While I served on the discovery team, a step in our search for a new rector for St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, I attended many meetings, consulted with parishioners, and even constructed a collage to convey my vision of our church in the future. (I’m a wordsmith—Darlene, a visual artist, depicted something really beautiful and stirring with images.) Because I am a writer, I also developed the resulting parish profile, which is linked to our new website’s Rector Search page. Fortunately, I had the help of the team, a bright bunch, and guidance from our talented interim Fr. Tim Hodapp, who worked in communications in the period between his service as a Roman Catholic priest and becoming a priest in the Episcopal Church. It’s an exciting time in our congregation, as we begin our search for a “joyful leader.”
Archive for February, 2011
Talking ’bout my congregation
Posted in Uncategorized on February 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The kids are all right?
Posted in Uncategorized on February 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Children carry our hope for a better future—but are we providing them with the good health they’ll need to think, create, and work together to improve their world? Researchers from the U of M School of Public Health seeking answers to huge questions were eye-opening sources for my cover article in Advances Winter 2011 issue.
With projects like the 20+ year Children’s Health Study, results won’t be known for years. Simone French leads a seven-year effort to combat obesity among preschoolers by bringing in parents, Early Childhood and Family Education teachers, primary care providers—and shopkeepers. Ellen Demerath, co-leader of the Gopher Kids Study started at the Minnesota State Fair, is worried about our children. She says we need a “full-court press” to turn around the health threats associated with obesity. Because of chronic disease, the next generation of Americans faces a decreased life expectancy, which is bad news for everyone.
Allison Campbell Jensen 