St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Tidings from St. Matthew's
February 16, 2014
   
Sabbatical Update

 

Your Wardens Jenny Bach and Katie White, Treasurer and Management Team Chair Dan Glienke, other church leaders, and I have been hard at work on policies and procedures for my sabbatical May 19 - August 25. Reviewing who is in charge of what, how things currently operate, and changes we might want to make during my sabbatical and afterwards has been a good and helpful process. 

 

Last week I met with Bishop Prior, and he is fully supportive of my sabbatical, and of having the Rev. Phillip Boelter in charge as Pastoral Interim while I am away. Bishop Prior offered to meet with St. Matthew's vestry, staff and ministry team leaders on Thursday, April 10 to talk about my sabbatical and answer church leaders' questions and concerns. He wants us to know that he and his staff are ready to help and support our leaders when I am gone.

 

On March 1, the vestry will have a four hour retreat. A significant portion of this retreat will be dedicated to sabbatical planning and preparation.  The Property Team and Vergers (worship coordinators) met last Sunday. Rick Kush is the new head of the Property Team, and he will be assisted by Paul Brady. If you notice that anything is in need of repair, or have property-related concerns, please contact Rick at [email protected] or Paul Brady at [email protected]. In a separate meeting, vergers Kathryn Grambsch, Marilyn Grantham, and Laura Bathke spoke with Phil Boelter and me about their desire to offer hospitality to visiting clergy this summer, as well as how they will continue their ministry of helping our worship run smoothly.

 

I am thankful that St. Matthew's has such strong, talented, and dedicated lay leaders! I am also thankful for your generosity in giving the $7,000 to cover my sabbatical costs (and so quickly)! Already, preparing for my sabbatical has been a helpful time of reflection and learning.  My prayer is that my sabbatical will be a time of learning and renewal for all of us.

 

Faithfully,

Blair

 

                                       The Prodigal Son - by Rembrandt
Lent 2014
Reconciliation: God, Self, Neighbor & Creation

 

      East Metro Lenten Soup Supper Series:  Join others from Episcopal faith

      communities to  learn more  about how to participate in God's work to

      address homelessness.  Speakers include the Rev. Dwight Zscheile,

      Julia Dinsmore, storyteller and author and Robin Hicks, mental health counselor.

      Monday Evenings: March 10, 17 & 24   6:00 - 8:00pm

      King`s Crossing: 500 N. Dale Street at University Avenue.  St. Paul

 

      Lenten Half Day Retreat, March 22: "Reconciliation: Made in the Image of a

      Triune God" with Lisa Wiens Heinsohn, 9:00am -1:00pm

 

      Lenten Taiz� Candlelight Prayer: Monday, March 31 at 7:00pm

 

      Lenten Film Screening, April 5: "Get Low" starring Robert Duvall at 4:00pm,

      discussion facilitated by Barrett Fisher, dinner following.

 

      Faith Forum: Sundays at 9:15am in the Library with Rev. Blair Pogue, Exploring

      the Way of Jesus  focusing on forgiveness and reconciliation.

 

                                            Holy Week Services 

 

      Ash Wednesday Services, March 5 at 12:00pm and 5:30pm, with soup supper

      following the evening service.

 

      Maundy Thursday, Thursday, April 17 at 7:00pm with Taiz� music,

      Foot washing and Stripping of the Altar, Middle Eastern-style dinner, 6:00pm

 

      Good Friday Stations of the Cross, Friday, April 18: Worship using Art

      and Global Music with the Parish Choir, 7:00pm

 

      Easter Service, Sunday, April 20 at 10:30am

 


St. Matthew's Columbarium Bench Donations

 

The St. Matthew's Memorial Garden is home to the Columbarium, currently the resting spot for five St. Matthew's parishioners.  This garden was designed to be a contemplative, peaceful and beautiful area.  We have one wood bench in the garden for people to sit in this wonderful spot.  Two other benches made from a tree cut down during the building project in 2000, suffered from the elements, and were removed. These were given to the Gangl family, since Bil made them with the St.Matthew's youth.

 

In an effort to provide seating in the Memorial Garden, we are looking to have three limestone benches donated, which will stand the test of time. These are simple in design, affordable and would be a wonderful way to memorialize a loved one. The benches cost $386 each, and if we get three of them (that is the goal for now) we receive a 10% discount from the company.  The benches are 18" deep, 48" long and 18" high. The cost of affixing a bronze plaque with a memorial, (8" X 2") would be an additional $125. 

 

If you are interested in donating a bench, please call me, Ann Nerland, at 651-292-0139 or send an email to [email protected]

 

It would be terrific to have benches in our garden this summer! 

 

 

                                                                     painting by Peg Houck

Art Needed: "Celebration of Community" Art Show

 

The Art Ministry at St. Matthew's will celebrate its 16th Annual Community Art Show March 1st to April 26th. We invite ALL ARTISTS to participate (that includes recreational artists to those who show often). You can help us spread the news to family members and friends, and here is what you need to know:

  • Art Work and $5.00 Registration Fee must be received at the church on Saturday, February 22nd between 10am and 1pm.  There will be people in the Undercroft to receive your work.
  • All Art must be ready to hang.  Sculpture, collage and other free standing pieces are welcome; some stands will be available.
  • Registration forms can be filled out on February 22nd or can be picked up at the Church Office, in the Parish Hall, or by calling Janet Murphy at (651) 357 - 0295, [email protected].

Artists, family and friends are invited to an opening RECEPTION, the evening of March 30th, Sunday, from 6:00 - 8:30pm. (This is in conjunction with The Music In The Park Series happening at the church next door.)

 

We would love to include you in the show!

 

-  Susan Hardman, Ruth Donhowe, Richard Stiefel, Peg Houck, Janet Murphy, Amy Fisher, Arnold Carlson, and Pat Haga for The St. Matthew's Art Ministry

 

 

Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights
  • February 23: Blue House update with Karen Lilley, 9:15am
  • February 23: Loaves and Fishes at the Dorothy Day Center, 2:00 - 6:00pm
  • March 5: Ash Wednesday Services at 12:00 and 5:30pm
  • March 10, 17 & 24, East Metro Lenten Soup Supper Series
  • March 30: Opening Reception, "Celebration of Community" Art Show
  • March 31: Lenten Taize Candelight Prayer, 7:00pm 
  • Women's Retreat: May 2 - 3, Gainey Center, Owatonna, MN

 


Please share your news and photos with us at:  [email protected]
 
Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons:
St. Matthew's Website

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