The Church of the Holy Communion
The Episcopal Church of Minnesota
St. Peter, Minnesota
An Inclusive Church -
A Welcoming People
We're glad you found our website. We hope you'll visit our church. We are a friendly congregation in a beautiful historic building. We worship in traditional liturgical style--then enjoy informal fellowship with coffee and good food.
You're invited to Alpha! Join us for the Alpha Introduction Night on Feb 19th at 5:30 p.m. and see if you like it. The eight week course will take place on Wednesdays at 5:30 - 7 p.m. from February 19th to April 9th. Each week we will share a simple meal, watch a video, and have a small group conversation around our table in a safe, no-pressure environment designed to explore our questions and share our stories. If Alpha isn’t for you, there is no pressure to continue attending.
What is Alpha? Alpha is an eight week series of sessions held at Holy Communion exploring the Christian faith. Each weekly session looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Probably the most important part of any Alpha session is the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There’s no obligation to say anything. And there’s nothing you can’t say. It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly, and open environment.
We are a Family, Please Join Us!
Ten Great Things about the Episcopal Church
Our church...
Warmly welcomes, loves, and includes all.
Ordains women, as well as men, to the clergy and bishophood.
Attracts an eclectic people, as 70% of Episcopalians are from other faith traditions
Includes many famous people, such as Colin Powell, Judy Garland, Sandra Day O'Connor, Bobby McFerrin, John Steinbeck, and Garrison Keillor - to name a few!
Encourages and treasures the service of lay members.
Provides open communion where all are invited to partake in the Lord's Supper.
Welcomes an open discussion of controversial topics and is open in matters of faith.
Works for social justice, an end to poverty and hunger, a greener environment, and better education worldwide.
Seeks to understand rather than judge.
Loves to sing and praise God through beautiful and uplifting liturgy and music.
Meet Rev. Chris Boehm Carlson, Priest-in-Charge
Rev. Chris is passionate about worshiping God the Father, leading people into a deeper relationship with Jesus, and inviting the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Oberlin College and a Master of Divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She had a twenty-year professional career in environmental consulting before devoting her time to ministry.
Rev. Chris was ordained as a priest in 2020 during the COVID pandemic lockdown, so her priestly ministry has been marked by change, adaptation, and creatively gathering as the Body of Christ.
She began her ministry career as the part-time lay healing ministry coordinator at St. Luke’s in Minneapolis, where she grew the healing ministry team, started a chapter of the Order of St. Luke the Physician, and led healing services.
She then completed her internship, transitional deaconate year, and part-time Associate Priest duties at St. Martin’s By-the-Lake in Minnetonka Beach. Following this and during the pandemic, she began her priestly ministry as the Curate and then Associate Priest at Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul.
Rev Chris lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two children, and all kinds of furry and feathered friends. She enjoys spending time in nature, rockhounding, boating, fishing, cooking, gardening, and cuddling with all those pets!
Meet Bishop Craig Loya
The Rt, Rev. Craig Loya was consecrated the X Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota on June 6, 2020. Bishop Loya served as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska from 2013-2020, and was the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas from 2009-2012. He received his Master of Divinity from Yale University and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in 2002.
Knit or Not
The Knit or Not Group is a loosely structured women’s group that meets at the Church of the Holy Communion from 9:30 to 11:30 AM on the second Wednesday of each month. The group has no officers and does not keep minutes or attendance records. All women are welcome. It is not necessary to be a member of the Church of the Holy Communion.
The group does have a project which is proving to be very successful. The women knit mini-prayer shawls which are blessed at the church service on the Sunday following the meeting each month and are distributed to those who are going through a difficult time, whether due to illness or other life challenges. Anyone can obtain mini-prayer shawls to give to those experiencing any sort of difficult life event. Those who attend the Knit or Not Group and the members of The Church of the Holy Communion are encouraged to remember the recipients of the mini-prayer shawls in their prayers.
It is not necessary to knit to attend the Knit or Not Group. Members of the group will be happy to teach attendees who do not knit but would like to participate in the prayer shawl project how to knit. There are also other ways to participate in the project.
Attendees are also welcome to bring a project of their own to Knit or Not, or just to come and enjoy the fellowship and support of other women.
Guests are always welcome.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice to meetings.
Services
We celebrate at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning.
Our Location
118 North Minnesota Avenue (Hwy 169) in St. Peter, MN:
1/2 block north of Broadway, on the west side
Please note: Most attendees enter through the parking lot entrance,
which is accessed from West Chestnut Street and is handicapped accessible.
