PASTOR'S MESSAGE
Before all of you rush to find your bibles: It's the same "hilarious" quotation that we often hear at stewardship time: "God loves a cheerful giver." Of course, God loves all creation, the cheerful and the grudging, the givers and the clingers; and most of us have been each of those at one time or another. But the Apostle Paul suggests that God may find particular delight in those who give of themselves "hilariously." Giving is one way of blessing (that is, "making happy") our God who has given us so much. And you, the people of Spirit of the Heartland, have blessed God and one another richly through your many gifts.
We, as a community, give thanks for the gifts and promises that God has brought together in our churches. The vision Spirit of the Heartland is building for the future is shining bright right now. May we continue to support that vision we move forward in our discernment for Total Ministry.
Now, as we begin our Lenten journey toward Easter, take time to consider the vision -- the hopes and dreams -- that God is building in you. Is there a place where the shadows in your life are blocking the fullness of life and love that God offers you? -- shadows of anger or shame, self-pity or busyness, depression or anxiety? Take time for self-reflection, or reflection with a trusted friend: What is it that preoccupies your thoughts and emotions? All that shadowy, painful stuff, too, can be offered to God, perhaps even "hilariously given."
We don't let go or change easily. It's even more difficult to give away and let go of the "shadow" things than the "golden" ones. Perhaps this year for Lent, you might "give up" something different -- instead of dessert or coffee, try fasting from resentment or bitterness. If giving it all up "cold turkey" is too much, you might try giving away a part or a "tithe" of that painful or destructive preoccupation: "For 10% of today, I will try to let go of ....."
God waits to fill those emptied spaces, the Lenten wildernesses, in our lives. May your emptiness be filled with God's surprising grace! For God, too, is a cheerful giver.
Hilarious blessings!
pat +
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Cynthia Ann Evans
Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
Called to be a liturgist
I grew up in Southwestern Kansas during the dust bowl days. I was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ulysses, Kansas. My mother died when I was 8. After my Mother died my senile Grandmother cared for my sister and me. I wanted to play the piano we had but my Grandmother kept it locked and would not unlock it so that I could play it. When I was in the 5th grade we had a music class. Each student had a cardboard keyboard. The teacher told my Grandmother that I should have piano lessons. My grandmother finally unlocked the piano and allowed me to take lessons.
When I was 13, I taught myself to play the pipe organ. I played at that church for a few years. Several years later I took organ lessons and have studied with several organists. I moved a lot and usually ended up playing for the church we went to: Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational. One time in addition to a regular 40 hour work week I played for a Christian Science church to make enough money to take organ lessons.
One summer I was asked to substitute at the Episcopal Cathedral in Laramie, Wyoming while the organist was on vacation. I fell in love with our liturgy. I was confirmed in 1966. I have been active in the Episcopal church ever since.
The last eight years before I retired I lived in Berkeley, California. I worked the night shift in the emergency room. I was the organist at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. I met many students and faculty at "C.D.S.P." -- Church Divinity School of the Pacific
When I retired two years ago I moved to Osakis. (What a culture shock that move was.) My sister and a cousin help me financially. I am a single woman. I have two children and one grandchild. My son and his family live in California. My daughter and granddaughter live in Kansas.
Part of the discernment to be called to the team included a scripture given to each of us. The one given to me, in part, was: Amos 7:12-17. "To Amos himself Amaziah said, go away, seer take yourself off to Judah, earn your living there and there you will prophesy! But never again will you prophesy at Bethel for this is a royal sanctuary, a national temple.' I am not a prophet,' Amos replied to Amaziah, nor do I belong to a prophetic brotherhood. I am merely a herdsman and dresser of sycamore-figs. But Yahweh took me as I followed the flock, and Yahweh said to me, "Go and prophesy to my people Israel."
I feel that God has called me to be on this team at this time in my life and I will do my best.
WHERE'S OUR TEAM?
Saturday, Feb.12 found the team at St. John's, St. Cloud for a full day of work, reflection, prayer, and fellowship. It was a wintery day which unfortunately prevented one of our members from attending. Another member was still trying to recover from some version of the awful flu that has been going around. We missed them both. The rest of us met in a cozy conference room and watched feathery snowflakes falling softly to the ground. It was a good day to be indoors, enjoying the company of people who are growing, learning, and coming to cherish each other. We commented about how much we are all looking forward to our parishes discerning new members to join us this spring. We also noted that we are very much missing our summer folks. Hence we are planning a slumber party (or lock-in if you prefer) early in June when we hope everyone will be able to come.
As is the usual custom, the day started out with the preacher's group gathering. We developed a simple feedback form for parish members, who are willing, to provide the preachers with input and assistance in improving our sermons and how we deliver them. The highlight of the morning was the opportunity to hear three sermons by Dick Bormes, the new priest at St. John's. His is a remarkable gift of storytelling. He kept us spellbound. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear Dick preach, we would highly recommend making it a point to do so. We are very pleased that Dick will be spending some time with the team as a priest of one of our Spirit of the Heartland Churches.
The full team gathered at noon for our lunch and team-only time together. We focused our discussion on concerns that might arise around the issue of confidentiality. We looked at ways to balance the need for confidentiality of parish members with the need for the team to be able to best minister to the parishes. It was felt that our parishes very much need to be reassured that the team will be a place where their confidentiality will be preserved with utmost care. However, it could hinder the work of the ministry team if a particular minister on the team were asked to keep something completely confidential from the rest of the team. We hope to talk with other functioning total ministry teams to find out how they have addressed these sensitive issues.
At 2:00 p.m. open team formation began, and we were delighted that a non-team member joined us. We want to continue to encourage folks to join us for this time. While the team will be providing guidance and leadership to our parishes, we need the involvement, help, and input from everyone if total ministry is going to be TOTAL and provide for the needs of all.
A gospel reading (Mark 1:29-39) helped us to focus our reflections on how to manage time and ensure that team members will not be overextending themselves or skipping essential needs by spreading themselves too thin. We agreed to care enough about each other to let each other know when we are concerned that someone may not be taking good care of themselves. We looked at innovative ways that technology can help to enhance team communication in a time-efficient manner. In case anyone doesn't know it yet, our mentoring priest is a computer junkie and has numerous skills up her sleeve in this department. She has managed to put together a system whereby the team can communicate with each other on-line that even I can understand. That takes some doing.
It is hard to sum up all that is happening as the ministry team is developing. Perhaps the best way I can think to put it is that the Spirit is most definitely at work - and that indeed makes it a remarkably exciting experience.
Johanna Morrigan
GIRL SCOUT SABBATH AT GOOD SAM
Good Samaritan welcomes Sauk Centre Girl Scouts for a celebration of Girl Scout Sabbath on Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 pm. Everyone is encouraged to come experience our church filled with young people and an ecumenical contemporary service in the Anglican tradition.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER AT OUR SAVIOUR'S
Our Saviour's is the Little Falls host for World Day of Prayer 2000. The service written by young women from Indonesia will be Friday, March 3, at 1:00 pm.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Bible Study: the Book of Jeremiah
St. Stephen's, Paynesville
Thursdays, March 2 & 16, April 6 & 20, at 11:00 am
Bible Study: the Gospel according to John
Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
Tuesdays, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, at noon
Book Study:
The Practice of Prayer by Margaret Guenther
Our Saviour's, at the Black & White Hamburger Shop in Little Falls
Wednesdays, March 22 & 29, April 5
Book is available from Pat for $10.00
PICTURE DIRECTORY
Our Spirit of the Heartland picture directory is finally coming together. We hope to have it in time to welcome our snowbirds back home. Many thanks to Holly Ryan of Our Saviour's who put the layout together. Because of the confusion and delay during the photo sessions, United is giving us extra copies of the directory, absorbing a cost of about $150 so that those who were not able to be photographed may still have a copy of the directory.
SUNRISE SERVICE
Come to Our Saviour's in Little Falls for an early morning Easter Vigil to welcome the Light of Christ. Traditional readings, a joyful noise at sunrise, and celebration of Holy Communion. Service begins at 5:30 am on Easter Day, Sunday, April 23.
LENT & HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Ash Wednesday Services March 8
1:00 St. Stephen's
4:00 Good Samaritan
7:00 Our Saviour's
Maundy Thursday April 20
12:00 St. Stephen's
7:00 Our Saviour's
Good Friday April 21
1:00 St. Stephen's
4:00 Good Samaritan
7:00 Our Saviour's
Easter Sunday April 23
5:30 Sunrise Vigil, Our Saviour's
9:00 Holy Eucharist, St Stephen's
10:30 Holy Eucharist, Our Saviour's
11:00 Holy Eucharist, Good Samaritan
TOTAL MINISTRY SUMMIT
Spirit of the Heartland was host to Episcopalians from throughout Minnesota, who gathered on January 22 at St. John's in St. Cloud to talk about Total Ministry. The focus for this session was the process of developing total ministry teams. Team members Randy and Rob planned the worship services; Johanna, Lu, and Cedar gave a presentation on the beginning sages of the process. A draft for the process toward Canon-9 ordination was discussed and a foundation for a checklist for the process was put together. The dedication and abilities of our team members were evident. It was noted with some amusement that we are the only team with a theme song, team pins, team mascot, and a team drum! The Rev. Steve Schaitberger, Canon Missioner for Total Ministry is planning another Summit for July 22. Mark your calendars to see our team and others from the diocese in action.
| Note: "The View from the Pew" is a new part of our newsletter where any member of our churches may submit articles, letters , or comments. |
Like most Episcopalians, "we" are now sitting back with our feet up, thinking that most of the Total Ministry is all set up. All of the team members have found what they will be doing. Others have decided to take classes or get certified for doing the readings, chalice bearer, etc. Randy, Johanna, and others are giving great sermons. Well, it looks like "we" can set the old cruise control everything is going great so "we" can put "Total Ministry" on the shelf along with the dreaded "E" word and go on as usual.
STOP! What is wrong with this picture? Most Episcopalians "do" evangelism (not "talk" evangelism, that is for the Baptists): seeing a neighbor walking home from the store and giving them a ride, Share-A-Meal, donate to the food shelf, clean up the highway.
Total Ministry will only work if all the people in all the churches of Spirit of the Heartland try to answer from Deuteronomy: "Therefore ....What does the Lord your (my) GOD require of you (me)?" It does not have to be much: offer to get a book they may need, calling to encourage them, taking the time to listen to them in their frustration after they have read a Bible passage several times and it makes about as much sense as Old Chinese. Total Ministry means all the people of the churches Our Saviour's, Good Samaritan, St. John's, St. Stephen's are the support staff for the Ministry Team.
Luci YoungBlood, Our Saviour's
ZIPPORAH'S QUESTIONS ?
Saying "we are all ministers" doesn't mean anything if we still expect one person or ten people to do all the ministry. Luci is right we all need to be support staff, ministering to our team and each other.
If we just relax in the pew (or in my case under it) and let the Ministry Team do all the ministry, then we look and work about as much like a Total Ministry Parish as my tail looks and works like a leg.
I can't change my tail into a leg, but God can change you into ministers.
Zippy 
Team Mascot and Merry Maker
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