Like us on Facebook
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.
 
NOVEMBER
2015
 

Mark Your
Calendars


 

Nov. 19 - 6:00 pm

Thanksgiving Newcomer's

Evensong & Potluck

 

Serving?

 

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!

 

Ambassador Archives

 

Want to read a recent issue of the Ambassador?  Just click on the links below.  (older archives can be found on our website)
August Ambassador
September Ambassador
October Ambassador
 

The Clarion

 

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.

 

From the Rector

A few thoughts on the Prayer Book.
 
Prayer # 58 on page, 832 reads,
 
"O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgement, and light rises up in darkness for the Godly; grant us in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of Wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in our light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
 
I have a collection of prayers from the Book of Common Prayer that I keep in a small ring binder. These are prayers I frequently use to open and close my day, or to give me strength, or hope, or peace of mind. This little binder has traveled with me just about everywhere I've lived for, somewhere in the neighborhood of nine years. In addition to prayers for guidance (which remind me God is always there listening and guiding, when I'm willing to pay attention) the binder includes prayer # 61 - A prayer of Self-Dedication , # 54 A prayer for those we Love, and # 64 which is titled, Before Worship. There are other prayers in my little collection, but these listed are the ones I go to most frequently for personal re-centering.
 
You may have heard it said that Episcopalians love our Prayer Book(s), and we certainly do, with good reason! But wait, are you thinking... "did she use an 's'?"! Why, yes. Yes I did! We love them. Not just our own, but other beautiful versions from across the Anglican Communion. The worldwide Communion of which we are a part. We do especially love the services and prayers in our own Books of Common Prayer - and... that also gets an "s" because Prayer Books are meant to be updated and written in the Common Cultural Language of the people every so many decades, which causes a bit of mourning for a while, but also adds new depth to our worship. The mourning is usually alleviated when we realize that updates always include elements of the best loved prayers and liturgies from the past.
 
I think we love our Prayer Books so much, in part , because all of our liturgies (worship services) are full of scripture that has been woven together with traditional prayers and praises to God, from the earliest years of the Church, and our uniquely Episcopalian sensibilities of community, faith, and desire for the presence of God in our whole lives.
 
The ancient, or relatively recent prayers are supplemented by new forms that have evolved over decades of use before being incorporated - so that by the time a new book comes out (don't worry 1979 users, that won't be anytime soon) the "new" prayers are already loved and part of our hearts.
 
The most ancient parts of our services of Eucharist are interpreted into the common language of our time so that they can be understood and used by all. But the ancient is always with us; we even open with wording reminiscent of the beginning of ancient Jewish and Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions, "Blessed be God..."! The collect for purity gets its inspiration from Psalm 51, and when we sing or say the Gloria we are using the joyful words of the Angels' song from Luke's Gospel, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth."
 
Our individual prayers and our corporate worship, when we take the time to think about it, is always formed in community, embedded in scripture, and builds upon the prayers and dreams of Christian peoples from the earliest communities who dared follow in the footsteps of Christ. Open your prayer book today, look beyond Sunday morning, find what helps you pray if you are learning, remember what you love again if you have let personal practices of prayer slide a bit. As Philip said to Nathanael, "Come and See."

 -- Erin+

Did You Know... 
(a trivia series on all things Episcopal)
 
That the Vestry's primary responsibilities include: 
  • Acting as agents and legal representatives of the parish in all matters concerning its corporate properties; and the relations of the parish to its clergy.
     
  • Ensuring that standard business methods are observed; to include those established in Title I, Canon 7, Section 1 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church which deal with financial matters of the parish.
     
  • Arranging for the continuation of worship when a parish is without a clergy person, including the calling of a new clergy person.
     
  • Nominating persons for Holy Orders.
Parish Updates 
 
  Vestry Approves Same-Sex Marriages
After this year's General Convention, Bishop Matt approved same-sex marriages in the Diocese of Fond du Lac with the condition that each parish discuss this topic and that the Vestry approve it with at least a 2/3 majority. With Bishop Matt present, St. Matthias' held such a discussion; no one present at the meeting expressed a dissenting opinion, so at the October meeting, the Vestry unanimously approved same-sex marriages at St. Matthias'.  

Table of Remembrance
November is the time to honor and remember those who have inspired us and those who have died - to celebrate our continued relationship with our loved ones, a table of remembrance has been set up in the sanctuary. Photos, poems, prayers, and names of those who have gone before us may be added to the table. Strips of colored paper and pencils are available to write names. Place the name in the "prayer bowl". As you walk by during the week, or on Sunday, please stop and offer a prayer.

Thanksgiving Newcomer's Evensong & Potluck
Please plan to attend our Thanksgiving Evensong, Thursday, November 19 at 6:00; this is the perfect time to thank God for His abundant blessings and to celebrate those new to St. Matthias' during the past year. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board - old-timers bring the food - newcomers, please just come and enjoy our traditional Thanksgiving feast! 

Advent Wreaths

Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year. It is a season of spiritual preparation for the coming of our savior at Christmas. It is also an ideal time to bring seasonal prayer into our homes. A beautiful way to add seasonal reflection and prayer is the custom of lighting candles on an Advent Wreath each night during Advent. During coffee hour on the first Sunday of Advent (November 29), those interested will have the opportunity to create a lovely Advent wreath for their home. If you would like to contribute greenery (ivy, holly, cedar, etc.), a sign-up sheet will be on the board.  
 
Advent Prayer Series
Starting on Monday, November 29, Marywood, St. Francis, and St. Matthias' will be co-sponsoring a weekly Advent Series on Prayer. A soup/bread supper will be included and sign-up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board. These promise to be beautiful, inspirational sessions and the perfect way to celebrate the lovely Advent season.

Veteran's Breakfast
Over 50 veterans attended this year's Veteran's Breakfast. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this event's success!

Native American Liturgy
This year's Native American Liturgy had over 120 people in attendance! Definitely the largest gathering we've had for the service so far. Thank you to everyone involved in making this liturgy and meal such a memorable occasion!
Music Ministry Team News  
 
A representative from the Music Ministry Team met with Pastor Erin and Isaiah Brokenleg to plan the musical portion of the Native American service, which took place on November 8. The service included Native American hymns, the Anthem, and mass music, as well as drumming and a liturgical dance. The team discussed the possibility of featuring additional Native American services in the coming year.
 
This year's music portion of service on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving will focus on hymns and an anthem related to the theme of "Christ the King". Teena Orling suggested that an announcement be made encouraging interested members of the congregation to attend a special Thanksgiving service and meal at St. Francis in Eagle River on Thursday, Nov. 26.
 
Music at the late service Christmas Eve will feature a Christmas Cantata with narration by Pastor Erin at 9:00, prior to the 9:30 service.
 
The team continues to encourage the congregation to recommend hymns they'd like to include in our services. A form for this purpose is in the church office.
 
Given the diverse liturgical backgrounds within our congregation, the team has asked the choir to let us know which hymns/mass music might not be familiar to a number of members of the congregation. The choir will introduce the music to the congregation prior to that day's service.
How Your Hymns Are Selected (or)
   Do They Really Think We Can Sing This?
Written by Teena Orling

First of all, by the third verse, you can sing anything! Why do you think Edgar had us singing all the verses? NO, really, the composers have great apocalyptic messages in those final verses, messages for our future in God's love and mercy.
 
Now to the subject at hand: These are selections of hymns based on Episcopal and Lutheran hymnodists. (Yes, we ARE in pulpit and altar fellowship with the ELCA Lutherans in case you didn't know. Presbyterians, too.) Our hymnodists are Marcia and Bob Holt, along with some feedback from the priest, the Music Ministry Team and you. They use the 1982 Hymnal, Wonder Love & Praise, Lift Every Voice and Sing, the Canadian Hymnal, the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal, and With One Voice. The Holts keep records of when which hymn was sung so they aren't sung too often. New hymns are frequently used, as well as popular hymns. They DO listen to comments by us and try to accommodate us all. In the future we will ask you again for your favorites, so be sure to answer accordingly.
 
To explain hymn selection for each worship service, the opening hymn is to gather us in (sounds like a Marty Haugen one to me!) for worship or as a processional for more formal occasions. The offertory hymn is related to the scripture readings of the day. The communion one is related to the sacrament, and the closing hymn sends us out to do the work we are to do (rough wording of our p. 366 post-communion prayer).
 
Hymns are the major congregational addition to the liturgy and ministry of our faith. Thanks be to Martin Luther, Bob, and Marcia for continuing to add to our participation in the services.

Touchstones:  The Positive Side of Differences
Written by Diane Diederich

Wouldn't this world be boring if everyone thought and reacted the same way? The French say, "Vive la différence" to express the life to be discovered in our differences.
 
In the best relationships there are both (1) the recognition that differences in background do exist and (2) the ability to create an attitude of mutual respect, tolerance and cooperation. Such relationships also show a willingness by both parties to sit down to explore rationally together the potential impact that these differences might have on our own marriage. This allows us to develop clear support strategies between couples, aimed at helping each other to understand and live with these differences in ways that add luster to our lives. A few strategies are:
 
Whenever an argument erupts over a difference in background, one person calls a time out and both sit down to write their feelings and source of disagreement out. They exchange what have written and by the time they've read and discussed them, a compromise might be reached. Any of you who have made a Marriage Encounter will recognize this method - Bob and I still use this, because you can't argue with a piece of paper.
 
If you can't reach a compromise, keep talking!! Open dialogue will eventually open up a way of appreciating the uniqueness in each other.
 
Perhaps one of the most important things that we need to appreciate is that there are always vital difference between spouses. These are the areas that spice to our lives together. Acknowledging that these differences exist can be a liberating and binding experience for partners. Such acknowledgement is necessary to any successful and supportive team marriage.
 
Only after you are honest about the differences themselves, can you create a way together to transcend those differences and continue supporting each other in your ongoing quest to build a strong, enduring and loving marriage.
 
Next month, "Differences as Gift."

TTFN: Diane
Like us on Facebook