Monthly Musings...From the Team Ministry.

January Ponderings and Prayers

At Christmas Time, By Edgar Albert Guest 1881 - 1959

A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year; He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here; Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before, And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for. He is less a selfish creature than at any other time; When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.

When it's Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part; He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart. All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile And the true reward he's seeking is the glory of a smile. Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.

If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I'd wait Till he'd fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate. I'd not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf, On the long days and the dreary when he's striving for himself. I'd not take him when he's sneering, when he's scornful or depressed, But I'd look for him at Christmas when he's shining at his best.

Man is ever in a struggle and he's oft misunderstood; There are days the worst that's in him is the master of the good, But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide. Oh, I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be. May each of you experience Christ's blessings and share them with others in this year of hope.

Randy +

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

If you're able to get out and about the next couple of months, please join us for the following:

Good Samaritan Coffee Hour Fellowship: January 5th and February 2nd following 11 a.m. worship

Our Saviour's Coffee Hour Fellowship: Each Sunday following 10 a.m. worship.

Thecla's Guild, January 24th and February 28th at 7 p.m. Contact Jan Zeman for more information.

PRAYERS FOR:

Cynthia, Cindy, and Cedar

CELEBRATIONS FOR:

January Birthdays:
Jon Coltvet, January 13
Ann Beard, January 15
Marcie Cheeseman, January 17
Bill Cheeseman, January 22
John Halvorsen, January 26

Our Saviour's Episcopal Church Applies for After School Program Grant

Harriette Burkhalter is heading up a team effort to begin an After-School Homework program at Our Saviour's for the coming academic year of 2003. Utliizing the new addition to the church, the project, if funded through the "Sheltering Arms Foundation," will target children from the local elementary school in the third to fifth grades. Trained volunteers from the parish and community will be needed to work with the children, helping them to develop academically and providing them with a stable and regular presence in their lives. Time will be set aside for snacks and informal interaction as well as educational games. It is envisioned that 2-3 volunteers will be available to work with a maximum of 8 children, one afternoon each week for the remainder of the school year. Eventually it may be possible to provide an extra afternoon. If the program works well it is hoped it can be expanded to other Spirit of the Heartland communities.

New Tri-Church Phone Answering System!

Beginning now any call you make to your local church should be forwarded free to Kathy Bies-Jaede for referral. Or if you prefer, the direct number is: 320-259-7153 Or (Toll Free) 1-866-553-4415

Vestry Meetings:

Good Samaritan: January 19th –12:10 p.m..

REPORT–NOVEMBER MINUTES HIGHLIGHTS Winter is moving along at Good Samaritan. Discussion on closing the sanctuary to conserve heating bills for the winter was led by Lu tax. No change in the previous motion was made. The Morris college ministry recently had a potluck supper and Holy Eucharist for 16 adults that went well.

St. Stephen's: January 5th –10 a.m.

No report submitted.

Our Saviour's: January 8th -7 p.m.

REPORT--PARISH HALL NEARS COMPLETION

True to the growing Spirit of Community at Our Saviour's, we are truly blessed by the enthusiasm demonstrated by many parish members as they pooled their efforts to the task of "sweat equity" in our new Parish Hall. These folks gave _expression to our project "BUILDING ON HISTORY" with many hours of staining and painting exterior siding and interior woodwork and walls. The monetary equivalent of their "sweat equity" is approximately $6,000 but the bonding and sense of ownership is priceless. Special appreciation goes to Jon & Carol Lovdahl, Dick & Virginia Berguson, Lu & Joe Tax, Gerry Laird, John Carlson & Nancy McCrudden-Carlson, Marge Campbell, Noreen Mitzel, David Mitzel, Debbie & Dick McCrudden, and Tom Kotval. And thanks to Virginia Berguson for coffee and doughnuts. Appreciation also goes to Paul Schlauderaff for sharing his roofing and gutter expertise to make sure that we will have adequate protection from ice buildup during our famously cold winters. Thanks also to all the "sidewalk superintendents", the cheering section, and the Church Mouse. The crowning glory is our new RED DOOR, crafted by Jensen Builders and painted with care by Lu & Joe Tax. What a super job!
By Jan Zeman

Continuing Christian Education (C.E.) Classes

Good Samaritan Bible Study :
This group usually meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month at Noon at the church. Join us this month on January 14 and 28.

St. Stephen's Book Study :
This group usually meets the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. They are taking a break for the winter months and will resume again sometime in March. Call Doris Dodds for more information.

Our Saviour's Discussion Group:
This group had been meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Black and White Hamburger Shop. There is no meeting scheduled however for this month; please call Jan Zeman with any questions.

By Randy Welsand

Since our Ordinations and commissioning on Oct 6, it seems like the pace has doubled. I find myself unable to function without the help of my DayTimer. I need to always "check the schedule" before agreeing to do something for fear of ending up at two different places at the same time. (We haven't figured out how to do that one yet!)

We are functioning pretty well together and are continually seeing ways to improve our ministry together to better serve you. We are finding it not only takes a lot of time and energy and many, many miles to make it work but also that the rewards are greater than the price.

We are celebrating the Eucharist twice a month at St. Michael's NursingHome in Sauk Center as well as making the trip to celebrate the Eucharist with Episcopal college students on the U of M Morris campus once a month. Each of our congregations celebrates the Eucharist weekly as well.

During this month December, your team gathered at St. Stephan's Church for it's monthly team meeting. We had a great time learning to pray the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic (Jesus's language) and continued our study of Liturgics with the Burial office. We continue to keep each of you in our prayers, please keep us in yours.

In Christ's name,
Randy +

Spirit of the Heartland Who's Who

Pat Gillespie, Pastoral Mentor, Priest in Charge, Webminister
Mary Ann Erdmann, Finance Administrator (Staff)
Kathy Bies-Jaede, Communications/Christian Education(Staff)
++++++++++++++++++
Harriette Burkhalter, St. Stephen's, Lay Evangelist and Outreach Minister
Doris Dodds, St.Stephen's, Lay Evangelist and Outreach Minister
Rob Cavanna, St. John's, Priest Sacramentalist and Preacher
Cynthia Evans, Good Samaritan, Lay Intercessor
Cedar Morrigan, Our Saviour's, Priest Sacramentalist
Johanna Morrigan, Our Saviour's, Deacon Preacher
Roger Phillips, Good Samaritan, Sacramentalist in Formation
Lu Tax, Our Saviour's, Lay Liturgist
Maren Kay Welsand, St. John's, Lay Community Life Minister
Randy Welsand, St. John's, Priest Sacramentalist and Pastoral Care Minister
Jan (Zippy) Zeman, Our Saviour's, Lay Preacher

"Spirit of the Heartland" is a group of Episcopal churches in Central Minnesota where all the baptized members minister together in Total Ministry. Congregation members serve as a team in the ministerial leadership roles traditionally filled by a seminary-trained priest. Ministers from each congregation serve in all Spirit of the Heartland congregations. For more information contact www.motherflash.com/spirit.

Wild Bull: A dozen players or so form a circle with hands firmly clasped. One player, at center, is the bull. He tries to break through the ring. He walks around examining the arms and hands, and selects a place to break through. If he gets through he runs and the others give chase. The one who tags him, becomes the bull for the next game. The bull often breaks through by some surprise move. Just as two players relax because he has passed them, he turns suddenly and makes a vigorous assault.

Button, Button, who's got the Button?: The players sit in a circle with one player at the center. In the circle of players is a button which players pass back and forth. All players keep their hands in constant motion as if they are receiving or passing the button. The center player tries to guess who has the button. When he does, that player takes his place.

What'll I do?: Players line up in two groups facing one another. One person whispers to each player on one side some predicament, such as "I burned my hand," or "I fell off a horse," or "I smashed my fender," or "I stumbled over —‘s foot," or "I snored in church." The other person gives each person on the other side some answer, not knowing what predicaments are being whispered to the opposite side. Number One player on one side then says, "I lost my hat, what'll I do?" Number One player on the opposite side offers the following puzzling solution, "Use Vick's Salve."

Vacation Trip: "I am going on a vacation and the place I am to visit is noted for its mountain secrecy (or for its bathing beach, or as a land of sunshine, or as the home of the Aztec)." The guessers must locate the place on the map.