The East Range Epistle April 2005

Mixing up the Critters   by Bert Whitcombe, Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission         Among the plethora of challenges that we have made for ourselves in these times is an issue that might be called ‘exotic species invasion’.  A non-local living thing, microbe, animal or plant, has become established in a ‘new’ place, and doing well, often Too Well!     There are now so many of these invasions that their stories span many thousands of pages, and the ongoing costs in seeking resolution are astronomical.     You may have heard of some of these stories, they are different in different geographic locales.  Here are a couple of stories.     Just about anywhere there is substantial fresh water, there are the exotic invasives of purple loosestrife and Eurasian milfoil.  Here in Minnesota, with lots of fresh water, the stuff is everywhere!  Purple loosestrife was introduced as an inexpensive purple flower for fresh cut flower arrangements.  In many areas it has completely replaced the local flora (cattails, reeds), and thus eliminated the local fauna (frogs, minnows) that relied on the local plants for lunch.     Then there’s this plant called spotted knapweed.  It came here in seed grain in the mid 1900’s.  For 30 years or so the experts have been watching and attempting to control its expansion – to no avail.  Why,  they even brought in the beetle from the knapweed’s former home, as the beetle likes to mess up the plants’ seed production.  Well, turns out the beetles like other local plants better, further reducing the competition of the local species.  On top of that, this plant is so efficient that it leaves a chemical in the soil that inhibits the growth of all other plants.  It now covers VAST acres of (former) grazing and wildlife habitat land - and road ditches everywhere.     And then there is this Asian Ladybird Beetle.  In the last few years, apparently out of nowhere,  they are everywhere!  This beetle family, there are many kinds all over the world, eats aphids, another insect, also many kinds all over the place.     Aphids control plant growth, the more vigorous the growth, the more aphids.  In our flower gardens we fertilize and water heavily, pushing plant growth, resulting in more aphids, so we use poisons to KILL them.     If you were to take a peek at aphid action in natural habit you could see that the limiting of plant growth is just exactly what is needed for the overall wellbeing of the earth.     So here we go, planting stuff, and pushing it to the very max, and only one kind of plant (monoculture) for countless acres in every direction, and well – it’s an invitation for a whole lot of aphids that specialize on soybeans, or poplar trees, or what ever.  Yummy – they are doing just exactly what they are supposed to do!  And right along with the aphids WERE ‘local’ ladybugs eating some of the aphids, keeping things in balance.  But, we wanted ‘ALL’ the excessive growth, so…. We imported these bigger ladybugs, with huge appetites to eat all the aphids!     Now we have a BIG dilemma!  The exotic beetles have eaten themselves – and especially the local ladybugs – out of house and home.  Oops, those local ladybugs were taking care of a very diverse population of aphids, on lots of different plants, now they are pretty much out of the picture, no more plant growth balance!     This, and other environmental dilemmas seem quite gloomy and doomy.  Here’s what I know, it will be – for sure – if we do not get involved. And when we do get involved, by choosing products that do not support monoculture agriculture, by being informed and sharing our understanding with our friends, and by speaking and acting with sincerity, in all we do, WE CAN move in the direction of healing our Earth.  That sounds like GOOD to me, how about you? Bert Whitcombe is an “Itinerant Preacher for the Environment” who makes his home in Fergus Falls, MN.  Bert may be reached via e-mail at breadoflife@env-steward.com  Bert’s essay is used in lieu of an article from St. Paul’s, which was not received.

In this Issue Mixing up the Critters 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 at   St. Paul's now           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.

East Range Churches' News

   Deadline for input to the May 2005  issue of The East Range Epistle is Wednesday, April 13, 2005 to your congregational contact.  Processing is tentatively scheduled for Webnesday, April 20.

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

• May: St. John's
• June: St. Mary's
• July-August: St. Paul's

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

   The following items were covered at the Vestry Meeting of March 15:

• The monthly deficit would have been $2,184 if not for the special one-time $3000 donation received in February.
• Checking account balance is $12,558.
• Schedule: St. John’s next annual meeting will be the fourth Sunday in January (as in past);
  3-Point Annual Budget meeting to be held Nov 22 at 5:30 at St. John’s; & the second and third joint
  3-Point vestry meetings of 2005 will be held on second Tuesdays in June and September (locations to be announced).
• Approved payment of 2004 and 2005 Region 2 dues at ten cents per parishioner once the 2004 Parochial Report is finished, probably in April. (We had 44 members in 2003.)
  
• Upcoming Region 2 meetings are May 7 in Duluth (preceded by Safe Church training) and October 8.
  
• Ellen Williams may be interested in being involved in youth programs, and as such, will attend a future Safe Church training session.
• We were not one of the four churches chosen for the Diocese’s Planned Giving Pilot Program
• Neither our diocese nor National Church have software or record-keeping guidelines for Treasurers.
• Bishop Jelinek will visit St. Paul’s in Duluth on July 23, 2006 (that’s next year, not 2005)
• Ground Maintenance – shoveling for the rest of the season will be done on a volunteer basis
• Gail Hallstrom contacted the City to request exemption from the $14 monthly garbage fee to no avail.
• Telephone service by Qwest has finally been cancelled.
• The Art Nichols memorial silver baptismal basin was ordered from Almy with delivery prom-ised no later than Good Friday.
  

     Rector's Report:

• An engaged couple from Eveleth approached Pat to request the use of St. John’s for their wed-ding on July 23 this year. Although they are not members, we agreed to allow them the use of the church for a fee.
• Required signatures were secured for the 2004 Parochial Report, which is nearing completion.
  
<>

• <>A volunteer writer is needed for the next lead Epistle article scheduled for May, due in mid-April. We are looking for a member to serve as delegate at the annual Diocesan Convention the last week-end in October. 
• Lost and found: size S maroon Eveleth jacket, yellow toy bus, red hair brush, and purple coin purse.
• Wish list: low-set credence table or shelf for front of church; baptismal pitcher; heavy-duty snow shovel.

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

St. Paul's News

• the Diocesan Commission on the Environment.
• the Episcopal Church.
• the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota.

This page maintained for the East Range Episcopal Churches by . Address comments on typographical errors to Chuck.