Beloved in Christ:

One of the things I love the most about Minnesota is a good solid Minnesota summer. It’s hard for me to tear myself away during the months that contain warmth, leisure, gardening, outdoor activities that I can actually do (not so good on the snow shoes, my friends)! Finally, though, I realized that I need to get away for a few days to reset and regenerate and visit family. So I will be on vacation from August 27 – September 4.  Two wonderful priests will be with you on the two Sundays I’m visiting with my mother and others: The Rev. Colin Maltbie, chaplain of Shattuck- St. Mary’s, will be at both services on August 27. Colin used to come to Calvary pretty often before the pandemic and he is looking forward  to being back here. The Rev. Kathy Monson Lutes will be here for the 10:30 service on September 3 – the 8:30 that day is Morning Prayer. Kathy was a priest in Minnesota for years, then went to Wisconsin, and is now retired and returned to Minneapolis. I know you will welcome both of these priests with loving hospitality. 

September will be here when I return. Please mark your calendars for some important dates at Calvary in September.  September 10 is Holy Cross Sunday – our feast day. The Motet Choir returns in full glory with brand-new Director of Music and Organist Austin Ferguson on the organ bench. Austin has been here all summer but this will be his official “debut.” I know you will love him as much as I do. September 10 is also our Parish Picnic and our second Annual Pie Baking Contest – see the announcements later in the Visitor about these two fun events. 

Mark your calendar for Monday, September 18, when we will be joining with Episcopalians all over Minnesota to embark on a study of the Gospel according to Luke. Bishop Loya has invited all members of the ECMN to take part in a community study of Luke, each faith community doing so in their own way. Our study will be entirely on Zoom so that everyone can attend, beginning on Monday, September 18, at 7:00 pm, and going up until the week before Thanksgiving. Calvary’s study will be led by a combination of lay leaders and clergy, and I think you would love being a part of this. You need a Bible and next week watch for more information on a suggested study guide. 

Finally, our first Adult Forum of the year will be on Sunday, September 24, at 9:15 am. Nathan Spillers, Phil Einspahr and myself will give a report on the Mayo expansion, how it might affect Calvary, and what we know and what we have done so far. 

Have a wonderful end of August – see you in September!

With love,

Beth+