Lay Ministry Schedule / Altar Guild / This Week At St. Paul's / Suggested Readings

Announcements

Little Tanis Halverson, daughter of Kathleen and Steve, began six months of chemo treatments in November. Please keep Tanis and her family in your prayers. For updates on her progress and to leave words of support, visit: caringbridge.org and type in lovetanis. We also will have a “care box” on the table downstairs at coffee hour where you can leave a note, prayer, kids can draw a picture, etc. The family will be spending a great deal of time at the hospital so other items to help pass the time could be added, such as snacks, magazines, word searches, comic books, books, paper, art supplies, etc., for Tanis, or for Graham and Jessie when they visit their sister.  Please contact Kathleen or Steve before visiting the hospital. Tanis is very susceptible to infections because of the chemo.

CHUM Holiday Concert:  Mark your calendar now, the CHUM Holiday Concert is Saturday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m.  This year the concert will be held in Mitchell Auditorium at St. Scholastica.  Performers include Bill Bastian, Three Altos and the Temple Choir, - you won’t want to miss it!  There will be a free-will offering.

Damiano Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed:  St. Paul’s long-time support of the Damiano Soup Kitchen is needed again.  We have the first Wednesday of the month: November 7, December 5 and our hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The Damiano Center is located at 206 West 4th Street.  Sign-up is on the blue sheet outside the church office or contact Nelson Thomas, 525-5785. 

Retreats led by Episcopal clergy at the Mary Brown Environmental Center in Ely: 

  • February 8-10, Women, Water and Winter—Mid-winter reflection time for women led by deacon Helen Hanten and Margaret Thomas.  Helen taught biology at UMD as well as U for Seniors.  Call Margaret for more information.

  • April 4-6 Native American life and Spirit—Anyone interested in learning and experiencing from Native American Priest, Jaunita Palmerhall.  A member of the Department of Indian Work, she taught at New Mexico State University and Minneapolis public schools.  Contact Margaret for more information.

  • May 30—June 4 Men’s canoe and fishing weekend led by Roger Weaver and Nelson Thomas.  Day trips into the BWCA with meals and stories at the retreat center.  Contact Nelson for more information.

Costs are basically $60 per person, meals are not included and are arranged by the groups themselves.

Hospitality at St. Paul’s:  This holiday season, we are pleased to be able to open our doors and hearts to several local groups who will be celebrating holiday parties at St. Paul’s. 

  • On December 7, Women’s Transitional Housing Programs will have their holiday party.  

  • On December 9, Loaves and Fishes, an outreach program located below the church on Jefferson Street will have their party, and

  • On December 10, Little Treasures Childcare and Family Center, which was started by St. Paul’s several years ago, will host their families for a holiday party. 

We are proud of the fact that we can provide this important service to these wonderful agencies that provide essential services for those who need them.

Submitted by Sue Van Oss

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Reading Suggestions from
Understanding & Dismantling Racism Committee

In November, the UDR-sponsored book group read God Is Red by Vine Deloria, Jr.  This prompted us to comb through the St. Paul’s library and see what other books we could recommend.  

Here’s a selection for you to check out:

  • The Rainbow People of God, the Making of a Peaceful Revolution by Desmond Tutu:  A collection of writings and speeches dealing with peace, justice and reconciliation.

  • Jamestown Commitment, The Episcopal Church & American Indians by Owanah Anderson.  The first Indian-written book-length examination of the long history (400yrs) of Anglican/Episcopal mission among the native people of the US.

  • Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown   A detailed and documented history of the displacement and treatment of Native Americans by the US government in the last half of the 19th century.

  • Indian Givers-How the Indians of the America Transformed the World by Jack Weatherford    An astounding listing of contributions Native Americans have made to our lives.  Did you know about 60% of the foods eaten in the world today were first harvested by the Indians in the Americas?

  • Enmegabbowh’s Story  

  • I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou    An autobiographical novel.

   Let us know what you think. 

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Advent Festival

After the service on December 2, all are invited to the Parish Hall for an Advent Festival. This is an intergenerational event. All ages are welcome. Advent is a wonderful season to celebrate in church, but even more so to celebrate in your own home. There are many ways you can bring the season of Advent into your home and you will have the chance to find out how at the Advent Festival. A booklet titled, “Simplify the Holidays” will provide countless ways to do just as the title says: simplify your holidays.

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Floral Memorials

New floral memorials for Christmas may be added by submitting the name(s) exactly as they are to be printed in the bulletins.  The suggested minimum cost for this year is $15.00.  Please submit the names to the office before December 12, 2007, or call Joanne Marinac at 728-6330.  Please indicate on the envelope or check that it is for the Altar Guild.  An acknowledgement will be mailed after the Christmas Services.

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