June 22nd

Good Evening;
        I just got off the phone with Bob Trask with a report from
South Dakota.  I'll fill you in on what I know and will keep you
posted as I receive news.  The group got off on time late Thursday
afternoon.  They traveled as far as Escanaba that evening and on to
Sioux Falls, SD on Friday.  They got to Eagle Butte in good time on
Saturday and were able to participate on a lot of Saturday's
festivities with the South Dakota Episcopal Native American
Convocation Retreat.  As you may or may not have heard, the Presiding
Bishop attended their whole Retreat from Thursday until the
completion this afternoon, even missing her return flight to stay for
the conclusion of the program which ran long.
        A very interesting and inspirational thing happened to our
group at Saturday evenings event.  They arrived at about the same
time as PB Jefferts-Schori.  When they found a place to sit, she sat
with them.  The mosquito's were ferocious and none of our folks had
insect repellant.  She offered to share hers.  It worked so well they
decided on the spot that it was Holy Bug Spray.  She got a kick out
of that and remembered the group for the rest of the time they were
there.  Maybe the fact they were wearing Province V t-shirts made
them stand out in her mind; who knows!  For those of us who lent our
t-shirts to the effort, forget ever getting them back.  They have
been designated "Holy" because of the spray.
        On the serious side, she was very interested in what they
were doing there and impressed that they would spend the time to help
in whatever way they could.  Bob, Marilyn, Richard and Chad can fill
us in on more detail when they get back.  They are already taking a
ton of pictures and will send the first bunch tomorrow.  There is no
internet hook-up at the hotel so they will either use Mother Marion's
or go to the Library.
        Tomorrow morning, they start work.  They will pick up what
material they need to start refinishing the cedar walls at the
Thunder Butte Mission Church on their way out and will make a list of
materials they will need to do the other things on the list.  They
plan to work hard Tuesday through Thursday, then dedicate Friday to
either finishing or at least putting things in working order as they
wrap up and get ready to leave.
        Now you know what I know.  Let's keep them in our prayers
and try not to be too envious that we aren't there with them.

Peace...............Phil Seitz