St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ ~

 

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!   Yes, He is!   HE is risen in US!

 

In the first of my weekly Saturday E-pistles to you, I referenced a book titled “Ten Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation” by Lawrence Farris.  His fifth commandment reads:  “Thou shalt not create expectations which cannot be met in the long term.”

 

My goal in beginning at St. Paul’s on April 1^st was to “hit the ground running.” Thanks to your assistance, patience and cooperation, together WE have been doing just that.  I thank all of you!

 

·         Because I want to get to know YOU – the people I’m here to serve – during April I will have had the opportunity to visit one-on-one for an-hour-or-so each with 34 of you. 

·         Additionally, we will have celebrated 21 Eucharists together, prayed Morning Prayer

      9 times and Evening Prayer 5 times. 

·         Cathy, Kurt, Melanie, Deacon Mike and I have had 4 staff meetings, and went to lunch twice (for my birthday & for Administrative Assistant’s Day).

·         Terry and I volunteered at Broken Bread 3 Fridays, visited several health care facilities and 2 member homes, visited Art Angels, and attended the Bi-Diocesan Conference held in Wausau.

·         And I wrote 4 Saturday E-pistle letters to you, attended 3 Reorganization Committee meetings, 1 Diocesan Clergy Day in Stevens Point, 1 Fond du Lac Area Ministerial Association meeting, 1 Broken Bread Board meeting, attended 1 Deacon Ordination, and chaired 1 Chapter meeting.   I, however, did not attend the “Ladies Night Out.”

It has all been wonderful, and I thank you for allowing it all to happen!  Now, have I created

“expectations which cannot be met in the long term”  No, not at all!  I thrive on the energy of parish life, and I know I will delight in the vitality of our Cathedral!  I’ll keep up with you, if you’ll keep up with me.

 

So please, during May: 

·         Sign-up for a “one-on-one” with me if you haven’t. 

·         Join me for Morning Prayer on Sundays and Thursdays at 7:05, and Evening Prayer on Saturdays at 5:10. 

·         If I don’t have your e-mail address yet, send me your address at brianbeno@charter.net.

·         Please pray for Terry and me, all our members (living and deceased), our Bishop and Diocese.

I’m here for YOU.  I’m here for ALL of you.  We’ve begun anew.  I believe in the risen Lord, and I want us to be united in Jesus.  Life is too short and there is too much good to do to waste one second on any negativity.  Although I’m still having to commute 100 miles every day until our apartment becomes available June 1^st, I can always be reached at 715/281-9953, and early-in-the-morning and late-at-night at brianbeno@charter.net.  Know that I’m eager to hear from you, to get to know you, and to serve you!

In the love of our risen Lord,

~ Fr. Brian