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The St. Stephen’s Senior Newsletter JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2015 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church — Edina, Minnesota IN THIS ISSUE: Dates to Remember ............................. p. 8-9 Farewell from Fr. Tom .......................... p. 10 Farewell from Rena .............................. p. 10 In Remembrance .................................. p. 2 Memorial Garden .................................. p. 6-7 New Rector, Fr. Tom Cook ................... p. 4-5 Outreach ............................................... p. 11 Sr. Fellowship Luncheon ...................... p. 3 Who Do I Call? ..................................... p. 2 Dear beloved senior members of St. Stephen’s! This is a season of change, of “hellos” and “goodbyes”. After months of searching, St. Stephen’s welcomes its new rector, Fr. Tom Cook. His first weeks here were filled to the brim, but we caught up with him to ask the questions inquiring minds want to know. In addition Fr. Tom Gehlsen and our deacon, Rena Turnham, bid farewell as they move on to new assignments. Another “hello” is our Welcome Back Picnic on Wednesday, September 9. Hope to see you there. As this issue of the newsletter covers the summer months, we thought it appropriate to feature the St. Francis Memorial Garden where the ashes of many members are laid to rest and where the garden committee has created another beautiful, peaceful setting. The area was recently enhanced with the addition of a beautiful Celtic cross donated by Marjory Dietz, in memory of her parents. In spite of rain, dozens turned out for the dedication. Questions or comments about the newsletter? Connie Brekken, Editor Jane Parry 952-893-0512 Co-Editor You are cordially invited to the Senior Fellowship Luncheon Thursday, September 24, 2015, at noon. Mark your calendar now so you won’t miss this event. Dr. Tod Worner returns to speak about Joseph Stalin. (See page three for details.)
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St. Stephen’s Senior Newsletter JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2015

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church — Edina, Minnesota

IN THIS ISSUE: Dates to Remember ............................. p. 8-9 Farewell from Fr. Tom .......................... p. 10 Farewell from Rena .............................. p. 10 In Remembrance .................................. p. 2 Memorial Garden .................................. p. 6-7 New Rector, Fr. Tom Cook ................... p. 4-5 Outreach ............................................... p. 11 Sr. Fellowship Luncheon ...................... p. 3 Who Do I Call? ..................................... p. 2

Dear beloved senior members of St. Stephen’s!  This  is  a  season  of  change,  of  “hellos”  and  “goodbyes”.    After  months  of  searching,  St.  Stephen’s  welcomes  its  new  rector,  Fr.  Tom  Cook.    His  first  weeks  here  were  filled  to  the  brim,  but  we  caught  up  with  him  to  ask  the  questions  inquiring  minds  want  to  know.    In  addition  Fr.  Tom  Gehlsen  and  our  deacon,  Rena  Turnham,  bid  farewell  as  they  move  on  to  new  assignments.  

Another  “hello”  is  our  Welcome  Back  Picnic  on  Wednesday,  September  9.    Hope  to  see  you  there.  

As  this  issue  of  the  newsletter  covers  the  summer  months,  we  thought  it  appropriate  to  feature  the  St.  Francis  Memorial  Garden  where  the  ashes  of  many  members  are  laid  to  rest  and  where  the  garden  committee  has  created  another  beautiful,  peaceful  setting.    The  area  was  recently  enhanced  with  the  addition  of  a  beautiful  Celtic  cross  donated  by  Marjory  Dietz,  in  memory  of  her  parents.    In  spite  of  rain,  dozens  turned  out  for  the  dedication.      Questions  or  comments  about  the  newsletter?  Connie Brekken, Editor Jane Parry 952-893-0512 Co-Editor

You are cordially invited to the Senior Fellowship Luncheon

Thursday, September 24, 2015, at noon. Mark your calendar now so you won’t miss this event. Dr. Tod Worner returns to speak about Joseph Stalin.

(See page three for details.)

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WHO DO I CALL IF.......

I need pastoral care………………………….………. Fr. Tom Cook……….. 952-920-0595…. Ext. 103 Befrienders ………… 952-920-0595 I wish to plan a funeral or memorial service………. Fr. Tom Cook……..... 952-920-0595…. Ext. 103 I want prayers for a friend or family member……… Fr. Tom Cook …….…..952-920-0595…. Ext. 103 Deen Hubin ………… 952-920-0595…. Ext. 102 I wish to give flowers on the Sunday altar…………. Deen Hubin ………… 952-920-0595…. Ext. 102 I have questions about my pledge…………………. Nancy Wood ……….. 952-920-0595…. Ext. 111 I have a new address, phone number or email…… Deen Hubin ………… 952-920-0595…. Ext. 102 I have a question about Community Dinners……… John Sullivan……….. 952-941-4153

IN REMEMBRANCE OF CURRENT MEMBERS… Elaine Hanson Meisch, age 96, died April 6, 2015. Service June 14 at Cremation Society of Minnesota. Burial service at St. Stephen’s June 11, burial at Resurrection Cemetery.

Helen C. Roberts, Age 90, died April 14, 2015. Private service at Lakewood Cemetery

Frances Flint Boelter, age 98, service April 17, 2015, at Lakewood Cemetery.

David W. Stubbs, age 78, died April 18, 2015. Service Friday, May 8, a St. Stephen’s. Burial at Ft. Snelling.

John Douglas Gould, age 88, died May 13, 2015. Service Thursday, May 28, at St. Stephen’s. Burial in St. Francis Memorial Garden.

Dr. Leena Devaraj, age 78, died July 17, 2015. Service Saturday, July 25, at St. Stephen’s.

AND OF THOSE WE KNEW AND LOVED… Terry Klas, long time St. Stephen’s member, age 81, died April 19, 2015. Service at Trinity Episcopal Church April 27, 2015.

Keith Millett, M.D., Phoenix, AZ, age 93, long time St. Stephen’s member. Died April 21, 2015.

The Rev. Edwin Eilertson, Rector at St. Martin’s By the Lake, age 90, died May 16, 2015. Service on May 22 at St. Mark’s Cathedral.

Janet Benz, St. Croix Falls, WI, age 84, long time St. Stephen’s member. Died May 23, 2015.

Barbara Bissell Morison, age 92, long time member of St. Stephen’s, died June 21, 2015. Service July 5 at Becketwood Chapel.

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SENIOR FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON Thursday, September 24, 2015

12:00 Noon In the Gathering Space

Speaker: Dr. Tod Worner

Back by popular demand, Dr. Tod Worner will speak on the topic:

“JOSEPH STALIN: A TYRANT IN AN AGE OF

TITANS” At three previous Senior Luncheons Dr. Worner has enlightened us on key figures of the twentieth century: Winston Churchill, Adolph Hitler and Harry S. Truman. Dr. Worner is a local internist and amateur historian who is passionate about the interplay of history, theology, philosophy and politics. We are delighted he can join us again to talk about Joseph Stalin.

Make  your  reservation  now!    Cost  is  $12.00    Luncheon  will  be  fried  chicken,  broccoli  salad,  assorted  rolls  and  New  York  Cheesecake!    To  make  a  reservation  send  a  check  to  St.  Stephen’s  Church,  4439  W.  50th  Street,  Edina,  MN  55424  or  drop  it  in  the  collection  plate  on  Sunday.    Please  write  “Senior  Fellowship  Luncheon”  on  the  memo  line.    Last  day  to  make  a  reservation  is  Wednesday,  September  23.  

“The  only  thing  necessary  for  the  triumph  of  evil  is  for  good  men  to  do  nothing.”  

Edmund Burke

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WE  HAVE  A  NEW  RECTOR!  Reverend  Thomas  R.  Cook  

Tell us about your background.

I  grew  up  with  four  brothers  in  Tavares,  Florida,  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Eustis,  when  it  was  all  orange  groves,  canals,  mosquitoes,  snakes  and  alligators.    After  a  time  in  the  local  elementary  school,  I  entered  private  education  with  Christian  Home  and  Bible  School.    Bible  was  a  daily  class  subject,  chapel  a  daily  event.    At  home  we  were  a  mix  of  music  and  sports,  band  and  choir.    I  was  the  sports  and  choir  guy.    I  attended  and  graduated  from  the  University  of  Florida  where  I  majored  in  history.      It  is  also  where  I  met  Britton,  who  was  an  Episcopalian,  while  I  was  raised  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.      What did you do before you became a priest?

I  worked  for  my  alma  mater  in  the  Foundation  and  as  Director  of  Government  Relations,  I  was  a  registered  lobbyist  with  the  State  University  System  representing  the  University  of  Florida  and  then  shaped  the  Government  Relations  program  for  the  University  of  West  Florida.    During  those  nine  years  I  continued  to  have  conversations  with  Episcopal  priests  and  finally  concluded  I  wanted  to  attend  seminary.    My  mother  always  said  I  would  either  be  a  lawyer  or  a  preacher  because  I  liked  to  talk  a  lot!    We understand you were not seeking a new position, so how did you learn about the opening at St. Stephen’s?

A  good  friend  of  mine  and  an  extraordinary  colleague,  who  knows  me  and  my  ministry,  suggested  I  take  a  look  at  ministry  with  St.  Stephen’s  Church.    While  my  friend  isn’t  part  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Minnesota,  he  is  familiar  with  some  of  the  people  in  ECMN.    He  had  seen  the  position  posting,  noted  the  church  size  and  Youth  ministry  component,  so  he  called  me  and  said:  “You  should  take  a  look.”    I  trust  him,  so  I  did.    Once you began interviewing with the search committee, what were the deciding factors that led to your accepting the offer to become our rector?

It  seemed  clear  to  me  that  what  St.  Stephen’s  needed  was  an  enthusiastic  engagement  from  the  clergy  in  the  broadest  aspects  of  church  life,  from  liturgy  to  pastoral  care,  from  parish  management  to  Christian  education.    That’s  what  I  do.    I’m  in  parish  ministry  because  I  like  the  variety  of  demands  and  opportunities  presented  by  active  parish  life.      And  the  search  committee  said  you  all  enjoy  lots  of  good  food  together.    (That’s  a  good  sign.)  

Tom and Britton Cook on their first Sunday, July 5, 2015, at St. Stephen’s.

On  the  Fourth  of  July,  2015  St.  Stephen’s  unofficially  welcomed  Tom  Cook  as  our  new  rector  on  the  lawn  of  the  church  while  the  Edina  Fourth  of  July  parade  went  by.    We  tried  to  convince  him  that  the  big  parade  was  in  his  honor,  but  he  didn’t  bite.    He  was  there  with  his  wife,  Britton,  which  is  pronounced  as  in  “Great  Britain”.    When  you  meet  her,  you  will  agree,  we  have  our  own  “great  Britton”.      

So  who  is  this  man  chosen  to  lead  our  church?  Here  are  his  responses  to  some  of  the  questions  we  posed.  

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(We  Have  a  New  Rector!  continued)  

Where else have you served as a priest:

I  began  as  Assistant  to  the  Rector  with  All  Saints  Church  in  Mobile,  Alabama  where  I  was  well  mentored  and  learned  the  basics,  plus  I  did  lots  of  Youth  Ministry  there.    I  was  also  called  to  rebuild  a  declining  parish  in  Medford,  Massachusetts.    At  Trinity  church  in  Swarthmore,  Pennsylvania,  I  helped  a  church  explore  size  changes  and  restructuring  for  growth  and  more  external  ministries.    Seven  moves  later  it  all  led  to  St.  Stephen’s.    There is a guitar prominently displayed in your office. Tell us about that.

At  my  first  ordained  ministry  in  Mobile,  I  was  told  I  would  have  responsibility  for  youth  ministry.    The  parish  had  a  great  music  program,  but  it  was  very  classical  and  the  youth  wanted  to  do  more  guitar  music  such  as  they  learned  at  summer  camp.    So  when  I  interviewed  with  the  vestry  in  March,  I  said  we  would  do  some  youth  music  with  guitar  in  the  fall.    They  said,  “Oh,  you  play  the  guitar?”    I  said,  “I  will  by  September.”    And  I  did!    It’s  fun  and  great  way  to  interact  with  a  congregation  of  all  ages  and  stages.    Tell us about your family today.

Britton  and  I  have  three  children.    Christian  is  grown  and  works  in  the  restaurant  industry  in  Pittsburgh,  William  is  an  Army  Ranger  stationed  in  Washington  State,  and  Candy,  our  daughter  will  begin  ninth  grade  at  Valley  View  Middle  School  this  fall.  They  are  all  hockey  players.    The  sixth  member  of  the  family  is  George,  our  eleven-­‐year-­‐old  labradoodle.    What do you do in your spare time (when you have spare time)?

I  like  to  walk  and  hike,  especially  in  the  woods.    I  also  like  to  listen  to  music,  mostly  anything  from  the  early  days  of  the  Windham  Hill  label,  Mozart,  Palestrina,  ELO,  and  the  Alan  Parsons  Project.    I  like  to  watch  my  daughter  and  her  friends  play  hockey  and  I  sometimes  get  to  work  on  family  genealogy.    I  also  like  to  read.    I  usually  keep  one  book  more  religious  in  nature  in  the  works  and  one  not  so  overtly  religious  but  maybe  just  as  formative  in  faith.    Recent  examples  include  Teilhard  de  Chardin's  "The  Phenomenon  of  Man"  and  Wendell  Berry's  Port  William  novels  and  short  stories.  Throw  in  Tolkien,  the  Harry  Potter  series,  James  Carroll's  fine  works  on  the  Church.  It's  a  pretty  good  mix.      What are your guilty pleasures?

Mac  computers  and  gadgets  since  1982,  chocolate  malts  homemade  with  Haagen-­‐Dazs  Vanilla  Ice  Cream,  a  good  pint  of  ale,  and  a  good  steak.    I  don’t  consider  chocolate  a  guilty  pleasure  because  my  parents  operated  a  candy  factory  for  a  decade  when  I  was  a  boy.    Chocolate  was  just  plain  good  food.      

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THE ST. FRANCIS MEMORIAL GARDEN The St. Francis Garden is consecrated ground behind St. Stephen’s altar adjacent to Minnehaha Creek, designated for interment of the ashes of loved ones. Individual or family arrangements are available. The names of those interred are on a plaque in the cloister area at the top of the steps. The idea of a memorial garden was floated around for a long time, but after member, Gloria Cushing, died in 1987, her husband Dick and their friends Paul and Martha Rhodes actively promoted the idea that we make a Memorial Garden out of the “mess” that was between the church and office buildings. Camber Construction was hired as general contractor to oversee the construction and Moriarty/Condon Landscape Architects were selected to design the space. Money was raised from gifts, memorials and site purchases. Gloria Cushing was the first person whose ashes were interred in the garden. The design and plantings have changed a little over the years plus structural repairs made as necessary. A tree originally planted grew too large for the space, eventually developed a fungus and was cut down. Some yews and hydrangeas grew too large for the space and were removed. Impatiens were planted for many years by the garden committee until a fungus wiped them out three years ago. Recently the slope was terraced to prevent erosion and pavers were installed for easier maintenance and better footing. Despite minor changes to the area, the Garden remains a gem of St. Stephen’s and we are incredibly fortunate to have this beautiful area.

ABOUT INTERMENT IN THE ST. FRANCIS MEMORIAL GARDEN Because we have differing symbols and needs when dealing with cremation and interment, there are three options available. 1. Ashes may be interred in the scattering area. The ashes are placed in a trench at least three inches

underground and rather quickly mingle with the surrounding soil symbolizing the return of our earthly body to the dust from which we were formed. The cost of this option is $700 for each use.

2. Ashes may be interred in a ground niche fifteen inches square, in essence, a family plot that can accommodate multiple interments. These sites are covered by garden plantings. Here, too, the symbol of return to the earth is observed. This option costs $1,050. The cost of opening, closing and replanting over the site for interment after the first one is $200.

3. For those who prefer preservation of ashes in an urn, there is the option of selecting a vault. This is a

concrete vault large enough to accommodate four urns and covered with a granite top at ground level. The top to the vault is sealed to protect the urns. A vault costs $2,600 with an opening and resealing charge of $200 for each interment after the first.

The only additional cost is for a bronze nameplate for the memorial plaque in the cloister walk. The cost for each nameplate is subject to change, so please check with the church office for current information. For information on arranging interment of ashes, call the church office at 952-920-0595.

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Dedication of Cross in Memorial Garden On  Sunday,  May  24,  2015,  friends  and  family  of  those  interred  in  the  garden  and  of  long  time  members  Marjory  and  Gary  Dietz  gathered  in  the  Memorial  Garden  after  the  ten  a.m.  service  to  dedicate  a  beautiful  Celtic  cross  given  by  Marjory  in  memory  of  her  parents.    We  raised  our  voices  (and  our  umbrellas)  in  celebration  on  this  wonderful  day.  

Marjory’s Remarks: “This  cross  was  created  with  funds  from  the  John  and  Wandalee  Allen  Charitable  Trust  —  the  balance  of  which  remains  with  the  St.  Stephen’s  Fund  to  be  used  toward  programs  in  youth,  music  and  hospitality  ministries.  

John  and  Lee  were  the  parents  of  Marjory  Dietz  (1920-­‐2012,  2009).    While  they  lived  in  Kalamazoo,  Michigan,  and  were  lifelong  Presbyterians,  they  became  part  of  the  St.  Stephen’s  community  on  their  many  visits  to  Edina.    Their  own  faith  grew  as  they  witnessed  and  participated  with  Gary  and  Marjory  in  their  ministries.    Their  son,  David,  and  daughter-­‐in-­‐law,  Rhonda,  were  married  here  in  1985,  grandson  Tyler  baptized  here  in  1986,  and  Gary  and  Marjory  married  here  in  1988.    “Big  John”  worked  with  Gary  setting  up  and  lighting  luminaries  on  numerous  Christmas  eves.    Lee  got  up  early  and  cleaned  up  many  prayer  breakfasts  for  teens  at  the  Dietz  home,  and  both  loved  singing  and  worshiping  in  your  midst.  

It  is  appropriate  to  be  dedicating  this  cross  and  Memorial  Garden  on  Memorial  Day  weekend.    To  REMEMBER  is  the  opposite  of  DISMEMBER.  It  brings  back  into  the  present  the  people,  acts  and  spirit  of  those  for  whom  we  gather.  When  we  do  so,  it  reminds  us  that  they  are  still  very  much  a  part  of  our  community.  

As  in  our  Eucharist,  when  Jesus  says,  “Do  this  in  remembrance  of  me.”,  we  know  that  He  is  with  us  in  the  present,  feeding  us  with  spiritual  food,  a  foretaste  of  the  heavenly  banquet  —  nourishing  us  to  be  in  community  with  each  other.    This  cross  is  a  reminder  that  all  those  we  remember  in  this  garden  and  elsewhere,  are  still  part  of  the  community  of  St.  Stephens  and  the  Living  Christ.  

Lee  Allen  loved  to  garden  and  was  known  to  be  able  to  make  a  stick  bloom.    John  loved  taking  young  people  in  boats  and  canoes  and  would  appreciate  overlooking  this  creek  in  its  many  personae.    Gary  and  I  requested  that  this  remembrance  be  part  of  their  contribution,  to  honor  them.  

I  hope  that  when  you  linger  here  and  remember,  that  it  draws  you  into  community  with  all  your  saints  and  angels,  past  and  present.”  

The Garden Committee For many years members of the Memorial Garden Committee gather each spring with rakes and trowels to clean up the Memorial Garden and plant new flowers on either side of the steps. They also take turns coming every week to pull weeds to keep the garden beautiful to enhance the visual and spiritual aspects of the garden. This year they planted masses of red and pink wax begonias. In the garden pots at the top of the steps Maren Christopher planted Angelonia, Lantana, Calibrachoa, Torenia and Marguerite Daisies. If you usually leave the church by the front door, take a moment next time to visit the Memorial Garden and St. Francis, seen in the picture at right. The gardeners, led by Catherine Niewoehner, include Maren Christopher, Lisa Flint, Andy Otness, Susan Burnett, Cammy Carteng, Darlene and Bob Hayes and Connie Brekken. If you are interested in joining the garden committee, call Catherine at 952-922-3795.

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PLAN AHEAD…..DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday,  August  23  .............  Baptisms  in  Minnehaha  Creek  Wednesday,  Sept.  9  ……..…  Welcome  Back  Picnic  on  the  Lawn  at  5:30  p.m.  Tuesday,  Sept.  8  ................  Book  Club  Sunday,  Sept.  13  ................  Return  to  winter  worship  hours.  Reception  

between  services  at  approximately  10  a.m.  Sunday,  Sept.  13  ................  Ministry  Fair  between  services  approx.  10  a.m.  Thursday,  Sept.  24  ………….  Senior  Fellowship  Luncheon  at  noon  Sunday,  Sept.27  .................  Community  Unity  Sunday  Tuesday,  Sept.  29  ..............  Loaves  &  Fishes  –  St.  Stephen  serves  Saturday,  October  10  ........  Bash  After  Dark  Tuesday,  October  13  .........  Book  Club  Saturday,  October  17  ........  Women  in  Fellowship  at  8:30  a.m.  Sunday,  October  25  ...........  Community  Unity  Sunday    Saturday,  October  31  ........  Daylight  Saving  Time  Ends  (set  clocks  back)  Saturday,  November  7  ......  Community  Dinners  Friday,  December  4  ...........  Senior  Fellowship  Luncheon  Edina  Country  Club  

For  additional  information  a  detailed  calendar  of  St.  Stephen’s  Community  Events  is  available  every  Sunday  in  the  Narthex.

BASH AFTER DARK – Saturday, October 10

This  is  the  primary  fundraising  opportunity  for  our  Outreach  ministries,  so  your  involvement  is  key!    You  can  contribute  by  volunteering  your  time  to  help  organize  the  event,  donating  an  item  for  the  auction  and,  of  course,  attending  the  event.  

This  year,  we  are  offering  $15  tickets  for  seniors,  as  well  as  making  it  easier  for  you  to  attend  by  reserving  parking  spots  close  to  the  church,  plus  we  will  have  friendly  people  to  greet  you  as  you  arrive.  

If  you  have  questions  or  want  to  volunteer,  call  co-­‐chairs,  Jeff  and  Kristi  Helms  at  952-­‐322-­‐2698  or  email  them  at  [email protected].    Look  for  tickets  to  go  on  sale  soon.    It’s  going  to  be  a  lot  of  fun,  with  great  food  and  a  wide  variety  of  auction  items,  so  please  come  join  us!  

Welcome Back Picnic on the Lawn Wednesday, Sept. 9 (Note – the date of this event has been changed from earlier announcements.) Plan to attend this church wide gathering to kick off our programs for the new year. Join us as we gather on the front lawn at 5:30 p.m. (in the Gathering Space if it rains). St. Stephen's will roast a pig for pulled pork sandwiches. Please bring a side dish to share. This is a great time to gather as a community after the summer break and catch up with old and new friends. Tables and chairs are provided, but if you would like to bring a blanket or comfy lawn chair, that is up to you. Hope to see you there!

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Sunday Worship Time Change On  Sunday,  September  13  we  will  return  to  the  winter  worship  schedule:  

 9:00  a.m.  traditional  worship  service  in  the  church  

11:00  a.m.  contemporary  worship  service  in  the  church  

Sunday Coffee Hour If you usually attend the 11:00 a.m. service, plan to come early and join us in the Gathering Space for donuts, coffee and conversation beginning at about 10 a.m after the nine o’clock service.

Women in Fellowship — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 8:30 a.m. Women in Fellowship meets quarterly and is intended to be an intergenerational gathering of women of all ages and interests, sharing for one morning their spiritual journeys, greeting old friends and making new ones, praying together, and generally refreshing both their spirits and bodies (with continental breakfast). Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons Room and the program begins at 9:00 a.m. We are usually through around 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to bring something to share — it always turns out to be a delicious buffet spread.

Our speaker on Saturday, October 17, will be Julie Bolton, who owns that lovely voice that reads the Good Friday Gospel and other lessons. All women are invited to come and share in this morning of fellowship and friendship.

St. Stephen’s Book Club Our  book  club  meets  every  month  on  the  second  Tuesday  at  1:30  PM  in  the  library.    Every  book  lover  is  invited  to  come  and  discuss  the  current  selection.    Members  choose  a  month  and  a  book  and  lead  the  discussion.    Please  join  us!    August  11     “Yes,  Chef”  by  Marcus  Samuelson  September  8     “All  the  Light  We  Cannot  See”  by  Anthony  Doerr  October  13     “Boston  Girl”  by  Anita  Diamant  November  10     “Wicked  Autumn”  by  G.  M.  Malliet  

Community Dinners — SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Mark your calendar for the next Community Dinners. Information about how to sign up as a host or as a guest will be announced in late October. This is always a great opportunity to get to know others in small groups in a member’s home.

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FAREWELL LETTER FROM RENA TURNHAM June 15, 2015

To the Good People of St. Stephen’s and Staff:

I want to thank you for being part of my faith journey and for playing a role in my formation as a newly ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Being with you these last three years — through my internship, ordination, and first diaconal placement — has been a real joy and a gift of experience, learning, and spiritual growth. While I had discerned being with you in what I had senses was to be a time of transition for the congregation, I couldn’t have scripted it any differently than how it has unfolded, with the departure of fellow clergy to new calls. My gifts for ministry are now being beckoned elsewhere, just as new people and new gifts are being called into the life and witness of this congregation.

Under the direction of our bishop, The Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior, I am pleased to begin a new diaconal ministry in downtown Minneapolis. I have been given a one-year appointment as part of a new concept and trial in diaconal ministry. Later this summer, I will begin working with the Very Reverend Paul Lebens-Englund, Dean of St. Mark’s Cathedral, as well as the Rev. Phil Boelter, Vicar of Gethsemane, to co-craft a vision for this new and exciting position.

So it is with gratitude that I say goodbye to you, as you await the coming of a new rector. As I have mentioned before in my sermons, I have been in my own transition with aging parents and children “leaving the nest”, as well as my new role as a deacon. I have often felt my own spiritual ebb and flow and its accompanied wisdom in tandem with the movement of our time of transition as a faith community. This has been a welcomed and unexpected gift, and is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit.

It has been a pleasure serving with the staff and lay leadership at St. Stephen’s. They have all been patient and knowledgeable teachers, experienced sounding boards, and willing mentors for a new deacon such as myself…yet another gift bestowed upon me in our time together! I wish the congregation and staff well on this new leg of the journey and I will keep you in prayer.

In Christ,

The Rev. Rena Turnham, Deacon

GREETINGS FROM FR. TOM GEHLSEN To All the Seniors: I just want to first let you know how much I appreciated walking in ministry with you. When I leave a place, I always ask myself: What did I learn? Well, leaving St. Stephen’s was difficult for me. I learned so much from the parish that will enhance my ministry in the future. From you, the Seniors, I take away a new appreciation for life and the wisdom with experience each of you brought to me! You will always have a special place in my heart, and prayers! Be in God’s speed & Peace upon you always!! Tom PS: You may already have heard that I am the Transition Priest at Christ Church in Woodbury!! I begin August 16th. I am very excited!!

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First Nations’ Kitchen is a ministry of All Saints’ Episcopal Indian Mission in Minneapolis and has been serving healthy, organic, traditional indigenous food in a welcoming, family environment every Sunday since November 2008.

While all are welcome at the table, First Nations’ Kitchen serves primarily indigenous people in the Twin Cities, particularly residents of nearby Little Earth of the United Tribes, the largest indigenous urban housing

community in the United States. Guests at First Nations’ Kitchen are also served as though they were dining at a restaurant. There is no buffet line or paper plates. Guests dine on real plates and are served respectfully by volunteer waiters.

First Nations’ Kitchen models environmentally sustainable practices in all aspects of the program (composting, recycling) and serve fare based on an ancestral diet of First Nations people (buffalo, wild rice, elk, fish, deer, and turkey). Every week, First Nations’ Kitchen also rescues and distributes fresh, organic produce both to dinner guests and to underserved people throughout the Twin Cities.

First Nations’ Kitchen has been an outreach partner of St. Stephen’s since 2012. This amazing organization, which has not missed a Sunday evening meal since November 2, 2008, also provides its diners with fresh produce to take home. Additionally, many guests are provided a small container of leftovers to take home or to a friend who might be home bound.

On June 28, 2015, fifteen volunteers from St. Stephen’s, alongside volunteers from St. Luke’s, helped prepare and serve a meal at First Nations’ Kitchen. Approximately sixty people enjoyed a dinner of buffalo, wild rice, fruit salad and homemade bread. The buffalo served was donated through a grant by St. Stephen’s. This buffalo has been the foundation of several meals served at First Nations’ Kitchen.

First Nations’ Kitchen is in need of future volunteers for Sunday dinner service but also disposable plastic containers to send leftovers home with dinner guests. Used and washed plastic containers that have lids are welcome, like yogurt or cottage cheese containers. The Outreach Committee is planning a fall Day of Service to address this and other needs of First Nations’ Kitchen. Look for details of that in future church announcements.

St. Stephen’s will next serve dinner on Sunday, November 29, 2015, when we will be the only church providing volunteers. Please consider volunteering at this incredible organization. Call Lisa Netzer at 952-830-9907 (or email her at [email protected]) to sign up. First Nations’ Kitchen is located at 3044 Longfellow Avenue in Minneapolis.

INSIDE OUTREACH Each quarter we highlight one Outreach program in depth describing its history, current activities and future hopes and plans.

The subject in this issue is:

First Nations’ Kitchen

Congratulations to the Reverend

Susan Daughtry and her husband, Brian Dowdy, who are the proud new

parents of son, Luca Robin Dowdy.

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 St.  Stephen’s  Episcopal  Church  4439  West  50th  Street  Edina,  MN  55424  

SPRING SENIOR LUNCHEON TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015


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