1. establish the work toward the achievement of the Millennium Devel-opment Goals as a mission priority for the coming triennium;
2. direct the General Convention Treasurer and the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to create a line item in the budget for The Episcopal Church containing no less than 0.7% of that budget for work that supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals;
3. designate September 11 a special day of prayer, fasting, and giving in the Episcopal Church toward global reconciliation and the Millennium Development Goals; and
4. request that all dioceses establish a diocesan global reconciliation commission dedicated to mobilizing Episcopalians toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

1. Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty
2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
4. Reduce Child Mortality
5. Improve Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases
7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development

• Hold our leaders accountable for keeping the promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
• Advocate for a shift in economic policies and practices of the citizens, corporations and government of the U.S.
• Encourage ongoing renewal through prayer and action for global justice and reconciliation.
  Give 0.7 percent of our personal, congregational, diocesan and national church budgets towards the Millennium Development Goals.
• Use our power as citizens and a church community to advocate for the necessary changes in U.S. policy to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals.
  

• A first step – Even the poorest among us live in greater wealth than the one-sixth of the world's population who live on less than $1 a day. Giving 0.7% of our income is within everyone's reach because it's proportional. It might require some sacrifice, but it truly is the least we can do – less than 1% of what we have to lift people out of extreme poverty.
• A symbol – Anyone can sign a petition. Anyone can hold an opinion or read a pamphlet. In our society we value things with our money. Giving even as small an amount as 0.7% to work that supports the MDGs represents our tangible commitment to this mission. It also gives us moral standing to tell our nation's leaders that our nation should do the same.
• A doorway – Giving 0.7% is not just about writing a check. It's about building a relationship. EGR encourages people to use their 0.7% gift as an opportunity to discern where they fit into God's mission of global reconciliation – as an opportunity to build relationship with other people and organizations who are making the MDGs a reality. At its best, the 0.7% gift is more than a check but a doorway to a relationship that will bear fruit long after the money is spent.

Pat's Pastoral Notes ... The Rev Patricia Gillespie

Sing a New Song

“And when they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
(Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26)

Jesus and his friends sang together. We don’t see illustrations of that, perhaps because singing together was common practice. Today, in our performance oriented world, we tend to pay experts to do things for us. So for most of us lacking particular musical talents, church is the only place we get to sing with others. For that matter, where else do you read aloud in unison with others?

Voices coming together in song and in prayer. It can be a powerful spiritual moment, a hint of intimate community that can lift us out of ourselves. Singing together can be sacramental: an “outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace.” In the sacrament of singing:

• You are not alone.
• You are part of something bigger than yourself.

East Range Episcopal Churches' News

3-Church Mutual Ministry Review

Meeting with the Rev. Canon Sandi Holmberg for all three congregations Tuesday, September 19, at 6:30 pm at St. Paul’s.

Beaglewood Farm Barn Dance

The Beaglewood Farm Barn Dance will be at Pat’s home on Saturday, September 30.
5:00 pm: St. Mary’s Holy Eucharist, followed by potluck.
7:00 pm: Barn Dance with Home on the Range Dance Group; music by Circle of Friends
For more information, contact Pat (218-638-1206)

Blessing of the Animals

St. Francis Day Celebrations with a Blessing of the Animals will be next month.
Check your October Epistle for details. Most likely the weekend of October 7-8.

Transitions

Donald Visovatti entered eternal life on July 30.

Preachers’ Group

The next Preachers’ Group meeting will be on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 PM at St. Andrew’s, Cloquet. If you are interested in preaching or finding your voice, contact Pat (218-638-1206).

Environmental Stewardship Commission Meeting

The next Environmental Stewardship Commission meeting will be on Friday, September 22, at the Mary Brown Environmental Center (MBEC). The meeting will start around 9AM and conclude around 7 PM. Thursday, September 21, and Saturday, September 23 will be clean-up days at the MBEC. Details are available online.

Region II Meeting

The next Region II Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Cass Lake. The meeting is scheduled to run from about 10 AM to about 3 PM. Region I and Region II will be meeting jointly to listen to a presentation on the “Metro Mission Strategy” which has made a detailed review of how the Diocese of Minnesota has functioned in the last 50 years and what some restructuring possibilities may be. We will also look at the upcoming Diocesan Convention at the DECC in Duluth (October 27-28) and items of concern:

• Results of General Convention,
• the Millennium Development Goals, and
• the budget for 2007.

If you are interested in attending, talk with your Vestry/Bishop’s Committee or Pat. Carpooling may be possible.

Seekers

An open group for reflection and discussion gathering on Sundays at 12:15 at St. Paul’s. Everyone is welcome. We will continue our program by Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt on Great Figures of the New Testament. Dynamic, scholarly, and entertaining stories of the foundations of our faith:

• Sept 3 - James and Stephen
• Sept 10 - Philip and the Centurions
• Sept 17 - Paul
• Sept 24 - Jesus of History and Christ of Faith

Retreats at the Mary Brown Environmental Center

On October 6-8, the Rev Roger Weaver will be leading a retreat, A Celebration of the Boundary Waters, at the Mary Brown Environmental Center. It will be a canoeing trip exploring the boundary waters as sacred ground. Cost for the retreat is $60 per person, meals not included. To reserve space, call the Rev Helen Hanten (218-728-2000).

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.

St. John’s Congregational Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM immediately prior to the monthly vestry meeting to vote on its 2007 future direction

Vestry Notes

From the meeting of August 1, 2006::
• Significant discussion regarding our church’s future took place. It was concluded that three options include (1) Total Ministry with mentor; (2) Merge with another church while retaining the Whitman Fund and our savings; and (3) short-term Supply Clergy. However, both options (1) and (3) will require significantly greater participation from significantly more parishioners, especially volunteering for vestry, Eucharistic Visitor, Parish Coordinator, Lay Reader, & Epistle Coordinator. Without greater participation in these areas, neither option (1) or (3) is possible/sustainable. Total Ministry DVD status: only a few parishioners have viewed; more need to watch ASAP (copy is available at church). “Noah’s Ark” every-member canvass will be completed prior to St. John’s congregational meeting date: October 3, 2006.
• Letter to Coleraine Presbyterian church requesting baptism data will be mailed.
• ECS 2006 Church Relations Survey on intra-church communications will be completed and returned.
• Outreach options were discussed, and included: ECS participation, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 (where each diocese, congregation, and parishioner urged to give 0.7 of income by 7/7/07). Vestry favored ECS participation. Pat noted it’s best to DO something having to do with outreach, as opposed to just giving dollars alone.
• In accordance with Canon 806.1, approved purchase of fire safe sufficiently large to hold Parish Registries and records.
• Business Practices for Small Churches manual has been located and will be stored at church.
• Bishop Jelinek’s visit recap: his message was sobering, yet hopeful, stressing that without MISSION & MINISTRY, no church can be vital or even sustainable. He reiterated that in order to proceed with Total Ministry, his mandatory positions are that of Evangelist and Social Outreach. Bishop Jelinek stated that if St. John’s were to merge with another church, he would approve having the Whitman Fund and all savings go along with the merger, so long as there is clear MISSION & MINISTRY therein. He noted that not only are St. John’s pledges very low compared to its peer churches, but its income is as well. Finally, the Bishop stated that he would allow short-term supply clergy provided no trust fund principal was used contrary to its original provisions. He commented that the church appeared to be well-cared for and maintained, and that although we could get a higher return by investing our savings within the Diocesan Money Market fund, he agreed there is ample reason to keep such investments local. Pat noted that church records were corrected as necessary.
• Pending: Intertribal Worship Service at Saint Paul’s coordinated through Jeff Nelson 9/17 (LLenich)
•St. Mary’s congregation unanimously resolved that St. Mary’s - Ely/Tower move forward with Total Ministry as soon as possible with The Reverend Patricia Gillespie as their mentor, and that they are open to considering continuing a “cluster” relationship and/or the concept of Regional Missioner.
• St. Paul’s congregation will vote on Total Ministry as its future choice at 9:45 AM on August 27. Bishop Jelinek approved use of absentee ballots for such an important vote.
• Next meetings: Wednesday, September 13 was previously set for a Joint Vestry meeting, but since Tuesday, September 19 is the date for the Mutual Ministry review of the 3-Point with Sandi Holmberg, including starting at 6 PM for a half-hour on Compensation/Budget/Ratios, perhaps the September 13 date is now unnecessary.
• Region II meeting tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 23.

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.
• Mother Pat and all who attended appreciated very much the Spirit of the Lakes Total Ministry team service and visit, and wished more could have participated at St. John’s.

Special Congregational Meeting

St. John’s Vestry has announced a congregational meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 6:00 PM at the church to discuss and vote on future options for St. John’s. If you have questions, please contact Jane Kingston. This constitutes formal notification of a congregational meeting as outlined in Canon 501.2.

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

Special Congregational Meeting

At the St. Mary’s - Ely/Tower congregation meeting held Saturday, July 29, 2006, the congregation of St, Mary’s - Ely/Tower voted unanimously to accept the following resolution:

Resolved, that St. Mary’s - Ely/Tower move forward with Total Ministry as soon as possible with The Reverend Patricia Gillespie as our mentor and that they are open to considering continuing a “cluster” relationship and/or the concept of regional missioner.

Wednesday Night Discussion Group

Wednesday Night Meeting will continue this September with a discussion of Nickeled and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. All are welcome at meetings, which are held from 7-8:30 PM, on the first Wednesday of the month at First Presbyterian Church and on the third Wednesday at the Mary Brown Environmental Center. For more information or to get the discussion schedule send an e-mail to stmarysely@hotmail.com

Bishop Jelinek at St. Mary’s

Bishop Jelinek’s first visit to Ely at the Mary Brown Environmental Center was uplifting and informative. During our meeting with the Bishop before church, we discussed our mutual interest in the concept of a Regional Missioner, St. Mary’s growth and how we reach out into the community, and what more we might do in the future. During the service, Mary Groeninger and Sue Spencer were received and Richard Borgstrom confirmed into the Episcopal Church.

News of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Chocolate Sunday

Sunday, September 17 will be “Chocolate Sunday.” Please bring fruits, pound cake or angel food cake for the chocolate fountain.

Attention: St. Paul’s Church Family

We will be hosting two luncheons for the Red Hat Clubs in the area on October 6th & October 7th (Friday & Saturday) at 11:30 am. It will be titled “A Step Back in Time.”
We will begin in the sanctuary with a bit of history regarding our 100-plus year old building as well as a peek at services and music from that era.

Our luncheons will be served as was proper for that era using the talents of our English gourmet cooks. Start thinking of your attire for the event - long black skirt, black or white top or any combinations you come up with. Some have extra black skirts we can borrow. Table centerpieces can include antique cooking tools or servers, sewing supplies, jewelry, etc. Contact Marlene if you have items for display.

After the luncheons we will open our boutique in the lower level, “St. Paul’s Mercantile” which will feature our miniature Christmas trees, crafts, jams, jellies, baked goods, etc.
We hope to give the proceeds to our church budget to help us finish this year still solvent. We need the help of everyone including our men.

Christmas tree workshops are every Wednesday at 12:30 at Marlene’s house. Jobs for everyone.

Many workers will be needed the day before and the two days of the luncheon (cooks, servers, dishwashers, clerks in the Mercantile, clean-up, set-up, etc.). Items are also needed for the “Mercantile Shop.” Please bake breads, rolls, etc., and prepare some special jams and jellies.

Contact Marlene (218-741-3077) if you can help.

Vestry Notes

Unofficial Minutes of the July 11 Meeting:
Planning:
1) July 23 — St. Paul’s vestry will meet with Bishop Jelinek at 9:30 a.m. during his visit to the Range churches.
2) August 6 — Ice Cream Social for St. Paul’s neighbors at noon.
3) EFM will recommence this fall. Those interested should contact Pat.
4) In October ECW will hold a Slip Back in Time luncheon for Red Hatters featuring a first look at fund-raiser Christmas Trees.
5) The vestry approved Ham Dinner for Election Day 2006.
Buildings and Grounds:
1) Door has been painted
2) The vestry asked that Darrel to contact Mike Gunderson about repairing the back porch on the rectory. It appears the wood is rotting from steam damage last year.
Restoration:
Marlene suggested we also contact Mike about accomplishing some remaining heavy labor restoration jobs. This work would be paid from restoration funds.
Rector:
(1) Pat said she was planning a special Sunday worship focused for children.
(2) She submitted a list of those whose information was incomplete for being received or confirmed by the bishop on July 23. Dorothy and others said they would try to collect that information.
Treasurers’ Reports:
The vestry discussed the June report for St. Paul’s prepared by Barbara Strickland and Joanne’s June (and, alas, last) 3-point report. [Christine Stuckey will be taking over as the 3-point treasurer.]
Old & New Business:
The vestry decided on August 27 for an all-member meeting to vote on whether or not to begin some form of Total Ministry as the future direction for St. Paul’s. Members will be notified by mail 20 days in advance of that meeting. A committee (Lynne Stuckey, Marlene Munig, Ginny McBride, Joie Swenson, Gail Coon, and David Allen) will prepare possible configurations and procedure steps so members may better envision what Total Ministry might look like for St. Paul’s prior to that 8/27 meeting.

Unofficial Minutes of the August 8 Meeting:
Planning:
1) September 17 — “Chocolate Sunday” (Enjoying Dianna’s chocolate fountain after the service)
2) September 19 — 3-church vestry meeting at St. Paul’s (6:30 PM)
3) September 30 — Annual cookout and barn dance at Beaglewood Farm
Buildings and Grounds:
1) The vestry asked that Darrel contact Mike Gunderson for an estimate for repairing the back porch on the rectory.
2) The vestry asked that Darrel also contact Mike to talk with the rectory tenants about the condition of the yard and suggest if they do not wish to keep it up the church will have to pay to have it done with the expense added to the rent.
Restoration:
Marlene said that Mike Gunderson has agreed to do the rock work at the rear of the church and install hand railings up to the loft and in the front downstairs stairway.
Rector:
(1) Pat said she was pleased with the Bishop’s visit and discussed some of what he had said concerning the future of the 3-churches.
(2) She said she was also pleased with the letter to members and other matters leading to the vote on Total Ministry on August 27.
Treasurers’ Reports:
The vestry discussed the June report for St. Paul’s prepared by Barbara Strickland. It was noted that following the latest transfer to General Funds, the Rectory Savings Fund is down to $13,000.
The 3-point treasurer’s report was pending.
Old & New Business:
(1) David announced that Darrel Swenson no longer wishes to be Ham Dinner treasurer, and someone to take over that work needs to be found.
(2) A list of members eligible to vote on August 27 was read and approved. It includes active participants who are not technically “members” of St. Paul’s.