In this Issue
Next Epistle
Deadline
for input to the October 2005 issue of The
East Range Epistle is
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 to your congregational contact.
Processing is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 22.
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Epistle
Contribution Schedule
The schedule for the lead article
for the next three issues of The
East Range Epistle
is:
- December-January:
St. John's
- February:
St. Mary's
- March: St. Paul'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.
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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, 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 Mother 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)
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Forgiving means not even seeking to know what the other person
will do with that forgiveness.
Taizé meditation
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Great Friend of the poor, the neglected, the abused, and the distressed,
we pray for any who are now feeling forsaken
In your mercy, help us not to forget the needs of -
+ the migrant, the child, the elderly....
+ the deserted wife, or husband or children...
+ the teenage loner or the spurned parent...
+ the new arrival in a strange city or country...
+ the shy person alone in a small flat...
+ the political prisoner without recourse to justice...
the hospital patient without any visitors...
+ the dying soul with no one to sit with them...
+ the grief stricken with no one to comfort them.
Merciful God,
send your angels of mercy to all in need.
Grant them quietness and peace, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
who, hanging on the cross, knew our sufferings. Amen.
Taizé prayer
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For whoever knows how to love, for whoever knows how to suffer
with Christ, life is filled with serene beauty. Some days may bring
disappointments, bitter tastes - accidents that can cause peace
of heart to vanish. But every day there remains the longing for
his coming. A day is complete when the most difficult consequences
of a trial do not manage to halt the momentum towards fulfillment.
Taizé meditation (from Peace of Heart in
All Things by Brother Roger) based on
John 20:19-23
The Risen Christ said to the disciples:
“Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending
you.” Then he breathed on them and said,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.”
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There are countless Christians who undergo an inner struggle, and
sometimes suffering, in order to be bearers of peace in that communion
of love which is the Church. They are not naive when confronted with
abuses that undermine communion. They could criticize the inflexible
attitudes of some people. Far from allowing themselves to be drawn
in that direction, they strive for silence and love with all their
soul. When they express their desires, they are careful not to dig
ditches that could separate people still more. They search for all
that stimulates us to live as people who are already reconciled.
Taizé meditation (from Peace of Heart in All Things
by Brother Roger) based on
Romans 8:14-17
You did not receive a spirit which makes you a slave to fear again;
you received the spirit of adoption by which we cry out, “Abba!
Father!”
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Everybody,
Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody
A parable from the Internet
This is a little story about four people named Everybody,
Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody
was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody
would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did
it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's
job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it,
but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't
do it.
When Nobody did it, Everybody got angry because
it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Somebody would do it,
but Nobody realized that Nobody would do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody
when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Do you know where you are in this story? Where does the
Holy Spirit lead you to be?
This parable, collected from several Internet
sources, is used in lieu of an article from St. Paul’s,
which was not received.
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Pat's Pastoral
Notes ...
The Rev
Patricia Gillespie
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Why Do I Come to Church?
We asked ourselves that question during a summer
sermon, and the answers were as diverse as the people in our
pews. We come because of “the cookies” or “my
grandma.” We come to “find peace of mind” or
to “hold the baby.” Yet there is a pattern, an underlying
theme. Our answers made up a long list of things that give
life.
In the Gospel according to John, Jesus tells
the woman at the well about “living water.” She’s
standing there with her bucket of ordinary water and he’s
offering her life. Like that woman, we may have tried filling
our “buckets” elsewhere and found ourselves still
thirsty. We come to church empty, looking for life. And we
have found something real and satisfying here in our congregations,
however differently we each name it.
There is some similarity and overlap among our
answers because we’re all Episcopalians, but there is
also a distinct character to the answers from each congregation,
expressing the ‘broad church’ range of our denominational
heritage.
People from St. Paul’s expressed a desire
for spiritual growth, noting “liturgy and music as a
spiritual experience.” They find at St. Paul’s “freedom
to explore my faith without criticism” and refer to it
as “welcoming and not judgmental.” Repeatedly people
noted finding both comfort and challenge. The overall sense
is that people come for friendship to a church that feels
“like a family.”
St. John’s worshippers indicated a strong
commitment to the local church. They come to church for worship
and insight (and “not to answer a quiz”), to give
thanks and to ask for guidance. The word “love”
was common in their answers: “God’s love for me
gives me hope for myself and love for others.”
The St. Mary’s congregation in Tower is
grounded in tradition. They mentioned coming to “hear
God’s word” and to “receive Communion.”
They find comfort and fellowship in the small gathering in
their beautiful building.
In Ely, St. Mary’s is a “community
of faith and questions,” a “place to doubt and believe”
where at the same time people find peace of mind and renewal.
They speak of themselves gathering to “prepare to do
God’s work” and to “sit at a table with other
believers.” The insights of the whole group at sermon
time is valued and it feels “like the house churches
of the early church.”
People are finding “the living water”
- finding Life - in the East Range Episcopal Churches. Jesus
reminds us that “in spirit and truth” we may worship
God find Life in many places. In response to our sermon quiz,
one person said they come to church “to experience the
kingdom” as one place among many where God’s kingdom
may be found. We know that God’s presence surrounds us,
but we come to church because this is a place where we are
guaranteed God’s presence. That presence is promised
in our gathering in Jesus’ name and in the sacrament
of Holy Communion. We come here seeking life, in all its varied
beauty and diverse names. “Seek and you shall find.”
Peace!
Pat +
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Thank You
I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend a bit of time
with my family last month. It was a timely and important visit
with my mother, Dru, at the nursing home, and with my daughter
Juliet, as she prepares for a possible pancreas transplant. Your
continued prayerful support is much appreciated.
Pat +
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East
Range Episcopal Churches' News
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The Seekers
An open group for reflection and discussion gathering on Sundays
at 12:15 at St. Paul’s. Everyone is welcome. In November
we will be exploring how Scripture connects with our lives. The
exploration is from “Making Scripture Work: A Practical Guide
to Using Scripture in the Local Church” by Christine Dodd.
Nov 6: Exploring Images and Exploring Gifts
Nov 13: Exploring Experiences and Exploring Mission
Nov 20: Exploring Words and Exploring with Questions
Nov 27: Exploring with Silence and Exploring our Community
Note: The previously scheduled remaining classes on Islam will
be Wednesday evenings, November 2 & 9, at 7:00 pm at
Beaglewood Farm. If interested, ask Pat for directions.
Lay Reader Training at St. Mary’s in Ely
Saturday, November 12, 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Training designed
for the St. Mary’s congregation, but open to others interested
in becoming licensed to lead worship services.
HOSS Meeting: Creative Outreach
The Rev. Hoss (Tom) Campbell from Trinity Episcopal Church in
Hermantown is coming to the East Range Churches to help us explore
opportunities for Helping Others Strive for Success (HOSS). Everyone
is encouraged to gather to reflect on our communities and how
we can have fun while serving and growing. Y’all come hoss
around at St. John’s in Eveleth on Tuesday, November 22
at 6:30pm.
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:
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Mary Brown
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Eileen Mickelson
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Robert Dick
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Jeanette Novlan
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Barb Dill
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Bill Shimmin
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Three-Point Budget Meeting
A three-church planning meeting to draft a 2006 budget for shared
finances to be presented to our bishop’s committee and vestries.
Church treasurers and others interested in financial planning
are welcome.
Meeting at the same time as the Creative Out-reach group, this
is another opportunity to minister as a HOSS (Helping Others Strive
for Success).
St. John’s in Eveleth on Tuesday, November 22 at 6:30
pm.
UTO Ingathering
The Fall United Thank Offering ingathering is scheduled for
the weekend of November 5-6 at our congregations.
Diocesan Convention
The 148th Convention of the Diocese of Minnesota was held on
Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 at the St. Paul
River Centre. Details will be in the next issue of the Epistle.
Region II Meeting
The Region II Meeting was held at St. Paul’s on October
8. The important items discussed at the meeting include
- There is no additional increase for clegy salaries beyond
the normal Cost of Living increase.
- The proposed resolutions were discussed; support was solicited
for the resolution calling for a creation season in the Diocese.
- TEC Youth made a presentation concerning the upcoming TEC
at St. Paul’s.
- The plans for the Great North Fishing Fundraiser were discussed
(see details elsewhere).
The next meeting was scheduled for either February 4 or 11
in Duluth. If you are interested in being a delegate or an alternate
(each of our congregations gets one of each), please talk to your
vestry/bishop’s committee and/or Pat.
Quilts for Hurricane Relief
Help make quilts to comfort those who have lost so much to recent
hurricanes. Meet Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4 PM at St. Paul’s.
Bring a brown bag lunch if desired. There is a job for everyone
who’d like to help, even if you have never quilted and don’t
sew! To join in the service, fun, and fellowship of this ministry,
contact Dorothy Parish at 218-741-1613.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
This year’s Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service in Virginia
will be held on Wednesday, November 23, at Holy Spirit
Catholic Church. Singers from all demoninations are welcome to
participate. The Service begins at 7PM.
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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!!
Vestry Notes
From the meeting of October 4, 2005:
+ Treasurer’s Report for September 2005: expenditures
$2,290.31, receipts $1,880.00, $410.31 monthly deficit, checking
account balance $5,276.21. YTD actual disbursements $23,759. YTD
receipts $15,065.
+ Continued progress on Special ‘05 Matching
Gifts! $1,250 pledged and received to date - $750 to go!!
+ Insurance rates were raised 25% - TKingston will
look into.
+ Linda Davis presented a plan for implementing
organized healing and thanksgiving prayers during Saint John’s
services. Congregants will be asked to jot down their prayers
on cards which will be distributed and recited at the appropriate
time during services. Thank you, Linda!
+ Next 3-Point vestry meeting is scheduled for 6:30
PM Tuesday, November 22 at St. John’s. Volunteers are needed
to prepare refreshments. Dual meetings on the 2006 budget and
creative outreach will be conducted.
+ Still no convention delegate.
+ JKingston contacted ECS via telephone and email
in regard to addressing our 3-point churches in March but has
received no response.
+ Approved cashing in $15,000 CD due 10/19/05 for
operating expenses.
+ Rescheduled November meeting date from first Tuesday
to second Thursday to accommodate vestry members’ schedules.
+ Linda Davis will provide Lay Reader services on
10/9 while Mother Pat is away on family leave from 10/06 through
10/15.
+ In addition to snow removal services, we need
to work on filling two open vestry positions effective 1/01/06.
Rector's Report:
+ Mother Pat appreciates being able to take personal time off
in October to be with her family in Florida – Pastor Doug
Morrison will be available for pastoral care during Pat’s
absence (Pat noted after adjournment that Reverend Roger Weaver
would also be on hand). Pat may also be working on continuing
education during her absence.
+ In addition to Christmas Eve service, regular Sunday services
will be held as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year. The
starting time for Christmas Eve services may need to be adjusted
to accommodate Saint Mary’s services.
+ Rather than the sole Christmas Pageant service this year at
Saint Paul’s, Mother Pat recommends holding regularly scheduled
services at both Saint John’s and Saint Paul’s on that
Sunday.
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Mary Brown House Update
On October 9, the papers were filed and the Mary Borwn house
officially belongs to the Diocese to be operated jointly by St.
Mary’s in Ely and the Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship
Commission. Watch for more information on programs and activities
in the new year.
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News
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
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Raffle Tickets
For all those who have raffle tickets and/or money please turn
them into Cheryl Killien no later than October 31st. Any
tickets remaining will be sold at the ham dinner. You can mail
them to me at 830 7th Avenue NE, Chisholm,MN 55719. If you are
going to sell all your tickets then let me know this prior to
October 31st and turn them into to me no later than November
13th as the raffle is on November 20th and all tickets
need to be accounted. Thank you all for your efforts.
Peace. Cheryl
Vestry Notes
Unofficial Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of Oct 11, 2005:
The Planning Committee:
Calendar events:
Next vestry meeting — November 15
Pies for Thanksgiving — November 20
Christmas Program — December 18
Christmas Eve Service — December 24, 9 p.m.
Christmas Day Service — 10:30 a.m.
Building and Grounds/Restoration:
1) The vestry celebrated the work day on October1 at which a
dozen volunteers cleaned the basement rooms in readiness for T.E.C.
on October 20.
2) According to Marlene, Will and a team of members will finish
the rain water drainage work at the rear of the church.
3) Marlene discussed plans for furnishing the basement rooms and
continuing to eradicate mold.
Ham Dinner:
Preparations for Ham Dinner are on track. Pam McIntosh is coordinating
getting potatoes ready for pickup by members; Deanne Polski is
once again handling advertising.
Finance:
The September treasurer’s report for St. Paul’s was
distributed and discussed.
It was noted that the last two months we used savings for general
expenses.
New Business:
(1) Cheryl Killien is resigning from the vestry effective December
31.
(2) The vestry decided it would like quotes on rates from The
Church Pension Group for general property and liability insurance
to compare with those of our present insurer Church Mutual.
(3) Vestry approved placing a giving box in the kitchen for people
to contribute for kitchen supplies. With it would be a wish-list
for items members think the church needs.
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. Address
comments on typographical errors to Chuck. 
