St. Mary's News 2007

Love is Blooming! Easter

St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Ely and Tower, Minnesota
News Items

September 30, 2007

Holy Communion Service -- Sundays 9:30 A.M.

New to St. Mary's? Welcome-we're blessed by your presence with us today. If you want to learn more about us, you'll find information to take home to read at your leisure inside the front door or on our website. Or sign up for a member visit or our newsletter, using one of the forms in the offering plate. Or just ask any of us…our church is unique, and we love to talk about it!

Winter Months Bring New Needs at the Family Resource Center. As we get closer to the winter months, the needs of the visitors also change. Hats, mittens and scarves are always necessary items that they go through quickly. People of all ages, from young children to adults, often arrive at the Center without these items during very cold conditions. New socks for adults (primarily men) are also valuable for keeping warm. Winter coats (very gently used)are welcomed, especially for the Ready for Success business clothing program for women. We will collect these items through Sunday, November 18.

Mark your calendars for a new monthly social/educational event. On the second Sunday of each month we will gather for brunch after the service, followed by a video or talk and discussion led by Pat. Join us on October 14 for a video on the history of the Diocese of Minnesota. Brunch immediately after worship, with the video to begin somewhere around 11:30. Kids' video time in the back room while adults meet.

Support our new Equal Exchange Interfaith Program buy buying fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa, or chocolate using the order forms on the kitchen table. Our first quarterly order will be placed at the end of October, so think Christmas! Through Equal Exchange's Interfaith Program and partnerships with faith-based relief, development and human rights organizations, thousands of congregations like our own are making a difference in the lives of small farmers and their families. By purchasing fairly traded coffee through the program, they are ensuring that farmers receive a fair price, have access to affordable credit and are able to support their families and invest in their communities. What difference can a simple cup of coffee make? Jose Luis Castillo Vasquez, a member of a cooperative in El Salvador put it simply: "I want to thank all of the congregations that purchase our coffee," he said. "It is thanks to you that we have a seed of hope in our lives."

EFM (Education for Ministry) will meet on Tuesdays, 9-11 at the Front Porch.

Planning for the Gifts That Give Sale has begun. If you would like to help, either with organizing the overall sale or with the SERRV table sponsored by St. Mary's, let Mary or Eunice know. What can we do to make the event even better? Let us know!

The next meeting of the Adult Forum will be on Wednesday, October 3, noon at 1st Pres., discussing Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Call David Kess for "cheat sheets," and more information. Newcomers and drop-ins are welcome! (Mary says---everyone should read this inspiring book whether or not you attend the discussion!)

Thanks to everyone who baked and bought goodies for All God's Children this week, and a special thanks to Gail and Carol for serving and cleaning up afterward.

The next Bishop's Committee meeting is Wednesday, October 24, 6:30-7:30. Everyone interested in the short- and long-term planning for the church is welcome to attend. Please give agenda items to Peter in advance of the meeting.

The next monthly team meeting will follow the brunch and video discussion on October 14. Team members should plan to attend; non-team members are welcome to join the team meeting if they wish.

If you have any announcements, news, reports, good web links, or other items of interest to the church community that you would like to include in this bulletin, please e-mail or call them in to Mary-- groenima@hotmail.com or 365-3364.

From 101 Reasons to Be Episcopalian
"Ours is not just a checkbook ministry. Episcopalians roll up their sleeves and help." Agnes L. Haviland-Moore, Diocese of Connecticut

Beginning in September, our worship day and time will change to Sundays, 9:30.

Recycle your HP, Lexmark, or Dell computer ink cartridges using the prepaid mailers on the Church Information shelf by the front door, and at the end of each month, the church will be reimbursed from one to two dollars for each cartridge.

April 28, 2007

Where is God leading us? You are invited to A Bishop's Convocation on Diocesan Mission Strategy When: Saturday, May 5, 2007, 9:00am to 3:00pm Where: St. John's Church, St. Cloud (I-94 Exit 171, 4.5 miles north, corner of Cooper Avenue South) 1111 Cooper Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN This is a chance to take part, to share your voice, to listen and be heard among many other Episcopalians in our Diocese. Spread the word; all are welcome.

Please let Mary know by Sunday if you have anything you would like to have included in the May newsletter.

April Episcopal Community Services Project: We are collecting twin bed sheet sets for the Gilfillan Center in Bemidji. They have to be replaced frequently. For information about the center and its programs, check out www.ecsmn.org/youth_main.html

If you have any announcements, news, reports, good web links, or other items of interest to the church community that you would like to include in this bulletin, please e-mail or call them in to Mary by Friday. groenima@hotmail.com or 365-3364

Thanks for your generous donations to our Lenten offerings! We raised $760 for Berhanu and his wife and $278.42 for our Ethiopian charity, Lalmba. Lalmba is a Colorado-based non-profit that likes to refer to itself as the world's smallest relief agency. Lalmba, which means "a place of hope," was founded in 1963 by Hugh and Marty Downey, who are volunteers, just as all of their physicians are. Lalmba has both medical and non-medical programs (i.e., schools and orphanages) in Eritrea, Kenya, and Ethiopia. According to their web site, Lalmba "has treated nearly two million patients in [their] hospitals and medical clinics, and [they] presently care for hundreds of orphan children." Lalmba's mission statement: "Lalmba provides medical, educational and relief services to the people of Africa through self-help programs focused on teaching and training the people we serve to care for their own needs as much as possible, and providing them resources not usually available in Africa. We have a special love for orphan children whom we see, not as a burden, but as part of a brilliant future for Africa."

Wednesday Discussion has changed its name to Adult Forum, but continues the discussion of This I Believe on Wednesday, May 2, 12-1 at Ely Presbyterian. The focus of the discussion will be on the second third of the book.

From 101 Reasons to Be Episcopalian:
"I am an Episcopalian because it is the one form of the tradition that enables me to still call myself a Christian. It allows me to think and to feel deeply in a life that is grounded in tradition and yet is always open to change. I sometimes think of Anglicanism as the Zen Buddhism of the West. I love it because schism is a greater sin than heresy. I would much rather be with someone who loved me than with someone who could define love." -Alan Jones

April 21, 2007

Thank you for your donations to our two Lenten collections! This is the final week for offerings to be placed in the baskets on the piano.

Please let Mary know if you have anything you would like to have included in the May newsletter.

If you have any announcements, news, reports, good web links, or other items of interest to the church community that you would like to include in this bulletin, please e-mail or call them in to Mary by Friday. groenima@hotmail.com or 365-3364

Where do you see St. Mary's in five years? Help us imagine the future at our next Visioning Meeting, Sunday April 22, 11-2 at Gail and Gordon Sheddy's,

Bishop's Committee Meeting, April 28, 3:30-4:30. Anyone interested in the business of the church is welcome to attend, discuss, and vote.

April Episcopal Community Services Project: We will be collecting twin bed sheet sets for the Gilfillan Center in Bemidji. They have to be replaced frequently. For information about the center and its programs, check out www.ecsmn.org/youth_main.html

From 101 Reasons to Be Episcopalian:
"Like Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Episcopalians are in touch with the ancient voices and aesthetic and spiritual practices of the Christian tradition. We are united by a common liturgy and by the Book of Common Prayer. And so long as we do the liturgy right, we are orthodox, and thus permitted a broad range of theological opinions. With its riches of liturgy, prayer, and music, it is for me a sacrament of the sacred, and it feels like home. Marcus J. Borg

April 14, 2007

Thank you for your donations to our two Lenten collections! Offerings can still be placed this week in the baskets on the piano this week.

Where do you see St. Mary's in five years? Help us imagine the future at our next Visioning Meeting, Sunday April 22, 11-2 at Gail and Gordon Sheddy's.

Eunice, outreach coordinator, says thanks for all the donations to Ready for Success.

Recycle your HP, Lexmark, or Dell computer ink cartridges using the prepaid mailers on the "Church Information" shelf by the front door, and at the end of each month, the church will be reimbursed from one to two dollars for each cartridge.

Bishop's Committee Meeting, April 28, 3:30-4:30. Anyone interested in the business of the church is welcome to attend, discuss, and vote.

April Episcopal Community Services Project: We will be collecting twin bed sheet sets for the Gilfillan Center in Bemidji. They have to be replaced frequently. For information about the center and its programs, check out www.ecsmn.org/youth_main.html

MBEC Retreat: Walking Sticks April 20-22
The 'take home' goal will be a walking stick. Our path will take us to the place where we will harvest the piece of nature, discuss the problem of invasive and native woody plants, learn a bit about what our ancestors 'had' to know about woodcraft (spring & winter wood, brittle and limber species, etc.), some things about working 'green' wood and lots about the historically necessary tool - a walking stick. Leader: Bert Whitcombe $60 per person, meals not included

The no pressure, pre-/post- worship treat plan: Bring homemade goodies to share as your time and inclination allows. And donate a package or two of cookies for our cookie stash for those days when nothing homemade arrives. Sam, Nick, Cole, Thomas, Sophie, and Phoebe-and Will and Paul-say thank you!

From 101 Reasons to Be Episcopalian:
"When Anglicanism is at its best, its liturgy, its poetry, its music and its life can create a world of wonder in which it is very easy to fall in love with God.." --Urban T. Homes, III

April 7, 2007

From 101 Reasons to Be Episcopalian:
"Where the road to Easter is never a short cut, but you always get there." --the Rev. Dr. Barbara T. Cheney

Easter Sunday Service in Tower-10:00 a.m.

April Episcopal Community Services Project: We will be collecting twin bed sheet sets for the Gilfillan Center in Bemidji. The have to be replaced frequently. For information about the center and its programs, check out www.ecsmn.org/youth_main.html Thanks for all the donation to Ready for Success.

Please bring in your donation boxes or checks for Ethiopia by next weeks. Information about two charities working in Ethiopia to whom we might contribute can be found on the kitchen table by the calendar; let Mary or Julie know your preference. Put your offerings in the basket on the piano.

Where do you see St. Mary's in five years? Help us imagine the future at our next Visioning Meeting, Sunday April 22, 11-2 at Gail and Gordon Sheddy's.

Recycle your HP, Lexmark, or Dell computer ink cartridges using the prepaid mailers on the kitchen table in the church, and at the end of each month, the church will be reimbursed from one to two dollars for each cartridge.

Bishop's Committee Meeting, April 28, 3:30-4:30. Anyone interested in the business of the church is welcome to attend, discuss, and vote.

Plan B for pre-/post- worship treat plan: Bring homemade goodies to share as your time and inclination allows. And donate a package or two of cookies for our cookie stash for those days when nothing homemade arrives. Sam, Nick, Cole, Thomas, Sophie, and Phoebe-and Will and Paul-say thank you!

In lieu of more news, this week you get Mary's favorite Resurrection poem -- Little Summer Poem Touching the Subject of Faith by Mary Oliver

Have a blessing-filled and joyful Easter Sunday!

Link to Old News Notes

St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Ely and Tower, Minnesota News Items

St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Ely and Tower, Minnesota
News Items