The Fund (Formerly?) Known as Erickson

By Jane Kingston, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eveleth, MN

Some of us 3-Pointers may have heard of the Erickson Fund, but know little of its background and intent, so I’ve compiled a mini-biography on the donor and his family from parish records, as well as relevant details of the Fund he created. What we refer to as The Erickson Fund was a gift of extraordinary generosity and foresight to our East Range churches, and has made possible several exceptional outreach activities over the years. Forgive any omissions or inaccuracies – this article is not intended to be comprehensive. Most important, its value and relevance to our rural Episcopal churches has never been stronger.

Family History
Arthur Carlton Erickson was born in 1902, and was confirmed May 3, 1931 in Virginia, Minnesota. He married Olive Elizabeth (nee?) Erickson, who was baptized in Minneapolis by Bishop McElwain in 1918.

Mr. and Mrs. Erickson had two children. Henning Barrett Erickson was born September 25, 1928 in Eveleth, baptized at St. Paul’s, and confirmed on May 25, 1941 in Eveleth. Goffe Joubert Erickson was born February 21, 1931 in Virginia, and baptized in Browns Valley, Minnesota. Both were confirmed at St. John’s by Rev. D.W. Thornberry and Bishop Benjamin T. Kemerer, the former on May 25, 1941 and the latter on November 28, 1943.

Henning Erickson married Marlene Joyce (Manty) Erickson, and they had two children – Art and Olive’s grandchildren – namely: Sheri Jean Erickson, born September 25, 1956 in Minneapolis, and baptized January 27, 1957 at Saint John’s by Rev. George C. Perkins; and Scott Barrett Erickson, born May 30, 1960 in Oxnard, California, and baptized September 4, 1960 at Saint John’s by Rev. Hugh P. Turton.

Art Erickson served continuously in one capacity or another from top to bottom at St. John’s throughout his life. Bishop Stephen Edward Keeler, during his nineteenth year of consecration, appointed Art a member of the Bishop’s Committee as Junior Warden. Senior Warden Mr. G.A. Whitman, Treasurer Arne E. Karvala, and Guild President Mrs. M.E. Wright were co-appointed with Art on July 8, 1949. The Ericksons donated the closet designed for large fair linens, palls, and altar frontals located in the vestment room at the rear of St. John’s sanctuary.

Mrs. Erickson died due to cancer July 26, 1969, and was buried July 30, 1969 by Rev. Daniel L. Swenson. Art died – also of cancer – at age 83 on May 4, 1985, and was buried by Rev. R.W. Weaver on May 7, 1985.

My memories of Art are of a vital man in motion, who sported a gray “brush-cut” or “butch” or “flat-top” hair style – I’m not sure which is the proper term. He was suitably solemn when circumstances dictated, eminently capable and strong, and walked with a purposeful, energetic stride. What differentiated him in my mind was the twinkle in his eye. He was certainly a respected adult, an old-time “church elder,” but even to a kid in the ‘60’s, his vigorous projection of positive energy and delight in life was easy to read. No doubt he would cringe at all this attention, but it’s appropriate as well as life and faith-affirming to recall how Art Erickson continues to bless us.

The Fund
On July 9, 1985, Joubert Erickson of Minneapolis notified St. John’s Treasurer Kathy Leathers as follows:

“I wish to contribute $10,000 to the Four Point Ministry. The enclosed check is the first half, the second half will follow in January. Please deposit this in the St. John’s account and notify Roger Weaver of its receipt and deposit. Thank you.

"The funds for this gift come to me from the estate of my father, Arthur C. Erickson. I prefer that his name NOT be associated with any program using these funds. Perhaps something about “the Spirit rumbling along the Laurentian Divide” could be used. Fr. Weaver spoke of this the Sunday following my father’s death. (by JK: Hold that thought – more on this below!)

"The only restriction I would like to place on this money is that it NOT go into General Funds or Maintenance, or any of the usual memorial objects. Instead, I ask the Four Point Ministry leaders to use their imaginations and fund programs and/or projects such as outstanding speakers not usually available to the Range churches, new youth programs, renewal and/or outreach to persons hurting from the economic decline on the Range.”

On January 5, 1986, Joubert advanced the second half of this wonderful contribution, reiterating the preferences and restrictions in the previous letter.

Past programs have comprised such rich and diverse speakers and performers as Paul Schurke and his sled dogs, recently returned from their sensational North Pole Expedition; “Jackpine Bob” Cary presenting the Dorothy Molter story; local musician/entertainers, including a thrilling bagpipe demonstration by Dryw Elliott (Shirley and Owen Coe’s daughter); provision of tuition funds for three Episcopal Music Camp students this July; and in the works is an Intertribal Worship service to be held at St. Paul’s this fall. A great deal of time and effort from a few key parishioners made these efforts successful – thanks go out to them, too!
Back to Joubert’s preference that Art Erickson’s name not be associated with related programs … while it is true to the best of my recollection that whenever programs have been offered, they haven’t publicly referenced or advertised using the Erickson name, it may be more in keeping with Joubert and Art Erickson’s wishes if we were to come up with a new name for our Erickson Fund. How about Episcopal Laurentian Spirit, Rumbling Spirit, Spirit of Laurentian, or Grace Fund? Tell vestry members your ideas for fund use, and what you think about its name – thank you!

Jane Kingston is Senior Warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eveleth..

Pat's Pastoral Notes ...

The Rev Patricia Gillespie

“My church is better than your church!”

We don’t say it out loud, but we do “rate” our churches. We talk about successful churches that have the things we value: exciting programs; nurturing spiritual growth; great Christian education for adults, kids, & youth; meaningful worship; financially stability. Sometimes it sounds suspiciously like Jesus disciples in Mark 9: “they had argued with one another who was the greatest.”

Whose church is the greatest? Many of these comparisons leave small churches at the end of the line. We just can’t compete with the resources of the big churches.

Like Jesus’ disciples we want to succeed in what God asks of us. But Jesus, it seems, has a different idea about success: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Jesus takes a little child in his arms and tells us that to welcome a small insignificant person is to welcome Jesus and the one who sent him.

This is not about reaching for success, about holding on to achievements and listing accomplishments. This is about opening our arms to “the little ones” and to God.
And if this is what Jesus asks of us, a small church may be well qualified to respond. It doesn’t take big programs and events or lots of money. It takes intimacy and openness, commitment and willingness to take risks -- that “personal touch” which is easier to find in small churches. This is a place where the last may be first. This is part of what makes a small church vital. In the East Range Churches we are in transition, a time of risk and renewal. We are reflecting on our future directions and our particular callings as tiny Episcopal congregations. Who are we? Where does our small group fit into the bigger picture? How are we ministering in service to God and God’s people?

It is an exciting and scary time to be part of our congregations.

May we celebrate our calling to be leaders who are “last of all and servants of all” and discern the direction in which God is calling us.

Pat +

East Range Episcopal Churches' News

Preparing for the Bishop’s Visit

We’re hoping to get our records in order. To this end, we’d like to add to our parish records those of us whose baptisms are not already officially recorded there. If your baptism, like many of our most active parishioners, is not in the book, someone will be calling to ask if you’d like to reaffirm your baptismal promises and your commitment to our church when the bishop visits so that we can add you to the official list. If you were baptized or confirmed in a different Episcopal Church, you may simply request a letter of transfer from that church. If you were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church or Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), the bishop can receive you into the Episcopal Church. Those baptized in other Christian traditions can be confirmed. Those baptized or confirmed in our own East Range Churches may also reaffirm their baptismal promises if desired. Discover a piece of your personal spiritual history and dig out your baptismal date to celebrate!

Schedule for the Bishop's Visit

The proposed schedule, not yet confirmed by the diocesan office, is as follows:

Saturday, July 22:
4:00 PM, Meet with St. Mary’s Bishop’s Committee
5:00 PM, Worship Service at MBEC
7:30 PM, Meet with St. John’s Vestry at St. John's
Sunday, July 23:
9:00 AM, Meet with St. Paul’s Vestry at St. Paul's
10:30 AM, Joint Worship Service at St. Paul’s
11:30 AM, Social Time and All Congregations meet with Bishop

The dates are set, but not the details of the schedule. Listen for details during worship announcements or call Pat with any questions.

Preachers’ Group

The next Preachers’ Group meetings will be on Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 PM at St. Paul’s and Wednesday, August 16 at 6:30 PM at a location to be identified at the July meeting. If you are interested in preaching or finding your voice, contact Pat (218-638-1206).

Seekers

An open group for reflection and discussion gathering on Sundays at 12:15 at St. Paul’s. Everyone is welcome. In early June we reflect our own faith and ministry in our personal lives and in our diocese. In the second part of June we begin a video lecture series by Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt University on Great Figures of the New Testament. Dynamic, scholarly, and entertaining stories of the foundations of our faith

July 2 - Break for Independence Day
July 9 - Peter, John, and James
July 16 - Martha, Mary, Lazarus and “Doubting” Thomas
July 23 - Break for Bishop’s Visit
July 30 - The Gentile Mother, The Good Samaritan, and The Prodigal Son
August 6 - The Samaritan Woman and Mary Magdalene
August 13 - Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians
August 20 - Break
August 27 - Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate

Region II Meeting

The Region II Meeting was held on Saturday, June 3, at St. Edward the Confessor Episcopal Church, Duluth. Important details from the meeting include:

The Rev Canon Sandi Holmberg announced that the Vestry of Christ Church (Grand Rapids) has voted to go with Total Ministry.
Chuck Morello was elected Dean of Region II
Only one youth delegate was elected. Any interested high school junior or senior should talk with her/his Vestry.

The next meeting was scheduled for Sept 23 at Cass Lake (a joint meeting with Region I). Should Region I be unable to meet jointly, the meeting will be Sept 30 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Hermantown. If interested in attending, talk to Chuck or Pat.

Shared Future Options Meeting

The next scheduled “Shared Future Options Meeting” is at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 13, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eveleth. Anyone may attend. If you are planning on attending, please let Jane Kingston (218-744-3833) know so that they may have sufficient refreshments.

Education for Ministry (EFM)

Seeking growth in your spiritual life? Wanting to know more about scripture and tradition? Education for Ministry (EFM) is an opportunity to grow, learn, and worship with a small community of Christians. EFM is a program of theological reflection and spiritual formation offering a basic seminary curriculum for lay people for which Pat is a trained mentor. A commitment to regular attendance is expected. There is tuition and scholarship help is available. The group will probably meet in Tower at times scheduled to meet the needs of the group (Wednesday evening being most likely, though not set). Group size is limited so contact Pat now about registration for a group beginning in the fall. For details visit the EFM Homepage.

Retreats at the Mary Brown Environmental Center

On July 28-30, the Rev Wanda Copeland will be leading a retreat, What does the Episcopal Church say about creation?, at the Mary Brown Environmental Center. It will use the Catechism of Creation to explore our theology about creation, and the implications for action moving forward.
On August 18-20, the Rev Helen Hanten and Jill Peterman (a geologist) will be leading a retreat, Rock of Ages: The connection of Spirituality and rocks at the Mary Brown Environmental Center. The retreat will include local field trip(s) to see various rock formations.
Cost for each retreat is $60 per person, meals not included. To reserve space, call the Rev Helen Hanten (218-728-2000).

Epistle Update

With this issue, Carol & Chuck Morello have been editing and laying out the Epistle for ten years. Based on discussions and input at the Joint Vestry/Bishop’s Committee Meeting, the Epistle will be taking on a new look with new content aspects starting with the September issue. If you have thoughts or ideas, please get them to Carol or Chuck Morello by the end of July so they may be included.

Transitions

Jim Burgess entered resurrection life on May 6.
Daisy Borden was baptized on June 4.
Martha Marttila entered resurrection life on June 13.

ECW Notes

ECW workshops will be on the second and third Wednesdays at 12:30 PM at Marlene Munig’s to work on trees for a fall project.
Lunch will be on the fourth Wednesday at the Coates Hotel restaurant.

Joint Vestry/Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Vestry and Bishop’s Committee members met on Tuesday, June 13 at St. Mary’s in Tower for their regular quarterly meeting. The leadership unanimously elected Anna Christine Stuckey to replace Joanne LaPatka as Treasurer for the Three-Point Congregations. More information in the next issue of the Epistle.

Total Ministry Team Visit

On Sunday, July 9, worship services at St. John's in Eveleth and St. Paul's in Virginia will be led by ministers from the Spirit of the Lakes total ministry team. Spirit of the Lakes includes Trinity in Hermantown and St. Andrew's in Cloquet. This is a chance to see how total ministry works on a Sunday morning and to visit with some of the team ministers at coffee hour after worship at St. Paul's.

Grandkids' Sunday

Bring your grandchildren to church for a special blessing on Saturday/Sunday, August 12/13. If the kids can't make it, bring names and photos to share and they will be included in a special prayer.
Guest preachers may include Trey, Phoebe, and Cooper, who may bring along their grandparents for show and tell.

St. John's Episcopal Church News

(Submitted by Jane Kingston)

St. John’s Reminders and Notices

Wanted: Fire Safe for original Parish Record books – please contact Jane Kingston. Thank you!

Vestry Notes

From the meeting of June 6, 2006:
• In her address to the vestry, Linda Davis stated ongoing family medical problems continue to prevent her church attendance and level of participation. She recommended setting budget on percentage of total basis, as does the Eveleth Library Commission. She stressed: our focal point should be God’s work, not money; organizations must adapt/change to survive; three types of people are needed – those with ideas, R&D people, and sustainers; Saint John’s is mostly maintainers; we need to look to other churches; designate money for outreach; and that intra-3-Point telephone calls lead her to believe we have broken faith with our 3-point. Together with earnest thanks to Linda, vestry noted that many of Linda’s good ideas have in fact been addressed during the past year; while all recognize we can never do too much outreach, much has been or is in the process of implementation – outreach efforts continue to increase over past years; sidebar telephone conversations are notoriously abysmal at factual representation, are little more than gossip, and people with opinions or input need to cite them maturely in the numerous proper and provided forums; and took exception to the remark/erroneous suggestion about “breaking faith with our 3-Point” – nothing could be further from the truth.
• Monthly: expenditures $1718.35, receipts $841.52, monthly ($876.83), checking account balance ~$11,348.79.
• YTD: expenditures $12,050.19, receipts $5806.46, annual budget ($6243.73).
• ACG error at Diocese has been corrected! Thanks go to Phil Bukstein!
• Guests were warmly thanked for their attendance and input
• Whitman Fund results – rate has been adjusted from 5% to 7% ($5,783.25 annual amount), thanks once again to our friend Phil Bukstein at the Diocese!
• Church cleaning date will be set prior to 5-church meeting on July 13 (GHallstrom & NHarvey)
• Bishop’s visit July 22-23 – details forthcoming
• “Noah’s Ark” every-member canvass best done after viewing Total Ministry video; all encouraged to view video ASAP
• MS Bike Ride: Larry Killien is riding for Liz Lenich this year. God bless you, Larry!
• Intertribal Worship Service at Saint Paul’s coordinated by Liz Lenich and Jeff Nelson: although Jeff offered availability Tuesday or Wednesday evenings during the summer, vestry favored scheduling in September.
• Report on June 3 Region II meeting (LLenich): closing ceremony at Saint Edward’s on July 12, discussion on new officers (Congratulations, Chuck!), national polity and this June’s general convention in Ohio.
• 5-church Shared Future Options meeting 6:30 PM Thursday, July 13 at Saint John’s Eveleth – NHarvey and GHallstrom will coordinate refreshments.
• Petrina and Andy Woodrick also addressed the vestry, noting: although his job responsibilities continue to interfere with regular church attendance, he and Petrina remain committed to the area; he has particularly enjoyed past participation in 3-Point activities with other Saint John’s parishioners (e.g., Ham Dinner); it would be outstanding if St. John’s and St. Paul’s were one; they initially chose to attend at St. John’s merely due to the earlier service time; their future intent is attend both churches; other congregants have far greater emotion, history, and family ties than themselves, and those with a greater vested interest must make the decisions; and, in the end, all need to feel good about any final decision involving Saint John’s. The Woodricks were sincerely thanked for their objectivity and for their articulate expression.
Rector’s Report:
• Mother Pat is very pleased with the level of communication, discussion, and interest regarding possible future options. She is encouraged by the recent inter-5-church connections.
• Saint Mary’s is considering a request to adjust its Whitman Fund distribution rate.
• Christ Episcopal Grand Rapids has already voted to work towards Total Ministry, in a report from Sandi Holmberg.

News of St. Mary's Episcopal Church

(Submitted by Mary Groeninger)

Wednesday Night Discussion Group

Wednesday Night Discussion continues through the summer. Our next topic will most likely be Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickled and Dimed. E-mail Mary for specifics. Still meeting on the 1st Wednesday at 1st Presbyterian and the 3rd Wednesday at the Mary Brown Environmental Center, 7:00-8:30 PM.

Special Congregational Meeting

St. Mary’s Bishop’s Committee has announced a congregational meeting on Saturday,
July 29, 2006 at 3:30 PM the Mary Brown Environmental Center to discuss and vote on future options for St. Mary’s. If you have questions, please contact Carol Collins or Gail Sheddy. This constitutes formal notification of a congregational meeting as outlined in Canon 501.2.

News of
St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Vestry Notes

Notes from the meeting of May 9, 2006:

Due to the time of the Joint Vestry/Bishop’s Committee Meeting on June 13, St. Paul’s Vestry decided not to hold a meeting until July.

MS-Bike Ride

Larry Killien has filed the following report on his MS-Bike Ride:

Saturday, June 10, 2006:
4:09 a.m. Cheryl, Reece our new Border Collie, rescue dog, and I get out of bed. After a quick shower, and a breakfast to go, and some final checking to make sure I did not forget to load it all last night we are in the car and heading to Proctor, near Duluth. 6:50 a.m. we meet Rick and Peg, they meet Reece, we get organized and registered for the ride.
The route opens at 6:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m. Rick and I start the ride, 44 degrees. This is a new starting point; it turns out to be a great improvement. The roads are smoother, most of it is downhill and we have less oncoming traffic. The wind is at our back and blowing at over 15 mph. I can tell because I have a cool new airplane on my handle bars and when I slow down to 15mph the prop stops turning.

With the late start we end up stuck in a lot of traffic. At mile #2 I hear “lookout”, as I glance left I see a couple of young ladies tangle handlebars and slowly crash to the road; some minor scrapes and bruises but, nothing serious.

We see lots of traffic, 2602 registered riders this year. We also see lots of flats. Rick and I agreed to ride slower this year, so this traffic is not a problem. With the wind at our back we are comfortably riding along at about 15-18mph. We cruise and stop and enjoy the ride more this year. We have to slow a little Ricks congestion is messing up his breathing.
About 15 miles from the end of the ride I see the tail end of a wreck; I see the rear wheel of a bike flip straight up and over. I yell a warning and dive off to the left of the trail. I grab a loose rolling water bottle from the middle of the trail to prevent further troubles. As soon as I can, I head over and help the rider. He got a pedal from a passing bike in the front wheel and it flipped him. A couple stop they are both RN’s, they handle the rider; I grab their phone and get an ambulance ordered. He will need about 14 stitches in his right eyebrow (glasses cut him). They agree to stay with him so after about 15 minutes I pedal off.

The rest of the ride is much smoother, today’s ride was just over 74 miles, we finish up today at 2:30 p.m. at Grand Casino, Hinckley. This location works great, Rick and Peg set up their tent trailer on Friday afternoon so we just ride up and we are ready to camp.
I enjoy a swim and realize I’m sunburned and a little tired. I eat a light dinner and am resting by 9:00 p.m.

Sunday June 11, 2006:
4:15 a.m. I am up and off for a shower. I slept about 3 hours, Rick has been fighting a respiratory infection and riding really triggered it again. He was coughing, snorting and really having a bad time sleeping. I guess it was his turn this year. I eat some pancakes, sausage and yogurt. 6:45 a.m. I’m off, Rick wisely decide to go back to bed.
It is only 41 degrees as I ride off. I have on my long pants, full finger gloves and extra jacket and wool socks. All this gear makes the riding somewhat warmer. At the first stop 15 miles out I have to stomp around to feel my feet again.

At stop #2, I park a long way away from the stop so I can walk to warm up, it’s now 44 degrees. This cold hangs on all day. At lunch I break a biking rule and have both coffee & a cookie (caffeine and sugar are not good when you’re working this hard. I am at the front today and it helps I do not have to wait in the food or potty lines. It’s too cold to stand around.

I am now riding slower without a riding partner, I’m faster than many but slower than the road riders and can’t seem to find a group to ride with so I tough it out alone.

At Stacy about mile 40 it starts to rain, it rains for the next 30+ miles.

As we turn to the east we pick up a head wind and 14 miles of rolling hills, I know a short cut and momentarily consider it, then ride by the turn and stay focused on the task. At Pine Point Park I stop for some food and water, I’ve been out of my special supplement drink for the last 5 miles. The sun comes out; I take off my jacket and ride off.

The last 10 miles has a few really tough hills, but we climb up and over and grind uphill the last 3 blocks to the finish line. Rick’s in the crowd, it’s good to see him.

86 miles today, except for the cold no partner it was really quite a good ride. I saw over 50 flats today more than I’ve ever seen before, I wonder if the tires are less forgiving in the cold.

I want to thank all who supported my riding efforts on this years Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride!!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

Next Epistle

Epistle Contribution Schedule

Getting Input to The Epistle

The Fund (Formerly?) Known as Erickson

Pat's Pastoral Notes ...

“My church is better than your church!”