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The East Range Epistle
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| Discussions at St. Paul’s Annual meeting about stewardship and filling
the Rector’s position for our congregations reminded me of something that
happened last May. We visited St. James’ Episcopal Church in Leesburg,
VA. In the service bulletin was an insert on Stewardship. The
cover contained a quote from John Greenleaf Whittier and the back cover
was a quote from Matthew (6:19-21) that ends with “For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also”. Inside was this definition of
Stewardship that the congregation had apparently worked out:
Stewardship is a spiritual journey when each of us as interconnected parts of the Body of Christ reaffirm, rediscover, or establish a living relationship with our Savior. A Christian Steward is a child of God redeemed by Christ following where God leads by grace. Stewardship is a responsible response of our time, talent, and treasure (what we have) as children of God redeemed by Jesus. It is where and when belief takes action in response for creation, redemption and sustenance freely given by God. Stewardship is our involvement in being obedient to the word of God. That involvement means to be a tither responding to the biblical teachings of the Church in thanksgiving for all that God has given to us as His trustees. Every Sunday we offer ourselves up to the work of our Lord with these words, “Of thine own we have given thee.” We need to continually remind ourselves what those words mean. We are simply managers of the gifts of God. Stewardship is a matter of faith and relationship firmly planted in our corporate belief that we have been called through our baptism not only to be messengers of the Good News, but also to be good stewards of the gifts that Our Lord has so freely and lovingly given to us. Stewardship can be a pathway to a “Wholeness of Life” by discovering one’s relationship to what God has given us. As we move forward into Lent, it is an opportunity for us to consider what our relationship is with Christ and how we are the stewards He has called us to be. If you are interested in discussing this during Lent, please join those with similar interests in the Guild Hall of St. Paul’s following the Lenten Services. |
THE EPISTLE
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To: Members of the East Range Churches
From: Canon Missioner Stephen Schaitberger
I love February!!
Information on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent events is on the last page. Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday here up north, falls on 12 February this year. After 27 years in congregational ministry I became involved on the diocesan staff and have been able to take February Vacations!! Parish clergy are involved with Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and Lenten programs so Margaret and I have found it a wonderful time to head south. Mexico knows how to celebrate. I don't believe you could find a pancake anywhere for Mardi Gras. I suggest we spice up Shrove Tuesday by adding a pinyata and having a ball.
I Love February because it follows January.
Question: How many months have 28 days? Answer: All of them. My kids laid this little quiz on me many years ago and of course I missed solving the puzzle to their glee. Isn't it wonderful when little things like this make us laugh? Even if its a groan the humor seems to lift us up. February is coming and I think we're all ready for a short month!
As I reflect on your congregation I think of the long January you have experienced as congregations. Not the 31 days of course but the death of Roger McBride and reported and likely death of Justin Stuckey have affected us all and tend to make the days go by more slowly. When one person suffers the whole body aches.
God has arranged the center of sorrow to be adjacent to the center for humor in our brains. Even when we gather to mourn together it isn't long before the stories turn to earlier times of joy and laughter and the healing begins. February trails January. Hope hounds despair. I love February. Lent begins in February this year. We are invited back to the basics by engaging in the disciplines of prayer, fasting, self denial, alms giving, charitable works, bible study and deepening our relationship with Jesus. I hope you can observe a holy lent. I'm happy that Lent starts early this year and I won't let it spoil February because I know an early Lent means an early Easter.
The Rev Margaret W. Thomas and the Rev Grant Robinson and others will
be providing supply priest services for St. John’s and St. Paul’s during
February and March. Please remember to introduce yourself to the
guest priests each time they are here – they will have many new names and
faces to put together!
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East Range
Churches' News |
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
On Shrove Tuesday, February 12, there will be a Pancake Supper at St. Paul’s. The supper will run from 4:30 PM to 7 PM and proceeds will go to support Bev’s Magic Penny Fund. Come, bring your favorite topping, and, bring a friend.
Ash Wednesday Services
There will be an Ash Wednesday Service on February 13 at 7PM at St. Paul’s.
Lenten Services
Each Wednesday during Lent, starting on February 20, there will be an Evening Prayer Service at 7PM at St. Paul’s. The service will be followed by a discussion for those interested.
Thank You
Thank you for your prayers, your visits to Roger, your visits to me and our family, the food, the cards, the flowers, the donations to the Restoration Fund, but most of all, for your love.
Listen. Proclaim. Serve. Celebrate!
The Diocese has a new Vision Statement! The Diocesan Council has adopted a new vision statement for the diocese, bringing the discernment process to a successful conclusion.
You can read the Bishop's announcement and the full text of the new vision statement on the diocesan website. Please watch the website and the February issue of Soundings for more information about plans to launch the use of this new vision statement.
March Epistle
Deadline for input to the March issue of The East Range Epistle is Sunday, February 17, to Carol Morello (218-744-1615, or fax: 218-744-1635). Processing is tentatively scheduled for February 20.
Contribution Schedule
Three-Point leadership desires having lead articles in The Epistle which are generated only from within our congregations. Starting with the October 2001 issue, each congregation has been responsible to provide the lead article for The Epistle. This is the schedule for the next three issues:
The Magnetic Church
The Diocese is sponsoring a conference on making churches more inviting and welcoming; making visitors want to come back to church and stay; doing evangelism in a church where others seem uncomfortable about evangelism and motivating those who resist change.
The conference costs $35 and will be held March 1-2 at Sts Martha and Mary Church, Eagan. Speaker is Andrew D. Weeks.
If you are interested in attending, contact RaeLynne Koivu (218-749-3922).
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St. John's News
(Submitted by Nancy and Dick Harvey) |
Vestry Notes
There was nothing significant to report from the Vestry Meeting of December 10.
Annual Meeting
The following items were covered at St. John’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 20:
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St. Mary's News
(Submitted by Mary Groeninger) |
Service Note
St. Mary's now worships at 9:00 AM Sunday mornings at the Ely Presbyterian Church, 226 E Harvey St. in Ely (map). Sunday School for 3-8 year olds from 10-11. Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer services each week – contact Mary Groeninger (218-365-3364) for details.
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St. Paul's News |
Sunday School
(Submitted by Jessica Hagolin)
St. Paul’s has a Sunday School during service. Kids of all ages are welcome – just come downstairs when you arrive at church. Jessica Hagolin, the teacher, will meet them there and then bring them upstairs for Communion. After Communion the children will then join their parents for the rest of the service. During Morning Prayer services, children will join their parents during announcements.
Wednesday Meetings
St. Paul’s people are invited to attend each Wednesday at 10 AM for Coffee and talk at the Guild Hall. Ladies will begin some projects working toward additional fund-raising
Annual Meeting
The following items were covered at St. Paul’s Annual Meeting on January 20:
The following was covered at the Vestry Meeting of December 17:
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