"Where is this child who has been born king of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2)
It is, of course, the question the Wise Men ask upon reaching Jerusalem. We're still asking it today: Just where do we find this baby? Where can we meet Jesus? How do we get to know him?
It's midwinter and I walk along the Florida beach were I grew up. I pick up the occasional shell, and I think perhaps I first met him here. I suppose that with the spiritual instincts of a child I recognized the holy in the power and mystery of the ocean, but there is more than that. While most kids get their first lessons about God from Bible storybooks, mine came from the beach. Every shell that my grandmother picked up, it seems, had a story about Jesus for me.
I hold in my hand a common jingle shell. Light and delicate, translucent gold, silver, or even pink – a clear, opalescent color that, for car dealers, is to die for. There are occasional ancient jingle shells turned shiny black. But jingle shells are not valued by shell collectors because they are too common.
What I see when I hold it is the Baby Jesus' footprint in the bottom of the shell. As a child I thought perhaps He walked along "my" beach. We found signs of Him everywhere: sand dollars show the five wounds and contain tiny doves of the Spirit, slipper shells become Galilean boats, catfish skulls boil down to a perfect crucifix, starfish guide the wisemen to the Child. Jesus, it seems, is right here.
I begin to collect the jingle shells, all the tiny infant footprints. I brought them back to Minnesota for you; ask me for one and hold the Baby Jesus' footprint in your own hand.
Where is the Child? In a cave in Bethlehem? In the imagination of a gospel writer? Right here in your hand? In a tiny shell, a snowdrift baby blanket, or a partner's smile? You that have eyes to see, seek and you will find.
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Doris Dodds
St. Stephen's, Paynesville
Called to the Team
I'm a "cradle Episcopalian". Born in Milwaukee and attended the Cathedral until moving to Minnesota. I now attend St. Stephen's in Paynesville and have served as treasurer and presently am the Senior Warden.I've been involved in the music of the church since I was seven years old, and since music is prayer from the soul I've had a personal relationship with Jesus all my life.
When my husband, David, died in February of 1999, the anger, sorrow and pain were overwhelming. Rainbows and Sunbeams given freely by the God of love turned the anger, sorrow and pain into a peaceful place of acceptance.
To be part of the Ministry Team gives me the opportunity to give to others the love, acceptance and support I have received from Him.
WHERE'S OUR TEAM
Our Team has been granted postulancy!
We met with the Bishop at St. John's, St. Cloud at 10am on December 9th. The meeting formally began with a prayer, and then each of the team ministers talked about their individual callings, told their different stories.
He spoke of the fifty-nine team members in discernment for Total Ministry in the Diocese of Minnesota, and referred to us as the Vanguard of Phase two.
We talked about some of the challenges facing us as a team, and many of the benefits of Total Ministry. We then wrapped up with administrative details and a concluding prayer.
To hear more about the Postulancy meeting, join us at the next team meeting, from 2 - 4.30pm on January 13th at the Church of the Good Samaritan in Sauk Centre, or ask one of the team members about it.
MEET OUR PARISHIONERS
Marjorie "Peggie" Jerabek
St. Stephen's, Paynesville
Junior Warden
I am Marjorie (Peggie) Jerabek a member of St.Stephen's Church in Paynesville. I've been a member for longer than I care to remember, thru the bountiful years and now the lean ones. Our membership has decreased steadily and as our church is very old, like the parishioners, it is hard to acquire new members. But, we haven't given up.
I have been blessed over the years in so many ways, being the proud parent of three children: Clifford and wife Connie, who have given me three lovely, talented grandchildren - Russell who lives further away than I would like and Carolyn who is married to Steve and lives in St. Cloud.
Due to the lack of manpower in the church I have been elected or drafted, I know not which, Junior Warden. Thanks to the rest of the church we were able to do a little fixing up to make the building look cleaner and warmer. I also keep up with the Women's Guild, being their Treasurer. Keeping enough money to pay the bills is a challenge at times- seems we are more generous than wealthy.
I like to play cards and bowl - getting too old for the more athletic stuff I used to do. I like on a lake and enjoy all the summer activities-not much for cold weather sports.
In closing I do with you all well and may God Bless and keep you, If you are in the area you are always welcome at St. Stephens.
Addendum by Doris Dodds
Peggie plays a vital role in the life of St. Stephens - she remembers birthdays, anniversaries, etc. She is always
available to anyone in need of help, even if it is only as an excellent listener. Her love and concern for the entire
congregation is evident and appreciated by everyone.
ALPHA
What is Alpha? When can I take part?
Alpha is a short, practical course for anyone interested in learning more about Christianity. Weekly sessions include a light meal and a time for learning and discussion. Discussions cover topics such as; Who is Jesus?, Why did Jesus die?. How do I pray?, How does God guide me?
Alpha was developed in the mid 1980's by the Chuch of England. It has grown to an international movement and a number of Episcopal ( as well as Lutheran, Methodist, and other denominations) churches in Minnesota have held Alpha courses.
Participants in Alpha can discover a growing and renewed faith as well as increased enjoyment and particpation in parish life.
Alpha will be available to our Spirit of the Heartland churches next summer. Courses will begin about June 1 and meet weekly until early August.
Everyone is welcome! It will be fun! Further details will be available in the spring. Please plan to be part of Alpha !
Contact Harriette Burkhalter for more information or to volunteer your help with Alpha.You can reach me in Arizona until May 1 at 520-284-1690 or harrijack@sedona.net and after May 1 at 320-453-7805.
CHURCH DIRECTORY ON LINE
When our Picture Directory arrived belatedly, it was already out of date. The ministry team added some sticker updates in the back. Your newsletter included some corrections. But many of us probably didn't get around to recording them. And things keep changing. So, for those of you with computer access, the most recent updates of our Spirit of the Heartland directory are available online. This directory is available for our community and our friends only. The directory is password protected. It will not be available through internet searches.
The URL (address) for the Church Directory is:
http://www.motherflash.com/directory/
When you go there, you will see a window with blank spaces for UserName and Password.
Send an email to any team mister to find out what to type
in the UserName and Password spaces.
Then click on "OK" or hit the Enter Key.
Use only lower case and don't add any blank spaces.
If this makes no sense to you, ask any team minister or plan to attend a "Computers and Church Work" workshop in Little Falls (see below).
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
January is "make up" time for incomplete Christian Education series.
Good Samaritan will be finishing up a study of the "Revelation to John" on Tuesday mornings, January 9 & 23, at 11:00 am.
St. Stephen's will finally have their book study on "Voices from Within" on Thursday mornings, January 4 & 18,
Our Saviour's will finally have their Computers and Church Work workshops on the basics of using email and visiting websites for church related information on Sunday mornings, January 14 & 28 at 11:00 am.
TOTAL MINISTRY SUMMIT
Still wondering about just what this Total Ministry idea is? Come to ST. JOHN'S, St. Cloud, Saturday, January 27th, for a gathering of people from all over the diocese who are interested in or involved in Total Ministry. All are welcome. Contact Pat for details and to let us know you plan to attend.
THEATRE & THEOLOGY
St. Stephen's in Paynesville will be showing The Last Temptation of Christ on Friday, January 19th, at 7pm. A post-show discussion will take place with Rev. Pat Gillespie.
All are welcome.
THANK YOU
The Spirit of the Heartland Pastor's Discretionary Fund received many generous gifts this year. Most of the gifts were anonymous, but one was given in honor of my mother, Dru Gillespie, by Jean DeBusk, my children's paternal grandmother. Thank you to all who contributed for making life easier for many who were in need.
THANK YOU TO LITTLE FALLS
My warm thanks to all my special family of friends for the kindness and help showered on me during my recent illness. Also a special thank you to anonymous Angels who have worked miracles in my life this whole year thru. God bless you all. Zippy
MINISTRY SCHEDULES
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Our Saviour's
St. Stephen's
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