Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I've never done the 23 and me genetic testing to know if I have any Irish blood, although it is more likely that Irish people have Norwegian DNA than the other way around. I found this snippet on the web:
Due to the Viking invasion that began in the 8th century, Norwegian ancestry can be seen prominently in Irish DNA. Professor Gianpiero Cavalleri, who spearheaded a recent study on Irish genetics, explained the Viking’s influence on Irish genes.
“We see relatively high percentages of the Irish genome have Norwegian ancestry and specifically from Norwegian coastal areas. We already knew the history of this, but this is now objective scientific fact that there is Viking DNA in Ireland.”
DNA, green beer, and parades with bagpipers and Irish dancers aside, this day commemorates the patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Here is the entry for this day in our LIFT Lenten Devotional:
Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, died 461
At sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. He himself admitted that up to this point he cared little for God. He escaped after six years, returned to his family in southwest Britain, and began to prepare for ordained ministry. He later returned to Ireland, this time to serve as a bishop and missionary. He made his base in the north of Ireland and from there made many missionary journeys with much success. In his autobiography he denounced the slave trade, perhaps from his own experience of being enslaved. Patrick’s famous baptismal hymn to the Trinity, “I bind unto myself today” (ELW 450), can be used as a meditation on Lent’s call to return to our baptism.
A Smartphone Friendly Version of our LIFT Lenten Devotional
Our LIFT Lenten Devotional, "Singing With All the Saints in Glory" has been appearing in print at the entrances the the sanctuary, and online in various places, including in pdf format. The problem with the pdf format is that it is difficult to read on a small screen. Using the Mailchimp editor, I created a smartphone friendly version of the devotional with a Table of Contents, which links to each day's devotion. You can find the link to this version of the devotional HERE.
Barbara Schmitz Funeral
We extend our sympathy to the family of Barbara Schmitz, who died on March 11. Maureen will officiate the funeral on Saturday, March 18, 10:00 A.M. at Grace. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the service beginning at 9:00 am. You can read the obituary for Barbara HERE.
Bishop Daniel's Email for March 15, 2023
In his weekly email, Bp. Daniel talks about the tension between faith and works, highlighted by Jesus at the end of his Sermon on the Mount. You can read the passage from Matthew 7 and the reflection as well as Bp. Daniel's report on the recent ELCA Conference of Bishops meeting HERE.
Seeds Monthly
https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=b2b48f65-32e2-44e6-ae27-04f52faa636b&trid=b2b48f65-32e2-44e6-ae27-04f52faa636b
Picture Directory Update
With Linda's help, we now have names, addresses, phone numbers and some email addresses for whom we have photos exported from Shepherd's Staff, our CMS (Church Management System) software. Next step will be to import this data into our online directory provider, Instant Church Directory. Next step after that will be up upload the photos that we have received from Dave or members themselves to correspond with the names and addresses. Additional steps will be to create a cover, staff page, and two or more activity pages.
A reminder that those who did not sit for photography with Dave, or provided your own photo to the church office, the inclusion of your names and contact information in the member list section of the directory will be on an opt-in basis. In other words, if you didn’t sit for photography or provide a photo, if you want your name(s) and contact information to be included in the directory, you will need to contact the church office by phone or email, and request to be included, along with providing the contact information you are comfortable sharing with other congregation members. The deadline for providing this information will be Monday, April 17, 2023.
Midweek Lent Series "Amazing Grace" Continues Wednesday
Join us for our Amazing Grace Lenten series based on the beloved song that celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. In this week’s service, we listen to Jesus teach a woman at the well of his amazing grace poured out for us abundantly, which satisfies our thirsting souls for all eternity. Supper is served beginning at 5:30 pm, and worship begins at 6:30 pm.
Constitution Review Task Force Set to Meet
You may remember that some amendments to the Grace constitution were considered at the annual meeting in January, however we agreed to consider other changes that might need to be made, so that all changes can be voted on at the same time. Linda, John Avers and I will meet this Wednesday for an initial meeting to begin this task. According to our current constitution, amendments are voted on at the annual or specially called meeting of the congregation, and then ratified at the following annual meeting. You can view a copy of the current Grace constitution HERE, and the most recent (2022) ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations HERE.
The Osterholm Update - Covid-19
Episode 126: Truth in the Midst of Political Theater
March 9, 2023
In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the state of the pandemic in the US and around the world, the role of booster doses and masks in the months ahead, and the debate on the origin of the pandemic. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.
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