St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Tidings from St. Matthew's
August 25, 2013





 

From the Rector: The Way of Jesus at St. Matthew's
  

This past spring and summer St. Matthew's vestry, with the help of a smaller team, has been working to articulate how we as a faith community understand the shape of the Christian life. What does the Way of Jesus look like as lived out by the people of St. Matthew's? What spiritual practices are important to our faith community, and how can we go deeper in those practices together?  How can an intentional "way of life," as well as classes, sermons, essays, and conversations dedicated to exploring and living it, help us live out our faith in daily life? 

After conducting a series of focus groups, reading through those transcripts, and revisiting the learnings from earlier discernment sessions, a team composed of Linda Brady, Michelle Chiezah, Lisa Wiens Heinsohn, Phillip Boelter, Terese Lewis, and me came up with a draft consisting of eight specific practices:

  •  Story: Learning God's story and finding ourselves in it
  •  Prayer: Attending with openness to God and the world
  •  Simplicity: Decluttering our lives so we can be faithfully present to God and one another
  •  Discernment: Reflecting together on what God is up to in our lives and neighborhood using scripture, tradition, and reason
  •  Reconciliation: Joining God's movement to heal and bring people into relationship across differences
  •  Hospitality: Opening space in our hearts and lives to give and receive in relationship with neighbors and strangers in need
  • Generosity: Trusting in God's abundance and sharing what God has entrusted to us
  • Gratitude: Living lives of thanksgiving for everything God has given us, and breaking bread with others in this spirit.

On Sunday, September 8 the entire St. Matthew's community (all ages) is invited to the Parish Hall at 9:15 for a time of learning and conversation around these practices.

There will be a short presentation followed by a time to move around, give feedback, and ask questions about specific practices. What do we find most challenging about them?  What is most life-giving? How can we support and encourage one another in living Jesus' Way together in our lives?
A Financial Transition 

A rather large sea change is taking place behind the scenes at St. Matthew's.  Rosa Uy, who has served as Treasurer for 8 years, will hand off the responsibilities of this important position to Vestry member Dan Glienke.  Many parishioners are familiar with Rosa's talents in the kitchen, as cook extraordinaire of the Brother Lawrence Guild.  She is also a very savvy investor, with loads of financial expertise.  Our parish has been well served with her orchestration of the budget every year and a keen eye on our financial health.  Dan Glienke will take over the financial reins at a time when the budget is in excellent condition.  He is also chair of the Management committee of our church and a long-time employee of Land O'Lakes Finance Company. We are deeply grateful for the work of both Dan and Rosa in keeping us afloat financially.  The following is a snapshot into their busy lives and talents:

 Dan Glienke

Have you ever been to Iowa? 

"Yes, I was born and raised on a livestock and crop farm in Northwest Iowa and the first 20 years of my working career was also in Iowa - mostly working with livestock farms while with Land O'Lakes."
Tell us a little about your work at Land O'Lakes:  "During my time with Land O'Lakes I've worked in a number of livestock industry related positions, mostly focused on pork production farms.  Currently, I run Land O'Lakes' Finance Company, which specializes in financing Ag projects for members and member customers."
 
I understand an important experience for you was a course in financial values.  Can you share with us some of your learning?

"Over the last 6-7 years Kim and I have been following Dave Ramsey's financial principles as outlined in his book Financial Peace.  The goal is to manage God's resources for Him and build our ability to give with a generous heart."

Do you ever cook in your driveway?

"Frying turkeys and Cajun boils - two of my most favorite things!  The first time frying a turkey in MS with invited military personal from Camp Shelby training to go to Iraq and now each summer boiling shrimp for Kim's birthday - to me it's just fun!"

Describe a bit what the Management committee does at St. Matthew's and your role there.

"The ultimate role of the Management committee is to consider all things property, financial or personnel-related that the Vestry or Blair would like an opinion and/or a recommendation on.  For the last two years I've been the committee chair."

Is there anything we should know about the responsibilities of the Treasurer at St. Matthew's? 

"Obviously - filling Rosa's shoes is huge and I thank her for her continued counsel!  I'm really just getting starting in this role, so more to come on this subject.  However, I will say that it is a role that I look forward to and take very seriously." 

 

Rosa Uy                                                                         

Where did you grow up?

 "I grew up in Manila, my parents were immigrants from China. They left for a better place and to start a new life."

What languages do you speak?

"My first language is my parents' native dialect, Fukienese (one of several Southern China dialects).  My second language is Filipino or Tagalog.  I learned my third and fourth languages which are Mandarin and English at St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Manila.  My fifth and least competent is Spanish."

Can you tell us a little about your work as a scientist at 3M?

"During my years at 3M I developed and scaled up synthetic and natural biocompatible polymers for applications in contact and intraoccular lenses, wound healing, skin adhesives, food safety monitoring products and EKG electrodes." 

How many patents do you hold?

 "I hold 20 patents."

Where did your son, Nathan, get his musical ability?

(Nathan serves as the music director at Westminster United Church in Winnipeg, Canada.  He played the violin and was part of the St. Matthew's choir during his formative years).  "It might be from my older brother; he could play by ear any musical instruments he picked up."

How do you define "success" as the Treasurer at St.Matthew's?

"Finance is a boring topic.  I tried to keep it simple and understandable.  St. Matthew's financial status is healthy.  This is due in part to the Anderson bequest, the Campus Ministry grant and the generosity of the congregation.  I served 8 years as treasurer; three of those years during the interim." 


An Invitation to Join The Sunday Night Service Music Ensemble

September is approaching and as we prepare for another year of Sunday evening worship & meals at St. Matt's, I want to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to be a part of the Sunday Night Prayer Music Ensemble. We were blessed by the participation of many talented volunteer musicians on Sunday evenings last year, whom I hope will join us again this year, and we are glad to welcome new volunteers as well.

 

We have been developing a broad range of repertoire over the last few years and I look forward to using many of the songs and hymns that folks have embraced on Sunday evenings, as well as adding new repertoire. We expanded the pre-service music time last year, and it developed into a wonderful time for special instrumental preludes as well as quiet vocal pieces, helping us center ourselves and anticipate God's presence. I look forward to more of that this year as well. We will also look for ways to crossover with the Sunday morning music and use some of the gems that Michael is using (like the Puerto Rican Sanctus that has been used during the summer).
 
We use a wide variety of music and instrumentation on Sunday Evenings. So if you sing or play an instrument and would like to offer your time and talents to God at St. Matt's on Sunday evenings, please consider joining us.
  • Our inaugural rehearsal will be Saturday, September 7 from 11:30am -1 :30 p.m.
  • We rehearse on Sunday afternoons starting at 5 p.m, break for dinner at 5:45 & resume  rehearsal from 6:15-6:45. 
  • I email music out on Wednesdays to whomever is on board to play the following Sunday.
  • We also rehearse on occasional Saturday afternoons (4 - 6 Saturdays a year) to prepare for special seasons and services. 

I look forward to another year of sharing in God's presence in worship and community on Sunday Evenings. Feel free to email me at  [email protected] if you have questions.

 

       In Christ,

       Jeff Kidder

       Sunday Evening Music Leader

 
  Jack Kiehne's Sacred Space

"Legos are my sacred space because when I'm surrounded by Legos I get to use my imagination. I feel God's presence because I have freedom to build whatever I imagine. I feel joy, excitement, creativity, and sometimes anger when it doesn't work out.  When it doesn't work, I try a different way."

                                                - Jack Kiehne

Remember:

The Sacred Spaces Art Show in the Undercroft Gallery opens November 2.  Everyone is encouraged to submit their artwork in any media by Oct. 26.  The only requirement is a very short artist's statement explaining why it is sacred. 

For further information, contact Susan Hardman at [email protected] or 651 649-1134. 

Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights   
  • Loaves and Fishes: August 25
  • Fall Worship at 10:30am and 7:00pm begins September 8 
  • Children, Youth and Adult classes begin September 15
  • Undercroft Gallery: September 8, 12:00pm Opening Reception for Side by Side: Paintings by Joan Hershbell & Photographs by Gary Johnson
  • Used Book Sale: October 5 - 6
  • Men's Retreat: October 25-26

Scripture for the Week 

 

Luke 13:10-17

 

Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

 

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