Town Hall. Hear about where ICA is today, the challenges many of your neighbors are facing and the ways ICA is working to meet those needs. Most importantly, we’ll talk about how together we can keep building a stronger, healthier community. 

Please RSVP on ICA Food Shelf’s Facebook page. 

September 27 - Chili Cook-Off

It may seem a bit strange to think about chili when we have been experiencing such a hot week. However, fall with its cooler weather is almost upon us and so is Faith Church’s Chili Cook Off.

Are you a chili lover? Hope you’ll join Faith Church on Saturday, September 27 for their 4th annual Chili Cook Off from 11 am to 2 pm. Come taste homemade chili from our Hopkins & Minnetonka city departments, along with treats & games for the whole family and live music. 

All money raised will go to the ICA Food Shelf. Suggested donations are $5 per person or $15 per family. Faith Church is located at 12007 Excelsior Boulevard, Minnetonka. 

October 21 - The Great Taste

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 21 for The Great Taste 2025. This 12th annual celebration of community, generosity and neighbors will be held once again at the Oak Ridge Country Club. Tickets are on sale online at www.icafoodshelf.org, under Events. 

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

Loaves and Fishes - Monday!

Please join us as we prepare and serve delicious meals for those in need.

Monday, September 22nd

Tuesday, September 30th

Tuesday October 14th

Monday October 27th

The need for meals is growing each week. We invite you to prayerfully consider joining in this vital ministry, serving as the hands and feet of Christ for those in need.

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.

TOMORROW - Ensemble Aventura Concert: “Voices of Protest and Resilience”

Friday, September 19 at 7:00pm

St. David’s Sanctuary

Join global-jazz quintet Ensemble Aventura (including our Minister of Music, Roger Stratton!) for a free concert of music from troubled times and places – songs both feisty and tender, celebrating the eternal struggle for liberation.

This Week's Forum: Church Safety

Safety Forum Planned for Sunday, September 21

On Sunday, September 21, at the forum after the 9:30 a.m. worship service, Rev. Katherine and the Wardens will host a listening session regarding the recent presence of Robert Ivers at our Sunday morning services and the subsequent reporting in the news media about him. This will be your opportunity to ask questions and share any concerns you may have. We will also share plans for enhancing building security and offering trainings to better equip us to respond to emergencies, as outlined in our Safety Plan.

Our Children and Youth Minister, Anna Belz-Brock, will have a separate space available with fun activities for children and youth of all ages during the safety listening session.

Points of Clarification in Recent Developments:

Katherine outlined in her recent email the steps we took to learn about Mr. Ivers' background which caused us to reach out to local police for guidance. While we had some knowledge of his criminal background, we were not aware of his current criminal activities until they were disclosed in the media. Also know that there was never a specific threat made against St. David’s or any of the events scheduled for this fall. Click here to read the full text of the email.

On Thursday September 4th St. David’s held a meeting with clergy, staff, vestry members, ushers and guest Rev. Tim Kingsley (ECMN security consultant) to initiate further conversation about current safety procedures at the Church. In 2023 St. David’s Safety Team developed a plan which covers procedures for a variety of circumstances.

• Click here to read the minutes of Thursday’s meeting
• Click here to read St. David’s safety plan in full 

Gratefully,

The Very Reverend Katherine Lewis

David Niles, Senior Warden

Cathy Schwichtenberg, Junior Warden

Click Here! 2025-26 Children and Youth Registration Form

We have some fun things coming up in October. On the 12th we will have our first gathering of The After Party! As we will be preparing lunch and carpools, we require you to register by clicking here.



Also, save the date for a fun family movie night hosted by the Carda family on Friday, October 10th. More details will be shared soon. 

Weekly Programming:

• This Sunday: Godly Play for ages 3-6 - Story of Creation - Activities and snacks for children and youth during forum time in the Peace Table Room and Nursery

• Wednesday, September 24: Community Night with Prayer, Pizza, and Bingo! See you there!

Sign up for Fall Overnights:

Middle School

• October 4-5 - Pre-YE: Diocesan retreat at St. Christopher's in Roseville. You can learn more and register here.

3-5th Grade

• October 24-25 - Overnight at Trinity

High School

• November 21-23 - TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) Retreat at St. Stephen’s

Important Links:

2025-26 Children and Youth Registration Form

2025-26 C+Y Program Calendar

Opportunity to Join Handbell Choir!

Our Handbell Choir is still looking for one more member! Rehearsals occur weekly on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:00 and we normally play for the service on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Must be able to read music. 

Please reach out to Keith Gause at gauses5@aol.com or his cell 612 800 3314.  

Calling All Bridge Players!

The St. David's Bridge Group will begin its new season on Friday, September 26 at 6:30. We will meet in the Jones Room in the ICA Building. If you are interested in joining the Bridge Group, contact Susan Taylor at ss2taylor@comcast.net. We play casual party bridge once a month, usually on the third Friday. Players sign up month by month, so there is no requirement to find a sub if you miss a month. Snowbirds are welcome for Fall and Spring. 

Women of the Woods Article

We invite you to check-out this beautiful article from the West Central Tribune about the origins of our Women of the Woods group! Featuring Launa Tucker who keeps us organized each year with this amazing opportunity to commune with each other and God in nature.

Click here to read the Article



A House Blessing at the Sandsmark's

You are invited to join us for a house blessing and celebration in gratitude for our new home. All are welcome. Appetizers and Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to: mjsandsmark@gmail.com

Mike (mobile) 952-250-3694 or Jane (mobile) 952-221-4004 

Monday, September 29th, 4:30pm

8531 W 29th St.

St Louis Park, MN 55426.

- Mike and Jane Sandsmark

Good Courage Farm: Upcoming Events

Click this Link to Learn More and RSVP to the events below!

Saturday, September 20 - 9:00-3:00

Creature Stewards: On-Farm Faith Formation

at Good Courage Farm

• Come pair learning from Scripture and learning from Creation as we tend the livestock and the wildlife at Good Courage Farm.

Saturday September 27 - 9:00-3:00

Pie & Prayer 

at Good Courage Farm

• Come to the farm to sing morning prayer in the Silo and to share a slice of farm-made sweetness. Pie + Prayer, a beloved tradition at Good Courage Farm, is a great occasion for first-time visits!

Saturday, October 4 - 10:00-2:00

Harvest Festival

at Good Courage Farm

• Gather in gratitude at the farm on the Feast of St. Francis! Hear stories from the volunteers who've helped grow and share more than 10,000 servings of food with neighbors experiencing hunger. Enjoy farm tours, apple tasting, cider pressing, singing in the Silo, and sharing Holy Communion with bread and wine produced on the farm. Children are very welcome! Free to participate. Click here to RSVP.

Friday, October 10 - 7:00pm

"No Galas!" Fall Fundraiser for Good Courage Farm

at St. John's Episcopal: 4201 Sheridan Ave S, Minneapolis MN

• An evening of apple tasting, story, and song. A suggested $50 donation supports Good Courage Farm's innovative ministry at the intersection of food, farming, and faith.  Tickets available here.

Thank you for Joining us at the Creek!

We invite you to share your photos from this past weekend, or any St. David's event, with us at office@stdavidsparish.org.

An Exploration of Christian Nationalism

St. John's Episcopal Church, Minneapolis

What is Christian nationalism, and how is it different from Christianity? Is it the same as patriotism? How are Christians in the United States supposed to think about other countries?

Christian nationalism is an ideology that contends that America has been and should always be a “Christian nation.” It has become prominent in news coverage and among elected officials in the United States recently. Join us, and the Rev. Dan Stark, at St. John’s in the parish hall for four evenings this fall to explore this challenging but fascinating topic. Ultimately, we will explore what following Jesus’ Way of Love asks of us in relationship to this movement: how we, as Christians, should embody Jesus’ teachings as we engage the public sphere.

September 29 | 7-8:30pm

October 13 | 7-8:30pm

October 27 | 7-8:30pm

Learn more here.

Livestream link here.

Faithful Innovation Event with Bishop Loya

Thursday, September 25 | 7:00pm

Luther Seminary in St. Paul

The Faithful Innovation team at St. David's would like to share the news of this event where Bishop Craig Loya will speak with the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, and Canon Blair Pogue about their new book, Embracing the Mixed Ecology: Inherited and New Forms of Christian Community Flourishing Together. The audience will be invited to join in discussion about how the book's themes intersect with the Episcopal Church of Minnesota's Faithful Innovation priority for the diocese. You may read the full notice below and consider attending!

Embracing the Mixed Ecology - Book Discussion and Signing

On Thursday, September 25 in Incarnation Chapel located in the Olson

Campus Center at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Bishop Craig Loya, the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, and Canon Blair Pogue will speak about and engage the audience in a discussion focused on Dwight and Blair’s new book Embracing the Mixed Ecology: Inherited and New Forms of Christian Community Flourishing Together. Cindy Lennie from the St. Mark’s Cathedral Book Store will be selling copies of the book, and Blair and Dwight will be available after the discussion to sign them.

As they write in their book, “what the church needs today is a mixed ecology of inherited and new forms of Christian community working together for the sake of faithful witness. Imagine a garden with many different plants and trees flourishing alongside one another. They share sunlight, water, soil, shade, and nutrients. Through their interconnections and proximity, they support a richer array of life than any one species alone could offer. The mixed ecology is the church version of this garden, where multiple forms of Christian community coexist and mutually support one another for the sake of loving and witnessing to the diversity of people, generations, and cultures present in a particular environment.” Dwight, Blair, and Bishop Craig will share stories of

what the mixed ecology looks like in practice in Minnesota, and in the UK.

Please join us for this opportunity to explore what Bishop Craig, Dwight, and Blair see as a faithful response to what God's Holy Spirit is up to in our midst.

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.

Upcoming Sunday Forums

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