Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN CCN Center

HISTORY: St. Mark’s Cathedral, Minneapolis, was designated as a CCN Center at the CCN-USA 2003 Annual Meeting. On behalf of St. Mark’s Cathedral JoAnn Ward was presented with a Truth + Forgiveness = Reconciliation banner as a thank you for the work the Cathedral did at 2003 Episcopalian General Convention and as a welcome as a Center

On January 11, 2004 the presentation of the Cross of Nails was made to St. Mark's Cathedral.

ACTIVITIES:
Continuing the Story of our Expanding Ministries of Reconciliation: In 2003 we laid the foundation for our entrance into the Community of the Cross of Nails and expanding ministries of reconciliation. We introduced the Hospitality and Reconciliation Circles (Foyer Groups) of which there are now over 160 participants. We hosted two major public forums on reconciliation. One, in May, featured Canon Andrew White, director of the international reconciliation ministry of Coventry Cathedral. The other, the Presiding Bishop’s Forum on Global Reconciliation at General Convention 2003, drew 1000 persons to our historic cathedral and featured the Archbishop of Cape Town and other world leaders in global reconciliation. We continue to bring new plans and new efforts as a Center for the Community of the Cross of Nails!

Hospitality and Reconciliation Circles: The Core of Our Reconciling Community: The Circles meet monthly either in the homes of members or at the Cathedral. The format is the same each time: the lighting of a candle, opening and closing prayers, and conversation lead by a printed discussion guide. The topics are based on the liturgical calendar.

“The theme and genius of our hospitality circles is that we mature and grow in the Christian path in the context of small-group community. They are intentional gatherings of persons to listen and encourage us on our spiritual path. The circles are becoming a sign of the power of Christian hospitality to and with each other at St. Mark’s.” --The Very Rev. Spenser D. Simrill, Dean

The Friday Noon Service: St. Mark’s now joins with other Cross of Nails centers in 60 countries in offering a service of prayer at noon each Friday. The service is led by laypersons and includes prayers for reconciliation in our cathedral family, our diocese, our local community, our nation and our world.

Sister Parish Relationships: Like other centers for the Community of the Cross of Nails, St. Mark’s pursues new relationships with parishes in other parts of the world to broaden our understanding of need and opportunity for witness throughout Christ’s Church. Through a sub-committee, St. Mark’s is in the process of identifying possible sister parish relationships in the Anglican Church of the Province of Southern Africa, where the Most Reverend Njongonkulu Ndungane is the archbishop. He was a guest at St. Mark’s for the Global Reconciliation Forum.

Sister parish relationships provide opportunities for all to participate in sharing our stories, finding commonality, celebrating differences, sharing cultures and building community. In time these relationships provide opportunity for mutual visits and support on specific projects, including help to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is ravaging the church in Africa.

Mediation Training: The mediation ministry subcommittee of the Community of the Cross of Nails at St. Mark’s offered an opportunity to attend a program devoted to the learning of practical skills in dealing with conflict. The offering was based on the Christian paradigm of forgiveness and was intended to assist all present in ways to dialogue, to listen respectfully, to avoid scapegoating, and thereby to transform relationships. These skills may be used by everyone in such areas as spousal and and/or partnered relationships, parenting, friendships, the workplace and our faith community. It also laid a foundation for those interested in more advanced training in mediation ministry.

“Seeking Common Ground” Public Forums: Building on the success of prior years public events, two more public forums, part of a series called “Seeking Common Ground,” were held in 2004. One dealt with a major issue facing the City of Minneapolis: refugee resettlement and featured national experts on the topic as well as local civic leaders. The other focused on issues of global reconciliation and was part of the 50th anniversary observance of the First World Anglican Congress, which was originally at St. Mark’s Cathedral in 1954.

Hosting a National Cross of Nails Conference: The Community of the Cross of Nails of North America (CCN-NA) sponsored a national conference here at St. Marks on June 18-19, 2004. The topic was “Reconciliation and Sexuality: Youth, Families, and Congregations”

CONTACT: For more information about the Minneapolis, MN Cross of Nails chapter, contact:

Ms. JoAnn Ward
Email: mjaward@comcast.net