October 2004 East Range Epistle


	*The East Range Epistle* *October 2004*

Everything Small, Everything Tall
by Lauren DePaulis, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eveleth, MN

Everything small, Everything tall
A little voice inside your head
Saying you are you
I am I
We are all one in the same

Everything small, Everything tall
An eagle of majesty, A bird of importance
A small robin of hope, A bird of promise
A pretty chickadee, Waiting to be heard
They are all also one in the same

Everything small, Everything tall
A young woman awaiting her love
A young man awaiting his bride
Two young people in love
They too, are one in the same

Will Mother Nature fulfill our dreams, love & compassion?
Or will it burn them like the logs on a fire on a cold winter night
Will we all end up somewhere wonderful?
Somewhere beautiful, and filled with warmth?
Or somewhere terrible and filled with cold and disease?

These are things to think about whether they're good or bad
For we all, are one in the same
Everything Tall, Everything Small

Lauren’s poem was originally published in the Anthology A Celebration of Young Poets: Minnesota/Wisconsin Fall 2003 and is reprinted with per-mission. The program is open to students through the end of high school and is sponsored and published by Creative Communication of Logan, UT.

In this Issue


Everything Small, Everything Tall Pat's Pastoral Notes East Range Churches Notes St. John’s Notes St. Mary’s Notes St. Paul’s Notes General Notes


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

Via Media is Coming
to St. Paul's

via media represents a renewed commitment to evangelism in the Episcopal Church. One of the lessons of General Convention is that the Church needs to spread the message of an inclusive, powerful, passionate God to all people. Our churches have experienced a tension between “traditional” and “progressive” ideals in the weeks following the prophetic actions of General Convention. For more information click on the logo above.

Pat after her Installation, October 2003

Pat's Pastoral Notes ...
The Rev Patricia Gillespie

Happy Miscommunication

     As many of you are aware, I had some communication glitches last month. I left on
vacation without reviewing the Epistle calendar, then I connected to a new email server that eats or returns things it shouldn't, and then my cell phone antenna broke. I wasn't too happy about all this. After a rather long church announcement session full of corrections one of you wished me “Happy Miscommunication.”
     I took that one home to ponder. “Happy” is another word for “blessing.” Perhaps there is
blessing yet in this. God is pretty good at turning things around. Whenever we “don't get it” God keeps trying. God is a faithful communicator. When words fail, God sent the Word to us. God packaged everything God wanted us to know into one little bundle, wrapped up and lying in a manger. Real communication, blessed or happy communication, is embodied and personal – it really touches us.
     “The Word became flesh.” Thank God it was not “The Word became cell phone or email.” Our communications fail all too often. God can bring blessing from our shortcomings. I'm still waiting, thinking, “This better be good!” and trusting that it will.
     May God touch all our lives with a communication of love.

Pat +


	East Range Churches' News

Church Pizza Update

NOTE: There were some errors in last month’s Epistle. The information below has the correct dates and times.

Tuesday, October 5
Worship Leaders Refresher at St. Paul's
+ 6:00 pm Acolytes
+ 7:00 pm Pizza
+ 7:30 pm Worship Ministers (Lay Readers)
Lay Readers are encouraged to attend the Acolyte Session

Tuesday, October 19
3-Church Vestry/Bishop's Committee Meeting at St. John's
+ 6:30 pm Individual Church Gatherings
+ 7:00 pm Joint Session
Wardens and Vestry Members are expected. Others are welcome also.

Questions to Pat (218-638-1206)

Church Audit

A team of volunteers and treasurers from our three churches will meet Tuesday evening, October 26, at 6:30 pm at St. Paul's to review the 2003 financial records from all three churches as is required by church law. If you are interested in helping with the Audit, let Pat know.

EFM Schedule

Our Education for Ministry (EFM) group is up and running. They ordinarily meet first, second, and fourth Wednesday evenings at St. Paul's at 6:30 pm.
Dates for October are: 6th, 13th, and 27th.

via media is coming

via media: Evangelism for the Episcopal Church

Have you heard the words via media? Do you know what via media is? Do you want to grow in spiritual community? Do you want to know more about the Anglican way? Well then do I have a program for you! St. Paul's Episcopal Church will be offering the via media program to all interested parishioners and anyone in our communities who would like to find out more about the Episcopal Church. The program will officially start during Lent but the advertising will start with the Ham Dinner in November 2004.
The Every Voice Network, who developed via media, describes it as follows:

via media celebrates who we are as American Anglicans and invites others to “taste and see,”offering seekers both the content and the context for conversations about Christian faith from an unabashedly Anglican perspective.
via media is grounded in the traditional Anglican perspective balancing scripture, traditions and reason. It is rooted in Trinitarian theology and offers a diverse, compelling witness to the unique way of being Christian that is our Anglican heritage.
via media invites those seeking spiritual community to explore Anglican Christianity through a non-threatening eight-week course of study, prayer and conversation surrounded by radical hospitality.

    In summary, it is an eight-week program that helps us to ask questions and perhaps find the answers or maybe do more research about the Episcopal Church, our faith, and our spirituality in a non-threatening environment. The program starts with radical hospitality (you'll have to come to see what that is!), a short video, conversation and prayer.   The program is anticipated to run on Sundays after church. Childcare will be provided. I believe this program is worth your time and I encourage you, your neighbors, friends and your quilting buddies to attend. Growth in knowledge, faith and spirit is a wonderful experience. I hope you will consider making room in your busy lives, it will be worth your while to attend.
    Please let Cheryl Killien (218-254-2487) or Pat (218-638-1206) know if you have any questions about via media and spread the word to others who may be wondering about the Episcopal Church and what goes on behind those red doors.
    Peace to you all! May the Lord shine upon you and may you be comforted knowing He is with you always!

- Cheryl Killien

Environmental Stewardship Commission Meeting

    The Autumnal Equinox Meeting of the Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission will be held on October 8 and 9.
    The meeting on October 8 will be at Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park where the over 80 trees will be planted. The trees were purchased by individuals, congregations and dioceses around the Episcopal Church during the General Convention in Minneapolis. This will be followed by an evening business meeting.
    The meeting on October 9 will be at the Church of the Holy Cross, Dundas, as part of the Region V Meeting. The Commission will hold workshops.
    If you are interested in attending or would like to know more about the Commission, talk with Chuck Morello or Mary Groeninger.

Region II Meeting

The next Region II Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 16, from 10 AM to about 3 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hermantown. The meeting will discuss the Diocesan Convention and local impacts of Diocesan budget cuts.
The meeting is open to anyone interested and a lunch will be served. If you would like to attend, contact Chuck Morello (218-744-1615), Mary Groeninger (218-365-3364) or Pat (218-638-1206). Carpooling is possible.

Teens Encounter Christ

The next Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), from October 22-24 at Detroit Lakes, is for Senior High Youth from 9th to 12th Grade. Any adults or youth interested in helping, please contact Gail Coon (218-744-5138 or 218-744-5099).

Diocesan Convention

    The 147th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota will be from October 29-31 at the St. Cloud Civic Center and at St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Cloud. The convention theme is “Saints on a Journey” and the keynote speaker will be Kathleen Norris, author of the best-selling book Dakota: A Spiritual Geography.
    Delegates and clergy should have already received materials. If you are interested in attending as a visitor ($25 fee), talk with your delegates [Chuck Morello (218-744-1615) or Mary Groeninger (218-365-3364)] or Pat (218-638-1206). Carpooling is possible.
    Additional information is available online at: http://www.episcopalmn.org/ and click on the Convention button.

Preachers’ Group

The October meeting is Wednesday, October 20, from 7 to 9 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Virginia.

ECW News

The ECW Crafting Women will be meeting at 12:30 PM on Wednesdays. The location will vary with the project. Contact Dorothy Parish (218-741-1613) for details. The luncheon meeting will be on the 4th Wednesday (October 27) at 12:30 PM at Arizonas Restaurant.

November Epistle

Deadline for input to the November issue of The East Range Epistle is Wednesday, October 20, to your congregational contact. Processing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 27.

Epistle Contribution Schedule

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

November: St. Mary's
December-January: St. Paul's
February: St. John's

Please keep the article to 400 to 500 words and send it to the lead article to Carol or Chuck Morello. Deadline is the same as for the regular Epistle production.


*Pat’s Liturgical Observations* Blessing of the Animals Bring your animal friend(s), suitably restrained, to church to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis (informally transferred from October 4) 4:30 pm, Sat, October 2, at St. Mary's at the Presbyterian Church in Ely 2:30 pm, Sun, October 3, at St. Paul's in Virginia. Everyone is welcome: Lutheran dogs, Roman cats, Presbyterian hamsters, Unitarian horses, pagan iguanas, and you. Critters whose people attend other churches are encouraged to attend and bring their people for the celebration and refreshments for all.

Getting Input to the Epistle


Preparation of the Epistle is time-consuming. The following guidelines will ease the work burden on those involved: 1. All submissions must be in electronic format (RTF, MS-Word, WordPerfect, Wordpad, Notepad, or as text inside an e-mail). Non electronic format materials must go through your congregation’s EpistleContact: St. John’s: Jane Kingston (218-744-3833) St. Mary’s: Mary Groeninger (218-365-3364) St. Paul’s: Deanne Polski (218-741-6149)	2. Deadlines have been established to make it possible for you to receive the Epistle before the new month starts. The Epistle goes to the printer on the Monday before the “folders, spindlers, and mutilators” process it. Input received late may not be printed. 3. If you wish to help with the production of the Epistle, please call Pat (218-638-1206) or send an e-mail to Linda Davis.


	St. John's News (Submitted by Jane Kingston)

Vestry Notes

The September Vestry meeting happened after the Epistle went to press. The next meeting is on Tuesday, Oct 19, at 6:30 PM at the church as part of the Three-Point Vestry Meeting..

Church Notices in the Eveleth Scene

Church notices can be published in the Eveleth Scene free of charge. Contact either Liz Lenich (218-744-5773) or Rose Judnick (218-744-5510) at the Eveleth Scene (218-744-2931). Deadlines are Mondays each week.

Writers for Lead Articles Sought

We are in great need of additional Lectors and Lay Readers at St. John’s. Although they are not among the most time-consuming contributions, they are each critical aspects of our services. PLEASE consider taking part in this way – you are needed!

Lectors and Lay Readers Wanted!

Saint John's needs lead articles for future Epistles – please consider submitting one of your own!


	St. Mary's News (Submitted by Mary Groeninger)

Discussion Group

    St. Mary’s Ely and the Ely Presbyterian congregation have inaugurated a Wednesday Night Meeting this fall. Interested members from both churches and the community are invited to gather at 7:00 PM on the first and third Wednesdays of the month for book and film discussion, seasonal activities, and talks on topics of interest.
    Meetings kicked off September 15 with a discussion of Credo by William Sloan Coffin.
    The group will decide at each meeting what to do or discuss next. People are invited to attend as their time and interest allows; most topics or discussions will not extend more than two weeks. Please contact Mary Groeninger (218-365-3364) for more information or upcoming meeting topics

Bishop’s Committee Notes

The Tower and Ely congregations of St. Mary’s held a Bishop’s Committee meeting on August 28. At the meeting, Pat agreed to continue to supply on the first Saturday of each month in Ely after the Tower church closes for the summer. Services will be held in Tower for Christmas and on Palm Sunday and Easter week-ends; schedules for those services need to be worked out.

Sunday School Schedule

St. Mary’s Ely continues to hold Sunday School at 9:00 am Sunday mornings with Ely Presbyterian church. Other family-oriented activities will be held on Wednesday evenings during Advent and Lent.


	St. Paul's News

Vestry Notes

Unofficial Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of September 14, 2004:

General:
Ordinarily, St. Paul’s would be participating in highway cleanup in early October. Since the East Range churches official agreement for this service was up for renewal, David asked if the members thought we should continue to hold this obligation. A Motion was adopted that St. Paul’s discontinue its involvement in highway cleanup pending the decision of the other two churches.

Committee Reports:

Planning Committee announcement and discussion of events

Oct 5:	Worship ministers (lay readers, acolytes) meeting
Oct 17:	After church dinner (Fund raiser for Magic Penny)
Oct 19:	3-Point vestries and pizza party at St. John's (6:30)
Oct 26:	3-Point audit at 6:30 PM

Buildings and Grounds: David reported that a broken city steam line in the alley has been emitting steam into the basement of the rectory. A temporary pipe to vent this steam is in place until the city does the necessary repairs to the main conduit.
Restoration Committee: George Munig reported that renovations to downstairs rooms at the foot of the front stairs will be starting soon.

Rector’s Report:

Pat asked the vestry if St. Paul’s would like a blessing of animals the week of St. Francis’ feast day. The vestry responded favorably deciding on October 3 at 2:30 p.m.
She reported she hasn't decided exactly what would be the best approach to a stewardship appeal this year but asked the vestry's approval for her taking on this task. The vestry agreed.
Mark Munger, senior warden at Hermantown, has published a novel (People of the Marsh) based on Finnish history in northeastern Minnesota. He has asked to use St. Paul’s for a program of music and readings to promote the book on the Iron Range. The vestry agreed to his doing so on November 13 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Pat announced that she and our official representative Chuck Morello will attend Diocesan Convention.
She explained the via media program which can be effective for renewal of faith and commitment in established church members and as an introduction to Christianity for the unchurched. Several members of St. Paul’s have been training in the program and planning and budgeting for its implementation during the next Lenten season. She presented its tentative budget. Deanne moved that we in general approve the program for Lent 2005, but delay approving specific budget items until we know St. Paul’s budget for 2005 except for a $360 expenditure for T-shirts for Ham Dinner workers this fall. The motion was approved.
To determine our numbers for our 3-point financial responsibility, Pat read a list of those people we potentially might count, and the vestry advised if they were in sufficient attendance and contribution to be legitimately counted.

Treasurer’s Report:
Rae Lynne noted a decline in pledge income over the past few months, and the vestry expressed hope that those behind in their pledges help offset an impending deficit.

Old Business:
David said that Darrel after consultation with Mike Gunderson (our rectory manager) had reported that repairs to the rectory bathroom are about to begin. Instead of simple repairs, the bathroom is to be renovated, with new fixtures, moving the bathtub so that it may also be a shower, and adding a doorway. Because that work will take three weeks and the bathroom is the only one in the house, the tenants have agreed to live elsewhere during the work. Mike had suggested we make some adjustment on rent for this inconvenience to them. The Vestry approved giving the tenants the month of October rent-free.

New Business:

George raised the question of the price of Ham Dinner tickets for this year. The Vestry approved keeping the price at $7.00.
Deanne Polski agreed to be St. Paul’s promotion and media representative. (Thank you, Deanne!).

Magic Penny Fund Dinner

On Wednesday, October 13 at 5 PM there will be a Magic Penny Dinner at St. Paul’s. For details, contact Joie Swenson (218-749-2131)

St. Paul’s Women News

Heads Up!
Treasures, Trinkets and Slightly Used Sale by St. Paul’s ECW will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 8 and 9. Items left in the basement will be marked for the sale. No clothing, please.

Altar Guild Note

Mark the Date!
There will be an Altar Guild training session with Pat after services on Sunday, November 14. Bring your questions and concerns and Pat will have some answers. Please let Carol Morello know (218-744-1615) if you cannot attend.

The true issue for Christians is whether a person trusts money more than God and comes to rely on money rather than grace for the assurance of moral significance.

William Stringfellow

General Notes


Our Spiritual Journey	Our HomePage	Back Issues of The Epistle
Mother Pat's Sermons	Schedules of Events	Current Issue of The Epistle