January 15 - 6:00 pm

Third Thursday Evensong
& Potluck

February 8 - 11:00 am

Olson Baby Shower

February 14 - 5:00 pm

Winter Survivor's Party

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 either Bill Kane or Michael Tautges at the church office.  Thank you!

The Transition Team has completed the compilation of data from survey 1. Many of you were at the church coffee hour on Sunday the 4th and saw the power point presentation of the data. If you would like a printed copy please check with the church office. We plan to finish the data collection from survey 2 in the next few weeks and prepare a power point presentation for that information. When it's ready we will have another coffee hour presentation.

We continue to work with Vestry to find an interim priest during the coming months as while we search for a new, permanent priest.

A new, improved website for St. Matthias has been put together under the leadership of Beth Jacobson. The Transition Team will prepare information about the search process, including material about our membership (data from survey 1) and how our members view our church, now and into the future (data from survey 2 and other input). The plan is to add this information to the website so that we have an up to date profile available to any reader (including job applicants) seeking information about St. Matthias.

The next phase of our task will include plans to announce our Rector position and invite applications, plans to review applicants and sort through references and background information, plans for interviews and visits as appropriate, a job description and financial package, and other related items.

---- The Transition Team

If winter fairy godmothers existed in real life, we could ask for this protective bubble around everyone so that they'd forever be spared the doom of slippery surfaces. Fortunately, there are some things we all can do to help ensure our safety.

• Walk slowly and carefully on icy or snowy walkways. Take short, deliberate steps in which the midfoot strikes the ground first, not the heel.
• Be aware that black ice can look like wet pavement.
• Be especially cautious when new snow may have hidden icy patches beneath it.
• Make sure footwear has good treads and is appropriate for cold or wet weather. (Plastic, leather, and rubber shoes are not safe.)
• Avoid walking with your hands in your pockets; keep hands free for balance.
• When possible, avoid carrying large amounts of materials.
• Place your full attention on walking. Digging in your pocketbook or backpack or using cell phones or other devices while walking is dangerous.
• Be aware of changes in friction on walking surfaces (for example walking from snow to ice, from curb to road, or from inside to outside).
• Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot on them. Watch out for slippery parking lots, roadways, or sidewalks when stepping out of a vehicle.
• When getting out of your vehicle, look down at the surface. If it's coated with ice you might want to park in a different place.
• When entering buildings or homes, be aware that immediate entrances and stairs may be slippery from melted ice or snow.
• Remove the snow from the soles of your footwear as you enter a building or vehicle.
• If you have to walk through an icy car park or driveway, try to find a firm arm to lean on. Nearly everyone is happy to help a person move along a slippery walkway. All you have to do is ask.
• Bring a mobile phone when you go out of the house. If you fall, it could sometimes be hard to get up.
• If you have railings going up to your front door, make sure that they are sturdy. They should be able to support you in case you slip.

-- Special Note --

I joined the St. Matthias' Vestry to fill in for Harry Marshall and will go off at the end of my term in May. I have served many years on past Vestries. During my time on this current Vestry, I hope to bring the insight that I offer, having worked with all of St. Matthias' priests.

I have been an Episcopalian for many years. My first experience as a child with the Episcopal Church was my baptism at Trinity Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa. Later, in the 1950's, we had in-home summer services, lakeside, with a supply priest and my mother dreaming of having a true Episcopal Church here in Minocqua.

I spent much of my professional life in marketing and advertising, helping firms become successful. These include St. Croix Rod, Doctors Foster & Smith, as well as being Creative Director of my own advertising agency.

Some of the things I'm most proud of in my life are:

1. Seeing the amazing accomplishments of my family as well as our church family.
2. Signing the frame papers with Nancy that brought St. Matthias' into existence.
3. Participating on past St. Matthias' Vestries and helping to choose our prior priests.
4. Helping to proceed with our building program and helping to design and spearhead our new stained glass windows.

St Matthias' is very much a part of my wife, Nancy's, and my life. Along the way we have seen our kids baptized and married at St. Matthias, as well as a brother and nieces. Sadly, we've also experienced a family funeral or two.

I've always been a part of the Lakeland community as an early Min-AquaBat, charter Rotarian, Lion, board member of Lakeland Performing Arts Association, and a life member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. I work summers at Timber Ridge Golf Course, swim, and bike. In the winter, I hibernate and enjoy trips to California and Florida visiting our grand kids.

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."

- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1770)

Music Ministry Mission Statement:

"...to provide excellent music in the historic Christian church tradition, (including organ, piano, vocal, and instrumental) to everyone in attendance at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, such that worship is sacred, uplifting and God glorifying."

In July of 2013, Father Wallace commissioned the formation of a Music Ministry Team as part of his transition into retirement. For the first time a committee, consisting of the organists (Bob Holt, Marcia Wisner-Holt, and substitute Kay Lee), choir director and former choir director (Bill Black, Le Ganschow - facilitator), and choir member Gordon Hermanson, took on the responsibility for selecting all of music of the church. That fall Ken Ozinga joined the team.

Early on there were multiple issues to address, for example, settling issues of space for rehearsals for a growing choir, storing music in our limited space, clarifying roles of team members, and developing evaluation forms/procedures for our paid musicians. In the fall we developed an efficient system for categorizing and maintaining records of weekly hymns, mass music, and anthems. It takes careful planning to select music appropriate for a given Sunday in accordance with the Gospel readings and the church calendar year. Early on the team agreed that our musical selections should be diverse, using a variety of musical genres for the varied musical tastes of our congregation. By January of 2014, we had finalized the above Music Ministry mission statement. Our church sponsored two community musical events in 2014: a Messiah "sing-along" on Palm Sunday and an organ recital in June. In the fall we added Richard Gsell to our team, and in January of 2015 Teena Orling will replace Bob Holt on the team. To maintain what may become an annual tradition at St. Matthias', the team has asked the Vestry to approve an annual "concert budget" for the Messiah and organ recitals. The 2015 Messiah "sing-along" is scheduled for March.

Touchstones:  What Kind of Time is Most Important?

Written by Diane Diederich

Something that I have been asked often: Is quality time or quantity time MOST important? According to several different studies and so called experts, the overwhelming answer comes back: Quality.

If that is so, why does togetherness dwindle in marriage? I think that we might look at four factors that rise to the top of the list:

1. Responsibilities: For adult family members who cannot care for themselves. Or it can be caring for grandchildren while parents work away from the home. At any case, the time away lessens the quality time with our spouse.
2. We in the Northwoods may have moved here to retire. BUT, there are so many activities and commitments that the time you spend apart could be just as if you both were holding a JOB. The question could be, "How many activities are too much?"
3. Coercion and negative pressure tactics (which results in alienation, criticism and silent or overt nastiness - and a decrease in quality and quantity of time. Most marriages aren't killed, they die of neglect.
4. Our powerful work ethic, which tells us we should not relax and enjoy each other until all our work is done - which, of course, never is!