Messages from Our Clergy
June 7, 2021
Welcome to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth, Minnesota and our Reflection and Announcements.
Today is June 7, 2021.
Today’s meditation is brought to us by Keith Gogan, who teaches English and wilderness backpacking at a Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and his wife Jordan, a social work therapist, attend Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa and live near the Arkansas River with their dog Marcy.
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who command in themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense. 2 Corinthians 10:12
I can’t run five miles at a sub-eight-minute per mile pace anymore, and I can’t ride my bike with my hands off the handlebars, no matter how hard I try. As someone with many markers of Asperger’s Syndrome, I often have trouble fitting in when in a large group.
Jump onto the Internet, and it seems everyone is richer, faster, skinnier, smarter, prettier, or more popular. Errant comparison is everywhere today, and it can make us miserable as well as psychologically and spiritually ill.
Hikers on a long trail such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail have a saying: “Hike your own hike.” It pretty much means this: do your thing your own way at your own pace for your own reasons. In today’s scripture passage, Paul has no interest in competition and comparison. In this way, I want to be more like Paul.
Moving forward: How might you apply the mantra of hiking your own hike to your life of faith?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BeFrienders is coming to St. Paul’s!
Nonjudgmental presence
BeFrienders provide a sacred and safe space for someone to talk about their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without being judged or criticized. Contact Deacon Patricia Benson to learn more. Deacon@stpaulsduluth.org
Ways to Give
Thank you for your gifts of support. Together they make St. Paul’s ministries possible. There are four ways to give to St. Paul’s to support our minis tries: Sign up to give at www.stpaulsduluth.org/give; Text GIVE to 218-394-3535 on your cell phone; Mail your check to the church office; or drop a check in our touchless offering basin on your way up to communion.
Attending Church in Person
We encourage you to come to Sunday service. If you are not ready to come back to church for any reason, we support you in that decision. We livestream the service on our website and YouTube. We encourage you to join us online.
We are monitoring our zip code and the greater metro area. Check http://covidactnow.org for details. Per ECMN, if new cases reach 5% or more, we will stream the service, but we will not be open for the safety of everyone. We will also send you an email notifying you of a closure.
Masks and Vulnerable
As disciples of Jesus, we are grounding our discernment about mask wearing by what love looks like, what it means to be fully inclusive, and what it means to seek good for the other, particularly those who are marginalized in any way.
We are being particularly mindful about practices in intergenerational spaces that include families with small children who are not yet eligible to get vaccinated, where safety measures like masking and distancing are best to remain in place. We are striving to avoid creating a two-tier system, wherein some members of our community feel safe participating in services and activities and others do not.
Music Ministry Opportunities
We are seeking parishioners to share their musical talents for Sunday worship in the summer. Please consider this prayerfully and contact Nancy Schuldt to express your interest or ask questions.
Lemonade on the Lawn!
While we are not able to have Coffee Hour inside, we are able to enjoy Lemonade on the Lawn! Please join us for a glass and enjoy each other’s company. Please remain at a safe distance. If you would like to take a turn being a lemonade host, please contact Rita in the Parish Office, 218-724-3535. Thanks!
Today is June 7, 2021.
Today’s meditation is brought to us by Keith Gogan, who teaches English and wilderness backpacking at a Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and his wife Jordan, a social work therapist, attend Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa and live near the Arkansas River with their dog Marcy.
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who command in themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense. 2 Corinthians 10:12
I can’t run five miles at a sub-eight-minute per mile pace anymore, and I can’t ride my bike with my hands off the handlebars, no matter how hard I try. As someone with many markers of Asperger’s Syndrome, I often have trouble fitting in when in a large group.
Jump onto the Internet, and it seems everyone is richer, faster, skinnier, smarter, prettier, or more popular. Errant comparison is everywhere today, and it can make us miserable as well as psychologically and spiritually ill.
Hikers on a long trail such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail have a saying: “Hike your own hike.” It pretty much means this: do your thing your own way at your own pace for your own reasons. In today’s scripture passage, Paul has no interest in competition and comparison. In this way, I want to be more like Paul.
Moving forward: How might you apply the mantra of hiking your own hike to your life of faith?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BeFrienders is coming to St. Paul’s!
Nonjudgmental presence
BeFrienders provide a sacred and safe space for someone to talk about their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without being judged or criticized. Contact Deacon Patricia Benson to learn more. Deacon@stpaulsduluth.org
Ways to Give
Thank you for your gifts of support. Together they make St. Paul’s ministries possible. There are four ways to give to St. Paul’s to support our minis tries: Sign up to give at www.stpaulsduluth.org/give; Text GIVE to 218-394-3535 on your cell phone; Mail your check to the church office; or drop a check in our touchless offering basin on your way up to communion.
Attending Church in Person
We encourage you to come to Sunday service. If you are not ready to come back to church for any reason, we support you in that decision. We livestream the service on our website and YouTube. We encourage you to join us online.
We are monitoring our zip code and the greater metro area. Check http://covidactnow.org for details. Per ECMN, if new cases reach 5% or more, we will stream the service, but we will not be open for the safety of everyone. We will also send you an email notifying you of a closure.
Masks and Vulnerable
As disciples of Jesus, we are grounding our discernment about mask wearing by what love looks like, what it means to be fully inclusive, and what it means to seek good for the other, particularly those who are marginalized in any way.
We are being particularly mindful about practices in intergenerational spaces that include families with small children who are not yet eligible to get vaccinated, where safety measures like masking and distancing are best to remain in place. We are striving to avoid creating a two-tier system, wherein some members of our community feel safe participating in services and activities and others do not.
Music Ministry Opportunities
We are seeking parishioners to share their musical talents for Sunday worship in the summer. Please consider this prayerfully and contact Nancy Schuldt to express your interest or ask questions.
Lemonade on the Lawn!
While we are not able to have Coffee Hour inside, we are able to enjoy Lemonade on the Lawn! Please join us for a glass and enjoy each other’s company. Please remain at a safe distance. If you would like to take a turn being a lemonade host, please contact Rita in the Parish Office, 218-724-3535. Thanks!
