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Environmental Stewardship Commission

Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
 
Shield of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota

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Shield of Episcopal Church

Upcoming Activities:

Next Meeting:

We meet quarterly close to the solstice and equinox.

Annual Special Projects

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Mary Brown Environmental Center

Resolutions:

Resolution on the Spirituality of Food Production

Resolution on Church Buildings and Grounds

Resolution on Creation Season

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Brown Environmental Center

715 South Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota
(map)

The Mary Brown Environmental Center was willed to the Diocese of Minnesota by Mary Catherine Brown in 2005. Mary Catherine Brown founded St. Mary’s Episcopal Church–Ely in the 1970's when she welcomed local congregants into her home on Central Avenue for monthly worship. In her later years, St. Mary's Episcopal Church–Ely changed worship times and spaces many times, but Mary Catherine remained a stalwart and faithful member, attending services until two months before her death in February 2005. It was her dearest wish that her house be used for Episcopal worship after she was gone. A lifelong Girl Scout and former owner of the Paul Bunyan store in what is now the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Mary Catherine was delighted that her house might serve Episcopalians as both a church and environmental retreat center for years to come.

Our vision:

The Mary Brown Environmental Center provides spirit-based environmental education for small groups and families and a home base for canoeing, hiking, biking, golfing, and fishing in the heart of Minnesota's largest wilderness.

The Mary Brown Environmental Center is located a short drive from the International Wolf Center and entrances to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). It is an excellent location for preparation before and reflection after a visit to the BWCAW.

MEESC Programs 2008


Women's Retreat
note date change
February 8-10: Women, Water and the Winter.
Mid-winter reflection time for women.
Leaders: the Rev. Margaret Thomas, the Rev Helen Hanten
Cost: $60 per person, meals not included.

April 4-6: Native American Life and Spirit
cancelled
Leader: the Rev Juanita Palmerhall
Cost: $60 per person, meals not included

Men’s Retreat
May 30-June 1: Canoe and Fish Weekend
Join experienced BWCA fisherman Roger Weaver for a great day of canoeing and fishing near Ely.
Gather by the fire Friday evening and sleep at MBEC. Head for the water early Saturday morning and paddle and fish most of the day. Back at MBEC for supper (hopefully fish) and an evening of tall tales.
Those who must can return home Saturday evening. The rest of us are invited to worship with St. Mary's, Ely, in the morning.
We will gather in front of the fireplace at the Mary Brown Environmental Center on Friday evening. You may arrive any time between 5:00 and 11:00 PM Friday, as your schedule permits. Supper is served from 6:30 to 8:00. Dessert from 8:00 until whenever.
Leaders: the Rev Roger Weaver and the Rev Tom Harries
Cost: $60 per person, meals not included

Canoe Retreat
August 22-23: Introduction to the BWCAW
Friday evening we will discuss the history and geography of the Boundary Waters; Saturday will be a day canoe trip into the wilderness.
Limit: 4 couples or 9 individuals (3 canoes).
Leader: the Rev Wanda Copeland
Cost: $60 per person, meals not included.

September 12-13: Remembering Sigurd Olson.
There will be discussions of his writings, memories by
people who knew him, and field trips to the places he lived and wrote about.
Coordinated by members of MEESC.
Cost: $60 per person, meals not included.

 
Donations to support the Mary Brown Environmental Center and its programs are appreciated. Please mail your tax deductible check to:

Mary Brown Environmental Center
c/o the Rev Helen Hanten
1331 Brainerd Ave
Duluth, MN 55811

Please make checks payable to
Mary Brown Environmental Center

 

Other Programs

  • Every Sunday 9:30 AM: Episcopal Service with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
  • Church sponsored 2-3 day live-in retreats with themes from nature,
    science, or creation.
  • Clergy or Vestry Retreats
  • One- or two-week family vacations (Sunday 11 AM to Saturday 11 AM)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To check on available dates, click here.

For more information about the Mary Brown Environmental Center or to reserve space, contact:

Mary Brown Environmental Center
c/o the Rev Helen Hanten
1331 Brainerd Ave
Duluth, MN 55811

e-mail: mbec@env-steward.com

Phone: 218-728-2000

Download a brochure (in PDF).

Copyright Statement


We welcome your comments. Please address your comments or questions to any MEESC member, or mail them to:
 
MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55734-4400 USA

The MEESC assumes that all correspondence received is for publication on this web site. If your comments are not for publication, please so note on your correspondence. The MEESC reserves the right to decide which items are included on the web site.

   

This page last updated 2008-03-20.

 
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