East Range Episcopal Churches' News

Blessing of the Animals

Bring a friend to church! Non-human species in attendance to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis will get a special blessing. Human friends will see our worship at its liveliest. All creatures great and small (and suitably restrained) are welcome. This year we celebrate St. Francis during regular worship times. Critters associated with St. Paul’s and St. John’s share a worship service at St. John’s.

• Saturday, October 7, 5:00 pm in Ely
• Sunday, October 8, 9:00 am in Eveleth
  

Preachers’ Group

The next Preachers’ Group meeting will be on Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30 PM at St. Paul’s. If you are interested in preaching or finding your voice, contact Pat (218-638-1206).

Total Ministry Discernment

St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s have decided to move toward Total Ministry.

(If St. John’s chooses to also, they may follow the same plan.) Between now and the end of the year, these congregations will be exploring our Church, Our Gifts, Our Ministry, and preparing to call a Ministry Team.

Because most of us have had far too many church meetings recently, most of the discernment will be at regular worship time or soon after.

Ongoing prayer is essential for this process. Please keep our churches especially in your prayers during this time of discernment. Here is an overview of the process:

NOTE: Saturday Dates are for St. Mary’s and Sunday Dates are for St. Paul’s

Discernment Part I - Our Church

• Sept 23/Oct 8: Mission & Ministry (During/Following Worship)

Discernment Part II - Our Gifts

• Oct 7/15: Gifts Discovery 1 (Following Worship)
• Oct 21/22: Gifts Discovery 2 (During Worship)

Discernment Part III - Our Ministries

• Oct 28/29: Ministry Nominations (During/Following Worship)
• Nov 4/5: Ministry Nominations (During/Following Worship)

Discernment Part IV - Calling Our Team

• Nov 11/12: Congregational Call (During Worship)

Discernment Part V - Answering Our Call

• Nov 12-30: Interviews and/or Discernment Group
• Early Dec: Commission on Ministry
• Mid Dec: Celebrating our Christmas Gifts of Ministry
  

Diocesan Convention

The 149th Convention of the Diocese of Minnesota will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 28-29 at the DECC in Duluth.

The Right Rev. Steven Charleston, President and Dean of Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA, and former Bishop of Alaska, will be the speaker. Theme of the convention is “In Sure and Certain Hope”.

Important legislative actions will be the budget for 2007 and elections for Standing Committee, for the Commission on Ministry and for Trustees of both Seabury-Western Seminary and the Diocese of Minnesota.

There will be a Silent Auction to benefit the Millennium Development Goals. Each congregation in the diocese is asked to bring one item (or more) to donate to the auction. Paperwork should include a description of the item (s) and a suggested monetary value.

The convention will also feature presentations by three groups:

• General Convention Deputies (with a report on many aspects and actions at the most recent General Convention)
  
• Bishop’s Commission on Metro Mission Strategy (with an update from last year and information on how the scope has now been expanded to include the entire diocese)
  Millennium Development Goals (how the diocese will go about organizing for and doing work to support the goals.)
  
• The convention is open to the public and you may register in advance or at the door. Fee for guests is $30.

For more information, visit the convention website or talk with Pat.

Retreats at the Mary Brown Environmental Center

On October 13-14 (Note Date Change), 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 $30 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

St. John’s Congregational Vote 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 3 in the undercroft.

Animal Blessing service on October 8 in observance of St. Francis Day during regular worship service at Saint John’s.

October ECS Project: Winter Warm-Up – collect new and gently used coats in preparation for winter. Coats are needed for children and youth of all ages, and adult women (particularly plus-size coats for Ready for Success). Help somebody Warm Up this winter! Please leave your contributions on the shelf beside the side door at Saint John’s. “This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love; the more they give, the more they possess.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

“Spotlight on Global Warming!” Coming soon - St. John’s will host a screening of 3 films: Paramount’s An Inconvenient Truth, HBO’s movie about global warming entitled Too Hot Not to Handle, and the Interfaith Power & Light’s short film Lighten Up! Packets of educational materials will also be available to hand out to attendees. No dates or locations have been determined yet.

Vestry Notes

From the meeting of July 5, 2006 (inadvertently left out of last month’s Vestry Notes):

• Monthly: expenditures $1751.28, receipts $2815.05, monthly budget offset $1063.77, checking account balance $12,412.56.
• YTD: expenditures $15,904.52, receipts $9957.51, annual budget ($5947.01).
• UTO $220 total. Thank you very much, all those who contributed!
  
• Safe church certificates for Nancy Harvey, Jane Kingston, and Liz Lenich were received
• Ceiling Tile repairs (TKingston): our contractor (Harvey) promptly, professionally, and reasonably repaired the fallen tiles in the basement. Paint touch-up will complete the job. Thank you, Harvey Constructors!
• Two copies of the Total Ministry DVD are being passed amongst members. All are encouraged to view ASAP.
• The kitchen faucet has been replaced and is very nice – the Altar Guild especially thanks TKingston!
• A church member mentioned to the senior warden that she felt results of joint church meetings were lacking, and requested that minutes from our joint church meetings be posted at church. The member was reminded that all notes are available in the Epistle, and it was noted that meeting attendance remains the best and primary way members obtain information. Many volunteers have put great effort into attending and recording these meetings, and they are to be commended and thanked.

Budget notes from the meeting of August 1, 2006 (inadvertently left out of last month’s Vestry Notes):

• Monthly: expenditures $2103.05, receipts $1355.90, monthly budget offset ($747.15), checking account balance $11,665.41
• YTD: expenditures $15,904.52, receipts $9967.41, YTD actual ($5937.11).

From the meeting of September 5, 2006:

• Monthly: expenditures $ 2035.16, receipts $1139.70, monthly $ (895.46), checking account balance ~$ 10,679.95.
• YTD: expenditures $ 17,939.68, receipts $11,117.11, budget $ (6822.57).
• Future Options: Finalized wording on options (1 & 2 will require significantly more parishioner involvement) as follows:
  (1) Short-term Supply Clergy – if yes, for which duty will you volunteer starting in 2007?
  ____ Worship (Lay) Reader (licensed)
  ____ Epistle Coordinator
  ____ Eucharistic Visitor (licensed)
  ____ Vestry
  ____ Senior or Junior Warden
  ____ Treasurer
  (2) Total Ministry with mentor – if yes, to which ministry might you accept a call (in addition to all of the above)?
  ____ Preacher (licensed)
  ____ Administrator/Parish Coordinator
  ____ Eucharistic Minister (licensed)
  ____ Evangelist
  ____ Pastoral Care Minister
  ____ Catechist (licensed)
  ____ Social Outreach
  (3) Merge with another church while retaining the Whitman Fund and savings
• Contacts were assigned for “Noah’s Ark” every-member canvass as follows:
  Tom & Nancy: Linda Davis, Lisa & Kurt DePaulis, Ellen & Bruce Williams
  Nancy & Jane: Liz & Mike Lenich, Melissa Martinie
  Nancy & Kathy: Ann McIntyre, Cathy Moore, Jane Petik
  Kathy & Gail: Kathy & Gary Drobnick, Sharon & Jim Lind, Jo & Tom Nemanick
  Tom & Jane: Joanne Nichols, Pam Nichols & Tony Klune, Petrina & Andy Woodrick
  Each contact will commence with a Prayer for Guidance from the BCP. Additional informative material will be compiled and provided on state of the church (attendance, finances, costs per option) as well as on Total Ministry should any questions arise during each interview.
• Selected ECS outreach activities for October (Winter Warm-Up – coat collection) and December (Winter Hugs for Kids – new set of mitts, hat, & scarf)
• Approved paying Joie Swenson an additional $100 for summer organist services. Thank you, Joie!
• Convention delegate fees of $100 approved
• 9/17 Intertribal Worship Service and Potluck Feast starting at 10:30 at Saint Paul’s arranged by Liz Lenich and Jeff Nelson; advertising will include placement with WEVE, local cable network, MDN, Eveleth Scene, Fortune Bay, and posters in the area
• Region II meeting in Hermantown at 9 AM on September 30

• Mother Pat expressed she’s pleased with our plans to visit all parishioners, buttressed by Tom’s suggestions for including an overview of back-up information. It will ensure an informed decision will ultimately be made. Her work schedule will probably change at St. Paul’s starting in October, and she may have a change in employment before the end of the year. All are encouraged to attend the 3-point joint vestry meeting on September 19 at St. Paul’s.

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

Wednesday Night Book Group

Wednesday Night Meeting will continue this October with a discussion of Gilead by Marylinne Robinson. 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

Mary Brown Environmental Center T-Shirts

Mary Brown Environmental Center t-shirts and sweatshirts are now available for purchase. Ask Mother Pat to show you hers. Our logo combines the Environmental Stewardship Committee’s turtle logo with the Episcopal shield. If you have a particular color, style, or size preference not currently available, you can preorder. For more information or to place an order, contact Mary Groeninger
(218-365-3364) or Gail Sheddy (218-365-4914).

Christian Education Program

St. Mary’s is participating in Ely’s new ecumenical Christian Education program, which will take place on Wednesdays after school to 4:15 during the school year at Grace Lutheran. Children aged 3-12 are welcome to join the program at any time. Volunteers are needed to help teach, make music or lead singing, and provide snacks. For more information or to volunteer, contact Mary Groeninger
(218-365-3364) or Gail Sheddy (218-365-4914).

Ely’s 2nd Annual Gifts that Give Fair

Ely’s 2nd annual Gifts that Give Fair is coming up in late November or early December. Pam Webster and Mary Groeninger will act as Fair organizers. Last year the fair raised over $6000 in four hours for Church World Service, Heifer Fund, SERRV, the Ely Food Shelf, and other nonprofit and ecumenical faith-based organizations. If you know of an nonprofit organization that would like to participate in the fair, please contact Mary or Pam. St. Mary’s will once again host the SERRV table at the fair. Volunteers needed for all sorts of things!

News of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Attention: St. Paul’s Church Family

St. Paul’s is serving our premiere historic luncheon “A Step Back in Time” on October 6 th & 7th at 11:30 for the area Red Hat Lady Society groups. We will also be opening St. Paul’s Mercantile in our lower level. We will have 100 Christmas trees ready and we hope everyone will bring baked goods, jams, jellies, crafts, garden produce, etc., for sale too. We need the whole church to volunteer to set up tables, prepare the food, serve, sell in the Mercantile Shop, etc. We have some men volunteering for duties too. If you can help see Carol Morello (218-744-1615), Shirley Coe (218-741-0253) or Joanne LaPatka (218-741-7167) for information.

Vestry Notes

Unofficial Minutes of the September 12 Meeting:
Buildings & Grounds, Restoration:
1) Marlene said Mike Gunderson will start Thursday (9/15) 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.
2) She explained a collaborative theory to the effect that our current lift problems stem from not having the right key. It will be pursued.
3) The Sunday service, November 5, will include a blessing of the new stained glass windows and acknowledgement of those whose contributions made them possible.
Youth:
Gail announced that this fall’s Great North T.E.C. will be October 20, 21, 22 in St. Cloud.
Ham Dinner:
Carol Draper will again chair the Ham Dinner (November 7). Gail Coon agreed to be Ham Dinner treasurer.
Treasurers’ Reports:
The vestry discussed the August report for St. Paul’s prepared by Barbara Strickland. Several vestry members expressed the wish that she meet with the vestry in October.
The 3-point treasurer’s report was pending.
Old & New Business:
With the 2/3 vote on August 27 that St. Paul’s enter into Total Ministry, most of the meeting was a discussion of next steps and possibilities. Pat presented a plan by which in her remaining months as rector, she forego education programs for the church and instead lead us in the discernment process so that by the end of the year we could have a starting team in place, approved by the Commission on Ministry. Her plan includes a timeline of steps toward discernment beginning October 8. Motion that the vestry approve her plan was approved.

A View of Creation ...

As Christians, when we say Incarnation we start and end with Jesus. However, for two millennia we have viewed the Incarnate One as reaching out to an inclusion of all humans, and now we must complete the picture by seeing this reaching out extending to the rest of Creation. Picturing this visually, we have had a line, connecting Jesus with us as humans. We now have another line that connects Jesus and the non-human part of Creation, which also must be part of his Body if we are going to be honest to what we know in the science of these days. And since we as humans participate in the economy of nature, just as Jesus did, then there is also a line between humans and the rest of Creation. So we have a triangle: at one pole we have Jesus, at a second pole we have humans, and at a third, co-equal pole we have the rest of Creation – the second and third poles “leaning into” the first, as Christ and the Holy Spirit lean toward the Father in traditional icons of the Holy Trinity. This triangle is now the “picture” we have in mind when we say Incarnation.

When we take this view of Incarnation, it demands a radical reorientation of our vision, and it demands a radical reorientation of our way of living – our action. As we have long understood, every time we look at another human being we are looking at a person called to be an embodiment of Christ, and how we treat that person is how we treat Christ . This is a great opportunity; it is a great calling; it is a great measurement of our success or failure to be people who live in love. In our own times in the United States, the Civil Rights movement has been based, in part, in a Christian religious standpoint: in the understanding that all people are Jesus' brothers and sisters, that all people are God's children. Throughout the world we now know that racism is a sin; we also know that any taking of the Earth’s resources by one group such that it impoverishes another group is not only an offense against humans, it is also an offense against the Body of Christ, an offense against the Incarnation. The same is true for the rest of Creation in this “Triangle Theology”.

When we make it so that the rest of Creation cannot live its life of God, its being as part of Incarnation, then we are killing the Incarnate One. In the most direct sense possible, what we do to the rest of Creation is what we do to God. Christ cannot be human unless the entire Creation is taken into what it means to say God becomes Flesh. How we treat this Flesh is, by its very nature, how we treat God.

Excerpted from “On the Implications of Ecology for Incarnation: Triangle Theology” by the Rev Dr Eugene Wahl and available online on the website of the Environmental Stewardship Commission.