A solitary branch is pretty feeble. Even rooted in Christ, I think I'd snap or droop if I tried to grow without other Christians as branches surrounding and supporting me team ministers, parish ministers, vestries, and even bishops adding up to "The Diocese."
Yet near the top of my FAQs (frequently asked questions) list is: "What does The Diocese' ever do for us?" The question most often follows the arrival of the parish Fair Share letter.
Well, last week "The Diocese" bought me lab esan. And more than that: I got sticky rice and spring rolls, too ! free Thai lunch with Canon Missioner Sandi Holmberg. Not much for all we pay in Fair Share. Yet by all accounts our Spirit of the Heartland parishes are eating up more than our Fair Share of Diocesan Resources. In the last three years, here are a few "guesstimates" of the other "paybacks":
| Building Gift for Our Saviour's | $10,000 |
| Free Supply Clergy (Canon Missioners) | $ 3,600 |
| Bishops' Visitations | ? |
| Clergy Mileage | $ 1,500 |
| Deacon | $ 2,400 |
| Loan for Wall to Good Sam | ? |
| Capital Funds Team for Good Sam | ? |
| Gifts for Good Sam's Wall (other churches) | $ 200 |
| Diocesan Rural Ministries Grants | $ 22,000 |
| Shared Experience of Other Ministry Teams | ? |
| Education for Ministry Tuition | $ 3,750 |
| Education for Ministry Sponsorship | $ 4,050 |
| Training Events, Summits, & Clergy Conferences | ? |
| Mentors' Group | $900 |
That's a three-parish, three-year total of more than $48,400. But the return of those dollars is far less important to me than the free lunch with Sandi, or Steve, or before them, Connie. I'd count every penny of our Fair Shares well spent if all we ever got in return was a Canon Missioner across the table from our clergy, whether "clergy" is a seminary- trained priest or a ministry team. I cannot do what I do without their support, encouragement, and wisdom. We all are "The Diocese" together bishops and churches, lay ministers and canon missioners, supporting each other as we grow in Christ.
Blessings !
pat +
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Lu Tax
Our Saviour's, Little Falls
Called as Liturgist
I am a "cradle Episcopalian". I was baptized confirmed, and married at The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault, MN--THE Cathedral (though most think of St. Mark's in Minneapolis as the Cathedral for our diocese). Being an Episcopalian all my life, is it any wonder that I'm called to be Liturgist? The liturgy of the Episcopal Church has been such an important part of my whole life, I can't imagine being anything else. For those who may not know what liturgy is, the word liturgy means "the work of the people". In the church, it refers to our system of public worship. A Liturgist is one who plans and crafts our worship services, and the Book of Common Prayer is used as the primary, though not the only resource.Almost as far back as I can remember, I was part of our worship services through music. After coming to Church of Our Saviour in Little Falls (twenty + years ago), I began serving in other ways as well. I am a lector, LEM (Lay Eucharistic Minister, or chalice bearer), and Lay Reader, and have served as Sr. and Jr. Wardens and vestry member.
Before coming to Little Falls, I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a degree in music, and I also studied biology. Music has always been an important part of my life, and continues to be. I was a member of the Minnesota Center Chorale (MCC), and MCC Chamber Choir. At present I'm a member of Bella Voce Consort, an eight person "a cappella" vocal group which sings at various churches in the area.
My husband, Joe, and I live in the country outside of Pierz. We have a business in Pierz, and have lived in the area for about 22 years. We have a son, Peter, who just finished his third year of college as an architecture student at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. Next year he will be studying in Copenhagen, Denmark.
About six years ago, I enrolled in a two-year course sponsored by the diocese called The Leadership Program for Musicians in Small Parishes, or LPM. It was a great course, and really sparked my interest in liturgy, and how/why all the elements of our services go together as they do. Soon after completing the course, I began to work with Charlie Preble (our priest at the time) in the capacity of Liturgist for our church in Little Falls. Now that Spirit of the Heartland Churches are working together, I can learn from more experiences, more reading, more doing. (I only wish there would be more time between Christmas and Easter!) Soon I will have a mentor to work with in the field of liturgy, and all of the team ministers have mentors in their fields as well. The studying I have done in the past, and the training we are receiving as the Spirit of the Heartland Total Ministry Team, have deepened my understanding of the church year, our liturgies, and most importantly my own faith.
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
Jan Zeman, Our Saviour's
We started the month of June off with a bang. Following our presentation of Total Ministry to the congregation of Our Saviours in Little Falls on June 3rd, we witnessed the licensing of our new Preachers, Johanna Morrigan from Our Saviours, and Randy Welsand and Rob Cavanna from St. John's. This was a milestone in the process of readying our preachers for Ordination and the Total Ministry Team for commissioning. June 9th we met with the Diocese Standing Committee at St. John's, as a team, and individually with Randy, Johanna, and Cedar Morrigan. Rob was unable to be with us for that meeting. The standing committee has recommended our team to the Bishop for commissioning and ordination which may take place later this year or next spring.
Harriette Burkhalter, Outreach and Evangelist Minister organized and presented Alpha to the three parishes at St. Stephen, Sauk Centre and Little Falls. The attendance was good and we look forward to continuing the entire course. (Alpha meeting times and dates and contacts elsewhere in this newsletter)..
Our monthly Team Formation meeting was held at Good Samaritan on June 9th. We reflected on aspects of commitment and expectations to and within the team, ministry priorities, responsibilities, and issues of authority in these areas..
July 28th our Team will meet at Chatfield as well as touring their new church addition. Parishioners from Our Saviours are invited to join in the tour and get an up close look at their new building and ask questions about the obstacles and joys they faced through this endeavor..
It is a personal joy for me to be "Sharing In The Priesthood" within the Spirit of the Heartland and I am thankful for each of my fellow team members, our Team Mentor, Pat, and each of you in our parishes, for your support as we continue through this special process. May God's blessings abide with each of you.
Zippy.
SPIRIT OF THE HEARTLAND COUNCIL MEETING
Open meeting of the Spirit of the Heartland Council at Good Samaritan in Sauk Centre on Tuesday, July 10, at 2:30 p.m. Your council members are: Fran Svardahl from Good Sam, Mary Ann Erdmann from St. Stephen's, and Virginia Berguson from Our Saviour's.
ST. THECLA'S GUILD
St. Thecla's Guild is an informal gathering of gay Christians and supportive friends. Only loosely modeled on the usual church ladies' guilds as a gathering for ongoing 'sociability', support, food, prayer, and service. The group meets every other month for a Friday evening potluck. Let Pat know if you'd like to be on the meeting notification list.
Thecla was an admirer and follower of the Apostle Paul. She ran away from the proposed husband, worked miracles, and proved herself to be untasty (except for loving licks) to
wild animals set upon her to devour her. Of course, some second-century priest admitted to making her up and wrote "The Acts of Paul and Thecla" 'out of respect for Paul'....
She has the advantage of a name that is an acronym for "THE Christian Lesbian Association." (The "Saint" part must mean that Thecla also welcomes non-lesbians, who are also part of the guild). If you're curious about St. Thecla, you can read more about her at:
http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/reading/St.Pachomius/Saints/thecla.html
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?
No, it's not a Christmas carol in the heat of summer. It's our parish sound systems being upgraded to prepare for our ministry team. Please excuse the transitional static and whining. St. Stephen's will have a whole new system given in memory of Cecil Chisholm. Good Samaritan and Our Saviour's will be adding second wireless microphones.
MINISTRY TEAM DISCERNMENT SCHEDULE
Please keep these dates in your prayers as we call new people to our ministry team:
GOOD SAM CHURCH PICNIC
Mark your calendars for the Annual Church Picnic (preceded by brief Vestry Meeting) following worship on Sunday, July 15. Contact Pete, Lucia, or Pat for details.
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Watch this space!!! Beginning next month we will have highlights from all three vestry meetings included in our newsletter. Parish clerks may write the highlights themselves or delegate the task to a Vestry Member. This is to give people a sense of what was discussed; for details, people are encouraged to talk with any Vestry member who was in attendance. Here are samples from two of our recent Annual Meetings:
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Church of the Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
July 4th Katie Bromen
July 6th Renee Schwanke
July 11th Aubrey Schwanke
July 18th Arien Schwanke
July 23rd Richard & Monica Schulzetenberg
July 28th Steve Neville
Church of Our Saviour, Little Falls
July 15h Maway Quillo
July 15t h Elizabeth Quillo
St. Stephen's, Paynesville
July 6thh Sandy Halvorson
July 20th Antonia Kehl
St. John's, St. Cloud
July 8th Randy & Maren Kay Welsand
July 21st Hi & Priscilla Gray
MINISTRY SCHEDULES
Good Samaritan
Our Saviour's
St. Stephen's
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