The East Range Epistle
April 2002
 Coat of Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
Easter Thoughts
by Linda Davis, St. John’s, Eveleth

    The most profound and relevant Biblical passages are the Gospels describing Jesus' death and resurrection. Their imagery is explosive; so rich in detail that every sense is touched. Within their words, the best – and worst – of human nature is scraped raw and laid bare.
    The story of Simon of Cyrene, the passerby forced to help Jesus carry the cross, is short and simple, but the depth of color and meaning behind the story amazes me.
    Imagine that day ... Jesus, knowing He is about to die, spends the day trying to prepare the apostles. That evening, they share in the Last Supper. He knows Judas will betray Him. He knows what lies ahead. Troubled, He spends the night praying – praying alone because the apostles fall asleep.
    At Judas's kiss of betrayal a great crowd, armed with swords and clubs and led by the high priests and elders, seize Jesus, dragging Him off to Caiaphas. Lies are told. Jesus is accused of blasphemy.  The crowd swells. Peter denies even knowing Jesus.  Again Jesus stands alone, this time before Pilate. The authorities are screaming for His blood, “Crucify him!  Crucify him!” The crowd grows, takes up the chant, and, urged on by the chief priests, turns into a frenzied mob. Fearing a riot, Pilate calls for an entire battalion of soldiers to accompany Jesus to Golgotha to be crucified, and releases Jesus into their hands.
    Picture Jesus ... Exhausted. Betrayed by Judas. Denied by Peter.  Alone again. No one speaks up in His behalf. He's been scourged, probably by the “39 stripes” (3 blows from a whip made up of 13 separate lashes). He's been slapped, struck, spat upon, beaten and kicked. He's been screamed at, reviled, mocked and ridiculed. A wreath of thorns has been forced onto his head, their sharp points piercing his skin. The mob roars, the noise is deafening. He's given a stout cross to carry. Wearied, bloodied, bruised, sweaty, he staggers under the weight of the cross and stumbles. He struggles to his feet. The burden is unbelievably heavy and again He falls.... and this time, He's unable to rise ...
    Think of Simon ... A stranger in a foreign land, he's traveled from Cyrene in Libya, across Egypt and the Suez here to Jerusalem.  The centurions force him to help Jesus with the cross. He's too afraid to refuse them.  He wonders what horrible crimes this fallen man, so hated by the crowd, has committed. But he must comply with the centurions' orders, and slowly, hesitantly, approaches Jesus.  Awkwardly, he reaches down, grabs hold of the cross, and stands, taking some of the weight off Jesus. Jesus looks up and his eyes meet Simon's.... and Simon's fears vanish. How can you look into eyes so filled with love and remain unchanged?
    And Jesus no longer stands alone.  The change in the crowd is almost imperceptible, but there is a change.  Voices once stilled by fear suddenly cry out, freed by grief at what is to be. And Jesus responds. He who has been silent speaks, but not in anger. He charges a disciple to care for His Mother Mary. He asks forgiveness for those who crucify Him.     Scripture doesn't say what Simon did once they arrive at Golgotha. I believe he stayed.  I don't think a man can stand, shoulder to shoulder with Christ, sharing the burden of the cross, his sweat mingling with Jesus' own sweat and blood, and walk away to let Jesus die alone. I think Simon stayed until Jesus breathed His last.
    And I believe that the stories of Jesus' death prepare us for what life brings: Life isn't always fair. Our friends may betray us, those we love might let us down. Fear might cause friends to abandon us.  Sometimes our road is hard and long and we feel like we're walking alone. The story of Simon reminds us that we can embrace the unexpected even when things don't go according to our plans; that we can't live another's life for them but that we can help to lighten their burdens; that even Jesus needed a little help, and that when we help each other we are continuing His work. Sometimes all we can do is walk beside another for a short while.
    Jesus died – not only for all of us, but for each one of us. It's hard to remain angry with someone when we remind ourselves that Jesus loved that person enough to give His life for him or her.
    It's Easter!  Christ is risen!  Rejoice! The Lord is risen indeed!
In this Issue
Easter Thoughts 
 
Canon Missioner’s Notes 

Transition Team Notes 
  
East Range Churches Notes 

St. John’s Notes  

St. Mary’s Notes  

St. Paul’s Notes 
 
 
 
 
All who journey from one beginning to another in a life of communion with Jesus, the Christ, have no need to focus on their own progress or backsliding. By day and by night the Gospel seed, placed in the depths of their being, sprouts and grows.

 Meditation of Brother Roger in Peace of Heart in All Things

 
 
The East Range Epistle is based on each congregation's input and assistance.  It is published in hard-copy and on the Internet for the East Range Episcopal Churches. Please send comments and input to St. Paul's Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 376 
Virginia, MN 55792

 
Canon Missioner’s Note
The Rev Canon Stephen Schaitberger

  I love April. I am usually well spent when April arrives, who wouldn’t be after doing a 31 day March.
  I love the changing season. I love the thaw and the way dams of ice give way to first a trickle of water ever so small and end up in a torrent that is strong enough to cut not only the ice but the river banks themselves. The “winter would never end pessimism” turns into spring hope.  The water is releasing us from winter’s icy hold. The transition that is going on outside is even better as it springs forth within.
  I love the April showers. The rain does something to my brain. I get younger thoughts. I actually like stomping through puddles. Even the greasy mud cannot deter the exuberance of energy that comes from breathing in that wonderful smell after a soft, refreshing rain. Somebody should write a hymn about that.
  I love April because the sun not only brings light but also heat. The flowers start pushing through the snow and the sight of the first crocus, and first tulip, and first cow slip, and first water cress remind me that for all I do for myself and others does not compare to what God has done and is doing for us and around us.
  Remember the old April tale about the wind and the sun. They argued about who could get the humans to  remove their winter coats. The wind blew and blew in gale force trying to use its force to blow them off but the humans just hugged into their coats tighter. The sun merely redirected its rays and and warmed them up and humans gladly removed their coats. I like April because we can remove our heavy coats.
  There’s a lesson in April for a church in transition. Don’t underestimate the effects of the slow trickle of water poured out at Baptism. Hope defeats despair.  People will probably change more easily with warmth directed toward them than hot air. God is about working wonders.
  I love April.

Transition Team Notes

Our Vestries and Bishop’s Committee have selected members of the Search Committee.  Look for more information from the Committee as they meet in April.  For more details, talk with your Vestry or Bishop’s Committee.

To our Homepage East Range
Churches' News

Environmental Stewardship Commission Meeting

The Spring Equinox meeting of the Environmental Stewardship Commission was rescheduled to April 26 at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, Minneapolis, MN.  The meeting will run from 9 AM to about 5 PM.  Chuck Morello (218-744-1615) will be driving there.  Contact him if you are interested in attending.

  May Epistle

Deadline for input to the May issue of The East Range Epistle is Wednesday, March 17, to Carol Morello (218-744-1615, or fax: 218-744-1635).  Processing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 26, due to schedule conflicts.

Contribution Schedule

The schedule for the lead article for the next three issues of is:

Please keep the article to 350 to 450 words and send it to Chuck or Carol Morello (218-744-1615).   Deadline is the same as for the regular Epistle production, but a few days earlier would be nice if it must be retyped.

 
To St. John's Homepage St. John's News
(Submitted by Nancy and Dick Harvey)

Vestry Notes

The following topics were covered at the Vestry Meeting of March 10:

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Tower, MN St. Mary's News
(Submitted by Mary Groeninger)

Service Schedule

St. Mary's continues to meet at the Ely Presbyterian Church at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings. Sunday school for 3-8 year olds follows the service. We have a communion service or morning prayer each Sunday.
Questions? Contact Mary Groeninger  (218-365-3364).


 
St. Paul's in the late 1980's St. Paul's News

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 be working on some projects working toward additional fund-raising efforts.

Vestry News
(Submitted by Rae Lynne Koivu)

The following topics were covered at the Vestry Meeting of March 18:

Taste-Testing Party

On April 21, Rae Lynne Koivu will be hostess for a taste-testing party by Tastefully Simple at St. Paul’s Guild Hall at 12:30 PM.  Everyone is welcome.

General Notes
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Last Updated: 02-04-05