May 2005 East Range Epistle

	*The East Range Epistle* May 2005

    Some of you have wondered just how I spend my time. Here’s an attempt at an overview.
    Clergy time is difficult to track because the needs vary greatly from week to week, following the season, the births, deaths, hospitalizations, weddings, and meetings. A full-time average clergy week might range from 40-50 hours; or, at 3/4-time as we have, 30-36 hours. I work toward that as an average, though many weeks are more, sometimes even doubling that amount of time, when the need is greatest. It isn’t easy to balance out the overload weeks.
    Some have wondered how that time plays itself out. "Must be nice only to work on Sunday morning" is far from the truth, although Sunday is the high point of the clergy week and takes the largest chunk of my time. Here, on the average, is how my ministry time is divided. No one week will look like this; the proportions vary wildly from week to week. For example, time spent in diocesan meetings – say two three-day clergy conferences and one convention annually – might "average out" to one hour per week. And, because we have three very different congregations with different needs, the proportions differ among them: St. Mary’s gets proportionally more worship time, because of a two-service summer schedule; St. John’s has had a greater percentage of pastoral care time; St. Paul’s gets a greater percentage of my education.
Pie Chart of Pat's work

    33% Worship: This includes our worship services, other events (bible study, coffee hour) connected with that time, as well as preparation time, including training of worship ministers. It does not include the monthly Sunday I serve as "supply." It is my most valuable time for contact with you. It is high compared with other clergy because I have 3 or 4 services each weekend: most part-time clergy have only one.
    25%: Study/Prayer: Study and prayer is essential for me to be able to minster This time also includes sermon preparation. The usual guideline for preachers is an hour of preparation for each minute of preaching. Full-time clergy are also expected to have a full day of study each week. At 3/4-time that should average 12+ hours per week, not including prayer time. I have allowed an average of only 9 for this chart. Excepting my personal time "off", it is the area most likely to be cut short for other needs.
    19% Pastoral: This includes nursing home and hospital visits. Crisis counseling as well as pastoral time for premarital counseling, deaths, and baptisms. It includes occasional visits to people in need outside our congregations. Home visits done last year were done on my own time. I am trying to find time to make more of those visits this year.
    11% Administration: Vestry and congregational meetings, pastoral record keeping, newsletter, local ministerial contacts, phone calls inside and outside the parish, and other communications. I try to do only those things that need to be done by a priest.
   6% Episcopal: This includes clergy conference, convention, region meetings, mail and phone contact with the Episcopal Center or other clergy. I don’t get to all of them. It is a connection that provides much needed support for my ministry.
    3% Education: This includes weekday educational or formation events and ministry training not related to worship, as well as youth group/confirmation sessions. I often go into overtime here.
   3% Other.   Church activities I do that are above and beyond this work time:

EFM, which, though it is in support of our churches, I do on my own time.
Many big events, like the Ham Dinner or Advent Workshop or leading Retreats, that I think are important, but just don’t fit into the limited time of my work week. Part of them may fit into "Other."
The extra Sunday each month that I serve our churches as "supply."
The one day (or 8-10 weekly hours somewhere) that I work for Cloquet and Hermantown.

    I have tried to optimize my time by doing only what needs to be done by a priest. It is good to work toward sharing and giving away other ministries to those of you with the appropriate gifts and training.
   Many of you would like to rearrange my time allocations. I try to listen to various voices tugging my time in different directions. What many do not understand (and I try occasionally to explain it) is that being rector is not a job, it is "a living."   Unlike a job, where the ‘boss’ decides what the employee does, vestries are not responsible for telling their priest what to do. A rector is called and compensated to do what he/she believes God is calling him/her to do in serving that particular congregation; sometimes that understanding doesn’t match the expectations of parishioners. We do have a ministry covenant, indicating some basic, general expectations for congregations and priests, which we review periodically. Within those expectations the rector decides time allocation. A good rector listens both to what the people believe they need and want and to what he/she believes God is calling the congregation to do/be and how she/he can best support them in that.
   There is always more to be done and more expected of a rector than any rector, full or part time, small or large congregation, will be able to do. It requires constant prayer to discern which of the many things that you want me to do and that I want to do, would be wonderful to do are God’s priority. Still more intense prayer is required to leave undone those important tasks for which one has no time and which others are unwilling to do.
    I hope that you will offer feedback on how I use my time in ministry. I understand my calling to be to support you in your ministry, because I am not able to minister alone.   I want to know what you believe God is calling our churches to do and how you think I can best serve you in responding to that call.

Not Just Sundays: A Couple of Typical Days

    It is a third Wednesday. At 8 am I begin preparing for an evening education session. I make three phone calls to parishioners in the morning and two to the Episcopal Center. I meet with the "Range Rectors" in Keewatin for study, prayer, and support from 11:30 to 2:00. I stop at the Virginia hospital on my way to visit a parishioner in a nursing home in Cook at 3:30. On the road I have talked with the Canon Missioner, checked the church answering machine and returned a phone call. In the evening I meet with a couple for premarital counseling at 5:00 and then lead the preachers’ training group at 6:30. My animals greet me enthusiastically when I get home for a very late dinner.
It is Friday, my day off as well as my husband’s birthday. We have an appointment in St. Cloud and plans to celebrate. I have already maxed out my work time this week. But two people are dying, so I make morning phone calls to families and visit hospice in Eveleth and the hospital in Duluth taking "the scenic route" to St. Cloud. Paul, who understands the pastoral need, sits in the car while I visit. Checking phone messages on the road reveals another pastoral crisis, which is initially addressed on the phone because I am 200 miles away. I take an extra hour or so that night for prayer. We did find time for a birthday celebration, though not what we planned; it was good. I have put in almost a full day’s ministry on my day off. I hope to find some comp time in the next week, but it doesn’t happen. That’s ok. I have been blessed to have been touched by the beauty of God in the people I visited that day and am thankful for a family who understands my calling.

May the Lord who has given you the will to do these things
give you the grace and power to perform them.

Book of Common Prayer, Ordination Service

	East Range Churches' News

United Thank Offering

Living the Resurrection

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 contact Pat (218-638-1206). 4. If you wish to help with the editing of the Epistle, please contact Carol or Chuck Morello (218-744-1615)

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

Reminders and Notices

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

Wednesday Night Meetings

Wednesday Night Meeting will conduct a study of Judaism during the month of May, using both print and audio-visual resources. All are welcome to join us, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 7-8:30 PM.

via media at St. Mary's

via media discussions will continue through the end of May on Saturdays from 2:30-4:00 PM. Newcomers are welcome to join the discussion at any time. Pick up a schedule at the church or call 218-365-3364 for more information.

Easter Vigil

Thanks to all who participated in the Easter Vigil this year, particularly those who traveled up from Virginia. We once again lit the Paschal Candle (generously donated by St. John’s) from the Vigil fire, processed into the church as Carol Morello led us in the Exsultet, heard the stories of salvation, banged out the Great Noise to welcome in Easter, renewed our Baptismal vows, and celebrated together through Eucharist, hymns and Easter feast. All in all, a joyous and meaningful celebration of Christ’s Rising!

April 9 Bishop’s Committee Notes

Members of St. Mary’s met with the Environmental Stewardship Committee to discuss the use of Mary Catherine Brown’s house as an environmental retreat/program center, with the church eventually meeting there as well. Subcommittees were formed to project costs, programming, and potential sources of income. The group will meet again in June during the Stewardship Committee’s meeting and plans to present a proposal to the Bishop in July at about the same time that the house should be turned over to the Diocese from Probate.

An Episcopal Church Welcomes You will be hung at Mary Catherine Brown’s house. The sign for the Presbyterian Church has been completed and is being used each Saturday at the front door of the church
The lock on the Tower church needs to be replaced.
Gail will call the Tower Presbyterian church and arrange to meet there for the next joint vestry meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: Offerings slightly exceeded the pledge budget during the last quarter. Dick will look into investing some of our savings into either the Diocesan account or a higher interest cd.
Pat requested two Saturdays off in the next three months in order to do weddings. The Committee agreed to hold evening prayer on those days.

	St. Paul's News

More on the Mugging at St. Paul’s

Last month’s note forgot to mention the coffee cups were purchased with an anonymous donation of $300 and the balance was paid by the ECW. Sorry for the omission and we give thanks to those who give from the heart.

Cheryl Killien

Vestry Notes

    The following was covered at the Vestry Meeting of April 12, 2005:
Planning Committee: The Vestry approved these events/dates
   May 7     Outside church cleanup/planting
   May 8     Rogation Day service
   May 22   Vacation day for Pat/Morning Prayer Service
Building and Grounds: Because of difficulties reaching the rectory tenant to arrange an inspection visit to assess damage from the steam leak, Mike Gunderson has sent a certified letter stating that we will be visiting on April 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Old Business:
   1) Pat is completing the Diocesan and National Church annual reports for St. Paul’s. She said she has been each year moving closer to enumerating members as only those who are confirmed Episcopalians registered with this parish, pointing out that in a simple service the Bishop at his next visit will summarily confirm others who wish it.
   2) Since we are still unclear on whether or not we have all the stewardship/church job preference (green) cards, Cheryl moved that we make a mid-year appeal for members to state preferences for church work they are willing to participate in and that the vestry approve funds for the expense of a mailing. Motion approved.
   David said he would draft a letter, and Pat said she would provide a list of jobs/tasks that are of high priority right now. Especially needed are lay readers and a church treasurer to replace Rae Lynne this year as agreed at the annual meeting.
New Business:
   1) Aimee Brown is moving to Chicago to take a job there. The vestry decided not to fill her position until January unless a member would like to volunteer to complete her vestry term.
   2) In response to queries by Cheryl, the vestry discussed the desireability of mission and vision statements for St. Paul’s, plans to help with St. John’s financial plight, and goals to strengthen St. Paul’s. This conversation will be continued in future meetings, but those present thought our televising services on a Local Access channels was worth exploring.

New Directory

The East Range Episcopal Churches are working to publish a new Directory. We have agreed on a deadline of April 15 for completion of updated lists from each church with correct addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. For St. Paul’s, Joie Swenson will be calling everyone to verify this data. We hope all will cooperate to make the new Directory as accurate as possible.

via media Recap

    via media has concluded and I believe the overall program went very well. Total participants’ including facilitators was 26. Although not all attended at one time due to vacations, commitments, coming to an occasional session and a couple of Sunday’s the weather was not in our favor. The videos were thought provoking and my hope for the participants is their journey was enlightened and they continue to grow in the light.
    I want to thank all the angels in the St. Paul’s community that helped out with the meals, facilitating, music and any other way that you brightened the program: Carol Morello, Joie Swenson, Judy Koiyol, Susan Lindmeier, Dorothy Parish, Larry Killien, Dianna Salsbury, Aimee Brown, Audrey and Ray Olson and Pam and John McIntosh. I will also apologize in advance if I have forgotten anyone, it was not intentional. I think it is wonderful how the community of St. Paul’s came forward to help on this program.
   A special thank you to Chuck Morello for all his technical expertise, publicity, assisting in programming and all the other ways that he touched the program to make it happen, I could not have done this without him. Thanks for helping our journeys!
    Peace to you all and remember to share the good news!

Cheryl Killien

Marketing and Event Evangelism

    There was a meeting held on Tuesday, April 5th to discuss getting a program going where the St. Paul’s community reaches out in surprising ways to help the surrounding communities. This is a way to have fun, support our community and hopefully St. Paul’s will be recognized for their efforts. But I can’t emphasis enough that we do these things for free and we do them outside the church walls.   The following are some of the ideas that were discussed:
1) Assisting with the MS-TRAM (Multiple Sclerosis- The Ride Across Minnesota), I called the event coordinator and she will get back to me when they make the final determination on locations for the rest areas and over night stops. This is a weeklong event that raises funds for MS held the later part of July(we can do a part of a day or more). There is also a potential that we could raise funds on this event as they are looking for organizations to provide food. This is a hungry group and they spend money. So we could combine free stuff with money making: what a perfect event.
2) Float – create a float, this could involve the youth group as well as handy, creative and supporting adults. There are several parades during the summer and we could give our church recognition.
3) Nursing home visits by a group from the congregation other than holiday times.
4) People from the church could read at the library.
5) We could collect children’s books, clean them up, put a label on them denoting a donation from the church and deliver them to waiting rooms.
6) We are looking at ways of blessing boats, cars,bicycles, hunting items, etc. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
7) Assist seniors with grocery shopping and telecare.
8) Providing coffee and sweets at a rest area during fishing opener.
    This is a summary of the discussion and these thoughts were brought to the vestry on April 12, 2005. Volunteering is the only way that these programs will get off the ground and I hope you will consider giving some of your valuable time for the “greater good”.
Peace and may the Spirit move you!
    After some discussion at the April 12, 2005 Vestry Meeting it was determined that people are not interested and the benefit is not there.

A Farewell Note

I will be moving to Chicago at the end of May. Although I have only been a member of St. Paul’s for a short time, I am very grateful for that time. I grew spiritually, learned a lot, was inspired and had fun by participating in Via Media, EFM, PFLAG, the 2004 women’s retreat, and attending services. Thank you all so much ( Mother Pat and all the members of the congregation) for being so welcoming and wonderful. Best wishes to you all. Sincerely, Aimee Brown.

St. Paul’s Spring Garden Workday

Scheduled for 6PM on Friday, May 6 at St. Paul’s. Contact Gail Coon (218-744-5138) for details. This is a change from the date the Planning Committee recommended.

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Last Updated: 05-06-02