The Episcopal Diocese of

North Dakota



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Welcome to our email Newsletter!

A few highlights from this issue:

• WoDakota Annual Appeal 2024
• 2024 Diocesan Convention
• St. Gabriel's Camp

Read on for other announcements and the calendar!

Did you miss a copy of the Prairie? The past four editions of the bi-monthly Prairie are now online! Click the button below to be taken to the webpage!

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON 

AND A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN

With bittersweet appreciation, I report to you that The Rev. Steve Godfrey will be leaving North Dakota this summer to accept a position on the bishop's staff in the Diocese of Northern Michigan. Fr. Godfrey's last day with us will be July 31st.

Recruited by Bishop Provisional Tom Ely in 2021 for a three-year commitment, Fr. Steve joined you in a transitional time to liturgically serve congregations across the Diocese, to promote congregational development, and to support the Diocese as it moved into new seasons of ministry. He has served these goals with energy, wisdom, and thousands of miles.  

As he finishes his calendared visits, he hopes to have fruitful conversations with those congregations about the lessons of transition and their significance for the future mission of the Diocese of North Dakota. This work will be his last best gift to us before he moves on to another expression of his devotion to Christ and our Church. 

With gratitude for his faithful service to our Diocese, I join you in prayer for all that the Holy Spirit has in mind for Fr. Steve, the Diocese of Northern Michigan, and for us,

+Brian

The Rt. Rev. Brian Thom, Bishop Provisional

WoDakota Annual Appeal

Upon a successful completion of our WoDakota Annual Appeal in 2023, we will once again be launching an Appeal, this year on Pentecost. Watch your email and mailboxes for upcoming information for our WoDakota Annual Appeal!

2024 Diocesan Convention

When: October 25-26, 2024

Where: Jamestown, ND

Theme: Journeying Together: Embracing Change, Preserving Identity

WHO ARE YOU? Congregational Identity

Information gathered for The New Season of Ministry Report (adopted at last October’s diocesan convention) revealed that we deeply value our identity as the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota. Congregations, too, value their identities as Episcopal congregations within their communities. That identity may most often be associated with its name but can be demonstrated in many other ways.

For this year’s diocesan convention (October 25-26 in Jamestown), the convention planning group invites each congregation to explore more broadly what identifies it as a congregation and to bring something that represents that identity to the convention for display. We encourage congregations to be creative – think beyond banners and building photos - and explore unique ways that identify you: a special hanging, an artistic portrayal, or a unique or stylized picture.

We hope this invitation will prompt local discussions in various settings (coffee after worship, fellowship gatherings, vestry meetings, etc.) about congregational identity and what symbolizes or represents your congregation’s identity.

Mother's Day Flowers - St. Michael's and All Angels, Cartwright

St. Gabriel's Camp

Over the past few months the campus of St. Gabriel’s has become a four season facility. Star Lodge, built in replacement of Red Hail Lodge, has been upgraded with two full bathrooms with showers and the kitchen is ready to prepare and serve meals for camp participants. A North Dakota Episcopal Foundation Grant has also made it possible to replace the mattresses in the five cabins throughout the camp. Fairfield Lodge has also been upgraded to a full bathroom with two showers. It also has a studio sized kitchen appliance. This lodge will be available for rent to hunters that come on Standing Rock in the fall.

This summer there are three camps scheduled:

June 11 – 13

July 9 – 11

July 30 – August 1

These camps are open to rising 6^th grade through Senior High students throughout the Diocese of North Dakota. Registration forms are available by contacting jffloberg@gmail.com or on the Diocesan Website. Adults 18 and over are welcome to apply to volunteer as Camp Staff and can come in up to 2 days early to help prepare for the Camp Session. These adults will need to provide certification of Safe Church Training.

What do we do at St. Gabriel’s? What does the typical day look like?

On the first morning we are gathering in the teens for the Camp Session and starting at Lunch Time at the Camp. On the other two mornings we are getting up to have the coffee shop being open then off to chapel, breakfast, group activity and a thing that we call Club. That will include a talk that is given on the theme of that Camp Session. Then lunch.

After lunch there may be some organized activity, but much of the afternoon is given over to free time with lots to choose from: Water activities with tubing, kayaking, etc, swimming pool, arts and crafts, playing pool, shooting hoops, playing some form of volleyball or off on a hike. Then supper.

After supper we will gather again for Club which will include some group activities and another talk based on the theme of that Camp. There will be some less organized free time, campfire (weather permitting) and chapel. Sometimes there is a movie that is projected onto a big screen. No one goes to bed hungry. Peanut butter sandwiches are available near the end of the day so everyone can go to bed satisfied.

We cover the cost of the Camp Sessions through the Diocesan Budget, Donations and YoungLife funds. The Canteen is open during Camp for the purchase of an assortment of drinks and candy. 

St. Gabriel’s Camp is prepared to host 60 teen campers and the staff. Beside the theme selected for the Camp, there is time and place for relationships to be grown with God, between teens and also among the adults. The Christian faith is fundamentally based in relationships. Relationships formed at St. Gabriel’s can be life-giving and healing. 

Photo: St. George's, Bismarck, and Standing Committee member Dr. Jason Thoms, Founder and Artistic Director of Dakota Pro Musica at First Lutheran Church, Minot on Saturday, May 11th, 5pm for "My Favorite Things: A Concert Celebrating Mothers and Things They Love."

The program included music of Bach, music of Mainland Europe, music of England, and closed with music of the United States, ending with a rendition of "True Colors."

In attendance were several people from All Saints, Minot.

The final concert of this 4th season, "The Death of Meriwether Lewis: Transfiguration at Grind's Stand," will premiere the new one-act opera of composer and researcher, Hollis Thoms, the father of Jason Thoms. Performances on June 14, 15, 16. See website for more information:

https://www.dakotapromusica.org/