PASTOR'S NOTES
The Empty Church
They laid this stone trap
for him, enticing him with candles,
as though he would come like some huge moth
out of the darkness to beat there.
Ah, he had burned himself
before in the human flame
and escaped, leaving the reason
torn. He will not come any more
to our lure. Why, then, do I kneel still
striking my prayers on a stone
heart? Is it in hope one
of them will ignite yet and throw
on its illumined walls the shadow
of someone greater than I can understand?
R. S. Thomas
Pat is on vacation this month. Our Pastoral Note is from the Rev. R. S. Thomas, Welsh priest and poet. "The Empty Church" is from the Everyman's Poetry Series, selected and edited by Anthony Thwaite. J.M. Dent: London, 1996, p. 98.
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Cedar Morrigan
Our Saviour's,Little Falls
Candidate for the priesthood
"The Lord be with you!"I was raised primarily in the Roman Catholic church and was very active in that church until about 16 years ago. At that time, I was encouraged/ asked by a priest to leave the church because I found so much of the politics of the church were hurtful to me and many people I cared about. I have always been a deeply spiritual person and for a time was comfortable with worship in a family setting at home with Johanna and friends. As time went on, I found myself hungering for a larger (but not huge) community that worshiped in a church building with better music than I was capable of making. Finding the Episcopal church was truly a gift from God. The warm and friendly welcome quickly convinced me that I had finally found my spiritual home.
I was received into the church more than four years ago. During that time I have gotten to know many people in Region III and especially in the Spirit of the Heartland churches. When I was called to the ministry team, I found myself very excited at the opportunity to serve with the people that I had begun to know in all of our churches. I have been honored to be a Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Treasurer, Vestry member, a Youth Leader, Altar Guild member and trainer of Acolytes, and a member of Diocesan Council. (And I can also park cars!) Needless to say, there was no way that I could continue in all of those duties and do justice to the Total Ministry, to you or to myself. So, I have had to give up some of those lay ministries and pared down on others.
With my involvement in EFM for four years, Cursillo, and Diocesan events I have come to know that my call to a ministry is stronger than I ever imagined and is growing day by day. For many years, I have felt called to serve God and God's people. The call and confidence of the churches of the Spirit of the Heartland and the discernment committee helped me to find the answer. I am called to serve with dedicated Christians in the Episcopal churches in the Spirit of the Heartland. After even further discernment at the local and diocesan level, I am currently a candidate for holy orders as a priest/sacramentalist. (And that is an awe filled, humbling, exciting place to be!) If all goes as planned I hope to be ordained to the transitional deaconate this fall/winter and in another year, to the priesthood.
I have found that many people have questions about what being a priest/ sacramentalist means. To me, it means serving God's people as an ordained member of the church. To the churches in the Spirit of the Heartland, it means that I will be a priest/sacramentalist serving in all three churches. So, again I hear the question: "What does that mean?" I will be ordained to officiate at five of the sacraments of the Episcopal church. I will serve at the altar for Eucharist, serve next to the baptismal fonts for baptism, serve near hospital/hospice/sick beds for unction and healing, officiate at weddings, and be present with people seeking reconciliation in their relationship with God. I will also stand near in support, prayer and love when confirmation or ordination happens in the churches that I will serve. Will I preach? No, unless I become licensed to do so at some time in the future. I will serve you in your time of need? Yes, if I am the priest called to do so. The three of us that have been called to the priesthood will share in serving all three churches. Some will also preach, or minister in the area of pastoral care. My hope is that I will one day be prepared to answer a call to working with the chronically ill, terminally ill, and the dying. I believe that in God's time that will happen - hopefully sooner rather than later.
In order that we might be geographically closer to all three churches, my partner Johanna and I moved 25 miles closer to all three churches in April of this year. Johanna continues to work full-time in Brainerd, so we decided to make our home in Little Falls for the time being.
This is an exciting time for all of us. I believe that the Episcopal church in rural/central Minnesota is doing more than surviving. We are a church that is stepping out in faith so that we may thrive and grow, both of which I have witnessed already beginning to happen. We are also spending our money in faith. For all three of the SOH churches the financial investment involved in getting on-board for Total Ministry has not been easy. Investing in the future for people who will be coming into our churches in the years to come is what God has called us to do. Let us be thankful for the growth that has begun and for the growth that we have not yet seen. I believe that by building up our churches through total ministry; that we are following in the steps of the disciples as we have been called to do. I am honored to serve with you and to take risks with you. Please hold the ministers from all our congregations in your daily prayers as we come together to serve.
Together all of us can serve God and carry on the ministry of Jesus in rural Minnesota today.
"Let us pray."
Most loving and gracious God, bring us ever nearer to you that we may know and understand what it is that you would have us do as we all minister to each other in your Son's name; and we so pray that you grant to us your continuing guidance and ever present love, with the spreading fire of the Holy Spirit and the perseverance of Jesus the Christ. AMEN.
WHERE'S OUR TEAM
Our team is growing! We have called two new ministers to our team this year. On August 25, the Diocesan Commission on Ministry (COM) affirmed the calls of Rosemary Phillips, from Good Samaritan, as lay administrator and Roger Phillips, from Good Samaritan, as priest sacramentalist.
Two current team members had new calls affirmed by the COM: Doris Dodds, from St. Stephens, as priest sacramentalist, and Jan ("Zippy") Zeman, from Our Saviour's, as lay preacher. This means that our balance of team ministers is approximately in proportion to the congregation sizes, and that each of our parishes has raised up at least one person to prepare for the priesthood as well as the other necessary ministries.
Meanwhile, back at the church, our "old" team ministers are beginning their field education. You may see them officiating at special services, giving the clergy report at vestry meetings, or making pastoral visits. Our congregations are called to a ministry of helping with the training and formation of our team ministers. Tell us what you like and where we need to grow. Your support and encouragement will build up and strengthen our churches as well as our team ministers.
MEET OUR PARISH MINISTERS
Char Hedin Clerk, Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre Recently, I read an excerpted piece which Albert Schweitzer composed in 1965, a week before his death, containing passages from his earlier writings. At one point in his life he had written: "there flashed upon my mind, unforeseen and unsought: ‘reverence for life'." Those famous three words became Schweitzer's credo.
Such a philosophy reminded me of lines, taken from context, by John Keats: "That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." Truly, is that not so? A "reverence for life" summarizes in succinct, classic prose all that for which we should strive.
Schweitzer also said that "whatever we have received more than others in health, in talents, in ability, in success, in a pleasant childhood, in harmonious conditions of home life" we must not take for granted. "We must pay for it," he maintained, "by sacrificing for others."
Indeed, I certainly have not "paid the price" in full measure for the basic blessings bestowed on me that Schweitzer enumerates. Yet, I have tried. Just as we all do.
Now, then, where is all this leading? I shall explain! The previously quoted words provided the impetus needed for me to write a sketch of my life that I was asked to produce several weeks ago.
The facts of an ordinary life seem basic, dull. Baptized and confirmed was I in St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, where I was born. When I was in my early ‘teens, my parents and I moved to Minnesota: a return to the state where my mother and father had been raised. After graduation from college in 1994, I intended to spend the following year completing graduate work at the University of Minnesota, having begun it during the summers. Instead, I decided to accept a position in Sauk Centre for only one year and then complete my studies.
Not so! As Robert Frost wrote: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–/ I took the one less traveled by,/ And that has made all the difference." For I took the latter "road" where I met my husband, found my home and, in a certain sense, actually began my life.
To borrow from Charles Dickens in his prologue to David Copperfield, "I have in my heart of hearts a favorite child," not David Copperfield as the case with Dickens, but our daughter Katherine. Unlike Dickens, however, I have two more favorites: my granddaughters, Elizabeth and Emily.
Katherine, curator of rare books at U of M Law Library; Bruce, her husband, a paint contractor; Elizabeth, a freshman at St. Benedict's this year; and Emily, a junior in Hopkins High School, are all members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. The girls are fourth-generation Episcopalians. (Yes, of course! Anglicans are still a bit "stuffy" about this "generation-cradle Episcopalian" business!)
A reader may wonder concerning the nature of the position I accepted in Sauk Centre. Sprinkled with quotes, as this meandering piece contains, what else? An English teacher in the Sauk Centre Senior High!
Incidentally, good Samaritan Episcopalians were astounded to see a new teacher "drifting in" who was a committed Episcopalian! Skeptical as they were, at first, I knew I had "made the grade" when invited (not asked, but invited!) To sing in the choir. We Episcopalians have changed considerably since those days. And a good thing, too!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Good Samaritan in Sauk Centre begins a new Bible Study on passages about Baptism. Second and fourth Tuesdays at noon.
St. Stephen's in Paynesville begins a new Book Study on The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. Tuesday, September 6, at 11:00 am.
CHURCH RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Sally Hughes' Bean and Corn Casserole for 12
From the Good Sam Church Picnic
1 can French-style green beans, drained
1 can white shoepeg corn, drained
1 can cream of celery soup
8 oz. sour cream
1 ˝ cups shredded cheddar cheese
˝ cup chopped onions (I use dried, make sure not frozen)
salt & pepper
Topping:
1 stick margarine
1 package Ritz crackers, crushed
Parmesan cheese
Grease 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer with corn and then green beans. Mix together soup, sour cream, grated cheese, onion, salt and pepper. Spread evenly over corn and bean layer.
Topping: Melt margarine, add crackers. Sprinkle on very top, then sprinkle lightly with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 F for 30-45 minutes.
CONCERT
Bella Voce will perform Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30pm, during the St Cloud "Festival of the Arts" which is September 7-16. All residents of Central Minnesota, these singers share a common enthusiasm for sacred 16-20th century a capella music, and its spiritual intensity. This free performance will be held at St Mary's Cathedral in St Cloud. For more information on this event, and other festival events, call (320)251-1840, ext. 108 or visit www.festival-arts.org
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Our Saviour's vestry met August 12th before Sunday Service. Debbie McCrudden was nominated and voted into the position of Senior Warden. The Vestry discussed preparation for meeting with Richard Fry, Architect about the Accessibility building project. Also discussed were plans to hold congregational discussion meetings about the project.www.festival-arts.org Our Saviour's Notes
Baptism on Sunday, September 2, of Whitney Alexandra, daughter of Robin Wood and Melissa Woidyla.
Parish Listening Session to discuss the Johnson Accessibility Project on Sunday, September 16, at 11:00 am. This is the time to voice your opinions. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak. The Vestry needs to hear from you so they can make informed decisions. Your vestry members are: Bunny Zehren, Carol Lovdahl, Debbie McCrudden, Janice ("Zippy") Zeman, Jon Lovdahl, Pat Gillespie, and Virginia Berguson,
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: A Formal Congregational Meeting with a vote to assess parish support for the Vestry to move ahead with the Johnson Accessibility Project will be held at the Church of Our Saviour following Worship on Sunday, September 23, at 11:00 am. There will be no discussion time; only a brief time for questions of clarification. (Please attend Listening Session on the 16th for discussion time to express your opinion.) The canons do not allow absentee ballots. The Vestry has full authority to act in these matters but hopes for a vote of support from more than two-thirds of our members and of friends who worship with us regularly. All will receive an informational letter before the meeting.
Many thanks from all at The Church of Our Saviour to Canon Missioners Steve Schaitberger and Sandi Holmberg for coming to talk to us about our building project. Your advice and information was most helpful.
Please sign up to help with car parking on the weekend of the sidewalk Arts & Crafts Fair September 8th and 9th. We appreciate any who can help with our project – our only fundraiser.
We are in need of volunteers to clean the church. A once-a-month, dusting, vacuuming, entry and bathroom cleaning, is all that is required. Please let any vestry member know if you can help. Our thanks to Marge Hayden, Debbie McCrudden, Jon and Carol Lovdahl, Jack and Jean Lemme, and Dick and Virginia Berguson for their help.
Our Saviour's will sponsor Share-A-Meal on October 4th. A sign up sheet will be posted for persons willing to give of their time or supply prepared dishes for the event.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Church of the Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
September 14th Gunther Austin
September 20th Rachel Pelkey
September 25th Richard Schulzenberg
Church of Our Saviour, Little Falls
September 2nd Virginia Berguson
September 10th Nick Blahna
September 11th Robin Wood & Melissa Woidyla
September 11th Dick & Virginia Berguson
September 12th Agnes Wallberg
September 14th Dakota YoungBlood
September 15th Chaz YoungBlood
September 21st Chris Blahna
September 30th Cedar & Johanna Morrigan
MINISTRY SCHEDULES
Good Samaritan
Our Saviour's
St. Stephen's
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