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 2013
Click here to view the entire event calendar

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 either Bill Kane or Michael Tautges at the church office.

Thank you!

Mark Your Calendars

Sept. 17 - 5:00 pm

Community Table

Sept. 19 - 6:00 pm

Evensong & Potluck Dinner

at the Mayo residence

October 4 - 5:00 pm

St. Francis Day

Blessing of the Animals

October 8 - 8:00 am

St. Matthias' Volunteer Day

at the Lakeland Pantry

October 11 - 7:30 pm

Organ Concert

featuring Bruce Bengston


	Bishop Search
The Diocese of Fond du Lac is currently in the process of selecting a new Bishop, and have created a page for anyone who wishes to stay informed or help in the process: diofdl.org/bishopsearch/

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

(based on a sermon preached 8/25/13)

I was shocked recently when someone pointed out to me that a prominent American bishop (not an Episcopalian) had described herself as "religious, but not spiritual". Thinking that I might be missing something in the context, I googled her remarks. In doing so I found not only her remarks, but an article by another prominent Bishop (again not an Episcopalian) who wrote at some length on why he also considered himself "religious, but not spiritual".

Both of them were reacting to the increasing number of people who describe themselves as being "spiritual, but not religious". Many today use that phrase to say that spirituality is an important part of their life, but that they don't find it in organized religion. Of course, that can be frustrating to religious professionals. I know because I am one.

I suspect both bishops were trying to say that being part of a faith community is important. But their comment seems rather snarky to me, and I think perhaps illustrates the problem.

A seminary classmate of mine, Fr. Bob Honeychurch, who was for a number of years the Missioner of Congregational Vitality for the Episcopal Church, once told the Episcopal House of Bishops, "the biggest problem to church growth is people come seeking God and we give them church."

In other words, they come seeking the Spirit, and we give them religion. They come looking for faith, hope, and love, and we give them requirements for membership, doctrines they have to believe, committees to be part of, controversies to take sides on. They come seeking mystery and we give them guidelines, policy statements, hierarchy and ecclesiastical structures. People come looking for grace and acceptance and all to often find condemnation or conditions for their acceptance.

To be honest, I love religion. I love the church: the institution, the buildings, the traditions, all the trappings. I can find myself as obsessed with church business and politics at times as anyone else. But all that has to do with my own preference and style, not God's. I honestly don't believe that God much cares about our religion. God cares about us, about this wonderful world of which we are part.

Again and again, the Gospels tells us of Jesus' confrontations with religion.

He saw a woman, crippled, bent over double. He told her that she was free from whatever it was that had held her in bondage for 18 years. The religious authorities were furious that he did this on the Sabbath. You see he didn't follow the religious rules.

Jesus went into the temple, the very center of his religion, and turned over the tables of the moneychangers, and those selling the animals for sacrifice. He didn't do this because they were being irreligious, but because religion was what they cared about. The business, the sacrifices, the rules of the temple had become more important than the people who came seeking God. After he did that irreverent bit of mischief, the religious leaders were enraged. But the Gospel says the children and the blind and lame flocked to him. They saw in Jesus someone who cared more about people and God's love than religion.

He talked with a Samaritan woman and offered her living water, even though it was considered scandalous for him to be speaking to her. He assured her that the time was coming when people would not worry about which mountain to worship on, and whose religion was better - Jews' or the Samaritans' - but when all would worship in Spirit and Truth.

In my years of ministry, I have encountered many people who have been turned off by the church, and organized religion, often by rules, or guidelines, judgmental attitudes, or by theological or denominational controversies. They had gone to churches hoping to hear the Good News of Christ and had found themselves caught up in the old bad news of religion.

Jesus doesn't call people to be religious. He loves us, touches us, feeds us, assures us of God's favor, and declared us whole, whoever we are and however and wherever we to come to him.

We can do the same. As a church I pray that we are more spiritual than religious, that we offer more love than rules. That people are always worth more than the institution. My prayer is always that people will not say "see how organized, or busy, or professional, or beautiful that church is", but "see how they love one another and how they share God's love with the world around them."

God bless you all,

Parish Updates

A Gigantic Thank You!

Thanks so much to Gail Hoard for initiating and organizing our first ever Scavenger Hunt. Everyone who participated had great fun and the donations to the Lakeland Pantry were much appreciated. We are also so very grateful to Ken and Judy Ozinga for hosting the dinner at their home. Thanks too to the guys who hauled all the tables and chairs and to the committee who worked with Gail and Judy and Ken putting together this fun afternoon!

The winners of this year's hunt were Kathleen Marshall, Joy Sinclair, Bernardo McClain, Ray and Tee Mayo. Congratulations to you all!

Sr. Warden's Report: The Transition

We are a very blessed congregation! As I write this on Saturday, September 7th, I reflect back to last night's foyer dinner with the Matz's, the Holt's, the Tautges' and Kathy and I. The stories, the laughter, good friends, great wine and amazing food - it doesn't get any better than this! The previous Friday night, a group of us St. Matthias'-ites gathered for an impromptu fish fry - it lasted for over four hours - until we realized that we were about the only ones left in the restaurant. Again - good friends really enjoying the evening with each other. This scenario occurs every week and usually more than once a week. We are indeed blessed!

As we look ahead to the challenges of choosing a successor to our beloved Father Wallace, we need to reflect on these great times with our fellow parishioners. As those of you who have been through a similar process with previous congregations know, it will not be easy. There will be many challenges and many disagreements. But please keep in mind what is "right" (re-read my first paragraph) and what is NOT changing.

On August 20th, our Vestry met with Father Ed Smith, the Fond du Lac's Diocesan Canon for Transitional Ministries. This was the first step in the long process of eventually selecting a new Rector. The Wardens will be sending a formal letter to the Bishop telling of the upcoming vacancy. There will be a process of selecting a Calling Committee (comprised of a diverse distribution of our members and one or two members of Vestry). This committee will meet weekly for up to two years. Vestry (in consultation with Father Ed) will be establishing the criteria for members of the Calling Committee. Please consider if you wish to be involved in this important ministry, but remember the significant time commitment. I'll be providing more information on seeking your involvement on the Calling Committee in the next Ambassador.

Randy Bates

Email: hodagharley@gmail.com

Cell phone: (715) 490-2479

Jr. Warden's Report: The Joy of an Unexpected Gift

"For it is in giving that we receive."

- St. Francis of Assisi

I'm enjoying my new job as junior warden. I've learned I where keys and switches are located. I learned about the fire alarms and who to call for building repairs. My husband, Bill, our sexton and a former junior warden serves as a wonderful mentor.

While my job is to keep our building and grounds in good repair and looking beautiful, I've also learned about the efforts and generosity of others. So many people volunteer, make pledges and donate gifts in order to keep St. Matthias' a lovely place of worship and community. We can thank members for much of our landscape flowers and shrubs, our stained glass windows, candlestands, furniture and artwork.

Each year, something needs repair or maintenance. This summer, the St. Matthias' grounds needed extra attention. Although we have volunteers who weed, mow and trim, the grounds somehow got away from us. Members noticed and I knew something needed to be done, but I didn't know where to start. I called one of our members, Brad Schillinger, owner of Custom Caretaking and Landscaping, to get advice on what St. Matthias' members could do on our own and what services we should hire someone to do.

Brad walked around the property and assessed the situation. Afterwards, he said to me, "I love this church. I love this town and I love what St. Matthias' does for the community. I will donate my crew to clean up the grounds." As my jaw dropped, he continued, "after you have your volunteer spring clean-up each year, I will donate my crew for follow-up work." I wanted to leap in the air and kiss him, but I restrained myself and asked if I could give him a hug instead.

Thanks to Brad, many of us with creaky knees, backs, hips and shoulders will benefit from his kind generosity. Certainly, all of us will enjoy the renewed beauty of our gardens and grounds.

I really do believe the caring acts we do for others comes back to us in unexpected ways.

Barb Kane

Carpe Diem

In Other News...

Thursday, September 19, 6:00 pm

- September Evensong

Ray & Tee Mayo (2239 Hwy. 47, Lac du Flambeau) have graciously invited us to their home for our September Evensong, Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:00. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Thanks, Mayos!!

Friday, October 4, 5:00 pm

- Blessing of the Animals and Pet Food Drive

We will be celebrating the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, with a brief outdoor service and special blessing on Friday, October 4 at 5:00. Bring your pets to this special event in their honor - Mr. Bentley will supply the treats! In addition, the St. Francis Project is sponsoring a pet food drive. There will be a collection box in the narthex throughout September and donations will be distributed to the Oneida County Humane Society and the Lakeland Pantry during the week of October 7. Your generosity will be appreciated by all our four-legged friends. Many thanks!

Friday, October 11, 7:30 pm
- St. Matthias' 40th Anniversary Organ Concert

Mr. Bengtson is recognized as an accomplished organist throughout the United States. He has also claimed an international audience through concerts in Mexico, Canada, Finland, Sweden, France, Austria, and Denmark. An award winning musician, he has played for the National Convention of the Organ Historical Society, and the National Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM). He has also led hymn festivals across the country. Bengtson is an active clinician and member of the ALCM. Augsburg Fortress Publishing Company has two of his anthems in print. He has appeared in broadcasts of Wisconsin Public Radio.

Mr. Bengtson's organ study was begun at the age of 11 with William Fawk of Salem, Oregon. Undergraduate work was in organ performance under Dr. Robert Anderson at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Graduate work in organ and church music was done at Valparaiso University with Dr. Philip Gehring.

Bengtson is the Director of Music at Luther Memorial Church in Madison, Wisconsin, a position he has held since 1978. Besides the duties of organist, he is responsible for the choral and instrumental program of the parish.

Friday-Saturday, October 18-19

- Diocesan Convention, Fond du Lac

This year's Diocesan Convention will include the election of the Eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac. The Candidates are the Rev. Matthew Alan Gunter, Rector of St. Barnabas, Glen Ellyn, Illinois in the Diocese of Chicago; the Rev. Eric Christopher Mills, Rector of St. Anne's in De Pere, Wisconsin in the Diocese of Fond du Lac; and the Very Rev. Michael Rasicci, Rector of Calvary, Batavia, Illinois in the Diocese of Chicago.

For more information, please visit the Diocesan page: diofdl.org/bishopsearch/

Touchstones: Creating Your Own Well-Being

Written by Diane Diederich

I've just finished reading an article about taking care of our one-and-only body. I found myself pondering the choices I make. I'd like to share some of my musings. I'd like to paraphrase some points that were noted about ways to invigorate our lives by practicing having fun, being enthusiastic, living in joy, laughter and good health. Along with common sense, balance, moderation, compassion and listening to what your body might be telling you, he points out how we can exercise a degree of control over how we treat ourselves and the choices we make.

More and more we are discovering that there is an intricate connection between the body, mind and spirit. It is vital then to see to the health of all these areas. Here were some suggestions:

Guard against cynicism and hostility:

If you find yourself reacting to events with hostility, stop yourself, take some deep breaths and get in touch with how your body is responding: Your heart rate may be elevated. You may note that your breathing is more shallow. Is your body tense? It was noted that some death rates in people who are hostile, cynical or suspicious are 4-7 times higher than in people who are not.

Become more idealistic:

Realists often have a more accurate view of the world but are more apt to be depressed.

Find a community with whom you share interests:

Close social ties are important to our resistance to disease and a sense of well-being.

Plan an outing with significant people in your life at least once a week:

It seems that the less we play, the more somber and serious our world becomes. Try to give your undivided attention to someone. Expect their undivided attention back!

Take vacations:

It doesn't have to be far or for long. Just changing scenery can be life-giving.

Designate a 'quiet room' at home:

This is a place that allows you to escape from the stressful noise and chatter. The room should be off limits to others while you're inside. Some people light a candle or set a timer to let the people who love you know you are restoring yourself. This last suggestion made me chuckle - When our girls were small I DID light a candle and they knew it was 'Momma's time' and when I blew it out it signaled I was back...and they still remember that and used it when the grandchildren were small. What a gift!

Until next month, TTFN, Diane