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This
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Greeting from the new Music Director
Hi! My
name is Jackie Holstrom, and I am excited and honored to be the new
Music Director at St. Paul’s.
I am originally from Mahnomen, MN, a small town on the White Earth Indian Reservation. I grew up in a devoutly Catholic home, where church was the number one priority. I began playing organ for Mass every week when I was 13, and was taught by my parents that the best place for my finest efforts would always be in church. This outlook was viewed skeptically as a teenager, but it now is at the heart of my vocation as music minister.
I received my undergraduate degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and, God willing, will finish my master’s degree in liturgy and music (organ concentration) from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN this May. I have been music director of several churches in the Twin Cities, and currently also teach religion in a Catholic high school. I have a wonderful husband, Tom, and three beautiful children, Emily, 18, Andrew, 14, and Ingrid, 11.
A special passion of mine is working with children, and I am very excited to get a choir school started at St. Paul’s. The philosophy of choir school is to educate children in sight-singing and theory as part of their choir training, thereby nurturing rounded musicians with a sense of ministry rather than simply teaching songs. All children from the larger community will be welcome to attend. I am also very pleased to inherit a committed group of bell ringers, and am looking forward to meeting these folks as well as those in the adult choir.
Please feel free to make a jaunt up to the organ to introduce yourselves! I look forward to meeting you and to many wonderful years of making music with you at St. Paul’s.
Jackie Holstrom’s Recital
On Sunday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m., our new music director, Jackie Holstrom, will give an organ recital. Recently, Jackie earned a master’s degree in liturgy and music (organ concentration) from St. John’s University. Her St. Paul’s recital will feature parts of her master’s degree recital.
A reception for Jackie will follow in the Parish Hall. Come and meet our new music director!
Opening Our Doors / Opening Our Hearts Conference
The eighth annual Opening Our Doors/Opening Our Hearts Conference will
be held on
Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th
at the new green Unitarian Universalist Church at 835 West College
Street.
Men Fishing in the BWCA
The Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission at the Mary Brown Environmental Center in Ely will have a men's fishing retreat May 30 - June 1. Join experienced BWCA canoeist Roger Weaver for a great day of canoeing and fishing near Ely. Gather by the fire Friday evening and sleep at MBEC. Head for the water early Saturday morning and paddle and fish most of the day. Back at MBEC for supper (hopefully fish) and evening tales. Those who must can return home Saturday evening. The rest of us are invited to worship with St. Mary's at MBEC in the morning. Fisherman need to bring their own canoe, equipment and fishing knowledge. Canoeing and Nature stories will be lead by Rev. Roger Weaver , arrangements by Nelson Thomas.
Limited to six. Contact
Nelson Thomas 525-5785.
St. Paul’s Helps Alleviate Global and Local Hunger
Thanksgiving came early this year! St. Paul’s Millennium Development Goals Task Force (also known as the Stone Soup Committee) is grateful to report that our campaign has been a success. We exceeded our goal of 100 participants as men and women, girls and boys made commitments. And the total? Over $15,000!
It all began earlier this year when the task force participated in Diocesan training to learn about the U.N Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). “At the start of the new millennium, leaders from 191 nations—including the United States—agreed on a plan to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015. Together they created the MDGs. Development is about freedom from misery and suffering, hunger, illiteracy, disease, poor housing and insecurity.” (See www.er-d.org/mdg for more information). Our St. Paul’s task force felt that Goal No. 1—to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger—was key to realizing all other goals.
St. Paul’s task force shared the story of hunger and poverty around the world through worship service announcements, Sunday bulletins and the Messenger newsletter. On Sunday, March 2, a hunger awareness luncheon presented a powerful, visual lesson about levels of hunger in the world. Some of us went home hungry—at the same time knowing that our experience was nothing like the daily reality for those who seldom have enough to eat.
What next? In April the congregation will meet to plan how we will disperse our funds. Later, together we will select countries and projects to support. Everyone will have a vote. Funds may be given until October, and persons who have not yet made a commitment are welcome to participate. The task force recommends that participants consider giving .7% of 1% of annual income, the sum identified by the UN as the amount that would meet its Millennium Development Goals, if given by all nations, businesses and individuals. We of course welcome donations in any amount.
In the spirit of the holy days we observe at this time of year, let us remember that Easter powerfully represents new life and hope for all people. Through our giving we will share in bringing God’s love and new life to many who live in extreme poverty and hunger.
Submitted by Sally Rogers
Did you know?
Since 2000, the number of
Minnesota children living in extreme poverty has doubled—Minnesota’s
children are growing poorer faster than the nation’s children overall.
2008 Hunger Fact Sheet
Honoring the
Duluth Police Department
On Wednesday May 14th
St. Paul's is honoring the Duluth Police Dept. with an on-going lunch
from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and would like donations of breads, rolls or
other bread related items and different Desserts for this event. We
would like to have trays of different desserts and baskets of breads and
the community knows what good cook's St. Paul's has so lets keep our
good reputation going!!!! This is an early notice but we want you all to
be thinking of how creative you can be with your favorite recipes of
goodies and breads. Any questions call Fayth Glass at 525-2384 or e-mail
tacy143@charter.net.
Congratulations
Doctor Ruth Jacobson!
Our long-time soprano section leader and soloist in the Adult Choir has completed all the requirements for the degree Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and will graduate this spring. Since last fall, Ruth has been an assistant professor of music and vocal instructor at Bemidji State University, commuting from Duluth. We are very grateful she has continued at St. Paul’s and we are very appreciative of her significant talent and contributions to the worship and music life here.