February 10, 2026 //
On Sunday, February 8, more than 30 members of the St. Stephen’s Choir and parish family traveled to worship with our neighbors at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Richfield – and what a morning it was.
Last fall, St. Nicholas’ Rector The Rev. Rob Cavanna, reached out to our Director of Music Clark Duhrkopf asking if our Parish Choir might come lead music for a Sunday. When Clark shared the invitation with our choir, he recalls, “There was nothing but excitement and enthusiasm for the opportunity.” St. Nicholas does not currently have a parish choir, which made the invitation especially meaningful.
The Sunday chosen for the choir visit was remarkably timed. Marimba artist Jenny Klukken – who had recently played during St. Stephen’s Sunday worship – has her studio at St. Nicholas. Together they decided to reprise André Thomas’s, Here’s a Pretty Little Baby, for the February 8 service, featuring choir and Jenny on marimba, adding a joyful and unique musical offering to the day.
Clark and Fr. Rob met to shape the service, choosing hymns centered on the theme of “Light” including a St. Stephen’s favorite song, This Little Light of Mine. At the time, they could not have known how deeply that theme would resonate amid the challenging weeks the St. Nicholas and the broader Twin Cities communities faced.
The church quickly filled as worship began – 97 people in attendance – many more than anticipated. The service included a processional with choir, something St. Nicholas has not seen in many years.
By the final hymn, the congregation was singing with gusto, clapping, and even dancing. When the music ended, spontaneous applause broke out across the church. “What a joyful, joyful day it was,” Clark reflected.
Our Rector Fr. Tom described the morning this way: “Being with the people of St. Nicholas Church was the reminder that together our faith communities are the body of Christ in the world.”
He added, “It was so kind of Fr. Rob to invite the people of St. Stephen’s Church to be present with them, especially when
times have been so tough. We shared a lot of joy and support with each other on this day.”
Those tough times have been especially visible through the work of Casa Maria, the vibrant ministry led by St. Nicholas serving immigrant neighbors with food, clothing, advocacy, and connection. In recent months, Casa Maria’s faithful response amid heightened ICE presence in Minnesota has drawn attention not only across the Twin Cities, but far beyond.
During worship, Fr. Rob shared stories of visitors traveling from other states to volunteer and learn from the Casa Maria ministry model. He described a journalist team from Norway who came to cover Casa Maria’s work – joining food deliveries and listening to the stories of migrant families who rely on the ministry for support. What is happening in Richfield is being noticed around the country and the world.
Fr. Rob expressed gratitude for the prayers and tangible support offered by the Twin Cities community as well as several Episcopal parishes, including St. Stephen’s, who have supported Casa Maria for years and deepened that support since January of this year.
& Rena Romero
Following the service, fellowship overflowed into the lobby, filled with laughter and conversation. Clark noted that this time together was one of his favorite moments of the day: people chatting, smiling, and connecting. Many St. Stephen’s parishioners went downstairs to see what St. Nicholas calls “command central,” where Casa Maria donations are sorted, packed, and prepared for delivery. “It’s truly an amazing operation,” Clark shared.
By every measure, this day was more than a choir visit. It was a sign of shared ministry and mutual encouragement. As
Fr. Rob said during the service, “This visit seems historic to me as Episcopal parishes tend to be somewhat silo’d. This feels new. Two parishes coming together in ministry and now in worship too.”
Historic, yes, and maybe even more importantly, incredibly hopeful.
Clark, Bryon, and the whole choir left eager to return. Plans are already being imagined for another shared Sunday. If February 8 is any indication, this partnership – rooted in outreach, strengthened through music and shared worship – will continue to uplift both communities.
