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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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MAY
2015
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Mark Your
Calendars
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| May 14 - 3:30-6:00 pm Ascension Day Kite Flying, Mass on the Grass, & EFM Lasagne Dinner May 16 - 9:00-Noon Annual Spring Clean-up May 17 - 8:30-Noon 42nd Annual Parish Meeting June 19 - 7:30 pm Organ Concert with Kraig Windschitl |
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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 both Bill Kane and Michael Tautges at the church office. Thank you! |
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Trig's Receipts
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As of May 1st, 2015, Trig's has discontinued their program which donated 1% of marked receipts to a local charity of your choice. While we are greatly disappointed by their choice to eliminate this wonderful service, we sincerely thank both Trig's, and you for your years of dedicated support.
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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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The Clarion
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Curious to see what else is going on in the Diocese of Fond du Lac? Click the logo below to view the most recent Diocesan newsletter.
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Meet Our Interim
We are happy to welcome our interim priest, Carol Amadio, who arrived at St. Matthias' from her home on Washington Island on April 8th and plans to stay until a permanent rector is called. Carol says it isn't possible to know exactly how long that will take, but her estimate is approximately six to nine months. Carol has been retired since 2002, but has continued to work as a priest for some time every year since then. Currently, she is an associate member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island since they do not have an Episcopal Church on the Island. At Trinity, Carol sings in the choir, reads scripture, and serves as a communion minister. She also preaches, presides at the Eucharist, and provides pastoral care to the parish when needed, usually when her pastor is on vacation or away from the Island. Carol is one of several retired clergy who are available to do this. She has served Trinity as an interim pastor three times, including this past year. She also frequently acts as a supply priest for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Sister Bay. During the summers on the island, Carol also works at "Books Up the Road" where she gives information about how to get around the Island, provides books of local interest, and suggests interesting things people to do for on vacation, particularly on rainy days. Carol's hobbies include playing the flute in the Washington Island Band, reading, listening to and composing music as well as volunteering as an actor or support staff for Island Players, Washington Island's community theater group. Since retiring, Carol has carefully avoided being on any boards. She volunteers for her Island food pantry and is a volunteer for the Washington Island Community Health Program. She also helps lead grief and caregiver groups and serves as a hospice volunteer. Carol is passionate about social and economic justice and the power of love in all of life. She chose to come to St. Matthias' because the parish needed her. She has been an Interim 15 times since she was ordained in 1981 and finds all aspects of interim ministry challenging and fun. She wanted to be of help. When asked what she likes about St. Matthias', Carol said, "There are many things to like, in particular, that ministry is shared throughout the parish and with members of the wider community and also that members of the parish are positive, enthusiastic, and creative."
While Carol is here she hopes to support the parish in locating and calling a rector that will be a faithful pastor who will love and care for our congregation as well as equip us for our ministries as we continue the good work we have shared with Father Wallace. She also hopes to learn from us and to enjoy her time. We are so happy she is here!
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From the Sr. Warden: Spring at St. Matthias'
Many thanks to Frs. Whenal, Guy, Ward and Pastor Likeness; we enjoyed beautiful Holy Week services beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing on through Easter Day. Our supply clergy not only celebrated the services, but also helped to plan them ~ we are all very grateful and so appreciate the care and concern they have shown us during the past several months. At the risk of omitting someone, would also like to thank the choir, organists, soloists, acolytes, lectors, ushers, altar guild, and all those who brought food, helped set up, clean up - and everyone who attended these beautiful services. A special thank you to Michael for designing and formatting the five lengthy and complex bulletins needed for the services; in past years Edgar did these so this was an added responsibility during an already busy week. Speaking of added responsibilities, I want to also thank Michael for all his extra efforts in operating the church office by himself during the past 3 ½ months ... he has kept things running smoothly, answered questions, solved problems, and helped us all through our early stages of transition.
April 8 brought the arrival of Pastor Carol, our interim priest for the next several months. Carol has already attended several meetings and is anxious to meet everyone. She is part-time - so is not at church every day. If you would like to meet with her, just send an e-mail to [email protected] (or leave a note on her desk) and she will be happy to schedule a time that is convenient for you. Welcome, Carol (and Chelsea too!) - we are delighted to have you here at St. Matthias'!
On April 19, we celebrated the joyful baptism of Keegan Lloyd Olson, son of Justin and Cherie Olson. Family, friends and parishioners gathered to witness and welcome the newest member of St. Matthias'. Justin and Cherie hosted a wonderful lunch and everyone enjoyed time spent with their family and adorable baby Keegan.
The Caritas board, sponsoring organizations, and volunteers celebrated all that Judy Ozinga has done for Caritas with a special retirement dinner. There were lots of smiles, hugs and tears as several of those involved with Caritas expressed their appreciation and admiration for Judy's tireless efforts and many accomplishments. Ken and Judy will be relocating to Washington ... but will keep a home here, as Minocqua and St. Matthias' will always be an important part of their lives.
Spring is always a happy time at St. Matthias' as we begin to welcome back all those who have been away during the winter ~ each Sunday 'new' faces appear and we all love to catch up on each other's lives. Welcome home ~ we missed you!
- Chris Clark
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Annual Spring Clean-up
Please sign up for our annual Spring Clean-Up at St. Matthias'. We need your help in cleaning up the accumulated debris around the church grounds so that St. Matthias' looks its best for the warm weather season. We have done this for a few years now and it has been an enjoyable activity.
With many hands, the work goes fast. Volunteers bring their own garden tools and we usually finish our tasks in less than two hours. Even small tasks add up to making a big difference. Some people sweep. Some people rake while others remove leaves and deadhead gardens. We want our grounds to be beautiful!
You can find the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex.
Date: Saturday, May 16
Time: Begins at 9:00 AM
Place: St. Matthias'
Please join us again this year. Treats and coffee are provided! If you have any questions, please contact Barb Kane.
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Transition Team Update
The Transition Team has been finalizing a couple of items in anticipation of making the step to publicize our Rector position opening. We have worked with Beth Jacobson to add things to our new website that relate to the Rector search, and assist in other ways to make the St. Matthias website an excellent one. We have a firm position that preparing our church profile for our Rector search is best done by preparing and supporting an excellent website that provides an up to date and complete picture of St. Matthias for anyone seeking information, and particularly those interested in applying for the position. Thanks to Beth and others who have done this.
We have also completed our Ministry Portfolio for the Diocese which is now posted on the website of the Office of Transitional Ministry. Part of the OTM website has information about candidates for calls and also information about churches looking for people to call. This intersection is where applications can and do start. We also are "going public" with our Rector job posting in other areas so that as many qualified individuals as possible will hear about us. Let your friends know and have them check out our website at www.stmatthiasminocqua.com.
This time of publicity is arguably the most critical time of the entire process. Having some good, qualified, dedicated and spirit led individuals hear about us at this moment of opportunity for the job of Rector at St. Matthias is critical. We can go ahead with plans for interviews and visits and screenings but we earnestly and prayerfully covet God's leading of people at this time to consider this position. We are excited and look forward to the responses.
Next steps will include reviewing resumes, having conversations and interviews, site visits, and more interviews and reviews. It is too early to outline timetables for these things but we plan to keep the process moving through the Spring and Summer. This stage(s) will involve an extra measure of confidentiality for the benefit of all, but your transition Team will seek to keep you informed of the progress we are making.
To keep some additional separation between our work and the regular church affairs we have opened a PO Box in Woodruff to receive information from applicants. That number is PO Box 1577, Woodruff, WI 54568. Please refer any person who has interest in applying to do so at that address. To start we are asking for a letter of introduction and a resume. Any questions about the process or for other clarification should be routed to Ken Ozinga, Chair, at (360) 510-9499.
Thanks for your support.
- The Transition Team
Isaiah Brokenleg, Diane Diederich, Roger Ganschow, Gordon Hermanson,
Ken Ozinga, Karin Randolph, Marilyn Walker
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Music Ministry Team News
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Organ Concert Featuring
Kraig Windschitl
Principal Organist, Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, MN
Friday, June 19, 2015, 7:30 pm
St. Matthias' Episcopal Church, Minocqua
The Music Ministry Team is delighted to announce the 3rd annual organ concert at St. Matthias'. This year's concert will feature Kraig Windschitl, principal organist at Mt.Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, and chapel organist/carilloneur/instructor at Breck Episcopal School, Golden Valley, MN.
Kraig completed the Bachelor of Arts from St. John's University, with majors in Church Music/Organ and Theology, and a Master of Music in Organ performance with a cognate in Sacred Music at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
Cost of the concert will come from three sources:
- Our 2015 concert budget for community-wide musical events
- Collection plate at the concert
- Individual sponsors/donations
The team is looking for sponsors to support the costs for this concert. Should you be interested in helping sponsor the event, please contact Le Ganschow at [email protected] or by calling (715) 588-3754.
Other News:
The Music Ministry Team (comprised of Bill Black, Le Ganschow, Richard Gsell, Gordon Hermanson, Teena Orling, and Marcia Wisner-Holt) meets monthly to discuss issues related to the music of the church. Issues included a discussion of this year's Messiah Sing-Along and the challenges facing our choir, given the large number of absences through the winter months.
Messiah Sing-Along
Thanks go to David and Bev Barr for conducting the sing-along and to Jane Trotter and her committee for planning and coordinating the event. Unfortunately, area snow/ice storms limited attendance, though there were 40-50 participants, mostly from the broader community. An informal poll of the singers showed substantial interest in making this an annual event. Using our music budget, the Music Team purchased 20 copies of Messiah for our choir, six of which were sold to attendees.
Choir Issues
At our February meeting the team had agreed that the choir should not take a choir break this spring during the transition. The big challenge through the winter has been finding enough voices to sing anthems. Even at other times during the year, there are frequent absences of choir members, as most everyone is retired and travels off and on. The team is attempting to resolve this issue. Meanwhile, everyone is looking forward to the return of our choir snow-birds. The choir needs and welcomes new members to enhance our numbers. Reading music is not a prerequisite, if you have a decent ear and simply enjoy singing. If you are interested, see choir director Bill Black after church on Sundays.
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Rest in Peace, Mary
On March 21, the Lakeland area and St. Matthias' lost a very special friend, Mary Robertson. A very talented musician, Mary taught harp and piano for several years ~ those who knew her will always remember her love for music, for teaching, and her most beautiful smile. We would like to extend our deep sympathy to her son, Bill, daughter, Emily, and to Don, her forever companion and best friend. A beautiful memorial service and luncheon was celebrated for Mary at St. Matthias' on May 2, her birthday.
Lent Madness - 2015
And the winner is ... Michael Tautges! Michael came in first place and Jane Trotter took second in our annual Lent Madness competition. This year the Golden Halo went to St. Francis of Assisi. Participants make donations and the winner chooses a favorite charity - this year Caritas was the beneficiary of the Lent Madness monies. Congratulations to Michael and Jane and many thanks to all who participated in this fun (and rather unusual!) Lenten program.
Summer Schedule
As in past years, we will have 2 Sunday services during the summer. The 8:00 (Rite I - no music) will begin on May 31, and end with the September 6 service. The 10:00 is Rite II with choir. There is no Sunday School during the summer; however, nursery and toddler care is offered. Due to very low attendance for the past several summers, the Vestry has decided to discontinue the Saturday evening service at Manitowish Waters. Even though this only affects a few, we are sorry, and hope those who attended this service will join us in Minocqua.
Annual Meeting
Our 42nd Annual Parish Meeting will be held immediately following the service on Sunday, May 17. Gordon will present the Treasurer's Report and answer financial type questions at 8:30, so do come early, if you can. During the regular meeting we will vote for one Vestry member, four delegates for the Diocesan Convention and four alternate convention delegates. This year's convention will be held on October 23 & 24 at St. John's in Wausau. Should you wish to nominate yourself or someone else, please complete a nomination form and return to Michael - the forms are on the corner of Michael's desk. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. A brunch will follow the meeting - the Vestry will set up, serve and clean up; however, the congregation is asked to help with the food ~ sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.
Ascension Kite Flying
Please join us for our annual Ascension Day Kite Flying - 3:30 at the Berray Farm on South Farming Road, right off Hwy. 47. Bill always brings extra kites so do feel free to use one of his ... or bring your own. This will be followed at 5:00 by 'Mass on the Grass'. At 6:00, everyone is encouraged to have a wonderful lasagna dinner back at the church ~ the suggested donation is $12 per person, and there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. All proceeds will go to the EFM scholarship fund. Feel free to join us for one, two or all three of the events - a great time is guaranteed!
Organ Concert
Please plan to attend our annual summer organ concert on Friday evening, June 19. We are excited that Kraig Windschitl, the principal organist at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, has accepted our invitation. Further information on Kraig and the program he is planning for us will be available soon.
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Touchstones: From Spirit to Holy Spirit to Paraclete
Written by Diane Diederich
Most of us think of the Spirit as the third "person" of the Trinity. That's the way we place the Spirit's role in time and place. For all time the concept of "spirit" has had many facets: the human spirit, angelic spirits, evil spirits and so on. The roles attributed to the Spirit are varied: It is like the mighty wind that moves the apostles to preach at Pentecost; It gives life; It cries out in our hearts; It is the source of charisms or special gifts. Whatever the understanding, Spirit is to be celebrated on this day and all days for it is Spirit that gives life to the Church! The Acts of the Apostles and the gospel of John do not agree on when the Holy Spirit was given. Acts situates the gift of the Spirit at the feast of Pentecost which is 50 days after Passover and Jesus' resurrection. John indicates the gift of the Spirit took place "on the evening of the first day of the week," that is, the evening of the resurrection. Jesus returned to the Father, but not before he had commissioned the first disciples, and us as well, to be his body, the Church. The Lord God whose Spirit moved over the waters at creation and who was present in the "passover" from Egypt to the promised land (as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day) is the same Lord who raised Jesus from the dead and received him (into the cloud) at the time of his ascension. Pentecost is the continuing sign of the covenant that God made with Israel and with Jesus, of the renewal of our hearts and lives.
During Easter we concentrated on the bonds of unity that created Church as the "family" of God. Jesus' Easter appearances set the tasks for the Church: To keep Jesus' commandment to love one another as he has loved us; to be faithful to his law as he had been faithful to God's; and to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Christians are called to particular forms of worship in the temple of God: to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to feed and shepherd the Church, and to justice (care for orphans and widows). The gift of the Holy Spirit on the Solemnity of Pentecost confirms us in this calling. The Spirit is the source of our unity. Amen.
TTFN, Diane
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