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The Ambassador
The Newsletter of
St. Matthias'
Episcopal Church
Minocqua, Wisconsin
Whoever you are, wherever you find yourself on the journey
of faith, we welcome you.
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JULY
2017
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Mark Your
Calendars
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| July 12 - 7:00 PM A Concert for the Family July 17 - 7:00 PM Transgender Identity and the Bible July 20 - 6:00 PM 3rd Thursday Evensong & Potluck July 21 - 7:00 PM South Beach (Up North) Chamber Ensemble July 23 - 8:00/10:00 AM Bishop's Visitation July 29 - 8:30 AM Healing Moments Workshop |
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Serving?
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| Please remember to check the server list on the bulletin board at church (or click here to see the latest monthly schedule online). Also, if you are going to switch dates with someone, please inform Michael Tautges at the Church Office. Thank you! |
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Ambassador Archives
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Want to read a recent issue of the Ambassador? Just click on the links below. (Older archives can be found on our website.)
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Each morning I receive three emails, "The Word of the Day" from the Network for Grateful Living, "Brother Give Us a Word" from the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE), and "Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation" from the Center for Action and Contemplation. These three reflections encourage readers to have a life of contemplative faith, through prayer and action (Richard Rohr's community is even called the Center for Action and Contemplation). On June 26th, Fr. Rohr's reflection suggested that the life of a contemplative is one of integrated action.
Rohr says, "The words action and contemplation have become classic Christian terminology for the two dancing polarities of our lives. Thomas Aquinas and many others stated that the highest form of spiritual maturity is not action or contemplation, but the ability to integrate the two into one life stance - to be service-oriented contemplatives or contemplative activists." Rohr then talked about the human tendency to swing like a pendulum between the two states without integrating them, thus creating a situation in which we are perpetually out of true balance. This train of thought reminded me of the Anglican idea of the three-legged stool. As Episcopalians, we try to keep in mind the importance of intentionally approaching our faith with three things in balance: 1- Scripture (our gateway to hearing God in the world), 2- Tradition (of the whole historic Christian church), and 3- Reason (the lens that allows us to interpret and respond to scripture and tradition). If one leg of the stool is too long/short, or even missing, the stool can be uncomfortably wobbly or even completely unstable.
As anyone who has experienced the deep study and community offered by EFM can tell you, the road to integrating action and contemplation through study in community is worth following, and I highly recommend contacting one of our mentors for more information!
What if you'd like to begin somewhere, but are super busy or need to test the waters a little bit first? In that case, I'd like to invite you to explore a couple of highly flexible gateway options.
The first is friend and family friendly, and widens the circle of our worship beyond sanctuary walls, as we will worship God within the created world on "Holy Hikes".
Holy Hikes are two to three-mile liturgical hikes done in three stages. The plan is to choose terrains that are fairly level, and not too rigorous - so we can accommodate and welcome people of varying ages and ability levels. The first one I went on was about two miles long, and ended atop a cliffside overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Communion ended just as the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Sound beautiful? It was, but they've got nothing on the scenery here in the Northwoods! The priest who was presiding said he tended to have anywhere from 3 to 20 hikers each time, depending on where it was and the weather (hikes happen rain/light snow or shine). So, you may ask, what happens on a Holy Hike? Please see the article on Holy Hikes below.
The second option is a Bible Study for small groups called "Reading Between the Lines". Each week is independent of the rest, and requires no prior preparation on your part, meaning if you miss one (or more) you can't fall behind. The editors of the story-based studies describe the format as "an opportunity to engage the scripture with the assumption that the biblical text and story is not about you, but it is you...stepping through the looking glass as Alice did, into a world where assumptions and values are challenged and brought to awareness." You are invited to "experience it as a reality within yourself, connecting the text, the world around you, and your inner world." I hope to begin offering Reading Between the Lines at my home at 4:00 PM on Sunday afternoons, beginning July 30th. This is very informal - there will be tea and cookies and delving into God's word together. If you are interested, just send me an email ([email protected])!
Erin +
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We Always Have Lots to Celebrate at St. Matthias'
- Congratulations to Marshfield Siegler! Marshfield graduated from Lakeland High School, and is also the proud recipient of two scholarships.
- Congratulations to Mike Pecore (Senior Warden), Barb Guy, Jan Heeren, Bob Holt, and Kathleen Marshall -- the newly-elected members of the Vestry. They will join current members Beth Jacobson (Junior Warden), Emily Field, and Mike Sabin. This group is already hard at work!
Watch for more reasons to celebrate next month.
If you have something to add, please let us know!
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Meet St. Matthias': Isaiah Brokenleg
Isaiah "Shaneequa" Brokenleg is our seminarian. He was born and raised in South Dakota, and is a cradle Episcopalian. He had the privilege of being raised for some years by his grandparents, one of whom was an Episcopal priest, on the Rosebud Indian reservation. Growing up, Isaiah's interest in the priesthood began when he was able to see what his grandfather did, and much of the work and community engagement it takes to be a priest. Every weekend he would be in the car with his grandparents traveling to a wedding, funeral, memorial, church meeting, or something similar. He also went with his grandpa on some hospital and home visits, as well as helped at the church by teaching Sunday school, and being an acolyte.
Isaiah came to St. Matthias' in 2007 when he got his first job after graduate school and moved to the Northwoods. After attending off-and-on he became more involved, serving on the vestry and a few different committees, as well as serving as an acolyte, and graduating from EFM. He also worked to begin the Native American services that are now held quarterly at the church.
Isaiah and his husband McHale have been together since 2006, and had their church wedding at St. Matthias' in the summer of 2016. McHale came to live in the area in 2013, and quickly also became involved in some committees, began EFM, and shared his gift of liturgical dancing with us from time to time.
It was at St. Matthias' that Isaiah's call to ordained ministry was rekindled. He began discernment, and with the support of St. Matthias' and the Diocese, he began school last year at Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP). He and McHale are living in Berkeley, and Isaiah anticipates graduating in May of 2018.
Favorite...
Would You Rather...
Be behind the scenes |
Be front and center
Find the perfect job | Win the lottery
Never speak again | Always speak your mind
Visit 100 years in the past | Visit 100 years in the future
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Parish Updates
Transgender Identity and the Bible
The Northwoods Interfaith Coalition will be hosting an evening of discussion in our Parish Hall, on Monday, July 17, at 7:00 PM. The conversation will be led by Joy Ladin, Gottesman Chair in English at Yeshiva University - the first openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution.
South Beach (Up North) Chamber Ensemble
For the second year in a row, we are delighted to host the wonderful South Beach Chamber Ensemble! These talented musicians will be giving an evening performance here at St. Matthias', on Friday, July 21, at 7:00 PM, featuring classical trios on the violin, piano, and cello. A reception will follow the event.
Healing Moments Workshop
Deacon Mary Raysa (Betty Nilsson's sister) and Jimi James have offered to present a workshop here at St. Matthias' on Saturday, July 29, from 8:30-12:00. They work with an organization called Healing Moments (healingmoments.org), and have developed workshops for anyone dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. Their mission is "to improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer's and dementia, reduce caregiver stress, and inspire a hopeful attitude. Our intent is to help caregivers and communities develop a deeper understanding of these diseases, and nurture the belief that meaningful relationships remain possible throughout all the stages of dementia." This workshop will be valuable for caregivers, family members, and friends of those dealing with these diseases, as well as anyone who simply wants to better understand and support those suffering from dementia-related illnesses. To register for the event, please call the Church Office.
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Holy Hikes
Holy Hikes begin once everyone is gathered at the agreed upon time and site. They start with the Collect for Purity, Gloria, and Collect of the Day, and then begin hiking. During the time we are hiking, people are encouraged to talk together, to get to know one another, to sing, or simply walk in quiet, as desired by each person.
Stage one:
At the first stop (10-15 minutes in) we have the Liturgy of the Word, and "
sermon
time", then sharing time. Instead of a spoken sermon, we spend 10-15 minutes exploring the space we are in, in
silence
, to allow God's Spirit who is "above all, through all, and in all" to speak to us through the beauty of our surroundings. After this time of holy listening, we gather in a circle, and people are invited to share how thus far they have experienced God on the hike - in the readings, the other people, the beauty of the nature, or anything. After sharing, we hike and enjoy one another's company again.
Stage two:
At the second stop, we have the Prayers of the People, the Confession, and share the Peace. At the conclusion of the Peace, we hike to the place we will share the Eucharist.
Stage three:
At the third stop, we have the Liturgy of the Table, and that's where we conclude the Holy Hike. After Communion, people can either picnic and hike out at their own pace, or choose to keep hiking longer on their own. I'd like to try these once a month through fall, beginning in August, so if you are interested in helping plan them please call or email me (
[email protected]
).
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