St. Ed Said

FROM YOUR RECTOR One of the fascinating things about being in Ireland for the days I was there, was the number of times Oliver Cromwell’s name came up. Usually when names come up they are remembered fondly and with joy. Barack Obama. Oprah Winfrey. Prince. People who have had an impact on politics, on society, on the culture we experience. Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who rose from modest roots in Huntingdon to become one of the most powerful figures in England’s history. A devout Puritan, he served in Parliament before the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 transformed his life. Though he had no formal military training, he proved a talented commander, leading decisive victories. After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, the monarchy was abolished and England declared a Commonwealth. Cromwell emerged as its dominant figure, and in 1653 he was named Lord Protector, effectively ruling the nation until his death in 1658. He declined an offer of...

June 24 The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Lessons and Psalm  Isaiah 40:1-11  Psalm 85 or 85:7-13  Acts 13:14b-26  Luke 1:57-80 The Collect Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Their Story John the Baptist, the prophet, and forerunner of Jesus, was the son of elderly parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and according to the Gospel of Luke, he was related to Jesus on his mother’s side. His birth is celebrated six months before Christmas Day, since, according to Luke, Elizabeth became pregnant six months b...

The following is the weekly Happenings email lead article that was sent to the St. Ed's Community. If you would like to join the email list, please send a note to office@stedwards-mn.org. ---------------------- What a trip it was! I had so much fun in Ireland and in England. I am deeply moved by what the Church of England in London is accomplishing. They have made a concerted effort to move from a mindset of scarcity and managing decline to a mindset of abundance. One could say they are telling Alleluia stories in every corner of the city. I have a ton of ideas that are percolating in my mind and in my heart for how we can continue to deepen our relationship with God as a community of faith in the place we are. But before we dive into those things, I want you all to know how deeply grateful I am for your own spiritual depth and your willingness to share the story of how God is at work in your lives. The students I was with, mostly clergy types, do not have the joy of hearing the st...

I was in England and Ireland for the past 10 days or so, and got to see a ton of great preachers and churches and programs and fresh expressions. I didn't say anything, because others I was with didn't like it, but it was the best sermon I heard on June 14th. I haven't read it again to see if I am crazy, but it really seemed like a good one done by Mark Birch, more details can be found below about him. Hope all is well with you! A+ __________________________________________________________________________________ Sermon preached at Evensong on the Second Sunday after Trinity 2026 ‘Will you gather or scatter; will you divide or reconcile?’ The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Canon in Residence Sunday, 14th June 2026 at 3.00 PM --- There is a lot of division in our readings this evening. In the first lesson, the famous division between David and Saul is getting more and more dangerous. David has fled from the King, who is furious at his son Jonathan for siding with this young, handso...