St. Andrews by the Lake

GRAINS OF SAND

June 2010

VICAR’S MESSAGE

       “Soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!”  This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country”.
(Luke 7: 11-17
This is the Gospel for June 6th. We’ll be having our celebration of seniors who graduate from high school, and they will offer the majority of reflections that morning, so I thought I’d offer a short one now.
Some of the strangest things happen at funerals. Family stories and the sharing of cherished memories can generate deep laughter and inconsolable tears. In this story, Jesus raises from death the son of a widow. When the heart of a mourner is split with grief, Jesus walks in through the gap. On the surface of the story we see the suffering of a woman at the loss of her child. There is nothing more primal than the grief of a parent for a child. It makes no difference that this child appears to be grown; the grief is deep. What we don’t see is the suffering of a widow who has lost everything. A widow was in a tenuous position in Jesus’ day. Women lived under the protection of their father’s household, and then their husband’s household. After the death of a husband, it was customary for the brother or a relative of the deceased to marry the widow.  Widows lived on the margins of society. With the death of her son (the heir) all personal property reverted to the husband’s family. She was left, literally, with nothing.  It is to this deeper suffering that Jesus speaks.
The Bible is full of stories that reveal what God is like – and they also help us to tell our own stories.  In this story, Jesus shows us that God is available to all – even those on the margins that society would relegate to the shadows. Also, Jesus is willing to risk rebuke for exercising God’s special mercy for the least among society. To touch a dead person would have made him unclean (according to the ritual laws).
This scene shows us Jesus’ compassionate character and intent toward all. He meets our needs – even when we are too torn apart to ask for help.  To feel ‘compassion’ is to have an intense inner emotion and sympathy that is accompanied by mercy.  It is a feeling AND an action.
One thing about the Gospel stories is this:  If you want to know God, get to know Jesus. Yes – you can know God in other ways – by caring for creation, by treating other’s with compassion, by listening for God’s voice inside you.  But always check your conclusions about God by comparing them to Jesus. God doesn’t leave us in the dark; anytime we want, we can check out the example of Jesus in any gospel story.
Here is a way to pray this passage and apply it to your life: Go through the scene once again, but this time, instead of it being a funeral procession in a small first century Galilean town, make it the moment you most dread in the coming weeks, days or months. Maybe it’s something you know is going to happen – like a move from your long-time home, or a change in employment. Maybe it’s something you are always afraid of – a sudden accident or illness or tragedy. Come into the middle of the scene, if you can, in prayer; feel its sorrow and frustration, its bitterness, anger and resentment. Then watch as Jesus comes to join you in the middle of it. Let him approach, speak, touch, command. He may not say what you expect. He may not do what you want. But if his presence comes to be with you there – that is what you most need. Once Jesus is in the middle of it all with you – you will be able to come through it. This is what life looks like on the ground with God’s love going out in new, unexpected, healing and generous ways.
May you experience God’s healing touch in whatever comes your way.
Peace, Cindy

LIFE TRANSITIONS

Please keep in your prayers the following people who grieve the death of loved ones:

Linda Dean, Luke and Eli Dean at the death of Ken Dean (husband and father)

Jay, John, Mike, Jim, Jeff, and Sue at the death of their mother, Marlene Young.

Jan Peterson and Marie Bassa at the death of Dorothy Bussa (Jan’s aunt and Marie’s

      sister).

Jerry Hadland and Susan Schmidt at the death of Jerry’s mother, Bonnie Hadland.

John, Karen and Joey Nichols at the death of John’s father, Bill.

Dennis, Lori, Jaina and Sarah Thompson at the death of Dennis’ father, Wallace.

Velma Harris and Pam Elifritz at the death of Mildred, Velma’s sister and Pam’s aunt.

Prayers of thanksgiving and joy at the marriage of Jeremy Laundergan and Rebecca Butler on May 22nd.  Jeremy is the son of J and Jean Laundergan.

Prayers of thanksgiving and joy at the high school graduations of:

Libby Bolen (Marshall), Lydia Jacobs (Marshall), Willie Brakke (Marshall), Hannah Anderson (Cloquet), Rachel Cheslak (East) and Haley Little (Marshall).

    Also, Patti Peter’s son, Isaac, graduated from Cook High School and Jeff Stark’s son, Eric, graduated from Grand Rapids High School.

     The Curtis Household is celebrating lots of graduations this year as well: Kelly graduated from Central, Jason from Unity High School (March 2010), Isaac from the Adult Learning Center (2009) and Josh Hendricks (Dec. 2008). Congratulations to all of you!

Please keep Gladys Whiting in your prayers as she moves to the cities to be nearer to her family. Gladys came to St. Andrew’s three years ago after the closing of St. Edwards. It has been a joy and blessing to have Gladys in the St. Andrew’s community.  We’ll miss you Gladys!

Prayers of joy and thanksgiving for Sandy Carlson and Mary Gaidis, who are both retiring from their work in the school district. Sandy will retire at the beginning of June

and Mary at the end of June. Congratulations to both of you!!

Prayers of joy and thanksgiving for the baptism of Ava Gail Rose Yeaton, daughter of Anna Yeaton, granddaughter of Traci and Darrel Reynolds.

PARKING  and STREET REPAIRS

     In mid-July, the city will begin street repairs on Park Point, which includes the area in front of the church. Just be aware it will be messy for awhile.
Also, when parking on Sunday (an at other times), please be attentive to leaving 5 to 7 feet of space between the front or back of your car and the entrance to driveways. This is one way we can keep good neighbor relations.

FRAGRANCES
As a kindness and mercy to those who have allergies, please try to refrain from wearing heavy fragrances to church on Sunday morning. In a small space such as ours, it can cause headaches for those who are allergic to such things.  Thank you.

ST. ANDREW’S STITCHERS

     Heather Pitschka will host the June Stitchers at her home, 2440 Lake Ave. S., on Wednesday, June 23 at 6:30 pm. Please sign up in the Mission Hall or let Heather (720-8683; hptischka@smdc.org) know you will be attending.
In July, the Stitchers will have a retreat at the home of Joan Hunn (340 Mygatt Avenue), Saturday, July 17th from 9 am to 1 pm. There is room to set up sewing machines, and of course, chairs for handwork, too. There are cutting mats and tools and an ironing station available. Treats and beverages will be provided. Call Joan (726-0836) or email her (jhunn@charter.net) if you will be attending.

SAFE CHURCH

     If you have a key to the church, teach Sunday School, work with the youth group, or are a chaperone for youth events, then you need to participate in a Safe Church training.
This is important training for everyone. For weeks (months! years!) we have heard about clergy sexual abuse. It is another reminder of how important it is for us to do everything we can to make our church as safe as it can possibly be. Thankfully, we have an excellent program called, Safe Church. It educates people about the realities of sexual abuse and gives people tools to recognize it. All people who work with children and youth should attend Safe Church and have background checks. All of the clergy at St. Andrew’s have had Safe Church and background checks, as has, Brian Lundberg, our youth minister.
There will be a Safe Church training on Sunday, June 13 at 11:30 and Tuesday, June 15 from 1:30-4:30 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. It will be led by the Rev. Barb Hauck. Call the parish office to sign up if you would like to attend (727-3535). Or, speak to our own deacon, the Rev. Alice Olson, if you would like to be trained at St. Andrew’s.

RHUBARB FESTIVAL - June 26, 2010

     Listen to the music of Charity Huot, Jim Hall, Peter Ostroushko, and others while you volunteer!  Volunteers are needed in the kids’ activity area, to serve rhubarb pie, work the lemonade stand, for set up and take down and many other areas. Volunteer shifts available from 8 am-4 pm, as well as before the festival for set-up and after the festival for take down.
OR volunteer the week before the event to help bake pies!  Baking dates and times:
Tuesday, June 22 (9am-4pm), Wednesday, June 23 (9 am-4pm), Thursday, June 24 (10am-7pm) and Friday, June 25 (8am-5pm).
Donations of baking ingredients are also appreciated. First United Methodist Church is baking 300 pies for the Festival. They would appreciate donations of Gold Medal All purpose Flour, Sugar, Butter Flavored Crisco and Berries of any kind.

     All proceeds go to CHUM.

FAREWELL FOR RABBI AMY

     If you would like to participate in a farewell for Rabbi Amy Bernstein, there will be a brunch on June 13 (Sunday) at the Harborview Ballroom (DECC) from 12:30-2:30 pm. Brunch is $35 ($15 is tax deductible). Tickets available at Temple Israel or by calling 724-8857. Rabbi Amy has been a community chapion and unifying presence in Duluth for the past 13 years. She will continue her career in California.

WINDCRADLE RETREATS

     Mother/Daughter Canoe Retreats in the BWCA this summer – July 14-18 and July 21-25. Moonlight paddles, watching a mother moose with her calf, early morning swims, learning how to carry a canoe across a portage. During this time we will reflect on what we can learn about ourselves as women, as part of the created order, as spiritual beings. Mary Ellen Ashcroft, priest, writer, founder of WindCradle Retreat and wilderness guide will guide you into the BWCA. To sign up and for cost, contact: Mary Ellen Ashcroft or Suzanne Sherman toll-free: 866-586-2224 or email them at windcradle@boreal.org.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – GALACTIC BLAST: A COSMIC ADVENTURE PRAISING GOD

     St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is once again sponsoring Vacation Bible School for children ages 4-12 (older youth will be junior camp counselors).  Children will become cadets on the starship Glactic Praise as they learn more about our wonderful, incredible, amazing, magnificent, awesome God. There will be a variety of activities: art projects, music, science, recreational fun and tasty snacks.  They will be led by an astronaut crew of middle and high schoolers – ready to blast off with your children!
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1710 E. Superior St.)
When: July 13-17 (9am-noon, Friday until 1pm)
Cost: $15 for 1 child, $25 for two children in family, $40 for 3+
Complete registration form available online at www.stpaulsduluth.org.
Registration is first come, first served basis.
For more information call 724-3535 or suevanoss@stpaulsduluth.org

A NOTE ABOUT WORSHIP

     It is customary in the Episcopal Church for people to quietly take a few minutes before the start of a Sunday service to gather their thoughts, offer prayer, and prepare for the Eucharistic celebration.

SUMMER WORSHIP

     Summer is a good time to introduce your child to the ‘whole’ of worship. Don’t worry if they need to move around. Pack a backpack with some quiet toys or reading materials. Let them spread out on the floor. Children absorb things on different levels – and with multiple things happening. There will be ‘church bags’, activity sheets, and etch-a-sketches available in the Mission Hall.

BISHOP’S COMMITTEE – June 13th

   Bishop Committee meets after worship on June 13th. We’ll begin with a discussion of the Introduction and Chapter One of The Present Future. Please try to have that much read before then. Each meeting after that will involve a discussion of the subsequent chapters until we finish the book. This book has some important ideas about the church in the present and how it will unfold into the future. We are ahead of the curve as a faith community – but we also have things to consider to keep us healthy and vibrant.

THE PRESENT FUTURE

     Those who ordered this book may pick it up in the Mission Hall. The cost is $13. Please make the checks out to St. Andrew’s by the Lake. Mark your name off the sheet when you have paid and taken your book (which has your name on it). Put the check in the envelope nearby. If you would like to participate in the discussions with the Bishop’s Committee, you are welcome to join in. We meet after worship, the second Sunday of each month (in the library).

BRAT SALE AND RUMMAGE SALE – June 11 & 12

     The days are nearing for these big fund raisers for the Teen Pilgrimage to Washington DC.  We need ALL the help we can get. Please speak to Brian Lundberg if you would like to help with the Brat Sale. Speak to Kathy Jacobs to help with the Rummage Sale.
We also need contributions for the Brat Sale – to buy the meats, chips, beverages, and other essentials.  The best way is to offer money for the cost of something – and let us do the shopping. Speak to Brian Lundberg about this if you can contribute.  THANK YOU!
Parents of teens going on the Pilgrimage and Chaperones – please do you best to sign up to help at both the Brat/Rummage Sale and the Park Point Art Fair fundraisers. The more we raise the closer we can keep to the $500 cost per person for the trip.

THANK YOU TEACHERS

     Many thanks to Kathy Jacobs, Mary Shaw, Sandy Carlson and Brian Lundberg for guiding the youth and teen Christian formation classes the past two months. Kathy watched over the Nursery/PK, Sandy had the Primary Class (and was assisted by Sarah Johnson and Heather Pitschka), Mary Shaw was with the Intermediates and Brian had the teens. Thank you for sharing your time and energy to mentor and encourage our children on their faith journeys.