Pat’s Liturigal Observations

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). There are many gifts in our congregations, including some who have a gift for preaching. Ginny McBride and Chuck Morello are part of our Preachers’ Group along with preachers from other congregations. Both Chuck and Ginny will continue to preach occasionally in our churches. This fall we will also welcome to our pulpits the Rev. Tom Campbell, a deacon from Trinity Church in Hermantown. Tom is also part of the Preachers’ Group and is willing to share his many gifts for ministry with us. When Tom visits us on October 16, take the opportunity to find out from Tom about the ministry of deacons in the Episcopal Church.

East Range Episcopal Churches' News

Three-Church Joint Vestry Meeting

Notes from the meeting of September 13:
- Had brief updates from each congregation
- Elected Cheryl Killien as our Episcopal Relief and Development Coordinator .
- Agreed to invite Episcopal Community Services to talk to a three-church gathering.
- Discussed options for the Erikson Fund.
- Reviewed estimations of 2006 projected three-church shared expenses.
- Approved Rector’s vacation requests and request for prayer for her daughter Juliet, who needs a pancreas transplant.
- Scheduled a meeting to plan “creative outreach” with the Rev. Tom Campbell on Tuesday, Nov 22 at 6:30 at St. John’s. All welcome.
- Noted Three-Church Budget Planning Group meets at the same time and place: Nov 22 at 6:30 pm.
(- Delighted in our youngest attendees - Trey and Phoebe - and admired photos of brand new granddaughters of Pat Gillespie and Kathy Hall.)
- Announced next Joint Meeting on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:30 pm.

The Seekers

An open group for reflection and discussion gathering on Sundays at 12:15 at St. Paul’s. Everyone is welcome. In October we begin a video lecture series on Islam featuring John Esposito, Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. Each session will contain two half-hour lectures with time for discussion.
Oct 2: Islam Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow and The Five Pillars of Islam
Oct 9: Muhammad ­ Prophet and Statesman and God’s Word ­ the Quranic Worldview
Oct 16: The Muslim Community ­ Faith and Politics and Paths to God ­ Islamic Law and Mysticism
Oct 23: Islamic Revivalism ­ Renewal and Reform and The Contemporary Resurgence of Islam
Oct 30: Islam at the Crossroads and Women and Change in Islam
Nov 6: Islam in the West and The Future of Islam
Introductions to other World Religions will be offered in the future if there is interest.

Blessing of the Animals

The East Range Episcopal Churches will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the Blessing of the Animals on
-- Saturday, October 1, at 4:30pm, at St. Mary’s in Ely at the Presbyterian Church,
-- Sunday, October 2, at 2:00pm, at St. Paul’s in Virginia, and
-- Wednesday, October 5, at 7:00pm, at St. John’s in Eveleth.
Everyone, with or without an animal companion, is invited to come and give thanks for the goodness of all God’s creation. “All creatures great and small” are welcome at the ceremony, and each will receive an individual blessing. St. Francis recognized all creation, even the least of the animals, as brother and sister.

Of all the saints, Francis is perhaps the most popular and admired, but probably the least imitated; few have attained to his total identification with the poverty and suffering of Christ. Today, nearly 800 years later, Francis continues not only to remind us of our animal friends but also to challenge us to recognize the equal dignity and image of Christ in the “least of these” – the poor, the oppressed, and those who suffer.

Refreshments for all will be served after the ceremony, with a reminder to some of the larger pets that, because of Francis’ love for “the least of these,” the smaller pets are not among the snacks.

Great North TEC

Great North TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) will be held Oct. 21-22-23 at St. Paul’s in Virginia. The team for the weekend will move into the church on Thursday evening, Oct. 20. There will also be a planning meeting on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7pm to noon Saturday, Oct. 8. The weekend is for youth in grades 9 through 12. There are many ways for adults to be involved in the weekend even if you can’t be there for the whole event. Please contact Gail Coon (Home: 218-744-5138; Work: 218-744-5099; FAX: 218-744-0275 or email: swancoon@rangenet.com) if you know any youth interested in attending or if you would like to help out in any way. There are around 100 people involved in a TEC weekend, so every inch of church space is put to use, and the good folks at Holy Spirit Church have graciously agreed to share some of their space with us as well. It has been quite a while since we have hosted TEC in Virginia & we are excited to be back!

Region II Meeting at St. Paul’s

On Saturday, October 8, Region II will be meeting at St. Paul’s. The meeting will begin about 10 AM with a short worship service, followed by a meeting to discuss the upcoming budget, the three resolutions to come before the delegates (Supporting the General Convention 2003 Millennium Development Goals; Recommending the Celebration of a Creation Season; and Commending the Windsor Report) and other matters to come before Diocesan Convention. A light lunch will be served. The meeting should end before 3PM
This is an opportunity to have your “say” in what the Diocese does. Each of our churches has one vote at convention – and we all know how close some votes can go. Anyone may attend the meeting. If you are interested in attending, please let Dorothy Parish (218-741-1613) know so that she can prepare sufficient lunch for all.

Diocesan Convention

The 148th Convention of the Diocese of Minnesota will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 at the St. Paul River Centre. This Convention will not be “business as usual.” This year’s annual gathering has been designed to directly support our unified mission strategy of congregational development. It features a Leadership Conference on Church Growth on Saturday with the Rev. Bill Tully, rector of St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York, as the keynote presenter. (Vestry members and other lay leaders are invited to join delegates for the conference.)

The business session will be Friday evening and Saturday morning. Convention will conclude with an historic event: the ordinations of five persons to serve Indian congregations, four of whom are Native Americans. A traditional feast follows the service.
If you are interested in attending the Convention or just the Saturday session, talk with Pat or Chuck Morello or go online at www.episcopalmn.org/Convention2005_Home.htm to register online. Non-Delegate registration fee is $30.

Music at the ordination service will be special. James Frazier, Director of Music at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul, and Music Director for Convention says the ordination will feature music from native American and Celtic sources, honoring the ethnic roots of those being ordained. Composer Mark Maronde’s prelued draws on elements from several hymns and melodies (Come Let Us With Our Lord Arise” (Hymnal 1982: 49); the Red Lake Mass; and “Highland Cathedral”).

The Right Rev. Michael Smith, Bishop of North Dakota and former Director of the Department of Indian Work in the Diocese of Minnesota, will preach at Bishop Jelinek's invitation.

On Sunday, October 30, the Convention will conclude with a 10 AM Eucharist Service at St John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, St. Paul.

Youth Group Meeting

Youth group is Sunday, Oct. 3 at 5:00. It is a half hour earlier so there will be enough time to watch a movie & have some discussion.

Yoga for Beginners

Join us for an introductory Hatha Yoga practice to be offered at St. Paul’s this month. The time has been set for Sunday, October 30 at 5:30 PM at St. Paul's.

The 60 minute class will begin with an introduction to this type of physical yoga and proceed through a gentle warm up with breath and body movement. Our practice will include standing, sitting and prone/supine postures intended to stretch and strengthen the muscles, bones and joints. We will finish with a final savasana (rest), chanting and a short meditation. Please wear clothes comfortable to move in, not too bulky. Layering is good, you may get warm, as are bare feet. Bring a yoga mat if you have one, not required. Tie back long hair, avoid perfume and have an EMPTY STOMACH!

Catherine McBride is a student of Ashtanga Yoga and has trained with masters from the US, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and India. She remembers what it was like as a beginner and is happy to share yoga with all who wish to practice.

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

Special 2005 Matching Gift!!

The Special Matching Fund Challenge has $1,150 either pledged or submitted to date. Hallelujah! Only $850 to go!! Remember, qualifying funds are those in excess of what was originally pledged for 2005. Please designate your donation “Special 2005 Matching Gift” – thank you, everyone!!

Reminders and Notices

+ We are in need of Lay Readers two Sundays in a row, October 30 and November 6 – volunteers would be very much appreciated! .
+ A member is desperately needed to serve as our annual Diocesan Convention delegate during the last weekend in October. Please consider volunteering for this critical opening, keeping in mind that expenses will be paid by Saint John’s!

Vestry Notes

From the meeting of September 6, 2005:
+ Treasurer’s Reports for July/August 2005 were approved as presented. July: expenditures $2,508.05, receipts $957.78, monthly deficit $1,550.27, checking account balance $7,068.89. August: expenditures $2,181.15, receipts $798.78, $1,382.37 monthly deficit, checking account balance $5,686.52. YTD: disbursements $21,469, receipts $13,185.
+ Vestry requests that (1) Erickson Fund, (2) ECS (Episcopal Community Services) offer to meet with our churches to discuss their mission of “strengthening and supporting youth at risk and families in need,” and (3) ordering church calendars be added to next 3-Point meeting agenda.
+ We have no convention delegate volunteer. Approved noting in next Epistle that Saint John’s will pay for delegate’s expenses.
+ Congregational Crisis Meeting summary/recap was rechecked, revised, and distributed. In addition, TKingston prepared and submitted another recap methodology to enhance analysis (thank you, Tom!).
+ TK, RaeLynne Koivu and Dick Borgstrom met and completed necessary financial audits, resulting in 100% approval of Saint John’s financial methods and records. RaeLynne will report at next 3-Point meeting.
+ Approved parishioner’s request to use basement for baby shower
+ Approved one-time $100 donation to Episcopal Relief and Development for Hurricane Relief
+ Revised/updated Epistle Mailing list which will be submitted to Chuck Morello
+ Approved (4-1) continuing 3-Point participation through 2006. It is important to note this does not constitute approval of 2006 3-Point budget. PGillespie will have 2006 3-point ratios at next 3-Point meeting, and she will also obtain the best available diocesan 2006 budget estimate for 3-Point planning purposes.
+ Approved doing everything possible to increase income and reduce expenses, including investigating heating costs.
+ Approved holding a “Blessing of Animals” service at Saint John’s on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 PM. Thank you, Mother Pat! Liz Lenich offered to arrange for advertising – thank you very much, Liz!

News of St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Submitted by Mary Groeninger)

Wednesday Night Book Group

Wednesday Night Meeting continues in October with a discussion of Stephen Mitchell’s Tao Te Chin. Please e-mail groenima@hotmail.com if you would like to be on the group’s e-mail list for future discussion topics and group book orders.

Mary Brown House Update

The Diocese has approved the use of Mary Brown’s house as an environmental retreat center and worship space for St. Mary’s Ely. We will move from the Presbyterian House to the Mary Brown house (located on Central Avenue) on the Saturday preceding the first Sunday of Advent.

News of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Thank You

Many, Many thanks to the Dental Angel for my smile!! I missed it. I’ve been grinning and laughing since, and also enjoying the sweet corn crop from my garden. I’m excited and ready for my daughter’s wedding. And again,
Thank You! Barbara

Vestry Notes

Unofficial Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of Sept 13. Because of the 3-point vestry meeting that was to follow, St. Paul’s vestry met separately only briefly.

The Planning Committee:

Calendar events:
Annual chuckwagon dinner and barn dance — September 17
Blessing of animals — October 2
Region II meeting at St. Paul’s — October 8
T.E.C. at St. Paul’s — October 20-23
3-point budget meeting — November 22

Building and Grounds/Restoration:

The vestry discussed two options to stop rainwater seepage into the basement through the north wall of the church:
(1) Install gutters on the roof immediately above the problem area:
(2) Fill in the ground area with a sloping water barrier and stones to divert water away from the wall.
It was decided to try the second option first.

Finance:

Rae Lynne presented the treasurer’s report for St. Paul’s

Old Business:

Dorothy is organizing lunch and refreshments for the Region II meeting Oct. 8.

New Business:

Pat presented the vestry with a list of active and less active members, contributors, and attendees for St. Paul’s to be used to determine the proportions of the 2006 3-point budget each church is to pay. The church reviewed the list, and with few and no significant changes approved the accounting.

Region II Meeting

The next Region II Meeting will be held at St. Paul’s on Saturday, Oct 8. Delegates from the Region will gather around 9:30 AM. St. Paul’s will be providing coffee, sweet rolls, and lunch. If you would like to help with the food or the clean-up, contact Dorothy Parish (218-741-1613). This is also an opportunity to obseve your Diocese at work.

AnySoldier.com Benefit

Thanks to all who contributed to the benefit for soldier in the “sandboxes.” The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce raised over $17,327.94. After expenses, there is a little over $6100 left for more gifts in the packages and postage to send about 400 packages. The chamber will begin packing boxes in October. If you would like to help pack, please contact Cheryl Killien (218-254-2487). If you know of someone serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, in some other country in the Persian Gulf, or on board ship and wish to have that person receive one of the packages, please contact Cheryl with the information.
The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce will continue to collect items for the boxes (much needed are sunscreen, powdered drink mixes, baby wipes, Slim Jims, beef jerky, batteries [AA and AAA], reading material and games [except decks of cards]) as well as cash until all boxes are packed and dispatched. If you have items or cash to donate, contact Cheryl
St. Paul’s was one of the first groups in the area to get behind this effort and our initial donation helped support the early collection activities.