St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

Tidings

January 11, 2015

Epiphany: Seeing and Dreaming

This coming Sunday we enter the season of Epiphany, a time to think about how Jesus reveals himself to us and all people. The Gospel story for the Feast of Epiphany is that of the Magi leaving their countries, daily pursuits, and comfort zones to worship and offer gifts to Jesus. The Magi were most likely Zoroastrian priests and scholars, knowledgeable about the world around them, Judaism, and the promised Messiah. Familiar with the Hebrew scriptures, the Magi would have known that Jesus was sent by God to liberate, heal, and reconcile all people and creation. When they saw the star signifying Jesus' birth, they were willing and able to recognize the sign. Seeing Jesus, worshipping him, and offering him their best was for the Magi a dream come true.

A season stressing God's manifestation to all people is a wonderful way to kick off our special Epiphany worship service from the Anglican Church in Kenya. On Sunday we return to an interactive and joyful Kenyan liturgy, first used at St. Matthew's in 2007. Our global liturgies are an important reminder that Christianity is a global faith, and that our brothers and sisters around the world have much to teach us about the Christian faith, Jesus and God. Please make sure to join us for a 9:15 all ages learning time in the Parish Hall (in place of all Sunday School offerings) in which we will learn more about the people, cultures and faith of Kenya, and learn (or re-learn) some of the service music (we will be singing a few songs in Kiswahili).

Please also join us Sunday at noon in the Library to discuss learnings from our recent Social Justice Ministry survey. We will also talk about major themes and pockets of energy that have arisen repeatedly in recent Social Justice discernment sessions and Faith Forum conversations. In her sermon last Sunday, Lisa Wiens Heinsohn talked about how God reveals a way forward through dreams, even and especially during the most difficult times in our lives and world. Dreams are also a way God manifests Godself to us. In the days ahead we will continue to ask the question "who is Jesus for us," and "what are God's dreams for us as a faith community?" My hunch, based on previous times of deep discernment at St. Matthew's, is that God's dreams for us are related to our deepest dreams and gifts, as well as the world's greatest needs. Let us keep our eyes, hearts, and minds open this Epiphany so we can see and be strengthened and encouraged by God's presence, leading, and light. And let us never stop dreaming, and seeking God's dreams.

Faithfully,

Blair

5 Questions for Ann Nerland

Ann Nerland, a longtime member of St. Matthew's, is President-elect of the Sheltering Arms Foundation - an Episcopal organization dedicated to the well being of Minnesota's children. She will assume the Board Chair position in July of 2015.

Ann and her husband, Bruce, have three adult children, Paul, Margretta and Elizabeth. She has served on St. Matthew's Vestry multiple times, including as Senior Warden, developed and maintained the Columbarium in our side yard and has been a Sunday school teacher in the elementary classroom for many years. As Ann takes on this important leadership role in our community, we asked her to share some of her expertise with us.

What can you tell us about the Sheltering Arms Foundation, their Episcopal connection and longstanding focus on children?

There are three different evolutions of the current Sheltering Arms Foundation, prior to its inception as a foundation in 1983. In 1883 Sheltering Arms was founded by Minnesota's first Episcopal sister, Annette Relf, to create a safe haven for abandoned or homeless children, with help from the Episcopal Diocese. That work was carried on after her death in 1915 by her staff, family and friends until the 1940's. During the 1940s, Sheltering Arms was a convalescent hospital primarily for people suffering from polio. In the 1950s, the focus of Sheltering Arms changed once again, to serve the needs of developmentally disabled children. As public schools and non-profits began playing a bigger role in educating children and families with developmental challenges, Sheltering Arms once again evolved. They decided to sell their land and buildings on the west bank of the Mississippi to Becketwood, a senior housing development. With the money from that sale, The Sheltering Arms Foundation was formed!

Are there high priority initiatives surrounding children that you are working on this year?

Yes. The Sheltering Arms Foundation will continue their work in two priority areas. We fund Early Childhood direct service programs, to those children with the least access to resources. We also fund Youth Development programs for children ages 5-12, to help them prepare for social, emotional, physical and academic success by 7th grade. We'll be advocating for funding scholarships for low income three and four-year-olds and siblings as part of an important initiative called MinneMinds. Providing quality early care and education programs, which prepare our children for Kindergarten has become a very important issue nation-wide, and Minnesota has been at the forefront. But, there is still much work to be done! ...Read More

- Art by Mya Flowers

Art Work By Our Friends at YouthLink

By Susan Hardman

We welcome two young artists from YouthLink, Mya Flowers and Deyondre Colbert to our Undercroft Gallery. Mya is an Abstract Expressionist Artist and Deyondre creates Graphic Novel Designs. Both are very dedicated to their craft and excited to be showing at St. Matthews. The show will be up from Sunday, January 11th through March 7th. Come and take a look.

YouthLink is located in downtown Minneapolis and offers young adults and youth a safe and supportive refuge from life on the street. St. Matthew's connection with YouthLink began many years ago and continues on a variety of fronts. A group of parishioners visited during the holidays with a gift making ministry and Lisa Wiens Heinsohn and Birdie Carter offered spiritual care and tutoring. Bruce Nerland serves on the YouthLink Board and Will Christenson serves on the YouthLink Young Professionals Board.

South Africa Book & Movie Group: January 22

Parishioner Marcia Roepke is hosting a new book and movie group - she invites church members to join her beginning January 22nd in the library. She writes -

We at St. Matthew's -- in our homes and at church -- have been having many powerful discussions about the racial issues that are (still) facing America. We are not alone in the world. South Africa has a history and culture that, in some ways, parallels our own, including immigration from Europe, subjugation of natives and colonization of the land. I think that by learning, talking and praying together about racism in South Africa, it can inform and enlighten the situation here in our own country.

The Rev. Mary Ellen Ashcroft is organizing a book and movie group in her home parish, Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal church in Grand Marais. Some of us at St. Matthew's are using her suggested list of materials and discussion questions to start our own group here and want to open the invitation to other members of St. Matthew's. Our hope is to have an ongoing dialog with the northern parish. We would begin the St. Matthew's group Jan. 22 with an introduction by Mary Ellen and then continue for 8 weeks. During this time, we will read three novels by South African writers and view four films.

Contact Marcia Roepke at marciaroepke@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the group.

Celebrate MLK Day at Luther Seminary

On Monday, Jan. 19, Luther Seminary invites the public to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. by reflecting on the significance of his influence, as well as ways in which we can learn from and live out his legacy. Beginning at 9:30am, listen to speakers, join in worship and participate in breakout sessions. It is free and open to the public.

The opening plenary session features Christena Cleveland, author of "Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart," a 2013 Leadership Journal Book Award winner. Cleveland is a social psychologist, author, speaker and professor with a hopeful passion for overcoming cultural divisions in groups. David Preus, bishop emeritus of the American Lutheran Church, will add to the conversation with his recollections of the civil rights movement and the church in the 1960s, including his memories of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C.

Click Here for more information, the schedule of events and maps.
Luther Seminary, Olson Campus Center
1490 Fulham St., St. Paul, Minn.

Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights

January 10: Novel Faith, 6:30pm, "The Diary of a Country Priest"
January 11: Kenyan Liturgy begins at 10:30am service, 9:15am learning hour
January 18: Children and Youth Classes resume
January 19: MLK Day at Luther Seminary, 9:30am
January 21: Spirituality of Aging group, 1:15pm
January 22: South Africa Book & Movie gathering, 7:00
January 25: Annual Meeting at 9:00am in the parish hall

Please share your news and photos with us: tidings@stmatthewsmn.org

Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons

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