Thank you for supporting our next generation


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SEPTEMBER 2015 A publication of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

Thank you for supporting our next generation

Join us on September 13 for our Fall Kickoff! Our fall season starts up on Sunday, September 13. Here’s a listing of what’s going on that Sunday:  Registration for Church School and Youth Classes takes place at 9:45 am in the parish hall.  The choir returns to Sunday morning services and will be singing at the 10:15 am service.  Everyone is invited to join us after the 10:15 am service for hamburgers, hotdogs, and veggie burgers in the courtyard.

I am so thrilled as I recognize the layers of support and education available to our kids here at Holy Spirit and throughout our diocese. We should be proud, and I hope that we take full advantage of the myriad of ways children can learn and grow in their faith. Even if you no longer have kids at home, please consider other children that may benefit. We have a lot to share with the kids in the Missoula Valley. In addition to Church School, this summer we sponsored Vacation Bible School again. We had a complete blast with 23 kids (and the support of over 50 volunteers). We welcomed 10 children from the community who are not part of our congregation. Over 30 of our young people attended church camp at Camp Marshall on Flathead Lake under the direction of Wren Blessing, the Canon for Christian Formation for our diocese. Camp gives kids an opportunity to not only learn more about God and see it demonstrated in an intensive setting, but it also gives kids an opportunity to claim their faith in a way that is public and yet supportive. QUEST is our ongoing Sunday morning class for 6th-9th graders, and with the addition of Lindsay Iudicello, our youth director, we have now been

able to expand our programs to include youth group activities for both middle school and high school youth. This builds on the existing community among our teens, and the positive experiences they’ve had at camp. Our Confirmation program, typically for middle school youth, has always been strong. It has undergone some changes with new leadership, Jody Thomasson and Bill Earhart. After some experimentation last year, they are excited about offering a new format for Confirmation which involves monthly meetings and now will include a Confirmation retreat led by Wren Blessing from the diocese. Overlapping programs with overlapping leadership for a variety of age levels builds an amazing safety net for our kids. This not only provides a variety of ways to learn and grow in faith, but it also puts our kids in contact with a wide variety of adults who care for them, and pray for them, and mentor them. This is a recipe for kid success! Thank you, Holy Spirit Parish, for supporting our next generation. − GRETCHEN STROHMAIER DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Please join us! www.holyspiritmissoula.org

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PARACLETE

September 2015

OUR STAFF Clergy: The Rev. Terri Ann Grotzinger, Rector [email protected] The Rev. Judy Anderson, Pastoral Assistant The Rev. Doug Anderson, Prison Ministry The Rev. Myrna Chaney, Director of School for Deacons Organist/Choir Director: Dr. Nancy Cooper Director of Spiritual Formation: Gretchen Strohmaier [email protected] Youth Director: Lindsay Iudicello [email protected] Nursery Caregivers: Katie McDonald & Andee Peck Parish Administrator: Judy Parock [email protected] Office Assistant/Bookkeeper: Elizabeth Serviss [email protected] Sexton: Lori Cordis

NEWSLETTER Paraclete, from the Greek meaning ‘Holy Spirit,’ is published monthly, September through May, by Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. All material is due by the fifteenth of the month preceding the month of publication.

130 South 6th Street East Missoula, MT 59801 406.542.2167 [email protected] www.holyspiritmissoula.org

Sharing our God stories We love stories—story books with beautiful pictures, or maybe the kind your grandmother used to tell. Perhaps as a kid you crawled into a makeshift tent in your bed, flashlight in hand, to learn the ending to a particularly suspenseful tale. Stories teach us about what’s important and help us understand who we are. Stories shape us. This is particularly true for us as Christians. We are people of the Book. Our lives are shaped, directed and inspired by the stories of the Bible. This year our children will explore God’s story: the big story of the Bible, the overarching story of salvation. Along the way we may do some interviews to learn about the God stories of our extended families. And of course we’ll celebrate the long story of faith here at Holy Spirit as we mark our 100th anniversary in November. In addition to our collective stories of God we’ll

explore personal God stories as we explore ways God speaks and acts within our daily lives even today. And we’ll practice ways to describe these experiences. The year will include special guest speakers, book-making projects and a deepening of the tools of our faith. Church School kicks off on Sunday September 13th with registration happening at 9:45 am in the parish hall. Nursery care is always available for our smallest parishioners and children’s worship and Church School classes are provided for children 3 years old through the 5th grade. QUEST, our class for 6th-9th graders, gathers every Sunday morning to share a game, a time to review the week, and a lesson, before they join the second half of adult worship. − GRETCHEN STROHMAIER DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Registration for Church School takes place on Sunday, September 13, beginning at 9:45 am in the parish hall. We have Church School classes for children 3 years old through the 5th grade. Please join us! www.holyspiritmissoula.org

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PARACLETE The MESSENGER

September 2015

What’s the Bible’s play book for abundant life? 20th from 6-7:30 pm. We'll meet for fellowship, pizza, and discussion. Also this year, with high school youth The Gospel of John records Jesus group, we are going to team up with making this beautiful claim. According our friends at St. Paul Lutheran and to John, Jesus's purpose, if you will, is First Presbyterian for a monthly event for us to have life, and have it in the on the fourth Sunday of every month. fullest, richest sense of the word! The first of these will be ultimate Through our faith, we are invited into Frisbee on September 27th. More deep, abundant life. This year in details to follow! QUEST and Youth Group we will be I'm looking forward to a great year exploring what this means. Our question in youth ministry at Holy Spirit Parish. for the year is: What's the Bible's play It is my prayer that each of the youth book for abundant life? who are part of our parish have life QUEST, for 6th-9th graders, will and have it abundantly! begin on September 13th, the first day of the new Church School year. WITH GRATITUDE FOR EACH OF YOU, Confirmation also begins that evening. – LINDSAY IUDICELLO Our first Youth Group for middle YOUTH DIRECTOR and high school will be on September "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Some changes are in store for the Youth Confirmation program Holy Spirit Youth Confirmation classes are starting soon. We will continue with the monthly format from last year. Meetings will be on the second Sunday of each month, beginning Sunday, September 13th, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. One change this year – students will be invited to start Confirmation beginning in 7th grade (and older), rather than 6th grade. The format for the evening will include our lesson, some pizza, and then we’ll close with Compline. Bill Earhart and I look forward to seeing you all in September. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me, Jody Thomasson, at [email protected]. – JODY THOMASSON YOUTH CONFIRMATION LEADER

Welcome back, Choir! The choir returns to Sunday morning services on the 13th, with a rehearsal at 8:30 a.m. that morning. All current choir members will be updated on rehearsal schedules etc., through emails. If you would like to join the choir this year (there's no time like the present!) email [email protected], talk to her after church on Sunday or call her at 728-4376. – NANCY COOPER, CHOIR DIRECTOR www.holyspiritmissoula.org

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September 2015

Sunday Morning Book Study:

Discover a Christian vision of abundance in Richard Rohr’s book

Explorations: Opportunities to cultivate, challenge and live our faith

Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality by Richard Rohr. Join other adults on Sunday morning between services at 9:00 am to discuss this thoughtful book, beginning on Sunday September 20th. Please contact the church office about purchasing a book ($16). In this exploration of central themes of Scripture, Richard Rohr transforms the written word, discovering in these ancient texts a new and vital meaning, relevant and essential for modern

Christians. He uncovers what the Bible says about morality, power, wisdom and the generosity of God in a manner that demands a life-changing response from believers. Rohr offers his readers a Christian vision of abundance, grace and joy to counteract a world filled with scarcity, judgment and fear—a vision that can revolutionize how we relate to ourselves, others and the world. – Amazon ̶ GRETCHEN STROHMAIER DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Consider being a part of our Myanmar Support Team Are you interested in celebrating our connection to Myanmar? Join a small group of others from the parish as we support the team of parishioners who will be teaching there in the fall. We’ll work to support and enhance their trip

and to keep the congregation informed about this new ministry and connection. Contact Gretchen at 542-2167 or [email protected] with interest or questions.

Holy Spirit’s third annual “Dinner on the Grounds” and Hymn Sing! Join us on Wednesday evening, September 9th, for the third annual "Dinner on the Grounds" and Hymn Sing! Already an established practice in many Southern congregations, this is basically a potluck, followed by singing hymns in the church. Coffee provided, you bring the rest. We wish that we could eat outside – a true "dinner on the grounds" experience – but weather is always variable, so we'll be in the parish hall. We'll begin at 6 p.m. with dinner, and then we will proceed to the church for the hymn sing, during which people call out their favorite hymns by hymn number, and we all turn to them and sing a few verses before moving to the next one. Those of you with southern roots are encouraged to bring in fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, butter beans, pickled vegetables, biscuits, and cold watermelon for dessert! ALL are welcome! Come and bring a friend! See all y'all there! ̶ NANCY COOPER, ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR www.holyspiritmissoula.org

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September 2015

Our celebration takes place November 15:

We’re getting reading to celebrate 100 years of ministry in this place! From time to time I take a moment to look at what has been happening year to year at Holy Spirit. Come October, I will have served with you for four years, a very brief time in the 100 plus years that the parish has been in Missoula. When I think about all that has happened in that time, a few things stand out. For one, guests and newcomers consistently tell me how welcoming you are to them, how much they enjoy the worship (even while learning how to find their way in the Prayer Book), and how much they appreciate the kinds of ministry that we do. I see more and more individuals getting engaged in life-long spiritual formation, and embracing new ways to serve the poor, whether a ministry to help girls with education in Myanmar or through Butterfly Grants that take an idea and, with a small matching grant, make significant things happen. I wonder if you realize what it says about this community when you contribute special monetary gifts to ensure that 30 youth experience Camp Marshall, or when 51 of you volunteer to support the children

who come to Vacation Bible School? Laity, clergy and staff alike are collaborating together – here, at the Diocesan level, and with other faith communities in Missoula – to expand trust, build stronger collaborative relationships and enable more effective ministry, together. I don’t say these things to puff us up but rather as signs of an ever deepening faith and commitment, and our calling to be good stewards of what has been given and what is still becoming. As we reflect on this our 100th year on 6th and Gerald streets, I invite you to think about all those you know who contributed in any way to this parish and its ministries over the years, and to give thanks for them. And when we celebrate our 100th on Sunday, November 15th, let’s see to it we have as many of those who are able invited to join us on that day. We have been a faithful presence in this place, and it is time to celebrate what God has done through us and to look with vision to what will unfold over the years ahead. – REV. TERRI

September 2013

Adult Inquirers Classes begin in September Do you have questions about The Episcopal Church and Holy Spirit Parish in particular? Are you wondering about practical things like how to find your way Caecilius Teren in the Book gravitate of Common Prayer tius arte or why we do things the way we do? Perhaps you’d like to know Iste quidem veteres inter how to be fully aqui part of ponetur anmore honeste, vel this faith community or what the men se brevi vel toto est iunior word Episcopal even means. If anno Utor permisso, est so, I invite you to bring your caudaeque pilos ut equinae questions and join me for three paulatim vello put unum, demo Wednesday evenings of what etiam qui Classes, dum o cadat we callunum, Inquirers elusus ratione ruen tis 30, id from September 16, 23, and acervi, qui redit in fastos et. 7p.m. – 8:30p.m. We will meet in the Parish Office conference room. I think you will enjoy getting to know more about this particular parish and this branch of the Christian faith! ‒ REV. TERRI

New Ushers welcomed! Iste quidem veteres inter ponetur an honeste Are you a people person? Iste veteres inter Join thequidem Holy Spirit Usher group ponetur an honeste, qui vel and get the chance to greet men seas brevi tototoest iunior people theyvel come worship anno Utor permisso, est and help keep the 10:15 service caudaeque pilos ut equinae running smoothly. Join a group of 25 persons serve as paulatim vellowho put unum, demo ushers about qui oncedum every 10 etiam unum, o cadat weeks. Duties are well elusus ratione ruen tislaid id out and training is available. acervi, qui redit in fastosContact et Gary Swartz, Usherannis. Coordinator virtutem aestimat (542-1978). Onetur an honeste, qui vel men se brevi vel toto est iuni. www.holyspiritmissoula.org

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September 2013 September 2015

On a Diaconal Journey:

Making change happen

Save the date for Holy Spirit’s Holiday Market 2015! Mark your calendars for this year’s Holiday Market, Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, and the committee is already planning to make it a most successful event. One of the most popular elements of the market is the Raffle. We depend upon parishioners for donations that pique interest. Please consider a contribution you could make to the raffle that would inspire ticket purchases. Potential raffle donors or anyone wishing to serve on the Holiday Market Committee, please call Sarah Towle at 721-3601 or email her at [email protected]. And the Holiday Market Craft Group is getting started! Join us on Fridays at 10 a.m. upstairs in the church office starting September 11. We will meet every Friday until the Holiday Market on November 6 and 7, making ornaments, holiday decorations, and jewelry to sell. No experience is necessary, and you can come any Friday. For more information about the Craft Group, contact Sue Lowery at 546-8401 or [email protected].

We are rolling over our calendars to a new season, and change fills the air and the pace of our days. I begin the fall “changed” into a Candidate for Holy Orders – Deacon, after being admitted in June to an anticipated year-long stage of further diaconal discernment and experience. I appreciate your continued prayers, encouragement and curiosity. Shortly after my Candidacy interview with the Commission on Ministry, I participated in the Leadership Development Intensive offered by the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative. The weekend session, led by Casey Dunning and Holy Spirit’s Jesse Jaeger, engaged participants in approaches to creating community change. Those were value-packed days, in the tools presented, relationships enriched, and seeds for change planted. One session concept I wanted to share is that of the three pillars of faithbased justice/service work: service, action/policy change, and reflection. While service is often the most

exercised pillar, we were challenged to stretch beyond service and reflect on how to refine and better understand the impact of our service, as well as to engage in systemic change aimed at the root cause of the injustices that call out to us individually and as a faith community. I have been thinking and praying about how to create a better balance among the three pillars for the social justice issues we at Holy Spirit are working to address. I see that a strong balance will lead to better change – in us, for the neighbors we serve, and for how we live out God’s love in the world. Jesus calls us to serve, to address injustices, and to reflect on how best to love God and neighbor in thought, word and deed. May seeking a good balance in these three pillars give us new strength and perspective as we work together to make change happen. ‒ DORCIE DVARISHKIS 239-7655, [email protected]

Volunteers still needed for this year’s Diocesan Convention The 2015 Diocese of Montana's Annual Convention is only a few weeks away. The Convention Committee has been planning for more than a year, and things are progressing according to schedule. We've been pleased with the response on the sign-up board in the parish hall but could use a few more people on Friday morning and afternoon, October 2nd, as the more than 120 delegates from across the state arrive at the Holiday Inn-Downtown. Holy Spirit Delegate duties don't begin until Friday evening and continue into Saturday, so you could expand your convention experience by helping welcome other delegates. We will be contacting individuals who signed up in mid-September to explain your duties. If you haven't signed up yet, please consider joining the Diocesan Convention team! Contact Rev. Terri, Pru Randall, Bob Brewer, Bob Wattenberg or Gary Swartz if you are interested and available. – GARY SWARTZ, DIOCESAN CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIR www.holyspiritmissoula.org

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volume 7 • number 3

The MESSENGER PARACLETE

September 2015

Reflecting on the scope of General Convention, 2015 The major news of our 78th General Convention, held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City from June 25 to July 3, was widely broadcast through various media throughout the summer – the election of The Right Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina, to serve for the next nine-year term as Presiding Bishop and the passage of resolutions that confirm marriage equality as a reality in the Episcopal Church. However, our nineday convention schedule included many other dimensions and much more

bulletins always included a second language, often Spanish, but also French and Hawaiian. Legislative sessions of the houses met later in the mornings and throughout the afternoons, further discussing and voting on a myriad of topics related to World Mission; Social Justice and International Policy; Social Justice and U.S. Policy; Congregational Vitality; Evangelism and Communications; Revision of the Book of Common Prayer and Hymnal; Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations; Stewardship; Formation and Education for Ministry; and Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation. An exhibit hall was open in the afternoons, and provided space for many church-related resources and materials from organizations such as the Church Pension Fund, Episcopal Relief and Development, Episcopal Church Women, the Girls’ Friendly Society, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, Integrity (LGBTQ), Church Publishing Inc., activity. Overall, it demonstrated to me Church Periodical Club, Archives of once again, the extent to which we the Episcopal Church, the Association cherish and exercise the democratic of Episcopal Colleges, crafts of process. Each morning from 7:30 a.m. indigenous groups, and artists’ to 9 a.m. there were legislative presentations of liturgical vestments committee hearings where attendees and and hangings. guests had an opportunity to present From 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. additional their opposing or supporting statements legislative hearings were held, as well on issues to be considered before final as other events such as a celebration of resolutions were presented for the 75th anniversary of Episcopal discussion and action at the House of Relief and Development, a celebration Deputies’ and House of Bishops’ of the 40th anniversary of Integrity’s sessions. At 9:30 a.m. beautifully work and witness of inclusion, created services of Eucharist were held meetings of provincial caucuses, and with at least 1200 in attendance. Each seminary gatherings. service had a theme related to a historic During the months ahead, in our and major church personality of varying parish and diocesan gatherings, I ethnic or national origin, and we were expect we will have an opportunity to welcomed with related preludes explore in depth a number of the including music of the Theodicy Jazz convention’s actions. Meanwhile, the Collective, the Red Spirit Singers, and website remains open and can be the Kenshin Taiko Japanese Drummers. accessed at Similarly, reflecting the diversity within www.generalconvention.org. the Church, the text of our service – PRU RANDALL, DEPUTY

What are you thankful for? Our Fall Ingathering for the United Thank Offering (UTO) will take place on Sunday, September 27, at both services. Special envelopes will be in the bulletin that day for your donations, and you can bring your Blue Boxes to church and place them in the basket at the back of the church. The monies raised from the thank offerings are given back in the form of grants in support of programs within the dioceses of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion that address compelling human needs and supporting the alleviation of poverty.

The UTO Prayer Gracious God, source of all true joy; accept we pray, these outward signs of our profound and continuing thankfulness for all life. Keep each of us ever thoughtful for all the blessings of joy and challenges that come our way. Bless those who will benefit from these gifts through the outreach of the United Thank Offering. This we ask through Him who is the greatest gift and blessing of all, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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