Bishop's Blog

Over the last three weeks I have been blessed to witness phenomenal work with young people in a number of our faith communities in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.

Recently I participated in gatherings around visioning and long range planning for both Shattuck-St Mary’s and Breck . Already in many respects on the leading edge of education, both of our schools continue to amaze me with their deep commitment to nurturing the mind, body and soul of young people.

Two weekends ago I was fortunate to be a part of Youth Blast at St Mark’s Cathedral. This fun filled Sunday afternoon brought together a number of young people who also had the chance to hear our story as a people of faith in Minnesota. It was very apparent that our young people were both engaged and interested in their history as Episcopalians in Minnesota.

Last week I attended the annual lunch for grantees of Sheltering Arms. Story after story was told of the incredible work being done for young people in challenging situations across the state. Lives of children and youth are changed in real ways in our communities and our faith communities ever day because of the good work of Sheltering Arms.

Over the weekend I spent a part of Saturday at Breck for the Poly Special Olympics. Wall to wall young people – some participating some volunteering – all using their gifts for ministry. From there it was off to St Stephen’s, Edina and a room full of middle school students representing most of the faith communities in the metro at Winterfest where their energy was truly infectious.

Saturday evening after a very inspiring worship service with the east metro faith communities I was fortunate to hang out with and listen to live music performed by some of our young people. Both the conversations and the music was great. Many of those same young people spent the earlier part of their day collecting and putting together items for ECS as a part of Mission Project 2012.

What a blessing our young people are. These recent travels have once again convinced me that both the present and the future of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota is very bright!

Her head was down and she was engaged in battle with one of her greatest nemesis – weeds – when out of the blue she asked, “Why do Episcopalians talk so much about sin?” I literally laughed out loud when she asked this question. When I gained composure, I  responded, “now that’s an interesting question from the wife of a Southern Baptist preacher!”

Lucia Smith

What pursued was a lengthy theological discussion filled with stories about her childhood, meeting the love of her life at the Baptist university she attended, and how deeply she was committed to both her faith and her faith community.

What was absent in the conversation was any judgement, disrespect, or air of superiority.  In fact, the more we talked the more I personally felt connected with her and had an ever increasing admiration for her.

When she posed the question about sin it was done so sincerely. We had attended an Episcopal service earlier in the day and she was truly curious about our understanding of sin and why, from her perspective, it had a place of prominence in the liturgy.

Through the years she and I had numerous other discussions, all filled with her love of story telling with a dramatic flare, lots of humor and always a reflection of her love of the Lord.

I was the first to marry one of her grandchildren. Like those who had gone before me who had married her children I was not only  immediately accepted, but was undeniably a full member of the family. A family that she humbly, yet clearly loved over as the matriarch of four children, 13 grandchildren, 13 grandchildren’s spouses and 26 great-grandchildren (and counting).

A family which all gathered in the Baptist Church where she so freely shared her gifts for ministry for 63 years this Monday to give thanks for 98 years of a full faithful life.  Family – some biological, some by marriage, some by faith community –  all the family of God celebrating the blessing of sharing the journey with such a wonderful woman.

Episcopal Story Project is an opportunity for us to hear and share our stories – from small towns and small churches in Greater Minnesota to faith communities in the heart of the metro.

People are engaged in all sorts of great things, doing all sorts of mission. Episcopal Story Project will open us all to new understandings about how God is alive and well and how we are engaging God’s mission right here in Minnesota.

New videos will be posted regularly and will soon be available as a podcast in iTunes. Watch for the expanded website by the end of February and for the first quarterly online magazine in the next few months.

Episcopal Story Project will grow and change over the course of the year as it develops and expands. Your feedback and stories are critical to the success of this project.  Please send any feedback or story ideas to Wendy Johnson, Missioner for Communications, at news@episcopalmn.org.