St. Andrews by the Lake

THE TRINITY

 This coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday. It’s the one Sunday of the year when we reflect on a ‘church doctrine’. You won’t find the word ‘trinity’ in scripture, although you will find allusions to it that later developed into the doctrine of the Trinity as the church tried to put words around what it believed and to define itself it a culture that was antagonistic toward it.  That in itself, was a tricky endeavor - and continues to be.

     One of the most important things to remember about church dogma (in the Anglican Church, you will find very little dogma), is that dogma is not the last word, but the beginning of a conversation. That kind of blows things wide open — doesn’t it!

     Let’s begin with continue reading » »

Upcoming Events:

Friday, May 16 &17 – Senior High Lock-In at our Lakeside location. Begins at 6:30 p.m. Very important, especially for those on the confirmation journey. If you can’t come to all of it, plan to stay for at least Friday night (until about midnight)

Saturday, May 17 - Junior High Roller Skating (1:30-4:30 p.m. at World of Wheels.

Sunday, May 18th - Godly Play demonstration for parents, grandparents, really, anyone interested. Come and experience what our youngest children have been receiving in faith formation on Sundays.

Sunday, May 18th - Prince Caspian. A trip to the movies (Duluth 10) to watch the early showing of the film, followed by discussion at Amazing Grace in Canal Park.

Friday/Saturday, May 30 & 31 - Junior High Lock In at Lakeside location. Begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 31 - Senior High Atomic Bowling (Incline Station), 8p.m.-10 p.m.

Sunday, June 1st - Celebration of our Senior High Grads (John Brakke and Jaina Thompson)

Friday/Saturday, June 13 & 14 - Brat Sale during the Park Point Rummage Sale

Mondays, June 9. 16. 23. 30 - My Faith, My Life (Confirmation Discussions) 11a.m. - 1 p.m.

June 17, 18, 19 - Senior High Camping Trip to Madeline Island

June 28 - 29- Popcorn Stand at the Park Point Art Fair

The Feast of Dame Julian of Norwich

c. 1417

All things shall be well
You should see for yourself that
All manner of things shall be well

Julian of Norwich’s refrain of hope and joy has given comfort to seekers throughout the ages. Such a hymn to God’s love is often sung by one who has had a direct experience of that love. Julian, a 14th Century recluse, is considered a mystic because of her intense experiences of the sacred.

The hope and optimism of Julian’s teaching did not come from the historical mood of her day. The second half of the 14th Century in England was a time of disintegration continue reading » »

What is PENTECOST and what difference does it make in my life?

The Day of Pentecost is the occasion when pious Jews, in the time of Jesus, gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the ‘Feast of Weeks’. If a Jewish person had the ability to travel to Jerusalem, they were expected to be there to participate in this festival – which was a celebration at which the first fruits of the spring harvest were offered to God. That’s why the disciples were gathered in that room after the crucifixion of Jesus – they had gathered for this festival – yet were still fearful of the fallout from the crucifixion and having been followers of Jesus. It could have been several months time that had passed since Jesus had been crucified – so they were still dealing with grief, loss, bewilderment. Anyone who experiences the death of a loved one, knows the feelings that permeate life for a long time after a loved one dies.
In the midst of their fear and grieving, a miracle occurred:

continue reading » »

May 16 - 17- Sr. High Lock in- St. Edwards- (6pm-1pm) Letter will be going out in the mail on Monday 5/5 to parents and youth.  Cost is $5.00 and youth are asked to bring their own pop/water a snack to share and a food item for the food shelf!

May 17-Jr. High Roller Skating- World of Wheels (1:30pm- 4:30pm).  Cost is $5.50/ person and extra $ for snacks.  Bring a friend.

 May 30-31- Jr. High Lock-in St. Edwards (6:30pm - 1pm).  Cost is $10.00, youth are asked to bring their own pop, water a snack to share, and a food item for the food shelf.  We will be focusing on “Life is a Journey”! We will be renting a bus to begin our journey.  Letter will be going out to youth and parents this week.

May 31-Sr. High Atomic Bowling- Incline Station (8pm-10pm).  Cost is $10.00/ person for 2 hrs of bowling (as many games as you can!), pizza and pop.  We need a minimum of 5 people.

June 1- High School Graduation Sunday- St. Edwards.

June 9, 16, 23, 30-Summer conversations with Cindy and Brian- St. Edwards (11am-1pm).  We are offering this book study lunch for current 10,11, and 12 grade youth.  We will be discussing the book “My Faith, My Life” A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church.  This series will help “fill in the gaps” for final preparation for Confirmation on July 20.  The book is closely related to the BCP and is designed to help teens learn about the christian faith they were baptized into, and the Episcopal Church that offers a spiritual home.  We believe that these lunch conversations will be fun, interesting and help raise and answer questions about our faith.

June 13, 14-Annual Brat Sale on Park Point (8am-4pm).  This is one of our biggest fundraisers for youth group.  At this point in time, we are hoping to have the Brat sale in front of the Hunn’s house.  We are asking youth (traditionally all incoming 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade youth) and their parents to take turns working 2 or 4 hour time slots and help seek donations of food or money.  Our goal this year is to have all items donated so that we will make a 100% profit.  Sign up sheets for working and donating will be at St. Edwards in the undercroft beginning May 18.  Final location to come.

June 17, 18, 19- Sr. Youth Group Camping trip to Madeline Island.  Teens and parents will be notified of the cost of this trip once it is calculated.  This camping trip will focus on relationships with each other, nature and God.

June 27- Jr. High-Late Night Movie Night- St. Edwards(9pm-12am).  Bring your own pop, water, a snack to share and a food item for the food shelf!  Bring a friend!!!  Popcorn will be provided!

June 28, 29-Annual Park Point Art Fair Popcorn and Water sale.  This was a huge success last year, and we raised over $700.  We are looking for youth and adults to help work 2 hour time slots and seek donations of water and ice.  Sign up sheets will be at St. Edwards in the undercroft on May 18.

July 19- Dinner and Celebration for Youth, Mentors and Parents for all current 10th, 11th and 12th grade youth.  More details to come.

July 20- Confirmation

July 27, 28, 29- Jr. High Camping Trip- Madeline Island.  More details to come.

AUGUST- No Youth Events- Brian is on Vacation :-).  Look for the annual Halloween Dance in October!!!!!

If you would like to help Chaperone/ provide rides or work any of these events, please contact Brian at- 218-591-2583.  Peace and God Bless!

St. Andrew’s by the Lake
Grains of Sand
Easter Season 2008

VICAR’S REFLECTION

When I arrived at church the Fourth Sunday of Easter, I did my usual run through of the building to make sure all was in place and ready for the community to arrive. When I walked into the sanctuary and looked toward the altar, I thought, “Oh, how sad they look.” The Easter lilies that had been just beautiful a few short weeks ago were drooping and turning brown. It was time to take them out. Just about this time in Easter it’s not unusual to feel a little droopy after the high of the Easter celebrations. Life has moved on for us, lots of stuff has happened – some good, some challenging, some difficult. Years ago I would have judged my faith as lacking for not being ‘more up and cheery’ after the Good News of Easter. What I have come to realize is continue reading » »

Imagine stopping at a traffic light and seeing a ½ ton pumpkin filling the back end of the pick up truck in front of you. Next to you is a flatbed truck with 2 more of the giant pumpkins. That means you are probably on the road to the Frerich farm continue reading » »

The sound of the bell bowl quietly merged into the silence, as 17 women entered into the silence of their heart.
The candles flickered in the night air and the stars were brightly shining overhead, as we offered our prayers to the four directions. Colorful images appeared as we prayed our prayers in color. God spoke to our hearts as we listened to scripture through divine reading (lectio divina). The smell of fresh bread wafted from the kitchen as one participant graced our meals with homemade bread, straight from the oven. We offered our prayers of gratitude for the gifts of food so many brought (we ate well!). And even the beds were comfy!
These are just some of the memories brought back by one of us from the women’s retreat at the Episcopal House of Prayer on the campus of St. John’s University in Collegeville. The retreat was a combination of women from St. Luke’s, Minneapolis and St. Andrew’s by the Lake, Duluth. Those from St. Andrew’s who were present were: Sandy Carlson, Ginny Berger, Traci Reynolds, Mary Gaidis, Fern Penick, Shannon Preston and Cindy Peterson-Wlosinski. Ginny also brought a friend, Sally Burger, from Trinity Church in Hermantown.
By the middle of Saturday afternoon, the group was asking when we could do this again, and on Sunday morning, someone asked, ‘Do we have to go home?’ It was a very special time away to draw closer to God, deepen friendships, and make new connections. It was a good time to practice resurrection!

A retreat featuring the life and writings of Sigurd Olson, Ely, Minnesota naturalist and writer, will be  held at the Mary Brown Environmental Center in Ely on September 12 and 13, 2008. Attendees are being encouraged to read at least one of his books.  There will be a discussion of his writings led by people who knew him and field trips to the places he lived and wrote about. This retreat is being offered and led by the Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Commission (MEESC).  The cost is $60.00 plus a small charge for food at cost.  For information about MEESC: info@env-steward.com   For information about the Mary Brown Environmental Center visit here.   For information about the retreat or to register, call 218-728-2000

The Peace & Justice Committee has been busy. We now have a page on this website to learn more about what we do and great links to learn more about how you can be active in our community, in the world, and within the Episcopal Church. A recent activity that many of our parishioners attended was the talk by Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea.