Peter s Net S T P E T E R S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H. January February Website:

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1 S T P E T E R S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H RR1 Bornholm ON N0K 1A office@stpetershouse.ca Website: find us on Facebook January February 2015 Peter s Net CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Jagger Joshua Dietz, son of Josh & Lucia Dietz, who was baptised on December 7th, Congratulations to Andrew John Bauer, son of Jason & Heather Bauer, who was baptised on December 14th, 2014.

2 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24 FROM THE PASTOR: I grew up on the outskirts of the west end of Regina a hundred metres from my doorstep and I was in a farmer s field. The northeast boundary of the field is marked by the creek that winds its way through the land. I grew up walking our dogs along the banks of this creek and exploring this small piece of land. Some days we d walk out around the youth detention centre that was just a bit north along the creek. On days when we were feeling more energetic, we d walk the mile west out to the next side road and then up to just before the train tracks where there was a small abandoned cemetery. It was bounded by a white wooden fence and was always completely overgrown. In the tall grasses we were only ever able to make out two small old stone markers, each belonging to a child. This little cemetery was always a mystery to us. We didn t know anything about who these children were and why this cemetery would even be here because it was really in the middle of nowhere. I had long forgotten about this little cemetery when last year my mum brought it up again. Her friend had been hired to do some research related to Residential Schools and it turns out that this little cemetery had in fact belonged to the Regina Indian Industrial School, which operated between and stood where the youth detention centre is now. An engineering firm had surveyed the 680-square-metre area and found there was a minimum of 22 grave sites and possibly as many as It was a shock to have this history of residential schools hit so close to home. I share this story with you to tell you one of the reasons why our Synod s current emphasis on reconciliation with our indigenous brothers and sisters is important to me. Here in our communities around Brodhagen we are much more removed from the immediacy of these issues than where I grew up on the prairies, but as Canadians who are part of the culture that created these schools we are compelled to engage in this conversation. However, it s hard to engage in a conversation that you don t really know much about. I m sure most of us don t feel at all equipped to even begin talking about these issues. That s why during the season of Lent this year, St. Peters will be offering a study series on this subject. Each Sunday in Lent we will gather after worship to share a meal and then engage in a time of study, using the CBC documentary series 8 th Fire: Aboriginal Peoples, Canada, & the Way Forward. The

3 title for this series draws from an Anishinaabe prophecy that declares now is the time for Aboriginal peoples and the settler community to come together and build the 8 th Fire of justice and harmony. It s a provocative and engaging series that both challenges and inspires. We hope you ll be able to join us for all or some of these sessions. It s sad and painful to now know the truth about that little prairie cemetery that it holds the unmarked graves of children who died while at residential school. Part of my mum s friend s work was to contact the various First Nations who had children attend this school so they could determine the next steps in caring for these graves. It s complicated because the children at this school were brought from many different communities from all across the prairies (usually placed in a school far from their homes so they wouldn t run away). I haven t heard yet what those next steps will be, but the fact that this work is being done brings me great hope. It s a painful part of our history that continues to impact our present in a significant way, and this is why it matters to learn more about this history and these issues. As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada states, the truth of our common experiences will help set our spirits free and pave the way to reconciliation. NEWS FROM THE PEWS Congratulations to Donna & Harold Wettlaufer on recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Congratulations also to Don & Betty Schneck who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Our sympathy goes out to Pastor Laura & John Leonard on the passing of Pastor Laura s grandmother. ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE JANUARY 11th Peace, Pastor Laura 1

4 LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN Nine members of our Lutheran Church Women along with Pastor Laura and Joan Beuermann met on December 10th for our Christmas Celebration. Most years we were met with the challenge of poor winter weather but this year our day was beautiful but we were met with a challenge none the less with a power outage. All's well that ends well as the power was restored with only a delay of one hour to our plans. A wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings was prepared for us at Jenns Cafe in Mitchell. Following dinner we all gathered at my new house in Mitchell for a time of fellowship and a short program organized by Margaret Scherbarth and Team East. Pastor Laura gave a Christmas Devotion as part of our program. A card was signed by all for a speedy recovery of our dear member Barb Scherbarth. We are all keeping her and her family in our prayers. A short business meeting ended the day. We had discussed visiting the women shut-ins at Christmas time and arrangements were made for us to visit and take a small gift to 15 women shut-ins. We also discussed our Christmas Mission Project and after some discussion a motion was made and carried that we make a donation of $ to Canadian Lutheran World Relief. Hot apple cider and Christmas cookies were served to bring the day to a close. COMING UP: On January 13th, 2015 at 1:30 pm a special meeting is planned for all members to attend as we discuss and vote on the future of our group. Since there has been no organized women' s group within the ELCIC since the E.L.W. folded in 2010 and due to advancing age and disabilities it is very likely that after 82 years of an organized women s group here at St Peters that we will disband. I will close with a very short version of a devotion that I have shared with our group in the past. When I was young New Years Eve meant a party and lots of fun. Now that I am many years older, New Years means another year of my life has gone like a rushing flood, stopping for nothing or no one. Each New Year, I wonder what will happen in our world in the next twelve months? What about my family, friends, me? Holding out my hand in imagination, I see a handful of new

5 days. How many will be mine I do not know, only the Lord knows! So we face each New Year. We must trust the one who gives us a handful of new days and then controls all that swirls around us. He will guide us with power and knowledge. When this handful of days has drifted through our fingers one by one, we hope to give a good account of our time and talents. Knowing that the old is out of our hands, lets stop and say THANK YOU GOD FOR BRINGING US SAFELY THROUGH OUR TROUBLES AND TRIALS My sincere Best Wishes to all for a Happy New Year!!! Vicki Siemon EPIPHANY On the day of Epiphany, January 6th, the Lutheran Church celebrates the revelation of Christ to all nations as represented by the Magi who come to worship Jesus. The church calendar recognizes the season of Epiphany from January 6th until the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday which is celebrated as the Transfiguration of our Lord. The length of the season of Epiphany varies and is determined by working backwards through the season of Lent from the moveable date for the celebration of Easter. Among the principal themes are: the revelation of Christ to all nations, Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan, and Christ as the light of the world. The colours of the season are white (a colour associated with the festivals of Christ and suggesting gladness, joy and light for the day of Epiphany), used the first week after the Epiphany when the Baptism of our Lord is celebrated and the last week of the season of Epiphany when the Transfiguration of our Lord is celebrated; and green, reminiscent of living plants and suggests spiritual growth. Green is used in the season of Epiphany beginning with the second week after the Epiphany until the week before the Transfiguration of our Lord is celebrated. Wikipedia

6 God Things Jar This week, I came across a blurb on Facebook about a "Good Things Jar." Such a simple idea-you find a jar you like, add a little stack of paper and a pen or pencil. When something good happens, you write it down and place your note in the jar. On December 31st, empty the jar and read the notes to see what good things happened that year. You can even get the whole family involved! I suggested that we call it the "God Things Jar," because I believe that every good thing comes from God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 You know, I think it might be helpful to look through the notes when things aren't going so great; you know, those "rainy" days? Just think how uplifting those little slips of paper would be, reminding you of God's goodness and His favor. As you read through the notes found in the jar, remembering again Who is the giver of all good things, your heart feels thankful. Even if words are not spoken, God knows all things and hears as if you prayed aloud. "Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart)..." 1 Kings 8:39 Want to give it a try? January 1st will be here soon! Here are the simple directions: 1 Find a jar or container, feel free to decorate it. 2 Get some little colored paper scraps. 3 Keep a pen or pencil in or near the jar. 4 Write down a "good thing"or two every day, placing it in the jar. You can also put ticket stubs or a small object to remind you of your good thing in the jar if you like. Be sure to look through all of your "God things" on New Year's Eve! Prayer: God, thank you for all of the good things you do for me. I am so blessed. Thank you most of all for the gift of your precious Son, Jesus, whose birth we will be celebrating soon. Help me to be thankful every day, whether or not I write the good things down. I'm so glad you know my heart. Show me Your heart, too. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. God bless you! Jeanne Johnson, LAMP

7 2 3 ST PETERS CALENDAR JANUARY :30 Holy Communion No Sunday School 11 10:30 Word and Prayer Sunday School starts upstairs Annual Reports due 18 10:30 Holy Communion Family Sunday Pastor Laura & choir at nursing homes 25 10:30 Word and Prayer Hymn Pick 10:30 Sunday School Annual Report distribution 1 Happy New Years :30 LCW 14 7:30 Church Council :15 Senior Choir 8:15 Senior Choir 8:15 Senior Choir

8 ST PETERS CALENDAR FEBRUARY :30 Holy Communion 8 10:30 Word and Prayer Annual Meeting & Potluck Family Sunday 15 10:30 Holy Communion 10:30 Sunday School Peters Net deadline 22 10:30 Word and Prayer 10:30 Sunday School :15 Senior Choir :30 Church Council Pancake Supper 18 Ash Wednesday 12 8:15 Senior Choir :15 Senior Choir

9 WORSHIP LEADERS SCHEDULE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 Date Acolyte Assistant Communion Washers 4-Jan-15 Trevor DeJong Projectionist Reader Greeters Flowers Lynn Hoegy Rodney Hinz & family Elsie Beuermann Lynn Hoegy Brad & Julie Beuermann Ralph Bauer 11-Jan-15 Brent Alexander Zachery Ward David Wietersen Carl & Liz Diegel Joanne Rock 18-Jan-15 Amanda Morrison Deb Elligsen Greg & Barb Beuermann Greg Beuermann Gail Riehl Hugh & Doris Dietz Joan Beuermann 25-Jan-15 Tory Baillie Jan Leonhardt Joan Beuermann John & Bonnie Elligsen 1-Feb-15 Clayton Rapien Sherri Bennewies John & Marjorie Moore Sherri Bennewies Joan Beuermann Jo-Anne Horan Bob & Beth Bauer Val Siemon 8-Feb-15 Caitlyn Regele Sherri Bennewies Gerald Neeb Kevin & Cindy Ludington 15-Feb-15 Trevor DeJong Murray Rose Pete & Judy DeJong Elsie Beuermann Rein Breitmaier Roger & Carol Leonhardt Elaine Dietz Joyce Siemon 18-Feb-15 Brent Alexander Deb Elligsen Hugh & Doris Dietz Greg Beuermann Deb Elligsen Lent 22-Feb-15 Amanda Morrison 1-Mar-15 Tory Baillie Lynn Hoegy John & Bonnie Elligsen Zachery Ward Kim Finlayson Lyn Sandiford & Dorothy Elligsen Jan Leonhardt Lyn Sandiford Chris & Colleen Elliott Lent Lent

10 SCRIPTURE READINGS We are encouraged to read the assigned scriptures in order to prepare for worship Date Service Description Title Readings Notes 4-Jan-15 10:30 Holy Communion 2 Christmas / Flight to Egypt Psalm 11:1-3 Matthew 2: Jan-15 10:30 Word and Prayer Baptism of Our Lord Psalm 2:7-8 Matthew 3: Jan-15 10:30 Holy Communion 2 Epiphany / Tempted in the Wilderness Psalm 91:1-12 Matthew 4: Jan-15 10:30 Word and Prayer 3 Epiphany / Beatitudes Psalm 1 Matthew 5: Feb-15 10:30 Holy Communion 4 Epiphany / Treasure in Heaven Psalm 20:3-7 Matthew 6: Feb-15 10:30 Word and Prayer 5 Epiphany / Feeding 5000 Psalm 95:1-6 Matthew 14: Feb-15 10:30 Holy Communion Transfiguration Sunday / Bearing the Cross Psalm 41:7-13 Matthew 16:24-17:8 18-Feb-15 7:30 Holy Communion Ash Wednesday / Who is the Greatest? Matthew 18: Feb-15 10:30 Word and Prayer 1 Lent / Forgiveness Psalm 32:1-6 Matthew 18: Mar-15 10:30 Holy Communion 2 Lent / Labourers in the Vineyard Psalm 16:5-11 Matthew 20:1-16 No Sunday School Sunday School starts upstairs Family Sunday Hymn Pick 10:30 Sunday School Sunday School starts upstairs Annual Meeting & Potluck lunch following Worship Family Sunday 10:30 Sunday School 10:30 Sunday School Sunday School starts upstairs

11 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada From the 2014 Synod Assembly Our Eastern Synod gathers in assembly every two years and a lot of important work gets done at these meetings. Rather than overload you with information, over the coming months we ll be sharing bits and pieces from the assembly in each newsletter. As always, if you have questions or want to find out more about any of this, please contact our lay delegate Deb Elligsen or Pastor Laura. One of the major aspects of Synod Assemblies are the motions that are adopted related to various social issues. In 2014, the delegates passed motions related to these areas of concern: poverty, homelessness, and affordable housing; care of the environment; responsible resource extraction; the care of veterans; criminal justice & correctional systems in Canada; solidarity with people in the Holy Land; support for families; a system of basic income in Canada; and reconciliation with indigenous peoples here in Canada. Often these motions are multi-pronged and include actions for congregations and Synod, for lay members and paid staff. For an idea of what these motions look like, here is the one related to the environment: ES MSC that the following motion to address environmental concerns be adopted: We reaffirm the position taken at the previous synod convention in ES We encourage members of congregations of the Eastern Synod to: Participate at the local level in their municipalities to support local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through public transit, waste reduction, green space protection, agriculture, etc.; Contact their federal, provincial and municipal government representatives to affirm their support for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental sustainability; and Find out the environmental impact of their lifestyle by determining their carbon footprint and prayerfully consider ways of reducing their personal energy consumption. We encourage congregations of the Eastern Synod to: Carry out an energy audit of congregational plant and facilities and use the results to educate members and reduce energy use wherever possible; Include environmental themes and the stewardship of creation in educational programmes for children, youth and adults; and Join with other faith groups and community organizations to promote environmental sus-

12 tainability at the municipal level, which controls nearly 45 per cent of the total national greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Finally, we encourage our Bishop and Synod Council to: Write to our Prime Minister and the Premiers of the provinces in our Synod, conveying these declarations and calls for action; Write to Eastern Synod congregations encouraging them to continue the greening of their homes, their buildings and their use of the planet s limited resources; and Remind us of our vocation as stewards of creation through proclamation and education. Of course it s all well and good to adopt a motion at Synod Assembly. The harder part comes afterwards, and how much time and effort is put into following through on the action pieces. This motion includes actions for individuals, congregations and our Synod leadership, so I encourage you to wrestle with the challenges laid out here. Do you know your carbon footprint? Do you think our congregation should consider passing a motion at our AGM related to environmental concerns? If you are curious about details of any passed motions at our last Synod Assembly review the minutes at: Elizabeth Barrett Browning ( ) A Child's Thought of God They say that God lives very high; But if you look above the pines You cannot see our God; and why? And if you dig down in the mines, You never see Him in the gold, Though from Him all that s glory shines. God is so good, He wears a fold Of heaven and earth across His face, Like secrets kept, for love, untold. But still I feel that His embrace Slides down by thrills, through all things made, Through sight and sound of every place; As if my tender mother laid On my shut lids her kisses pressure, Half waking me at night, and said, Who kissed you through the dark, dear guesser?

13 CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS Welcome to the New Year, we hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas season. It is such a busy time and goes by so quickly was another good year at St. Peters and council wants to Thank everyone for all your support. The Annual meeting is on Sunday, February 8th following our service. A potluck lunch will follow the meeting. Please don t forget to submit all the reports to Joan before mid January. We are still looking for new council members if you are interested please contact myself or any council member. The Local Food Meal on October 19th was well attended and we raised $ (including the $500 FaithLife grant) for The Olive Branch. Thanks again to all who donated food and helped out. Council is still looking at the feedback forms from the same-sex marriage session. At the November meeting we had too many items on the agenda for a proper discussion on this subject. We have had to change the January and February council meeting dates to the 2nd Wednesday of the month: January 14th and February 11th at 7:30 pm. Beginning in January Karen McKinney will be starting as the Church Custodian. Update on the Carpet project We will not have to call another congregational meeting because the church has just received another generous donation with the request it be used to complete the carpet replacement project including the narthex, balcony, stairways and entranceways. We have narrowed the tenders down to two and at the December council meeting we will make the final choice. Our plan is to have the two steps under the altar removed as soon as the Christmas trees come down in early January allowing some time for decision on the flat floor proposal. The hope is to have the carpet installed by Easter. We will announce a date for the upstairs spring cleaning when the project is completed. UPCOMING EVENTS- Feb. 17th Pancake Supper Early March ShelterLink Sunday Gwen Neeb Church Council Chairperson

14 Psalm of Lament for the Rural Church From October 27-29th, 2014, I attended the Rural Ministry Symposium at Crieff Hills Community in Puslinch, Ontario (of which I was also honoured to be part of the planning committee). The theme of the event was "Re-rooted" and our theme speaker, Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris (the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada) led us through an exploration of the role that lament can play in these challenging times of being rural church. Laments are expressions of grief or sorrow, but they also include expressions of hope that God will bring us through challenging times to joy, renewal, and new life. Dr. Farris challenged the participants to write a psalm of lament together on the state of the rural church. We divided into five small groups and when we brought together our pieces here is what we had created Psalm of Lament for the Rural Church. It was a powerful experience for us and I wanted to share it with you. God's peace, Pastor Laura Oh God. What are you doing? You promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail against your Church. But... what the Hell? Why are you letting your body slowly bleed to death? You who bought us and brought us together, why are you letting your children wander away? Our generations past have trusted in you. You ARE God. Why have you forsaken us? O God, where are your people? Are they in the arena? Are they in the coffee shop? Are they in the city? God you have abandoned your people. Our voices echo off the empty wall. The powerful don't care and dismiss us as stupid, isolated, bigoted, irrelevant, self-serving. We are ignored by the wider church. O God, where are your people? And yet your people are never forsaken; we put our trust in you. You heard your people cry out in Egypt you led them to the promised land; so you hear our cries in the wilderness. We will follow where you lead. Your spirit hovers over chaos, ever-creating; you breathe life into dust.

15 Awaken us, O God, to your active presence in us. Reveal to us your life, springing up in creation. Don't cast your people aside. Show us your path and purpose. Draw us into your mission, and enter us with your Spirit. We praise you this day: faithful, restoring God, and will sing with the people of this nation of your renewing love. In your faithfulness you have brought back those who were lost in self-absorption. Open our eyes to the light of your eternal love. In times of scarcity we will bless you. In times of abundance we will praise you. For whether your churches are full or whether your pews are empty: You are our God, our Sovereign. And let all God's people say Amen. Lent is the 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter and a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. When it was first observed in the fourth century, its focus was on self-examination and self-denial in preparation and Christians used fasting (abstaining from eating food) in the early years as a visible demonstration of this process. Youth Group Several weeks ago, the Youth Group set up the beautiful Angel Tree in St Peters narthex. This campaign offers holiday assistance to and joy to many disadvantaged children from infants to teens in our area. After its set up, the youth placed gift tags for different genders and age groups on the tree branches in hopes the congregation would select one tag and drop off an appropriate gift under the tree. The Youth Group was very pleased with the congregation s response as they filled the van to the doors. These generous gifts will be taken to Grace Lutheran Church in Mitchell for distribution. Lisa

16 Lutheran Planned Giving (LPG) has a mandate to encourage and enable members and supporters of ELCIC congregations to make planned gifts to the church. This is not a fund-raising program, but a stewardship ministry. Our job is to make members aware of the opportunities to extend their financial stewardship and to expand the mission and ministry of the church. Lutheran Planned Giving was established in 1997 by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. LPG helps people like you make gifts to further the work of God s kingdom. Options: 1) gift of an existing policy that no longer is needed for its original purpose and by assigning the ownership of the policy to the church, you make a gift that qualifies for a receipt in the amount of the net cash surrender value of the policy; 2) Beneficiary change of an existing policy creates a gift when you die; 3) Gift of a new policy on your life and designate the church as owner, each premium payment you make qualifies for a tax receipt as a charitable donation. Toll free pymcon@wchat.on.ca FINANCIAL REPORT Financial Update as of November 30th, 2014 Actual Exp. Received Gain/Shortfall Current $126, $113, $13, Improvement $2, $28, $25, Missions $10, $8, $1, Here is a listing of where things stand financially for our congregation. We are currently in a shortfall position of $13,000. Our missions goal of $1000 per month for synod is also in a shortfall position of $1436. When I compare numbers from last year we are not that far off from last year. I feel we are still playing a little catch up from the harsh winter last year. This year should definitely be better as propane costs have dramatically dropped from last year. The money showing in improvements includes donations totalling $ that is designated toward the cost of the carpet project. If there are any questions, please contact me. Susan Alexander