All blessings come from God, and one of the wonderful things about being a priest of the church is to be able to pronounce blessings in the name of the church.
When a priest does that, she or he is representing the priesthood of all the people of the church. We all can name and offer blessings. That's what our ministry is about — recognizing and sharing the blessings God sends into our lives.
Ministry isn't just about church work. Ministry isn't called "total" just because we all do it. Ministry is "total" because it happens in every part of our lives. Ministry happens wherever God is.
Inside each one of us is something wonderful, perhaps something secret, that we may always have longed to share. Maybe you always wanted to try woodcarving. Perhaps the desire of your heart is to learn to dance or sing or play the tuba. It could be that you have a gift for teaching poetry or massaging tired backs or smiling. Only you may know about this desire.
These are blessings, gifts to share. They are signs of God's abundant life growing in you. Whatever the gift is, the church's job is to enable you to do it and to share it. Sharing that gift is what ministry is about.
Whatever your gift may be, name it and let the church – that is all of us gathered together – help the gift grow into a blessing to share. In these blessings we will find abundant life.
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
Blessings !
pat +
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Harriette Burkhalter
St. Stephen's, Paynesville
Called as Evangelism/Outreach Minister
I'm the "summer person" on the team. My husband Jack and I divide our time and our church loyalty between St. Stephens, Paynesville and St. Andrews in Sedona, Arizona. Being here part time is somewhat frustrating as I miss much of the formation process and the closeness of the other team members and the parishioners of Spirit of the Heartland. Luckily, Pat+ 's technological abilities enable me to stay in touch thru our on-line team bulletin board. I'm one of those "cradle Episcopalians" growing up in the church in Chicago and keeping close to the Episcopal Church as our family moved around the country and even overseas. We were active members of St. David's in Minnetonka and have been most blessed to be welcomed warmly into St. Stephen's family. It is my hope that your prayers and support will continue and that the ministry team will grow and prosper and we will be able to serve you all as we carry out the work of the Lord together. .
Introduction meetings are planned for June in each parish.. Alpha is a course for anyone interested in learning more about Christianity and wanting to explore the meaning of life. Everyone is invited to participate. See Calendar for dates and times. For further information please contact Harriette Burkhalter 320-453-7805.
WHERE'S OUR TEAM
Lu Tax, Our Saviour's
Our last gathering was May 12 at Church of Our Saviour in Little Falls. In the morning the preaching team met as usual, to give and hear sermons. Other topics for the morning included Connecting Scripture to Our Stories, and licensing preparation.
At noon the rest of the team gathered around a table on the lawn in the sunshine to have lunch and check in with each other. This is always a time we enjoy—it's great to get caught up with what's been happening in our lives since we last met. Harriette was back from Arizona, and Doris was feeling better (she was sick the last time we met), so everyone was present, except for Ann who is still on sabbatical, and Antonia who was getting ready for her move to San Francisco.
During the Open Formation time, from 2-4 p.m., when all of you are welcome to join us, our topic was Resolution and Reconciliation—Living with Conflict. Another of our topics for the afternoon was liturgics. For that discussion, we focused on the whys and wherefores of the Book of Common Prayer. It's amazing what's in our prayer book when you really look at it—page by page. Some other topics we will be exploring in upcoming months as we go through our formation will include evangelism, ethics & contemporary issues, and pastoral care.
Also during the Open Formation time we had a run-through of the "Dog & Pony Show". By now, some of you have seen it. For those who haven't, or if you would like to see it one more time, we're doing it again--June 3, 10am at Our Saviour's in Little Falls. That's the same day as the Preacher's Commissioning—it will be a grand celebration!
At 4pm, we closed the afternoon with a Eucharist from the 1559 Prayer Book. Having grown up with the '28 Book of Common Prayer, I was amazed at how familiar the 1559 liturgy was—except for the references to "the Queen"! It was like going back to my childhood. Our closing Eucharist is always open to anyone who would like to join us, and we had one person who did just that.
Please keep the team ministers in your prayers, as you all are in ours, as we journey TOGETHER in Total Ministry.
Peace to you, Lu.
MEET OUR PARISHIONERS
Lura Webb
St. Stephen's
I was born August 21, 1917 in Paynesville. I was baptized and confirmed in St Stephen's, as was my father before me. My grandparents, William and Lura Huntington, were active members in the early development of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church some 100 years ago.
I played the old pump organ for Sunday School services and was a member of St Stephen's choir in all the years that it existed.
After my graduation from the University of Minnesota, I left by train for Burbank, CA where I had a job waiting for me and, also where my college boyfriend, Raymond Webb of South St. Paul, was an aeronautical engineer at Lockheed Aircraft Co. I was lucky that I left that morning of November 11, 1940 because I missed the big snow storm of the century in Minnesota. Since it appeared that I would not be able to be married in my home church of St Stephen's in the summer, as had been my greatest wish, we were married in St David's Episcopal Church in North Hollywood on March 1, 1941. We were the first couple to be married in that new church. However, I did get my wish fulfilled when Rev. Elaine Marshall, St Stephen's priest, had a church service in our church, where we renewed our marriage vows at our 50 year anniversary celebration in 1991. Our two children, Sheila of Hercules, CA and Edward of Paynesville were born in California.
After several deferments for his defense job and family, Ray decided that we should sell our house and drive back to Paynesville and he would enlist in the Navy at Fort Snelling. When Ray returned from his World War II service, he became a confirmed Episcopalian. He was very active at St Stephen's as lay reader, junior and senior warden several times, custodian, plumber, electrician and served wherever he was needed. My father and uncle wished to retire from the family business, Paynesville Our Own Hardware Store and asked Ray to remain in Paynesville to take over the business rather than return to his former job in California. Ray and I were partners in the business for some 40 to 45 years. In 1992, we received the convention award from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota in Rochester for outstanding service in lay ministry. Ray died in July 1996.
I have three granddaughters and eight great grandchildren. I was a Charter member of the St Stephen's Altar Guild and served some 40 years but had to give it up a year ago due to failing health. At present, I am a lector, secretary for ECW and clerk of the Vestry.
BOOK REVIEW AND TESTIMONY
"The Prayer of Jabez", Breaking through to the Blessed Life, by Bruce Wilkinson and Reviewed by Roger and Rosemary Phillips
How would you like to read a very small book, only 92 pages, which will challenge you to live your life more completely in God's Will? We recommend to you "The Prayer of Jabez." it has already changed our lives.
Roger: I bought a copy at the bookstore of the Cathedral of St. Luke in Orlando, one Sunday three weeks ago, after noting it was on the "Best Seller List" and that our Dean was teaching a Bible study on it. After reading it , I was immediately struck with its power and challenge to my life, then decided to pray the prayer of Jabez daily as follows: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!' So God granted him what he requested." (1 Chronicles4:10) I prayed that God would "enlarge" my ministry and that I would be in His Will.
When we left Orlando to drive to Minnesota, Rosemary suggested we bring the book along. Over the next three days, she read it twice to me and I once to her as we drove along. It had such an impact that we both resolved to pray the Jabez Prayer each day for thirty days and assess its results as the author suggests. Little did we suspect what would occur on our first Sunday back at "Good Sam".
Soon after entering the Sanctuary, greeting everyone and enjoying the surprise of seeing the "Ministry Team", I was handed a sign by Cedar Morrigan with the words "Priest Sacramentalist" on it and I got an "inkling" or premonition that something that was about to happen in my life. As all of you know, I was "called" by the congregation to explore a "call to ministry as a Priest Sacramentalist last year. I had spoken with Sister Pat and had been praying about it with some regularity. Then the Jabez book presented itself and now THIS! As the service progressed, I became more and more convinced that something was happening to me and then it did! Right after Communion, as I was praying, a "white light" filled my mind and a Voice clearly, strongly and authoritatively commanded "I want you to serve Me NOW". I began to tremble and weep and I accepted! I knew immediately in my heart that the "Call" was genuine and that "doors would open" and God would show me where , what and how to do what He wanted for me. This morning as I write this, I am humbled, scared and very curious about what will happen next, but am content to let Him take the lead. Please pray for me and Rosemary as we continue to pray the Prayer of Jabez daily. And, won't you join us?
Rosemary: I can add very little to what Roger has said. A variety of experiences led us to "find" this book and make us receptive to what it conveys. And, It really isn't as scary as it sounds. For Roger, it was confirmation to a call to ministry about which he had been indecisive. For all of us, it means finding the ability to ask God to bless us (and not feeling guilty about doing so); stepping out in faith that He will provide us with strength through His Spirit; and believing that He will protect and guide us in all circumstances so we will not cause others to stumble and fall.
As the final last three sentences of Bruce Wilkinson's "Prayer or Jabez" states: "You will change your legacy and bring supernatural blessings wherever you go. God will release His miraculous power in your life now. And for all eternity, He will lavish on you His honor and delight."
I can only add that this life is why we (God's children) were made. Let us claim His promises.
TRAINING EVENT
We are hosting a training event on June 2, from 10 am to 3 p.m. See the Region News for details. As many as possible of our acolytes, lay Eucharistic ministers, lay readers, and altar guild ministers should attend. Each church is required to have at least one person from their altar guild at this meeting so they can pass the information on to any who may not be able to be there. In preparation for our team of sacramentalists who will be serving at all three of our parishes we need to begin now adjusting to a consistent arrangement on our altars.
CELEBRATE NEW PREACHERS
On Pentecost Sunday, June 3, at the Church of Our Saviour in Little Falls, we will be commissioning three newly licensed lay preachers for Spirit of the Heartland: Johanna Morrigan, Randy Welsand, and Rob Cavanna. Come celebrate their completion of the training program and our good fortune to have them with us.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
– Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre, continues a well-attended Bible Study Series on The Acts of the Apostles. Second and Fourth Tuesdays at noon.
– St. Stephen's, Paynesville, continues a book study on The Dance of the Spirit on Thursday, June 7, at 11 am.
MINISTRY DISCERNMENT?
Who am I? What does God expect of me? How can I serve God and God's people? Trying to answer those questions is what "ministry discernment" is all about. And it seems that God speaks the answers to those questions most clearly in community. Now is the time to pause and reflect on our gifts and abilities and how we can use them in service to God. Which ministry might be yours? What gifts for ministry do you see in those around you? Write ministries to match names on the lists posted in all our churches and give thanks for all our gifts.
ANNUAL MEETINGS & REVIEWS
Good Samaritan and St. Stephen's are in the process of changing their annual meeting times to summer, as Our Saviour's has already done. This year's "annual meetings" in Sauk Centre and Paynesville are "reviews" of the year rather than business meetings. Summer of 2002 will be our first summer annual meeting with elections and other business. Here's the annual meeting schedule for this summer. Save the dates!
ROGATION DAY
Our parishes celebrate Rogation Day this year with drumming, chant, outdoor procession, and blessing of the soil. Celebrations on June 17 at St. Stephen's and Good Samaritan, and on June 24 at Our Saviour's.
Rogation Day observances trace their roots back to the fifth-century church of France when special prayers were offered just before the Feast of the Ascension because of a devastating earthquake and poor harvests. The early Roman Church celebrated Rogation Days with a Christian procession around the fields on the Feast of St. Mark to suppress the ancient pagan Roman celebrations honoring the god "Mildew" and the goddess "Rust."
The celebration became part of the liturgy of the ancient Church of England. When our English and Celtic ancestors arrived in the New World, they brought the observance of Rogation Day with them. The Rogation Procession moves from a recognition of the sacred earth and Christian roots to prayerful hope for fruits of the earth and fruits of the Spirit. The service celebrates the roots of the Church in the earth and in our life-giving grounding in Christ.
GOOD SAM OUTREACH
There will be a basket located by the baptismal font which is for items for the Sauk Centre Food Shelf. Any non-perishable food (canned tuna, peanut butter, jelly, soups, mac & cheese, cereals, etc.) or money to buy same is acceptable. Harry and Fran will take them to the Food Shelf. There is a need.
WHERE OUR TEAM WILL BE
Look out, here we come! The Ministry Team will be attending worship all together at Our Saviour's on June 3.
MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Church of the Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
June 9th Jenni Pelkey
June 22nd Jon & Sarah Colvet
Church of Our Saviour, Little Falls
June 3rd Luci YoungBlood
June 5th Johanna Morrigan
June 10th Dorothy Johnson
June 10th Tim Wright
June 12th Jon & Carol Lovdahl
June 12th Bill & Marcie Cheeseman
June 14th Ch'aska Quillo
June 27th Hollie Wright
St. Stephen's, Paynesville
June 9th Don & Maurine Pederson
June 13th Peggie Jerabek
June 29th Jack & Harriette Burkhalter
MINISTRY SCHEDULES
Good Samaritan
Our Saviour's
St. Stephen's
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