Handwritten letters remind us of who and what fashioned our life

Judy Russell
·6 min read

What’s important in life?

Two pressed flowers in a family album, notes in the margins of a prayer book, a letter from a friend, funeral memorial cards tucked into a page of a military veteran’s scrapbook?

Probably all of the above, but perhaps not many things are more precious through time than a handwritten letter from a friend or a loved one. Even though I continue to sort through things at home, I refuse to discard the many letters, handwritten in pencil by my dad on ruled notebook paper, that he would mail to me from his cabin in Marinette County. They have a special place in a drawer in my nightstand. Every once in a while I read them again, recalling the happy times we had at the cabin “up North, in God’s country,” as dad called it.

“Letters remind us that it is what and whom we have loved which, in the end, shapes the quality of our lives,” writes Sister Joan Chittister in her latest email column from her Benedictine monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania.

A friend in Fond du Lac who shared a room with me on a trip to Ireland still includes a handwritten letter in cards she sends for every occasion, including Halloween. Never a card comes without news of what’s going on in her life, what’s happening at her church, whether the weather is still OK for her daily bike rides, and how she mourns the horrific news coming in from around the world.

Maybe sometime this week the Spirit will move you to write a “real” letter to someone who played a special part in your life.

Here are some upcoming Oshkosh area church and religious events:

  • A flu shot clinic will take place on Monday at the Sacred Heart site of St. Jude Parish in Oshkosh. With the help of Hometown Pharmacy, flu shots will be available from noon to 3 p.m. in Leannah Hall at the Sacred Heart site, 519 Knapp St. No appointment is necessary, but having a form filled out ahead of time will be helpful. Forms will be available in the hall the day of the clinic. Forms are available at the two church site entrances, and in the parish office, 1025 W. Fifth Ave.

  • The Open Table free community meal has started up again at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1174 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh. Hot meals will be served from 5 to 6 p.m. every second and fourth Monday of the month. All are welcome, whether they need a break from cooking for their family, need a meal because of a tight budget, or just want to share a meal with other people for a change.

  • The Annual Meeting of St. Raphael Parish, 830 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Annual Report will be presented and there will be an overview of the financial report from the 2022-23 fiscal year, as well as updates on participation in the sacraments and other areas of parish life. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the parish.

  • Specialty items are the food focus during October for the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. If you are shopping to fill your church brown bags for the pantry, here are the items they’re looking for: gluten-free baking mixes and snacks; sugar-free canned fruit; salt-free spices, seasonings and sauces; alternative milk (almond, coconut, oat, etc.); no-sodium items (canned, snacks); alternative flours (almond, gluten-free), and low-sodium and low-fat items (canned, snacks). Monetary donations are always welcome, too. The pantry is at 2551 Jackson St. Donation hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  • The Handbell Choir will lead a substantial portion of the worship service at Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh on Reformation Sunday, celebrated on Oct. 29. The handbells were refurbished during the summer and are in “like new” condition. They were used in the “Name That Tune” portion of the church’s Fall Fest on Sept. 10 and also will play an anthem during worship on Oct. 22.

  • A special Women’s Thankoffering Service will take place today during the normal 9 a.m. worship service at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Oshkosh. Pastor Crystal Lee of Church of Our Savior in Fond du Lac will be the guest speaker. According to the church newsletter, “It has been a long-held tradition among Women of the ELCA to hold a special worship service to express our thanks for all the gifts, small and large, that God has provided. The offerings collected go to the national Women of the ELCA to support the total outreach of our organization … the ministry efforts of women throughout the nation.”

  • Deacon Greg Grey from St. Raphael Parish in Oshkosh will be the guest speaker when Esto Vir Oshkosh has its next Men’s Morning of Spirituality this Saturday in the Mother Teresa Chapel at Father Carr’s Place 2B, at 1062 N. Koeller St. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the theme is “A Faith Journey.” Mass is at 7:45 a.m. with Father Dave Duffeck, breakfast at 8:15 a.m., and the presentation at 8:45 a.m. Wrap-up is at 10 a.m. Free-will offerings will be accepted.

  • Christopher Alt, SJ, son of Ed and Mary Alt of St. Raphael Parish in Oshkosh, will be ordained to the Diaconate on Saturday at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California. The ordination, which will be livestreamed, will begin at noon. You can find it at youtube.com/@ctlcathedral/streams.

  • During the month of October, each worship service at St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Oshkosh will close with the hymn of the month, “Seli Deo Gloria,” a Latin phrase that means “glory to God alone.” The words and music were written by Marty Haugen, who also wrote the liturgy the assembly is singing at worship this fall. According to the Worship and Music Committee, “It is a stirring tune with words of praise to God for his gifts to people of all times and places.”

  • This is the last call for news from faith communities who plan to host a Trunk or Treat event for children prior to Halloween night. So far we have heard from St. Jude Parish, Peace Lutheran, Christ Our Savior Lutheran, Wesley United Methodist, and Algoma Boulevard United Methodist. Anyone else?

Thought for the Day: God has three answers to prayer: Yes. No. I have something better in mind for you.

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject “Church news.” Deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.

If you missed Judy's column last week: Little moments of prayer can bring love to one’s day

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Judy Russell: 'Real' letters hold special memories of loved ones