Special Notice: No Church Today
Just to let you know, Ss. Martha & Mary will not have Sunday church services for the next three Sundays. (March 15, 22, & 29). We are doing our part to help combat the spread of Corona Virus/Covid-19, a rapidly spreading and new respiratory illness characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Just because we are not gathering in person, does not mean we are not having church. It is important for us to continue to minister to you.
Members, please check your email for details and access to our online service of Morning Prayer at 9:30 AM. If you cannot join us, the Washington National Cathedral is again offering an online service at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time), with DC Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde and Dean Randy Hollerith. Simply go to https://cathedral.org to watch it. We also want to hear your prayers concerns and special requests at 651-681-0219 or fill out our online prayer request. God's peace be with you.
Minnesota's Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Brian Prior has stated: “The actions we take now will affect the reality that we will see 2-4 weeks from now. We cannot stop the spread of this illness, but actions that we take today can slow its spread and perhaps curtail its severity.” It’s imperative we take measures now that will ensure that the arc of this virus stays in the blue profile shown above, rather than escape into the red arc, especially since there is no vaccine at this time.
Consider calling seniors and others you know to check up on them. Ask if they need anything. Perhaps a bag of groceries left at their front door. The Open Door Pantry could use cash donations for the food shelf. Newly opened restaurants had to lay off much of their staff but are open for take out, like our friends at Eagan Arms Public House. Order to go.
This health emergency will pass if we wash our hands frequently, stay home when we’re sick, and continue to pray both for those who come down with the virus and those medical personnel racing to respond to the growing need. You can check the Episcopal Church in Minnesota website for more information on the church response. Here’s a helpful link to the MN Department of Health (that will lead you to other resources) of things we can all do to make a difference.
We close with a prayer offered by one of our clergy colleagues in San Francisco:
Lover and Creator of the Universe, in this time of uncertain peril and perilous fear, renew the world in steadfast love, instruct and guide human hearts in the ways of justice and mercy, bring clarity to our vision and hope to our souls. Heal every ailing body, and soothe every anxious soul, for your love’s sake. Amen.
We are blessed. Let us be a blessing to others.
What We Stand For
The four pillars of Episcopal belief are Scripture, Reason, Tradition & Experience. We believe we are called to love everyone, with no exceptions. Our's is an ancient faith, but a modern one too.
Scripture
Each week we have readings from the Bible and we listen for the inspired Word of God. Sermons (homilies) are based on the weekly scripture readings, but because the Good Book was written by humans we draw on knowledge and reason to interpret the Bible’s meaning—and not literal interpretation of every word.
Reason
Episcopalians are free to apply their God-given minds to reason, interpret and comprehend God’s works and wisdom. We study, seek meanings, and welcome questions. It is normal to have doubts. (The disciples did, too.) We are asked to make a faithful journey in communion with other seekers and searchers. Our understandings are therefore tested in/by the community of faith. Science is welcome here too. Jesus died to take away your sins, not your mind.
Tradition
We have inherited many valuable traditions from the time of the Apostles. We seek a universal Church for everyone, everywhere. We are called to love everyone. Asking what God calls us to do in the here and now is balanced by the collective wisdom of the church, the essential truths, developed over the centuries of practice in creeds, liturgies and traditions. Yet, because ours is a living, growing faith, we must welcome new truths discerned through prayer and informed by reason and practice. This is how change happens.
Experience
We experience the faith by putting it into practice. We are called not just to prayer, worship, liturgy and meditation, but to study, act, and stand for justice. We know more of God, by acting in God’s name to do his work in the world. Give us a try. We'll see you Sunday at 9:30.
