November 2004 East Range Epistle


	*The East Range Epistle* *November 2004*

via media -
A Safe Place To Ask Questions
by Cheryl Killien, St.. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Virginia, MN

    via media is about the good news of God in Christ Jesus and the Episcopal Church, a safe place to ask 21st Century questions. Via media is a phrase in Latin that means the “middle way”; it is really the idea of according equal respect to opposing views. An Anglican way of being Christian is that we can agree to disagree. What via media celebrates is a church that tells the truth about both its strengths and its challenges and invites those seeking spiritual community to come and do the same.
    via media is about a unique way of being Christian that is our Anglican heritage. The course content is rooted in the “Trinity”, balancing the traditional Anglican perspective of scripture, tradition and reason. Via media is accessible, welcoming and deepens our understanding of what Christian faith is all about. We are going to explore the questions of faith in a small group setting through conversations with each other in response to video conversations of an internationally diverse group of American Anglicans who bring to the table theology and a diversity of experiences. What they have in common is the love of Jesus and the Episcopal Church.
    The via media approach is that every voice at the table is equally valuable and different views are welcome and celebrated. This is an interactive curriculum designed to continue the conversation from the videos to the small group setting. The program runs eight weeks and covers the following topics: God the Creator, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible, Sin, Kingdom of God, Anglican Way of Being Christian and So What: what does it mean to be Anglican in the 21st century and what does it mean to participate in the Eucharist.
    The Episcopal community uses the approach of radical hospitality which means:
       1) All God's children are welcome to participate in community.
       2) All are welcome at the table
       3) All are welcome to share their experiences.
    We would like you to relax and enjoy the journey. In order for you to do this we will provide daycare and a meal for you and your family. After the meal we will then show a video and breakout in small groups to continue the conversation. Each session will last no more than two hours and we promise to make your valuable time worth while. Wherever you are and wherever you’re at, the Episcopal Church welcomes you on your journey of faith.
    The first session will start on Sun, Feb 13, 2005. We look forward to seeing you and if you have any questions, comments or require further information please do not hesitate to contact St. Paul’s Church (218-741-1379), Pat (218-638-1206) or Cheryl Killien (218-254-2487).
    St. Paul’s Episcopal Church welcomes you and invites you to join us as we journey with Jesus and each other.

Welcome to the journey.

Cheryl’s article is used in lieu of an article from St. Mary’s, which was not received.

In this Issue


via media – A Safe Place To Ask Questions 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

Receiving & Returning

          When I was a little girl with a cute but annoying baby brother, my father took me to the Humane Society and we picked out my first puppy, a tiny yellow basenji cross. Nixie was the most wonderful gift I'd ever received. I was so happy. But Nixie was also a lot of work. I was supposed to take care of her, though my parents did most of the work. Today there are still “nixies” in my life – gifts I receive and for which I am so grateful, but that seem to take so much work that I need help from others to care for them. I think little Nixie is a story about stewardship. About “receiving a blessing” and “returning thanks” together in an “outward and visible” act of care for the gift. It is a kind of sacrament.
     In November we are more intentional about that stewardship and thanksgiving. We name the gifts received and we respond with acts of caring. We begin with UTO - the United Thank Offering – sharing in expanding the circle of thankful people. We celebrate Thanksgiving Day – recalling as
families all the blessings we have received. We reflect as congregations on Stewardship and the way we care for those gifts that God has given us.
     This is about “Eucharist” – the word we associate with Holy Communion. It literally means “good gift” and is about giving thanks for what we have received and about offering ourselves so that the gifts might be shared.
     Our offering and our actions are ways of “returning thanks” to God. It is a way of caring for those “nixies” – our families, our church, our abilities, our earth, our friends – all those things with which God has blessed us and which have been given into our care.
     It is time to consider your gifts – your “nixies” – and “return thanks” by caring for all that God has given us.

“It is a right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks . . .”

Pat +


	East Range Churches' News

All Saints' Day Remembrance

On November 1, the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints – a day to remember those who have died. Each year, we list all those of the East Range Episcopal Churches who have died since the previous November 1. This year we remember:

Ashley Whitsell	Bill Smolensky	Art Nichols
Bill Parish	Todd Saari	Berniece (Bunny) Donovan

Receive and Give

In November, recognizing that we are stewards, caretakers, of all that God has given us, we will be reflecting together on the gifts we have received and how we can return thanks. In “Receiving Blessings” and “Returning Thanks” our faith as well as our churches can be strengthened and grow. There is not the usual “pledge card” included in this newsletter. Listen instead for words of thanksgiving and stewardship reflections during worship and in the mail. We are richly blessed.
Thank God.

Ministry Review

<> Pat has been with us for a year and a half now and some reflection on that time would be helpful. It’s time to ask, “How’re we doin’?” The Rev. Canon Sandi Holmberg will be visiting the East Range Churches to help us with a ministry review on Tuesday, November 16, 7-9 pm, at St. John’s in Eveleth.
Input from Wardens, Vestry and Bishop’s Committee members from all East Range congre-gations is essential. Attendance and participation of every-one who cares about our churches is encour-aged. This is a chance to celebrate our ministry, to look at where we can grow, and to lay a foundation for our future.

EFM Schedule

Our Education for Ministry (EFM) group is up and running. In November they will meet on the first, second, and third Wednesday evenings (3rd, 10th, and 17th) at St. Paul’s at 6:30 pm.

Confirm your Faith

This is an opportunity for those from seventh grade through retirement seeking to grow in faith and considering making or renewing a commitment to God in faith. Monthly gatherings to be scheduled beginning in Advent. Let Gail Coon (218-744-5138 or 218-744-5099) or Pat Gillespie (218-638-1206) know if you are interested.

Bibliomania Open House

Finally most of the shelves are in place in Pat’s library. Many thousands of dusty books are still in boxes waiting to be liberated. Open House at Beaglewood Farm to emancipate and resettle the books will be on Saturday, Nov 6, 9 am to 2 pm.

Transitions

-- Thanksgiving for the birth of Cooper Williams from St. John’s born on October 7. Congratulations to big brother Charley and parents Bruce and Ellen.
-- Thanksgiving for the life of Berniece (Bunny) Bailey Donovan from St. Paul’s who entered Resurrection Life on October 14.

United Thank Offering

The Mission of the United Thank Offering is to expand the circle of thankful people. To achieve this mission, we encourage daily prayers, offerings and awareness of the abundance of God’s bless-ings. In 2004, UTO awarded 123 grants for a total of $2,741.965.54. Our UTO ingathering will be Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7.

Bagpipes at St. Paul’s

On Saturday, Nov 27 (Sat. after Thanksgiving) Dryw Elliott, daughter of Shirley and Owen Coe, will play a Bagpipe program at 2 PM at St. Paul’s in Virginia. As well as playing the traditional bagpipe we are familiar with, she will also be playing “Fireside Pipes” (smaller in size). Dryw plays in the Chicago Caladonia Pipe Band. She played the pipes for the opening and closing ceremonies for the National Women’s Bonspiel 2004 at the RRCC in Eveleth. Refreshments will follow in the Guild Hall.

Environmental Stewardship Commission Meeting

       The Autumnal Equinox Meeting of the Minne-sota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Com-mission was held on October 8 and 9.
    At the meeting on October 8 at Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park many of the over 80 trees were planted which were purchased by individuals, congregations and dioceses around the Episcopal Church during the General Convention in Minneapolis.
    If you would like to know more about the Commission, talk with Chuck Morello or Mary Groeninger.

Region II Meeting

On October 16, Region II met at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Hermantown. The following items were covered
+ The Region Treasurer noted that no churches in Region II had paid their dues for 2004.
+ At Diocesan Convention, delegates and clergy will vote on changing the canons to set a term limit of four years for Secretaries and Treasurers of congregations and for audits to be done by individ-uals who are not members of the congregation.
+ There will be a farewell event at Diocesan Convention co-sponsored by Region II and the Department of Indian Work to say farewells to the Rev Dr. Howard Anderson and Linda Anderson.
The next Region II Meeting will be on Saturday, February 12, 2005 in Duluth. Meetings are open to anyone interested in the activities of the Diocese and the health of our congregations. 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.

St. John's Leadership Transition

Discussion at the October St. John's Vestry meeting will call for some transitions in parish leadership. Dick Harvey resigned and his leadership will be greatly missed by all. Please hold St. John's in prayer during this transition with prayers of hope for future leaders and of thanks-giving for the gifts of past leaders.

Diocesan Convention

The 147th Diocesan Convention was held in St. Cloud after the Epistle went to press. Details will be in the next issue.

Preachers’ Group

The November meeting is Tuesday, November 23, from 7 to 9 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Virginia.

Joint Vestry Meeting

The Joint Vestry Meeting of October 19, 2004, was held close to Epistle deadline and will be reported in the next issue:

ECW News

In November the ECW will meet on the 10th and 17th. On the 3rd we will all be recovering from the Ham Dinner and on the 24th we will be preparing for Thanksgiving. The monthly luncheon will be on November 17 at Megan’s in Aurora. For information contact Dorothy Parish (218-741-1613).

November Epistle

Deadline for input to the December-January issue of The East Range Epistle is Wednesday, November 17, to your congregational contact. Processing is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 23.

Epistle Contribution Schedule

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

December-January: St. Paul's
February: St. John's
March: St. Mary'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* Thanks to all who attended the Worship Ministers’ Training and Review last month. A few things are noted here for those who were not able to attend: ACOLYTES and GIFT BEARERS (who bring the bread and wine to the altar): The Gifts (bread and wine) are to be brought directly to the altar and handed to the priest by the Gift Bearers rather than transferred by the acolyte. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS (who offer the cup): From now on the priest will be elevating both the paten (plate) and the chalice (cup) each time rather than handing the Eucharistic Minister the cup to elevate. PROCESSIONS (both in and out) will be single file and the altar will be reverenced individually rather than lining up together.

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 (218-741-2503)	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

St. John’s Vestry Minutes from Tuesday, September 21, 2004:

The Treasurer’s reports for May, June, July and August were accepted as presented. Pledge payments for 2004 are slipping behind. The Vestry approved mailing a “reminder” letter to all who made pledge commitments to be done by the Sen-ior Warden. It was suggested we closely monitor our financial situation, including current 3-point participation as to whether we can/should continue the present arrangement. It was also agreed to roll over a $40,000 CD, which matures 11-8-04.
The Senior Warden reported the 3-point East Range Episcopal Church’s checking account is down approximately $8000 thru August for 2004.
Sump pump work is pending upon having the foundation wall core-drilled by an outside area firm for discharge piping. Hopefully, it will still take place this year.
Our contractor for painting the outside trim has unfortunately suffered an accident; it therefore appears this job will not be done this year.
The Jack & Jill School has completed moving out and has left its building key.
Lauren DePaulis performed our summer lawn care, but we need someone to shovel snow (guess we could pray for no snow!).
The Senior Warden raised question on having an “open” vestry meeting (without rector) to discuss present/future direction of St. John’s, etc. Mother Pat requested that no decisions be made at such a meeting.
It was suggested we have a parish member rector evaluation meeting, including a self-eval-uation by the Priest as well. No decision was made.

Rector’s Report

It was decided that St. John’s will not con-tinue the Tower highway cleanup as in past years.
Pat will contact Nancy Harvey on UTO payment timing
Pat will address stewardship issue on behalf of St. John’s this fall.
Current membership was reviewed for active (17) and part-time (6) units for new 3-point ratio update. Pat will expand to people numbers. Pat expects to present complete numbers, along with financial data, for the upcoming October 19 3-point combined vestry meeting, which Sue Grillo has volunteered to organize
Pat stated all 3-point churches are required by church law to audit their financial records. It was decided that a copy of required audit procedures will be attached to this vestry meeting minutes to allow members to review and decide what they want to do at the first meeting where all are present. Discussion was long, confrontational and not decisive, although Pat insisted we will perform this task. Should the Vestry comply with the audit, the Treasurer stated he would no longer serve.
St. Mary’s has decided to continue participation in the 1st Sunday rector payment through end of year, which will require a payment adjustment.
St. Francis Day Blessing of Animals will be held October 2 at St. Mary’s, and October 3 at St. Paul’s. St. John’s animals would be welcome at either service.

The Vestry Meeting of Oct 19 will be reported in the next issue of the Epistle. Next regular Vestry Meeting is November 16 at 6:30 PM

Special Vestry Meeting

There will be a special St. John’s Vestry Meeting on Sunday, November 14, at 6:30 PM at the church.

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. John's Thank Yous

Thank you to our Democratic Activist’s spouse for replacing a faulty light switch and donating the material ($ .73) – it was much appreciated.
It was noted how nice, bright, and uncluttered our sanctuary area is – thank you to Art and all others who pitched in!
Thank you to Lauren DePaulis for performing the summer lawn care, and for sharing her formidable writing talent in the Epistle!


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

No Input Received


	St. Paul's News

U.T.O. SUNDAY
November 7, 2004

Far Parker, Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, shares the following with us:

My little Blue Box sits on my kitchen table....
So many thoughts,
So many memories,
So many prayers,
So many blessings,
So many coins.

Thank you, Gracious God for allowing me to acknowledge my blessings as your work, your grace and your love.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for helping me to feel and to know your presence in the little Blue Box.
Thank you for helping me to reach out to others in need with my little Blue Box. May it overflow with coins as my love for you overflows. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Far Parker
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

Altar Guild to Meet

On November 10 there will be Altar Guild train-ing session with Pat at 2:30 pm at St. Paul’s. All members are requested to attend for learning about updates and changes in procedures. Anyone inter-ested in joining the ministry of Altar Guild is wel-come to attend, to learn about our service to assist in worship. Please let Carol Morello (218-744-1615) know if you cannot attend.

Vestry Notes

The Vestry Meeting of October 19, 2004, was held close to Epistle deadline and will be reported in the next issue.

Suomalaiset: People of the Marsh

Join Mark Munger, Dr. Frank Davis (Pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Virginia), and area musicians Colin Isaakson and Bill Maxwell, for a celebration of the release of Suomalaiset, Mark's acclaimed new historical novel of Finnish immi-gration, love, war, and murder, and of Jordan's Near Side, Frank's collection of inspirational essays.
When: Saturday November 13, 2004 at 7:00 pm
Where: St. Paul's Episcopal Church
What: Readings, Music, Discussion, and Signing of Books
Cost: The event is free. Mark and Frank will have copies of their books available for purchase at the event. Refreshments will be provided.
To read an excerpt from Suomalaiset, visit the Cloquet River Press Website. Questions? Call Mark at 218-721-3213.

God of all the living, by your Gospel we are made sensi-tive to those who experience human abandonment, vio-lence, persecution, exile. And you call us to alleviate the sufferings of those you have entrusted to us.

Taizé Reflection

General Notes


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