PASTOR'S NOTE
"Jesus is coming. Look busy!"
Bumper Sticker
That's not the message I wanted to greet me at the beginning of my vacation. I look busy enough most of the time trying to do the work I believe God has given me to do and I was ready for a bit of idleness.
If Jesus is coming, as we say that he is, what are we to do? When God shows up in your life, what does God hope to find you doing? Writing a sermon? Scrubbing a floor? Baking bread, mowing the lawn, or doing your taxes?
The New Testament is full of messages about Jesus' coming and the coming Kingdom. "Prepare the way!" we're told, and the usual directions are not about getting lots of work done or productively storing up supplies. The message is "Repent" -- turn to God. Be attentive and watchful.
Looking good and busy doesn't seem to matter much to our Father who sees in secret. To get into the kingdom, Jesus expects us to be as useless as little children, climbing in his lap.
Sitting with Jesus, playfully or idly being with him. Or sitting at his feet, listening like Mary, while her sister Martha "looks busy." Surely God's work is to be done, but when we, like Martha, become distracted by the busyness and "troubled and anxious about many things," then it's time to choose the better part and turn our attention toward Jesus.
Today God would find me sitting in an old rocker, staring out at the lake. It seems God finds me here in quiet idleness more easily than in my ordinary churchy busyness. Or perhaps it is that I am more likely to notice God's presence when I have time to look. I'd like to edit that bumper sticker:
Turn from the busyness and look for Jesus and the Kingdom. Jesus tells us that Christ and the Kingdom are already here among us. Let us not be too busy to miss the blessing.
Blessings !
pat+
MEET OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Rev. Cedar A. Morrigan "The Lord be with you!"
Every time I have to update and rewrite this "meet our team" article, I find that I have grown or "moved on" in areas of my life.
I was raised primarily in the Roman Catholic church and was very active in that church until about 19 years ago. I have always been a deeply spiritual person and for a time was comfortable with worship in a family setting at home with Johanna. 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 five 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 serve as a Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Acolyte, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Treasurer, Vestry member, Youth Leader, Altar Guild member and trainer of Acolytes, as well as a member of Diocesan Council. (And I can also park cars!) Needless to say, I could not continue in all of those duties and do justice to my call, to you, or to me. So, I have had to give up some of those lay ministries.
With my involvement in Cursillo, EFM for five years, and Diocesan Events; I have come to know that my call is very strong 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. (And that is an awe filled, humbling and exciting place to be!) I was ordained to the transitional diaconate in April of 2002. If all goes as planned, I will be ordained on October 6, 2002 to the priesthood and commissioned as a team member for the Spirit of the Heartland.
I have found that many people have questions about what being a priest sacramentalist means. I will be ordained to officiate in the capacity of a priest in the Episcopal church. I will serve at altars for The Eucharist, serve at baptismal fonts for baptism, serve near hospital/hospice/sick beds and other places as appropriate for annointing and healing, officiate at weddings and funerals, and be present with people seeking reconciliation in their relationship with God. I will also stand near in support, prayer and love when confirmation, reception, 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. Will I serve you in your time of need? Yes, if I am the priest called to do so. The five 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. In the future, I plan to prepare to answer another call - that of working with people who are mentally, chronically or terminally ill and with those who are dying. I have also developed a love of liturgy over the past four years. Working with Lu in planning liturgy and training ministers has instilled in me a respect for the beauty and sacredness of good liturgies. So, at some time, I may find myself pursuing further education in liturgical studies.
In my spare time I enjoy doing many things. Adjusting to gardening on a smaller scale now that we live in town has been easier than I thought it would be - I let Johanna do all the weeding! Other things that I am finding more time for - now that I have completed EFM are: spending more time with all three generations of my foster family; playing bridge on a more regular basis; drawing and painting; reading; camping; and immersing myself in sewing.
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 are already happening. We are also spending our money in faith. For all three of the SOH churches the financial investment involved in getting onboard 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; 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 all ministers, lay or ordained, team or congregational; in your daily prayers. Together we 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?
Pat Gillespie
The Spirit of the Heartland Ministry Team was on the road last month, visiting Detroit Lakes for a well-attended "Show and Tell" about Total Ministry. Team ministers provided ministerial leadership for the worship service and discussion with the congregation afterward.
Bishop Jelinek met with the team ministers in Sauk Centre and approved Doris Dodds to move on toward candidacy and Roger Phillips on toward postulancy, as both prepare for the priesthood so they may serve Spirit of the Heartland as sacramentalists. The Bishop also engaged the team ministers in discussion about team leadership dynamics and authority.
The team ministers were at Our Saviour's for their August meeting, where the topic was "Change in the Church." Plans for the October 6 ordination and commissioning were discussed.
Team ministers are in their final stages of field education, practicing the ministries that in the past were done by the rector. After October 6 they will be serving our three parishes in those ministries where I, Pat, previously served. Other members of the parishes will continue to serve in all other parish lay ministries vestry, lectors, lay eucharistic ministers, lay readers, acolytes, sextons, etc. Total Ministry is just that "total" it means all of us working together.
WHERE'S PAT GOING?
Pat Gillespie
Ok, so I've now almost worked myself out of a job. After October 6, our gifted and well-prepared team ministers will be serving our congregations in my place. So, what then do I do? Well, if I still owned a horse, perhaps I could ride off into the sunset, like a proper Methodist circuit rider moving on.
the bishop hasn't provided a horse, and he expects me to stay. Every total ministry team in this diocese is required to have a seminary-trained mentor for supervision and support. So I will continue to share in the ministry of Spirit of the Heartland as mentor for the team ministers and as priest in charge of all three parishes.
October 6 and the end of the year I will still be employed full time by our three parishes, working primarily with the team, supporting them in their transition to new responsibilities. Though parish members will see less of me this fall, I will preach occasionally and will be more directly working in the areas of stewardship and Christian Education. Part of my time will be spent in organization, administration, and writing about Total Ministry. I also will be hiring and training a communication and administrative assistant to work with the team.
In January I will continue as mentor for the team and priest in charge for the parishes, but I will be serving here only quarter-time. My primary ministry will be with team ministers, but I will serve at Sunday services once each month, rotating among the parishes. The active clergy work in the parish will be done by the team ministers under my supervision. As priest in charge I will retain canonical authority in the parishes and will be responsible and accountable to the bishop for our team and parishes.
So, although I will eventually ride the circuit' working elsewhere part of the time, the churches of Spirit of the Heartland will continue to be under my pastoral care and close to my heart.
MEET OUR PARISH MINISTERS
I was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity, Litchfield, although between baptism and confirmation I lived in California. It was there at St. Stephen's ! (In Pasadena) that I first sang in the choir, at age 6.
I was active for almost 50 years at St. John the Baptist, Minneapolis working in the kitchen, mostly, but in the choir as well. I was also treasurer for 14 years.
Now I'm at St. Stephen's in Paynesville. I sold my house in Minneapolis to one of my children (I have seven) and am living permanently on Lake Koronis. Like everyone else at St. Stephen's, I have multiple jobs there. Because we are so small, everyone is on the vestry. Elaine Vanderpool and I are the altar guild. Three of us take turns leading Morning Prayer, etc.
SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES
9:00 am St. Stephen's in Paynesville
(320)243-2012
320 Wendell Street, Paynesville, MN 56362
10:00 am Our Saviour's in Little Falls
(320)-632-5731)
113 NE 4th Street (PO Box 344) Little Falls, MN 56345
11:00 am Good Samaritan in Sauk Centre
(320)-352-6882
529 Main Street (PO Box 205) Sauk Centre, MN 56378
WEDNESDAY NOON PRAYER
12:00 pm Our Saviour's in Little Falls
INSTRUCTED HOLY EUCHARIST
Pat Gillespie
Regular Sunday service with commentary to explain what goes on during Holy Communion and why. Questions during Coffee Hour are welcome also. At St. Stephen's and Good Sam on Sunday, September 1. At Our Saviour's on Sunday, September 22.
HISTORICAL SERVICE
Pat Gillespie
Come celebrate our history and tradition with Holy Communion from the 1928 Prayer Book. Long-time Episcopalians can hear again those familiar, old words. New (in the last twenty years) worshipers will have a glimpse at our past. The "friendly haunts" and the Communion of Saints should celebrate this one with us. At St. Stephen's and Good Sam on Sunday, September 15. At Our Saviour's on Sunday, November 3, when we celebrate All Saints.
BISHOP HULTSTRAND TO VISIT OUR SAVIOUR'S
The Right Reverend Donald M. Hultstrand will be making a pastoral
visit to Our Saviour's parish on Wednesday, September 11 for an evening service. The service will be preceded by a meeting with the Vestry. Coffee will be served following the service. Please mark your calendar now.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Pat Gillespie
* Good Samaritan continues a Bible Study on the Psalms, Tuesdays,
September 10 & 24 at noon at the church.
* St. Stephen's regular Book Study on Christian Denominations, Thursday, September 5, at 11:00 am.
* Our Saviour's World Religions Study Group, Wednesday, September 25 at 7 pm at the Black and White Hamburger Shop.
SPIRIT OF THE HEARTLAND COUNCIL
Virginia Berguson
The spirit of the Heartland council met on Aug.6 at St. Stephen's, Paynesville. Those present were the Rev. Pat Gillespie, Mary Ann Erdmann, Fran Svardahl, Virginia Berguson, and Sally Hughes as guest.
An application for a grant for rural churches being offered by Roanridge Trust, has been written by Harriette Burkhalter and Doris Dodds, St, Stephen's, which would cover the cost of hiring a Communications/Administrator for 1 year, and possibly a fax printer for each of the three churches. This proposal was approved by the Council. The next meeting will be held November 5, 2 pm at Little Falls. Anyone interested is welcome to attend..
ANIMAL BLESSING
Bring your critters to the annual animal blessing at Church of Our Saviour's September 29.
VESTRY MEETINGS FOR SEPTEMBER
September 11, 7:00 pm -- Our Saviour's September 15 , 12:10 pm -- Good Samaritan
PARISH NOTES
BUILDING ON HISTORY
Our Saviour's celebrated groundbreaking for their new multi-purpose building addition August 25, 2002. After a year's planning and preparation parishioners gathered on the grounds to the south of the historic church to mark the big event. The Rev. Pat Gillespie officiated the service, with the Rev. Cedar Morrigan, deacon and Lu Tax, liturgist. Building committee members, John Lovdahl, Jan Zeman and Bill Cheeseman stretched cord across the building site to form the Greek letter X, a symbol both of the cross and the name of Christ. Then chord was stretched around the four corners and ground was broken at where the two lines of the letter
X intersected. Parishioners followed in procession.
The ceremony was followed by a pot luck picnic supplied by the congregation and all were fed.
Click HERE for Pictures.
GROUNDBREAKING
"Since faithful people desire to open the doors of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour to all of God's children, regardless of disability, and since they wish to dedicate this gathering place to the glory of God, in memory of Doug and Kay Johnson, on this ground, now marked with the symbol of Christ;
Therefore, I break ground for this building, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
"May we offer access for all who seek the Word and Sacraments of God,
May we always welcome the people of this community, may we nourish new and ongoing parish ministries,
And may prayers and praises be offered in this place, from generation to generation. Amen."
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Our Saviour's
July 14 Annual Meeting
Our Saviour's
August 14
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Church of the Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre
20 Rachel Pelkey
17 Gunther Austin
25 Richard Schulzetenberg
Church of Our Saviour, Little Falls
2 Virginia Berguson
11 Robin Wood & Melissa Woidyla
11 Dick & Virginia Berguson
11 Bradley YoungBlood
September 12 Agnes Wallberg
14 Dakota YoungBlood
15 Chaz YoungBlood
22 Sam Mitzel
30 Cedar & Johanna Morrigan
MINISTRY SCHEDULES
Good Samaritan
Our Saviour's
St. Stephen's
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