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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.
 
SEPTEMBER
2017
 

Mark Your
Calendars


 

Sept. 17 - 2:00 PM 

3rd Sunday Organ Concert 

 

Sept. 21 - 6:00 PM 

3rd Thursday Evensong

& Potluck

 

Sept. 23 - 4:00 PM 

Worship in the Wilderness

- Boulder Junction Winter Park - 

 

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 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.)
May Ambassador
July Ambassador
August Ambassador
From the Rector

September is homecoming season in many churches, busy summer schedules slow down, and lazy vacation days come to an end as families return to work, school, or more active volunteer schedules. Here at St. Matthias', we experience this time between the seasons as bittersweet, for us there are more leave-takings than homecomings because we are a summer destination. In September, we begin saying farewell as many in our Church family begin journeying to their winter homes. There are homecomings here too though, as some year-round members return home or enjoy more settled lives after the busyness of summer travels and activities.
 
As I thought about homecomings and leave-takings I began to wonder, what images do you associate with the word "home"? For me, at the most basic level, home is forever carved in the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range of Western North Carolina. I believe that there is a place in each person's heart that resonates in response to visuals, sounds, and even smells that mean home, in the deepest core of our being.
 
Just the other night I was surprised by a strong emotional response to a stunning sight that leapt from my visual cortex straight to my heart, reminding me of home. I was driving towards downtown Woodruff along Highway 47 as the most recent bout of storms were moving westward. It was early evening, just as twilight was descending, and as I looked up the receding bank of clouds looked like the Smoky Mountains in the distance. My heart actually skipped a beat, and I had to blink back a few homesick tears.
 
Now, please understand, I absolutely love it here in the Northwoods, and this is home for me in my heart too, but every time I see a mountain range in the distance I am immediately taken back to what meant returning home for most of my life, and that's what happened in that split second between a visual that shouted MOUNTAINS to my heart, and my brain registering that I was looking at clouds.
 
As you approach the foothills in North Carolina you begin to see them in the background... smoky gray peaks in the distance that promise cool, sweet scented air and those mist filled valleys that centuries have gentled into dreamscapes for artists and writers. There too is the memory of the sound of wind rushing through the trees, that happily also happens in these beautiful Northwoods almost as often. Just thinking about those mountain vistas now, as I type, makes me smile.
 
As you read this, I wonder, what is the landscape that came to mind for you? The one that sings out home to you when you see it out of the corner of your eye? Like me, is there now more than one place that triggers that imperceptible relaxing of muscles you didn't know were tensed? That feeling of "Ahh, I'm home?" Or, is it perhaps a season that calls to you? Recently, I've noticed that a few of the year-round Matthias' folks have begun, not only to look forward to their winter sports, but to begin planning for them. And, I see a little wistfulness in the faces of our snowbirds as the time comes to head south and follow the sun.
 
One thing we all have in common, no matter the landscape or climate, is that St. Matthias' feels like home. I'm going on vacation this week, and I already know I'll miss seeing the soft, mottled light warming my prayers, as I sit below the stained-glass windows. I know that, as amazing as it will be, Christ Church's organ and choirs won't lift my heart like ours does here at home, because it won't be home. I also know, that when I am driving north again, in a little over a week, exactly which turn in the road will signal "Almost home!" to me, as I am driving up 51 and getting closer to Hazelhurst.
 
To all who are traveling back here soon, or journeying south, or west, or east (north anyone?) to other homes that warm your hearts, fare well, and may God's love light your way.
 
Erin +
We Always Have Lots to Celebrate at St. Matthias' 
  • Lori Sill and Marcia Wisner-Holt are new acolytes - such a wonderful way to serve God and St. Matthias!
     
  • Last month our Thrift Shop donated $57,000 to local charities. What a truly amazing ministry this is!
     
  • Pat Barnett has been working in our library - books are off the floor and on the shelves ... in order!  The room looks so much nicer. Thank you, Pat!
     
Watch for more reasons to celebrate next month.
If you have something to add, please let us know!
Parish Updates

Isaiah Brokenleg's Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate 

Save the date! Saturday, December 16, has been reserved for Isaiah's Ordinations to the Diaconate, to be held at St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral, Fond du Lac. Additional details will be communicated when available.

3rd Sunday Organ Concert - Italian 
 
Don't miss the first in a monthly concert series (from September-November, on the 3rd Sunday of each month), featuring our organist George Ackerman-Behr, on Sunday, September 17, at 2:00 PM
 
Worship in the Wilderness 
 
Our second Worship in the Wilderness Walk and Communion will take place on Saturday, September 23, promptly at 4:00 PM.  Meet in the parking lot at Boulder Junction Winter Park.
 
St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals
 
Bring all your furry friends to our annual Blessing of the Animals - Saturday, October 7, at 10:00 AM.  This is a great service, and Erin blesses each animal individually.  Hot chocolate for humans, and treats for the animals will be served at this outdoor service.  We also will be collecting pet food/treats during October to be donated to local animal shelters.
Music Updates  

Happy cool weather Parishioners! Having walked down the walking paths in Ironwood MI, every day at 5:00 AM and then again at 6:00 PM, for a total of about 6 miles to the rising sun and warm weather accompanied by rabbits, foxes, deer and the occasional chipmunk, to the cool setting of the sun, I can safely say that all of the creatures are sleeping now in both directions it seems. It's dark, cool, and I have to put on a head lamp to see what's in front of me!
 
"...To everything (turn, turn, turn), There is a season (turn, turn, turn), And a time to every purpose, under Heaven." - Beetles

It's with that turn, turn, turn, that I am introducing lots of new and exciting adventures to the church. I am bringing in new music from yet another Episcopal supplement, called My Heart Sings Out, for the Mass parts, the psalms from the Revised Common Lectionary of the Anglican sort, and lastly, an organ concert series to start off on every third Sunday of the month at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Then next year it will continue with a concert series every couple of months, starting either in February or March. The Mass parts are built around the Celtic Gospel Alleluia which is in 6/8 time. Starting from the beginning, the Kyrie is an infectious rolling melody that comes from the central South American country of Paraguay, the Sanctus in a 3/8 time is festive, and has each musical phrase in an AABB form from the Iona Community, and last but not least, the Agnus Dei, or O Lamb of God, which gives people the ability to close their eyes and sing with conviction before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. The Psalms for September to be sung for worship are by Gordon Johnston, the melodies are simple, attractive, and in a comfortable range. There's a unique musical "bridge" that introduces the congregational parts, and will encourage people to join in these very singable settings.

Finally to what is being played at those concerts. First the Prelude: I must proclaim, I am not a performance major. I am first and foremost steeped in Liturgical Music and of being a music minister. Keeping that in mind, the music that I am selecting will be of that nature. The first concert will be Italian composers, from as early as Frescobaldi, to the modern living composer Fagiani. These pieces will explore the softer color pallet of the Jaeckel organ. The French will again be the same as the first, with a more robust color palette, and might be too loud for some. Lastly, before Advent begins, and to finish up the concert series for the year, the German composers, which undoubtedly will be everything on the organ, from soft to loud, exploring full registers and unusual chord clusters. Look forward to seeing you there, supporting St. Matthias' and the music ministry here, and this beautiful Jaeckel pipe organ.

Pax,
 
George Ackerman-Behr Ihre Kapellmeister 
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