THE CHRIST CHURCH CONNECTION The Newspaper of the Mother Church of the Dakotas

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1 Dearly Beloved As I was watching the leaves flutter and fall to the ground I was reminded of the wondrous force of gravity and of this poignant poem by the Bohemian-Austrian poet, Rainer Maria Rilke: How surely gravity s law, strong as an ocean current, takes hold of even the strongest thing and pulls it toward the heart of the world. Each thing - each stone, blossom, child - is held in place. Only we, in our arrogance, push out beyond what we belong to for some empty freedom. If we surrendered to earth s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees. Instead we entangle ourselves in knots of our own making and struggle, lonely and confused. So, like children, we begin again to learn from the things, because they are in God s heart; they have never left him. This is what the things can teach us: to fall, patiently to trust our heaviness. Even a bird has to do that before he can fly. My prayer for all of us is to know deeply what things know, which is that we all are in God s heart. The masterful spiritual teacher, Jim Finley, says it this way,.god is the name for the Infinity of What Is, just the way it is. And life, just the way it is, is God s face. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, people of faith are like children (God s children always) who are perpetually beginning again...living into bold and beautiful things like trust, compassion, forgiveness, hope and into the joy and wonder of God s world. A most blessed Season of Thanksgiving to you,

2 In Loving Memory of Sara Wills March 3, 1937 ~ October 20, 2013 Sara Danforth Aasland Wills was born March 3, 1937, in Yankton, South Dakota to Hugh and Evalyth Micky Danforth. Her childhood and schooling was split between Yankton, South Dakota and Laguna Beach, California. She graduated from Mount Marty High School in 1955 in Yankton. After high school, Sara attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and where she met Delton Aasland. Sara graduated from USD with a Bachelor s Degree in Education in Sara married Delton Aasland on June 17, They moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and later to San Diego, California. They moved back to Yankton in 1965 where they made their home and raised their two sons. Sara was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild. Sara spent time and energy with Questers, PEO and the Yankton Historical Society. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Beta Sigma Phi. She loved traveling all over the world, visiting with friends and family and collecting antique valentines. Throughout her life she owned several schnauzers and loved any four-legged friend. She was a wonderful historian who devoted much time to researching family genealogy as well as the history of Yankton. Delton passed away March 8, Sara later reconnected with her old sweetheart Mike Wills, at their 45th Laguna Beach High School reunion, and they were married on June 16, In her later years, Sara loved nothing more than spending time with her sons and their families. She loved attending her grandchildren s sporting events and musical performances. She lived a life full of laughter and she was an eternal story-teller. She had the ability to connect with anyone she met. You were a stranger for but a minute and then became a life-long friend. She had boundless energy, always thinking of others and enriching their lives through stories, kind words and thoughtful mementos. She was a living example of what it is to love your neighbor. Survivors include her husband, Mike Wills of Yankton; two sons, Rev. Dr. Erik (Kim) Aasland of Altadena, California and J.D. (Betsy) Aasland of San Clemente, California; six grandchildren: Laura, Nate, Lily, Linnea, Emmy, and Naomi; and a sister-in-law, Charlotte Warwar of Laguna Woods, California. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Delton; and her sister, Betsy Hobson.

3 Sunday School News: We continue to have fun hands-on crafts, lessons, projects, and singing planned for the month of November! All children and guests are always welcome. We begin each Sunday by joining the entire congregation for the regular 10:15 service. At the conclusion of the opening hymn, all children are welcome to join in the lessons and activities in the undercroft (the basement of the church.) We then return for communion. Please join us whenever you can. We are having a great time learning how God always loves us. Many of the songs we are singing can be found via YouTube: Song of Abraham; He s Got the Whole World In His Hands; and All Things Bright and Beautiful. Miss Barb and Miss Gloria Altar Guild Our annual meeting will be held on Sat., Nov. 9th at 10:00 AM; please plan to attend to offer your thoughts and suggestions. It will also be an opportunity to sign up for your preferred months of service. Blessings, Dawne Please Write Dillon Dillan said he would like it if church members wrote him letters. His address is: Dillon Anderson ID# PO Box 5911 Sioux Falls, SD We are walking in a ticker tape parade. That s all that s going on. Some pieces of confetti read great calves, some chronic sinus, some no noticeable hair loss, some third finger amputation. Don t judge your neighbor by what pieces of paper fall on his or her shoulders. Don t think you are cursed or blessed by what pieces fall on yours. From Spiritual Notes to Myself by Hugh Prather

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5 Gert reported the Christmas in July pick-up date will be November 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the undercroft. ECW News Nine members and one guest attended the October 16 meeting in the undercroft following the noon Eucharist. Fr. Jim, Deacon John Keyes and Clark Eide joined us for a delicious lunch provided by the committee Carolyn Gilster, Mary Ann Anderson and Bev Ann Christensen. Karen Kubal, who volunteers at the Dakota Territorial Museum provided a very interesting program about Joseph Mills Hanson, former parishioner, author of note and a member of the early military in Yankton. He was the son of Joseph R. and Annie Mills Hanson, early pioneers of this community. The business meeting was presided over by President Carolyn Gilster. Devotions by Pat Christensen a Celtic prayer. The usual committee reports were given. Church Women United will meet November 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The by-laws were presented as distributed to the membership a week before, with explanation of the change being suggested. The terms in good standing was added after the line about qualifications of officers. The bylaws were accepted by a unanimous vote of the members present. Delegates to diocesan ECW convention, Pat Michels and Gloria Pearson, were paid $100 each for expenses as budgeted. A copy of the ECW report from Pat Michels had been printed and was distributed to the membership. Diocesan ECW Treasurer, Gloria Pearson, has resigned due to her new position with the S. D. Department of Human Services. Meeting adjourned. Biship John Tarrant We are looking forward to Bishop John Tarrant s visit on Sunday, December 8th, the Second Sunday of Advent. If you would like to re-affirm your faith and/or be received by the Bishop, please visit with Fr. Jim.

6 More About Joseph Mills Hanson From Karen Kubal s Program: Joseph M. was born July 20, 1876 at 407 Capitol (home no longer standing). His parents were Joseph R. and Annie Mills Hanson. Joseph R. came to Dakota Territory in 1858 to acquire land for settlement and was prominent in establishing early Yankton. He held various public offices, helped to bring the first railroad to Yankton, led a group to build the stockade during the Indian uprising, served, and maintained a real estate business, plus being the recorder for the first session of the Territorial legislature. In 1870 he met Annie Mills, who had come west for a health cure. They were married two years later. Annie was a native of New York City. She was a gifted musician and studied voice at the New England Conservatory in Boston. She was devoutly religious and after her marriage became a soloist, choir director and Sunday School teacher at Christ Church. She was also very active in Yankton social life. The Hanson s established a farm called Prospect Place two miles east of the town on old Hwy. 50 (no longer standing) and provided an excellent education for their son. JM received his 8th grade instruction at the elite Chauncey Hall Academy in Boston and took prep classes at Yankton College. He completed his education at the St. John s Military Academy in NY in 1897 with the rank of First Sergeant. He was also pursuing literary work on the editorial staff of the school newspaper. Returning to his parents home he assisted his father with the farm, but soon began working for his uncle with the Otis Elevator Co. and traveled, settling in St. Louis for a time. While there he became acquainted with riverboat captain Grant Marsh, who had lived in Yankton (at 513 Douglas!) and the result was his first published book, The Conquest of the Missouri, a biography of Marsh and other riverboating stories on the Missouri. JM met his first wife, Frances Johnson there, they were married in 1909, and returned to Yankton to settle. Frances developed tuberculosis and died in April, Coping with his grief, Joseph threw himself into his writing, publishing 7 books in the next seven years, including a Pageant of Yankton which was produced at the Garden Terrace Theater at the college in The first World War had begun in Europe, he was commissioned a captain of CO. M 4th Infantry, SD National Guard and spent 7 months along the Mexican border. In 1917 they were mustered out and recalled to duty for Europe. His unit arrived in England in 1918, he traveled along the Western Front writing articles for the Stars and Stripes, and the history of the American Combat Divisions. After the war he served as a delegate to the convention founding the American Legion for the country s veterans and continued using his writing skills, witnessing the peace treaty at Versailles, and Bastille Day on July 14, While still in Europe he traveled the Marne River and published his next book, The Marne Historic and Picturesque. After his discharge from the Army he became a major in the Field Artillery Reserve and the Officer Reserve Corps. Back in Yankton he wrote a pageant of the history of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the diocesan convention held in Yankton in For two more years he continued to write articles pertaining to history and the life of St. Joan of Arc. In 1926 he met Rosamond B. Wellington from Massachusetts at Yankton College!. Joseph s father died in 1917 and his mother in 1923, so he worked the farm until 1930 when he gave up and went back to his writing. His friend, Peter Norbeck, SD senator, he began writing and working for the National Park Service studying maps, surveys of Civil War battle sites. In 1942 he was appointed superintendent of the Manassas National Battlefield Park and retired there in He and his wife continued to live there until his death on February 11, The light fixture on the pulpit in Christ Church was dedicated to the memory of Joseph s parents, Joseph R. and Annie M. Hanson by their son.

7 Jennifer Adamson and Pam Marchand, friends and co workers at the Yankton County Administration Building, took a week s respite from their duties and enjoyed the quiet of a cabin in the Black Hills. Parish Patter We have had travelers the past month to the Black Hills, British Columbia, Southeast Asia and Ireland. We welcomed home Dawne and Dick Unruh on the 19th of October from their two week sojourn in Ireland, and they report a trip with no glitches, were able to follow their well planned itinerary and enjoyed every minute, returning via Sioux Falls where they attended Dick s class reunion at Augustana College. Early in October Birdie Strnad and Chris Herrick traveled to British Columbia, for an Anesthesia Seminar, and sightseeing, via Seattle. They found the ferry ride from Seattle to Vancouver particularly refreshing!!! Arlin and Carol Houtkooper returned on October 10th from a three week cruise/land trip to South East Asia with a group of 33 and enjoyed an educational, wonderful sightseeing trip. Inez Harris made two quick trips to Sioux Falls, one to attend a dedication at Calvary Cathedral of a Fair Linen to Vangie Bell, a very dear friend, as well enjoyed dinner with her son John. On October 24th she was in attendance at the wake/family gathering for her cousin, Glennys Meerdink, at the Miller Funeral Home. We are walking in a ticker tape parade. That s all that s going on. Some pieces of confetti read great calves, some chronic sinus, some no noticeable hair loss, some third finger amputation. Don t judge your neighbor by what pieces of paper fall on his or her shoulders. Don t think you are cursed or blessed by what pieces fall on yours. from Spiritual Notes to Myself by Hugh Prather

8 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV) This puzzle is based on Luke 18:1-8 (NIV) 2 1 For Kids Only ACROSS 2. To be treated fairly 3. A woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried 5. A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson 6. The period from sunrise to sunset (light) DOWN 1. The period between sunset and sunrise (darkness) 2. An official who hears and decides cases brought before a court of law 4. A belief that does not require proof 5. To speak to or make a request to God justice night pray widow faith day judge parable Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV) Each number represents a letter of the alphabet. Substitute the correct letter for the numbers to reveal the coded words. 1 M 2 S 3 D 4 Y 5 U 6 L 7 N 8 R A F K V E B J C G X H W P Z O T Q I Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV) The puzzle is based on Luke 18:1-8 (NIV). M U J D I A V U N J U S T Q R Q H R R O P E C D W V A W W G L O P C R F A S H Q J O C B S L Y B E Z E U R X O D U Y W F Y D A Y R S F B A I S A D R U M B E Z E S G U W B R E A G X H D W J V I I X S P L E N T E Q A I B S X I S I E F E C I W Q P D S B H R K T O D Q K Z Y L M O H C O O M F E O N S A V I U W V A I T W F X N Y V M F S A Q B W H P H J U S T I C E T C M M G V O L E H W L U W Q E Y D I G M S A E R F V F I F N D N T O W N N B S L T C C A UNJUST LISTEN JESUS CHOSEN DAY SHOW LORD REFUSED DISCIPLES JUDGE WIDOW FEAR NIGHT PARABLE PERSISTENT JUSTICE WIDOW TOWN BOTHER PRAY JUSTICE PARABLE FAITH REFUSED EARTH WIDOW UNJUST LISTEN

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10 November 2013 Bishop-Diocese of South Dakota The Rt. Rev. John Tarrant Rector-Christ Church The Reverend James T. Pearson The Rev. Deacon John Keyes Vestry Father James Pearson Ron Lorenzen, Senior Warden Dick Unruh, Treasurer Deacon John Keyes Carol Smith, Secretary Somer Bares Charlie Gross Liz Lynch Asst. Treasurer: Wally Boyles Administrator: Doerr Newsletter Editor: Somer Bares Altar Guild Director: Dawn Unruh Christ Church Groups Episcopal Church Women Brotherhood of St. Andrew Church Women United Fermenting Faith Kids Hope USA Meals on Wheels Youth Group Chalis Bearers, Lectors, Acolyte, Greeter Sschedule & Coffee Hour NOVEMBER 2013 November 3, 2013 Chalice Bearer: Dick Unruh Lector: Chris Herrick Acolyte: Nicole Langdon Greeters: Scot and Mary Sorensen Coffee Hour: November 10, 2013 Chalice Bearer: David Broyles Lector: Dick Unruh Acolyte: Greeters: Carolyn Gilster and Dawne Unruh Coffee Hour November 17, 2013 Chalice Bearer: Karen Michels Lector: Jan Wiersma Acolyte: Katrine Newland Greeters: Chris and Birdie Herrick Pot Luck November 24, 2013 Chalice Bearer: Carol Smith Lector: Clark Eide Acolyte: Maeve Eide Greeters: Carol Houtkooper and Sue Lauck Coffee Hour:

11 November 2013 The Season of Thanksgiving SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 All Saints Day 2 10:00-Noon Office 1:30 CWU World Community Day at Trinity Lutheran All Saints Sunday 9:00am Serenity 10:15 Holy Eucharist Sunday School Healing Touch 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim 1:00-5:00 Office Fr. Jim & 5:00 Fermenting The Landing Noon Holy Eucharist 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim & 7pm Quaker Worship 10:00-Noon Office UTO In-Gathering 9:00am Serenity 10:15 Holy Eucharist Sunday School Veterans Day 1:00-5:00 Office Fr. Jim & 5:00 Fermenting The Landing Noon Holy Eucharist 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim & 3:30 pm Holy Majestic Bluffs 7pm Quaker Worship 10:00-Noon Office :00am Serenity 10:15 Holy Eucharist Sunday School Pot Luck 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim 1:00-5:00 Office Fr. Jim & 5:00 Fermenting The Landing Noon Holy Eucharist 12:45 ECW 2-5pm Office Fr. Jim 6:00pm Visioning 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim & 7pm Quaker Worship Kids Hope USD National Day of Prayer 10:00-Noon Office Stewardship Sunday 9:00am Serenity 10:15 Holy Eucharist Sunday School 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim 1:00-5:00 Office Fr. Jim & 5:00 Fermenting The Landing Noon Holy Eucharist 1-5pm Office Fr. Jim 7:00pm Thanksgiving Service Thanksgiving Day 10:00-Noon Office Daylight Savings Ends 10:00am Altar Guild Annual Meeting 9:00am -1:00pm Christmas in July pick up in the undercroft