The Reverend Julie Luna resigned from Casa Maria/St. Nicholas effective August 31st. During the past three weeks following her resignation there have been several actions that promise continuous and unbroken support for this ministry. Bishop Loya, staff and ECMN have met with leaders of both St Nicholas and Casa Maria, an interim rector has been appointed, the Reverend Rob Cavana. Rob is retired recently from Trinity Elk River, and Spanish speaking.
Canon Missioners Kelsey Schuster and Karen Olson have been meeting with the leaders of both communities to support the transition. Kelsey asked me to coordinate a team meeting with the volunteer participant from multiple faith communities which met last week and will continue to meet into the future. Our shared goal is to support the leadership of Casa Maria as we have been for the past several years and identify with them opportunities for additional support where needed.
As many of you have experienced our interactions with Casa Maria have focused on food delivery from VEAP, Clothing Ministry, ESL education, Gardens, Holiday Baskets, Backpacks, leadership coaching, and supporting the process of becoming a 501c3 nonprofit. A big thanks to Caron Stebinger, Rachel Gagliardi, Linda McKee, Mike Walters, John and Mary Corlett, Dick Howard, and many others that have been engaged in providing a support network.
We have been asked by Casa Maria leadership to consider a warm clothing drive in October as we have in previous years. Now is a good time to consider gently used and clean coats, sweaters, and vests for donation to the clothing ministry. (They have a surplus of hats, scarves, and gloves for now). You may drop them off at St Nicolas or leave them at St John’s beginning October 6th through October 20th.
Beginning in October we will load and transport food from VEAP on the 1 st and 3 rd Saturday of every month. This is a fun task. Meet at VEAP at 8:30 to select and load the van, then drive to St Nicholas/Casa Maria to assist in unloading. Generally, this task is completed by 10:00 AM. We need volunteers on the 5 th of October to assist as some of us will be at the Cathedral for the ordinations. Let Caron Stebinger know if you are available for the VEAP ministry. Of course, if you are interested in assisting in packaging the food into home size bundles it is a great time to hang out with the Casa Maria faithful after the van is unpacked. Good News, St. Stephen’s Edina has committed to 6 Saturdays over the next few months to assist with packaging food into smaller bundles.; it’s fun to work together with another congregation. Last week Cindy and I repackaged about 100 small bags of potatoes, other teams were working on apples, peppers, carrots, onions, berries and breads of all types.
Casa Maria has shared with us that there four food items that are never available at VEAP. Cooking Oil, Masa, Flour and Sugar. Donations are greatly appreciated either at Saint Nicholas or at St. John’s. St. John’s has as a community provided ongoing financial support for Casa Maria through the monthly food and shelter donations (4th Sunday), grants from Justice funds, and of course personal donations. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
In closing, I am personally filled with Joy, thankfulness and the clear presence of the Holy Spirit in all that we do, and more significantly with the growing relationships I and we have with the amazing Casa Maria Community. We are one family in the eyes of the Creator. If you are interested in any way that you might engage with Casa Maria, please contact me, Rena, Lisa, or any of the other leaders from St. John’s.
Blessings and Peace
Rex
