Northside Associated Ministries
Cooperating in Ministry
Office Phone: 734-663-5503
Administrative Assistant:
Ellen Magee
St. Aidan's Officers
Senior Warden
Len Coombs
Junior Warden
Phil Singer
Recording Secretary
Cindy Pierson
Secretary
Shirley Coombs
Treasurer
Ed Trager
Financial Secretary
Gail Graham
Liturgical Readers
Len Coombs
Acolytes
Susan McGarry
Choir
Noel McRobbie, director; Susan Wyman, coordinator
Evangelism
Michael Earl
Collar Industry
Lyn Solms
Finance
Alan Vayda
Altar Guild
Susan Pfoutz
Vestry
Phil Singer
Marian Kummerl
Jim Pierson
Shirly Coombs
Northside Officiers
Clerk of Session
Linda TerHaar
Financial Secretary
Mary Ann Wilson
Treasurer
Nancy Renner
Session Members
Joan Penner-Hahn
Diane Zahn
Steven Grosse
Linda TerHaar
Caroline Richardson
Jenny Howard
Brian Spolarich
Tom Weeks
Ministry Contacts
Choir
Joesph Kozma-Cruz
Membership/Nutrure
Sharon Lean
More Light/Peacemaking
Kate Baker
Nominating
Kelly Maxwell
Personnel
Geoff Stanton
Prayer Group
Jean Loup
Stewardship
Joan Penner-Hahn
Worship
Pat Hodges
NAM Officers
President
Marian Laughlin
Vice President
John Board
Secretary
Litha Chadiha
Treasurer
Dill Howarth
Children and Youth Ministries
Marian Laughlin
Property
Jim Pierson
Communications and Publicity
Kim Zaugg
Adult Education
Debra Davies
Social Stewardship
Sue MacDermaid
Reehill Gallery
Kate Baker
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Pastor's Corner:
Well, this month is Easter. Wait! you may caution, it's only March.
Yet, it is true, Easter sure is early this year. And a good thing too I
think, for if there was ever a year that needs the new life that Easter
promises, it is this year. So I say, "bring it on early."
The news reports are too full of bad news, the economy gets
weaker and weaker, and there have been 6 foreclosures in my
neighborhood alone. More businesses close and people have to move. At
my house we have been missing Thomas Whittico so much, we are naming
our new son/brother after him. Too many people we know and love are
struggling with cancer, addictions, or other difficult diseases. Easter
couldn't arrive too soon.
Yet perhaps we don't need to wait even that long. We received
a
number of Lenten devotional booklets from the Episcopal Relief and
Development Fund. They helped those of us who used them to keep in mind
the Millennium Development Goals as we offered our prayers and
meditations this Lent. The daily exercises were helpful and short. My
favorite had to do with listing your blessings. It had a great cartoon
with it. In the cartoon a clergy person (you could tell because of the
collar) was engaged in this blessing exercise. There were yards and
yards of paper scrolling off his desk onto the floor and a surprised
look on his face as he exclaimed, "This is really fun."
Whether we are worried about our families, our church, or our
communities, or even the world, we are at the same time, richly
blessed. I walk around delighted because I am getting back all the use
of my right leg after surgery. I marveled today as I walked into the
building to pick up my daughter, that not so long ago that trip was
excruciating. Most of us have some significant blessings like that to
count. Sometimes it is the difficult acknowledgement, as someone we
love struggles with sickness or dies, what a wondrous gift it is to
know, or to have known, such love and such caring. When counting our
blessings we realize we are not really so down and out, rather we
understand what great life and love is all around us.
This blessing count is not just an artificial pick me up, it
is
actually at the heart of our Easter faith. Nothing could be more
emblematic of the triumph of life and love and joy over cruelty and
suffering than the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. There was
nothing good about the crucifixion. It was a horrible death that cast
shame on its victims. It was administered by leaders criminally
misusing their power by knowingly executing an innocent man. It
deprived a valiant and faithful group of hopeful followers of the one
they loved more than life itself. It is a clear symbol of what
humankind is wont to do when faced with God and good among us, destroy,
crucify.
Easter reminds us that ultimately, good and God, and life and
love do triumph over the bad that humans devise. Counting our
blessings, living and loving life as it comes, lets us live into this
wondrous reality. Jesus lives, now and always. Following in his
footsteps, so do we. When we live our lives fully, our lives, our
loves, and our service to others makes clear this Easter gift every
day. He lives, so do we. Sometimes we just forget for a moment. So this
year, let Easter come early to remind us of new life, new love, new
hope, and yes, blessings.
Faithfully, Susan
In the News this month:
This is March, National Red Cross month, National Social Worker month,
and National Frozen Food month.
If I was not composing this in the middle of an ice storm, I would
probably make
also some comment about Spring.
In news from St. Aidan's Vestry, all St. Aidanites should be
getting a letter from
your Wardens real soon. The letter is not intended to be at all
threatening, but rather,
to let everyone know what is happening with pledge income this year.
In Non-financial news, Susan still hopes to complete a second
international adoption
sometime this year. When that happens, she will gone on a modified form
of maternity
leave, where she will only be available for Sunday Services. Plans are
to hire Rachel
Stivenson to provide pastoral care during the week.
Do Not forget -- Daylight Savings Time (a.k.a. wasted
daylight time) begins March 9
If you are looking for something to help you forget all the
ice storms, the Michigan
Orchid Society is having their annual show at the MSU Management Center
in Troy Palm
Sunday Weekend. For a map, click on
touchoftropic.com
which just happens to be Sue Trager's web site, who just happens to be
exhibiting at the show.
If you are looking for something to help you forget the
current international situations,
the Dali Lama is going to be speaking at the UofM on April 20. The
event is free, but
tickets are required. Details are available
here
Stories elsewhere you might have missed (especially if you
live in Buffalo or Seattle):
- Nancy Johnson took over as the Director of the Brighton
Library. The Ann Arbor News
printed a feature story about her with their usual standards of
promptness. Fortunately,
it is available
here.
- Know anyone who has maintained that they would get married
when Hell Freezes Over?
Well, it did last week, and 21 couples were married. Details
here.
Answer to Last Month's Question: What does your Editor most
want to see happen in the Super Bowl?
Answer: Zeke the Wonder Dog catch a pass during the game.
Question of the Month: What are the lyrics to the missing
verse in Margaritaville?
Now back to the news.
Bunny Hop
Carrot Way Community Center would like
an Easter Egg Hunt again this year. So save Friday night before Easter
(March 21st - decorating eggs), and Saturday morning (March 22nd) for
the Egg Hunt. Wear warm clothes.
O, by the way, on Friday night, expect some serious Easter
activities for children and young adults as well.
Susan McGarry
Book Group
The Book Group will meet on March 13, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Mary Ann
and Don Wilson, 1775
Stonebridge Dr. N, Ann Arbor (734-913-0420), to discuss Nonviolence;
Twenty-five Lessons from the History of a Dangerous Idea by Mark
Kurllansky. The book for April 17 will be Water for Elephants by Sarah
Gruen (place to be announced).
Its a Boy!
It has finally happened, I, Susan
received my State Department permission to travel for my adoption. I
should be going right after Easter and coming home in mid April with
the new arrival. I ask your prayers.
Susan
Holy Week Schedule
Here is a quick summary of what is happening during Holy Week (yes, it
happens during March this year!):
March 16: Palm Sunday
8:30AM - St. Aidan's Eucharist, with the baptism of Jessica Peterson's
(Marv Peterson's daughter) daughter.
11:00AM - Combined Worship, with the blessing of palms and the singing
of Steve Eddins' Kyrie.
March 20: Maundy Thursday
Agape Meal at 6PM, followed by the Service (with
washing of feet) at 7PM. Following the service,
the Prayer Vigil begins. Sign up early for the
best selection.
March 21 Good Friday
Tre Ore, Noon - 3PM (Yes, some have different times,
so the times are not redundant).
March 21
6PM - 8:30PM Children & youth program.
March 22
Carrot Way Community Center Egg Hunt
March 22: Holy Saturday
9:30PM. St. Aidan's Easter Vigil Service
March 23: Easter Sunday
8:30 & 11AM: Easter Services
After 11AM Services: Massive Easter Egg Hunt
The Usual Suspects
Lectionary
Readings for March
Calendar
for March
Worship
Schedule for March
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