Leaven+April+2009

This issue of LEAVEN was made possible by the efforts of: Reverend Michael Tippett Laurice Anderson Myrtle Brittain Janet Dixon Steve Judd Gail Plathe Pat Postlewaite Lisa Boutelle Clericus, the one and only church mouse
 * LEAVEN ** is published monthly as a means of improving communication and keeping the people of St Paul’s informed and united in thought.

** April 2009 #360 **

A Letter from the Rector

Dear Friends, You've probably heard it said that we are Easter people. I wonder what that means to you? One Easter morning I wandered into a church in Connecticut not expecting much, and I came out knowing that I had found the people I wanted to worship with. Not long after that I entered the process of discernment that led to my ordination. That morning has shaped my life ever since.

Here is a prayer I have come to love. It goes like this:  //Most Merciful God: You called us forth from the dust of the earth, and claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism.// //Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless our journey through the desert of Lent. // //Lead us in the ways of righteousness and truth, that we may live more and more as the people you made us to be, your children, baptized, anointed, and made in your image. That when at length we shall come to Easter, we may know the joy of resurrection.//  //As we prepare to shout that Christ is risen, bring us to know that so, with Christ, are we. //

One of the things that marks us as Episcopalians is the way we pray, and our prayer and worship shape who we are. Perhaps this Easter someone will visit us and recognize in our worship the truth that underpins all truths and changes lives. If my experience of Saint Paul's is anything to go by, I think there's every chance it might happen. 
 * Your Friend in Christ **
 * Michael **

Well, I think it's spring, I think it's spring, I think it's spring---But I saw white flakes yesterday.Keepon thinking spring, it's got to come soon--Things are really busy here at St. Paul's....Lenten Lunches are going well...Great speakers, delicious food and lots of friendly folks each week… Wed. night church school is busy and a happy place for all the youth. Thanks to all who help make it successful... Boy, you have to be quick to get your share of dessert!!! Happened on a Bazaar workshop one Sat. morn...Sewing machines whirring people laughing, sounded like they were having a great time...goodies too---Many projects in the works--didn't see anyone making "mouse clothes"--too bad. Happiness in the Wobschall household as Bret became engaged to Jessica Orgas Congrats to both of them and much happiness....Janet Dixon traveled to Calif. for a wedding recently...right in Dodger Stadium...Wow... Scott and Kathy Brittain spent spring break in Oregon...Good job, Steve, at morning prayer one Sunday when Fr. Michael was on a short vacation...Congrats to Julianna Skluzacek and The Merlin Players group on winning in competitionand are going on later this year to bigger and better competitions....Best of luck to them....and to McKenzie Karsten on being named student of the week!Way to go....Five St. Paulites received pins for service to St. Paul'srecently,KarenClayton, Beth Chapman, Kris Warehime, Roger Warehime, and Laurice Anderson. Thanks for all you do to make this place special.....Happy to see Laurice around and looking well again.....Gail and Pat Plathe had their cute grandkids in church one Sunday...Georgia Rae and Vincent....Pete and Maggie are back from their extended trip to the south and west....Be sure to welcome Drew Meyer who has been worshipping with us....Ask Carol Mckernan about an extra visitor at Lenten Lunch one Wed....Mike G, got rid or the flying creature.... As we approach Holy Week and Easter remember our friends and members who need our prayers and support...Christ and Betty Kristo, Monti Kristo, Don Morris, Kathy Brittain, and all whose needs we do not know...Sympathy and prayers to Robert Dyson and his family on the death of his mother.... for Easter by attending any or all of the services planned during Holy Week. Christ Is Risen!!! Clericus ** Attention High School Seniors ** It’s time to apply for the St Paul’s Family Scholarship. The Oswald Family established this scholarship to help St Paul’s youth start on their life’s journey.If you are interested, please write a letter of application explaining your experiences at St Paul’s and also your plans, dreams and ambitions after high school. This is a one time scholarship so if you’re not sure of your plans you may defer theapplication.Applications are due by May 14th and can be sent to: St Paul’s Scholarship Committee c/o Myrtle Brittain 220 S Cedar Ave Owatonna, MN55060  **MAUNDY THURSDAY SUPPER ** Come and join in a St. Paul's tradition...Attend Maundy Thursday Supper on April 9th at 6:30 p.m. It's a family affair and you should be called by the calling committee so we can have an idea of how many will attend. ( or click here ) //When you arrive at church go upstairs to Upper Tanner and wait until all is ready in Brown Hall....After supper and the Eucharist we will go up to the church for the Stripping of the Altar...For more information you may call me, Myrtle Brittain at 451-9121.// During this Lent at St. Paul’s, on the table near Upper Tanner, prints by the artist DeGrazia will be changed each week to reveal 14 //Stations of the Cross// by Easter. These stations offer a chance to be part of a Christian devotion dating back many hundreds of years //to perhaps see Jesus labor in love as he walks the// Way of the Cross //from Pilate to his death, or to perhaps walk by Jesus’ side and to see the stations from Jesus’ eyes.//
 * This from Clericus, St. Paul's very observant church mouse**.......
 * Stations of the Cross During Lent **

**//Speaker The Rev. Michael Tippett// ** 
 * __// Dates to remember: //__ **
 * **April 1st **12:10pm **//Lenten Lunch Series//**

Owatonna High School 10:30am -4:00pm
 * **//Wednesday Church School// **5:45 - will resume Wed April 22nd
 * **April 5th //Palm Sunday// **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">April 8th **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">7:00pm **//Service @ Owatonna Commons//** (formerly Infinia)
 * April 12th //Easter//
 * April 18th //Young Life Cake Auction -//

at the Cathedral of our Merciful Savior in Faribault.
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue;">May 2 **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue;">. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: windowtext;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue;">//Diocesan Convocation// **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue;">on MSN at Breck School
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue;">May 4th **<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue;">7:00pm //**Service @ Owatonna Commons**//
 * May 9 //Confirmation and Reception of new members//

**A Note from Laurice Anderson THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONTRIBUTIONS!**
A few months back, I told you about a friend who was attempting to adopt a girl.The adoption was being contested, even though the birth mother had given up her rights to the child at birth.Recently, the adoption was finalized, and Jackie now has a permanent home with the family she's known since she was 11 days old. will continue to have contact with her birth mother and the Native American tribe to which her birth father belongs, but her home life will now be stable.Her parents and her big brother are ecstatic, and very grateful for everyone's support during the drawn-out legal process. Personally, I thank you for your generosity in helping my friend, and keeping her family in your thoughts and prayers. ~ Laurice <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">

**A Note from the Rev Steve Judd**
//<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Friends of St. Paul's, // //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">I am being challenged and enjoying serving with Rev Mary Jo Feely of Stillwater as Co-Assistants to the Bishop for the Diaconate. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;"> //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Mary Jo and I recently attended a conference of the North American Association for the Diaconate (NAAD) in Jackson, Mississippi. Archdeacons from the Dominican Republic to Hawaii and from Canada to Florida attended.The conference centered on issues of formation for deacons.It was most informative and enjoyable to spend time and be in conversation with so many committed deacons //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;"> //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">from so many different dioceses in our Episcopal Church. // //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">I have also been involved in meetings and activities of our own diocese Mission Strategy Network (MSN).Everyone in our diocese of Minnesota will be hearing more about this in the months ahead.I encourage you to go to the diocesan website (episcopalmn.org) or //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;"> //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">(missionstrategymn.org) to learn more about MSN.There are a couple of good stories about St. Paul's you can read about! // //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Blessings, //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;"> //<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Steve // ** Lay Schedule ~ April 2009 ** **<span style="line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Footlight MT Light', serif; font-size: 14pt;">__Altar Guild__ ** <span style="font-family: 'Footlight MT Light', serif; line-height: 19px; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: 19px; font-family: 'Footlight MT Light', serif; font-size: 12pt;">** April: Janet Dixon & Steve Judd **
 * __Date__ **** __Lay Reader__ __Lector__  __Acolytes__ **
 * __April 5th Julianna Youth Steven, Josh, Eric__ **
 * __April 11th__ ** __Easter Vigil__ ** __Jody Mary Jane__ **** __Jacob, Peter, Andrew__ **
 * __April 12th__ ** __Easter **Jackie Mary L Elizabeth, Aly, Jacob**__
 * __April 19th Scott Rod Steven, Josh, Eric__ **
 * __April 26th Hugh Mary Jane__ **** __Jacob, Andrew,Peter__ **
 * __May 3rd Julianna Youth Aly, Elizabeth, Josh__ **
 * May: Myrtle Brittain & Lisa Boutelle **