Ways to Help Haiti

Dear Friends,

A bulletin insert will be made available on Sunday for people to make donations to ELCA Disaster Response. It is my understanding that 100% of your donation will go to direct relief. If you wish, you may send the donation form directly to ELCA Disaster Response, but if you turn in your donation to me on Sunday (or any time) I will make sure it gets to ELCA Disaster Response ASAP.

If you wish to give right now using a credit/debit card, go to www.elca.org/disaster to make a donation, or call ELCA Disaster Response at 1-800-638-3522.

If you are a Thrivent member you have an opportunity to make your donation larger, go to www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti. If you make your donation there, Thrivent will match every $2.00 with $1.00.

As you probably know, Haiti is one of the poorest countries on Earth. I cannot begin to imagine the devastation that has been wrought on a people already poor and hungry. I am sure any amount will be appreciated. Whether you can give money or not, prayers are most needed at this time.

Pastor Bill Barter

Christmas Pageant 2009

Christmas Pageant pics from December 20th! Some are in costume and others were taken during rehearsal. We have the most talented kids on the planet! Thanks to all the folks who helped make this happen.

Drop Off Your Items for Long Creek Youth

During the Advent season St. Ansgar is collecting for the Long Creek Development Center, a local juvenile detention center. Approximately 135 youth will be at Long Creek during the holidays.

Long Creek wishes to provide each of the residents with a Christmas gift pack.

Long Creek specifically requested these items:

• SUAVE body wash, shampoo/conditioner, OLD SPICE deodorant.
• Slippers – men and women’s – all sizes
• Board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk
• Nerf footballs, basketballs
• Sweatshirts (in men’s sizes), white athletic socks, and women’s pajamas
• Duffel bags and back packs for kids returning to their communities
• Puzzles, composition books
• Word search books

Drop off donations at St. Ansgar from now until Sunday, December 20th.

Pictures from Just an Old Fashioned Fair 2009

Some candids from the fair. We raised over $4000 this year! Thanks to all the helpers and shoppers. We couldn't have done it without you.

Veteran's Day 2009

This year, the grand marshal of Portland's Veterans' Day Parade was our very own Espen Christensen. A small but dedicated group of St. Ansgar supporters gathered at High and Congress to cheer him on.

St. Ansgar Veteran Honored on Veteran's Day 11/11

Congratulations to our very own Espen Christensen. He will be honored as Grand Marshall of Portland's Veteran's Day Parade on Wed, November 11th. The parade begins at Longfellow Square at 10:30 AM and proceeds down Congress Street to Monument Square. See you there!

Reformation Sunday, the Perfect Day for Confirmations

Please join us as we confirm three young men, Kevin, Hilmar, and Matthew, at worship this coming Reformation Sunday, 10/25. How fitting it is that on the birthday of Lutheranism these young men have chosen to renew their baptismal promises and move officially into Christian adulthood.

On a personal note, this is quite a special time for me, as I have not presided at a confirmation ceremony since 1989, 20 years ago. It makes me so thankful to be a pastor today, and to be afforded such an honor by the people of St. Ansgar and these very special young people.

As part of the new confirmation rite, we anoint the forehead with holy Chrism oil. The oil is a symbol of being called and chosen. The oil we will use was blessed by Bishop Payne just this evening in Worcester, as clergy from across New England gathered to renew our ordination vows and our commitment to be faithful ministers of Word and Sacrament.

So come join us, and wear red for reformation! (Even if you don’t wear red, you are most welcome!)

Pastor Bill Barter