THE AMBASSADOR
The Newsletter of St. Matthias' Episcopal Church, Minocqua, Wisconsin
Lent 2011
403 Chicago Ave – P.O. Box 936 – Minocqua, WI 54548
715 356-6758 www.stmatthiasminocqua.org
From the Rector on the grill, baked potato, salad, beverages and
more. The cost is $12 per person. Bring your
Lent
friends or neighbors for a fun St. Matthias'
Lent begins late this year, since Easter falls on
tradition.
April 24. The latest it can ever fall on the
calendar of Western Christianity is April 25, Nominating Committee
which it did in 1943 and will do again in 2038. Looking ahead to May: the annual meeting of St.
The earliest it can ever fall is March 22, but that Matthias' Parish will be held on Sunday, May 15.
has not happened since 1818, no will it occur As usual, we shall elect Vestry members, and
until 2285. In 2008, Easter was on March 23, Wardens. The nominating committee, made up of
but that wont happen until 2160. Also, this year, retiring Vestry members, this year John
the Easter and Western churches celebrate Randolph, Nancy Coleman, and Jr. Warden Bill
Easter on the same Sunday, which occurs every Kane; former Vestry member Chris Clark and the
few years. Rector, will meet in the coming week.
Suggestions or ideas for Vestry elections may be
That means that Ash Wednesday falls this year
passed on to the nominating committee.
on March 9. As usual, we will have Holy
Eucharist with the imposition of Ashes at 12:10 Funeral Instructions
pm at St. Matthias on that day. Also, Eucharist Did you know that we maintain a file at St.
and imposition of Ashes will be held at Ascension Matthias' with funeral instructions? What are
Lutheran Church that evening. your wishes for burial, cremation, visitation,
memorial service, music, scripture readings,
On Thursday evenings during Lent, we will have
memorial contributions, etc? Do your loved
Evening Prayer at 4:30 pm followed by a video
ones know who to contact at the time of your
presentation and discussion at 5:00 p.m., along
death or what kind of service you would like?
with tea or sherry. This year's topic will be “God
Having these things in writing and on file can be
in America”. Using portions of the PBS series by
a great comfort to your loved ones at the time of
that name, I hope to look at how religion has
your death when they are faced with making
shaped America and how religious liberty has
those final plans. I encourage you to talk to your
shaped our society. Those who did not see the
family and write out your wishes and have a copy
series when it was broadcast on television will
on file here in the church office.
enjoy seeing the presentations, and I hope those
who may have seen it before will enjoy the Food Pantry
opportunity to discuss and further explore On Tuesday, March 15, St. Matthias' will once
portions of the program. once again be on hand to assist at the Lakeland
Food Pantry. Please listen for further
On March 17, which is the Third Thursday, we
announcements in church or talk Mike Sabin our
will have the video and discussion at 5:00
Food Pantry liason or Laurie Glowac, chair of St.
followed by Evensong and Potluck at 6:00.
Francis Project ( our community outreach team).
Winter Survivor's Party
Be sure to join us on Saturday, March 5 for our A Blessed Lent,
Annual Winter Survivor's Party. As usual we'll Fr Edgar Wallace
have steaks and chicken breasts cooked outside
Lenten Opportunities Fourth Week of Lent
Sun. 4/3 8:15 a.m. Adult Forum
for Worship, Prayer, and Growth 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Nursery
Sunday School
Ash Wednesday
Wed. 4/6 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Wed. 3/9 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Ashes
Thu 4/7 4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
at St. Matthias'
5:00 p.m. God in America
7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Ashes
at Ascension
Fifth Week of Lent
Thu 3/10 4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer Sun. 4/10 8:15 a.m. Adult Forum
5:00 p.m. God in America 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Nursery, Sunday School
First Week of Lent Wed. 4/13 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Thu 4/14 4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
Sun. 3/13 8:15 a.m. Adult Forum
5:00 p.m. God in America
9:25 a.m. Choir
6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Nursery, Sunday School
Palm/Passion Sunday
Sun. 4/17 - 9:25 a.m. Choir
Wed. 3/16 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Liturgy of Palms
Thu 3/17 5:00 p.m. God in America
Holy Eucharist
6:00 p.m. Evensong, Potluck
Nursery, Sunday School
Second Week of Lent Tuesday in Holy Week
Sun. 3/20 8:15 a.m. Adult Forum
11:00 a.m Chrism Mass
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
at St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac
Nursery, Sunday School
Wed. 3/23 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist Maundy Thursday
Thu 3/24 4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer 5:30 p.m. Agape Supper
5:00 p.m. God in America 6:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist
7:30 to Midnight – Watch before the Altar of Repose
Third Week of Lent Good Friday
Sun.3/27 8:15 a.m. Adult Forum 12:10 p.m – Good Friday Liturgy
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Nursery Holy Saturday
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Prayers
Cleaning and Decoration of the Church
Wed. 3/30 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist 7:30 p.m. Great Easter Vigil - New Fire, Eucharist
Thu 3/31 4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
5:00 p.m. God in America Easter Day
10: 00 a.m. Festival Eucharist / Flowering the Cross
Who's in the Pew? service and she and Ted lived and worked there
Beginning this month, a new series by Laurie Glowac, profiling members for 17 years. Ted was also the organist and choir
of St. Matthias' Congregation. master for the Methodist Church in Minocqua for
Barbara Hopkins was born the youngest of three 40 years. He also played in the piano bar at the
children in her family in North Brookfield, MA country club. Barbara had a beautiful singing
and if you listen carefully, you can still hear the voice and used to sing solos in church.
Boston accent in her speech. After graduating At the end of their tenure at Minocqua CC,
high school and a short stint in secretarial Ted and Barbara bought a house on Little Bass
school, Barbara's first job was as a Unitarian Lake where Barbara still lives. Unfortunately, Ted
Church secretary in nearby Worcester, died 7 years ago after 50 years of
MA. After a couple of years, she moved marriage to Barbara, which she
to Florida (to live with an aunt and says were wonderful years
uncle) where she was a secretary to a together. During their married life,
pediatrician and then a waitress in an Barbara and Ted did not have
upscale restaurant, The Wedgewood children of their own, but they did
Inn. Barbara confided that she may have a foster son, Ronnie, who
have told just a tiny little fib about her came to them when he was 12 and
waitressing experience (she had none) who still stays in touch with
to get this job and she still remembers Barbara today. He lives in Rigby,
how mean the girl who trained her Idaho. Barbara also remains very
was. This was a very elegant close to Ted, Jr. and his wife,
restaurant with Wedgewood china and Connie (the daughter she never
white table cloths on the tables and no had) who live in Florida.
mistakes were tolerated in terms of mixing up Ted and Barbara traveled extensively but
orders - the wait staff was held to a very high her favorite destination was the Inner Passage of
standard. Barbara vowed to always treat people Alaska. Barbara loves to read, especially
better than that person treated her, were she mysteries and has a special love of all things
ever in a training position. Sherlock Holmes. She confesses to a strong
It was about this time that Ted Hopkins, sweet tooth but works out at Curves several days
her music teacher back in North Brookfield, a week and thus keeps her girlish figure. She has
followed her to Florida and they soon were a coffee group of old friends that meet several
married. In 1954, Ted and Barbara moved to times a week. She also loves to do jigsaw puzzles
Rhinelander where Ted managed the Hotel and usually has one going at home. She
Fenlen, the finest hotel in the area. Ted also maintains three large perennial flower gardens,
played the organ and was the choir master for protected by a 7' fence and she dotes on her dear
the local Episcopal Church, of which he was a Samie, a blue eyed, long haired cat who was born
member and Barbara soon was too, giving up her deaf. She is a regular on Thursdays at the Thrift
Congregationalist roots. Shop and says that for her, a perfect day is
Ted impressed the right people with his working there with all the wonderful friends she
skillful management of the hotel and was soon has made.
offered a job as the Manager of the Minocqua Barbara usually sits in a pew on the left
Country Club where Barbara managed the wait hand side of the church, towards the front and
staff, using the knowledge she had gained from near the middle aisle. Barbara's words of
working at the Wedgewood Inn. As she had wisdom for us are "Live well and be happy." I
promised herself, she treated her staff well believe that Barbara is someone who truly lives
which was paid back in loyalty from the staff and these words for you will always find her with a
excellent service to their members. She had been smile and an easy laugh. Do say hello to this
taught well on the finer points of excellent lovely woman when you see her! She is a delight.
bags for their purchases.
Departed this Life
Susan B. Smith, February 14, 2011 In terms of attractiveness, the new layout of the
A Requiem Eucharist was celebrated on February 22 at Furniture Annex is displayed in clusters of
St. Matthias. Committal will take place later this spring in related furniture items, such as bedroom, living
Evergreen Cemetery in Woodruff. room, and dining room arrangements. In
contrast to the old annex, there’s space now for
Rest Eternal grant to her, O Lord, and let light customers to move around and test out couches
perpetual shine upon her and chairs. At the Thrift Shop the entryway is
changed regularly to feature new displays. With
_______________________________ our turnover around the corner (shop closes for
Thrift Shop News two weeks March 22 through April 4, shoppers
Le Ganschow will see a whole new “look” on the display floor.
Thrift Shop Tales Helpers are needed to assist with restocking in
• Since the new Furniture Annex opened in mid late March. Contact Jan Degner if you can help.
January, dozens of shoppers have been lining up
outside the new Furniture Annex on Saturdays Thrift Shop Tithe
before we open at 11:00. By afternoon much of Did you know that in addition to many thousands
our furniture is gone and furniture currently of dollars in donations to local organizations, the
stored in area storage units is moved to the Annex. Thrift Shop also contributes a tithe to St.
• Recycling continues with the generous Matthias' Church to be used for outreach or
donation of wall shelving from the Potpourri Gift education. This past year, portions of that tithe
Shop in Minocqua, who recently closed its doors. were allocated by the Vestry to:
Thanks go to Gene Degner for replacing shelving
in the kitchen and the children’s toy area. All the Maintain St. Matthias' Outreach Center, the small
old racks were sold to eager customers as well! house on Arbor Vitae Place, which is used by
• Not much in incoming goods goes to waste as NA groups, St. Andrew's Orthodox Mission,
even old linens are donated to Ascension Literacy Task force and others.
Lutheran church, where quilts are made and Provide acoustical tiles for the parish hall, which
given to the Lakeland Food Pantry and sent is used by community as well as parish
throughout the world through Lutheran World organizations.
Relief.
Provide a new refrigerator for the kitchen, which
Efficiency and Attractiveness are our mottos! is used by the Community Table.
Thanks to coordinators Jan and Gene Degner, the Support the American Cancer Relay for Life.
Thrift Shop and Furniture Annex continue to
improve in efficiency and attractiveness, making Support the the Northwoods Hymn Festival.
our environment pleasant for both volunteers Provide scholarships for a mission trip to Costa
and shoppers . Latest, is the renovation of the Rica in August
kitchen, where wall shelving is new and is now
categorized for specific items. Electrical items, Support Seabury Seminary.
which formerly piled up in the kitchen, are now Underwrite concert by the choir of Providence St
handled in the back storage area. A new addition Mel's School at St. Matthias in March.
for our jewelry specialist Kathleen Marshall is its
Contribute to the Diocese of Fond du Lac for
own dresser in the kitchen. Linens coordinator
outreach. This year the diocese used the
Nancy Coleman now does most of her sorting at
contribution to support the Diocesan Hispanic
her own cubby area in the storage room. Our
Ministry.
volunteers even have their own shelf to house