The Undercroft Gallery Hosts Eva Semmelroth
 
The Undercroft Gallery begins their 24th year hosting artists in St. Matthew's vibrant artist space - the welcoming walls of our parish hall.  This September, the gallery welcomes Eva Semmelroth, a St. Paul artist who paints landscapes inspired by her background growing up and living in Northern Minnesota.  An opening reception will be held this Sunday, September 13th, at noon.  Eva's artist statement appears below. 
    
"I Paint What I Love"
By Eva Semmelroth 
I started  painting when my daughter, Nina gave me an acrylic paint set when I retired,  saying it was now my time to do what I wanted.  I didn't know much about acrylic paint and signed up for a local class teaching acrylic painting.  I was not happy with my classes or the instructors and almost packed my paints away.  But then I discovered the White Bear Arts Center and a teacher named Frank Zeller, a recently retired art teacher for the local public schools.  After one class with Frank, I knew I had hit the jackpot.  He was such a great teacher who encouraged, critiqued, supported and opened my eyes to various styles of thinking and painting.  I owe Frank a debt of gratitude for teaching me the joy of painting. 

Another great influence on my work was the paintings of the "Canadian Seven" as they called themselves.  These artists out of Toronto, in the 20's, 30's and 40's, designed a natural painting style that represented Canada rather than the old European style prevalent at that time.  They traveled across Canada, east to west and the north, painting what they saw in simple bold and colorful styles.  When I first discovered these artists and their work, it made a deep impression on me and I wanted to paint like that.  Having been born and raised in the northern part of the state, Duluth in winter and school, and summers in a cabin on an island on Rainy Lake, close to the Canadian border, the artists opened my eyes to the beautiful nature around me which I came to love.  Now, I hope to continue painting into my sunset years, capturing the wild and natural beauty of the north and also the things I love.   
This Sunday, Sept. 13: All Ages Gathering at 9:00am 

This Sunday at 9:00am all ages will gather in the parish hall for a celebratory breakfast and an opportunity to share how we met God over the summer, what we've learned, and where we've felt most alive.  Then, adults and youth (13+) will learn how to make deeper connections at St. Matthew's using The City as a communications tool.  During this time, children will be invited to participate in an art activity.  Please bring a breakfast item to share - fruit, pastries or juice are welcome.

Remember that we will return to 2 services this weekend: 10:30am and 5:30pm.  This is our regular worship schedule and you are encouraged to invite family, friends and neighbors to join us!

Regular Christian formation classes for all ages will begin the following Sunday, September 20 from 9:15 to 10:15am. In the children's and youth program, our focus this year will be on the Christian practice of story, inspired by the congregation's exploration of God's 5 Act Play.  
- image by artist Marianne Gonzales*                                          

Deepening Our Conversation about Race and Reconciliation: Fall 2015 

Sunday Morning Faith Forum, 9:15-10:15 in the St. Matthew's Library:
  • Sept 20: Awareness and Training: Companioning Friends and Neighbors Who Have Experienced Trauma with Krista Nelson, Wilder Foundation
  • October 11: Infant Mortality in Minnesota with Michelle Chiezah
  • October 18 & 25: Racism and Reconciliation: Continuing the Conversation with Dr. Karen McKinney, Bethel University
  • November 1 & 15: "A People for God's Name": Believing and Belonging in Luke-Acts. A Biblical Look at Ethnic Diversity in the Early Christian Community with The Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, Luther Seminary
  • November 22: Theological Perspectives on Christianity and Race with The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, Luther Seminary
Other Opportunities for Discussion and Co-Learning:
  • Sunday, Oct 4: Rodney King, a one man play at Penumbra Theatre, 2:00 pm matinee followed by discussion. The Cost is $20 - please give or mail your money to Rev. Blair Pogue (not in the collection plate) by Sunday, Sept. 27.
  • Monday, Nov 9: Discussion of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

Here is a link to Marianne Gonzales' website 
We Make the Road By Walking Book Groups 
 
We continue to expand the list of small groups that are forming to read and discuss Brian McLaren's book We Make This Road by Walking this fall. Each is meeting at a different time and day - hopefully one will fit your schedule!

You are also encouraged to study the book with your household and/or read it on your own. Weekly conversations about the book (a question and a spiritual practice will be posted each week) may be found on "The Learning Road" group in The City. If you need help joining The City or The Learning Road group, please contact Sue Ladehoff or Laura Bathke.
  • Sunday Morning Book Group, 9:15-10:15am in the Rector's Office. They will discuss the book four times this year in four sections, with the "section one" discussion on September 13. Contact facilitator Linda Lopez.
  • Two Wednesday afternoons each month from 1:15-2:30pm in the church Library, beginning September 16. Contact facilitator Blair Pogue.
  • Two Wednesday evenings per month (TBD) facilitated by Erik Johnson and Greg Lawson.  
  • Two Thursday Evenings per month, 6:30- 8:30pm at the church beginning September 17.  Contact facilitators Lloyd and Sherry Latty or David and Patricia Fenrick.
If you see a group you are interested in joining, or would like more information, please contact the facilitators directly.

Project Home Deep Listening Re-Cap
By Blair Pogue

On Wednesday, September 2, Lorilee Petrangelo the new Director of City House, and spiritual director Joyce Finch met with Project Home volunteers from St. Matthew's, St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, and St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church for a third and final "Deep Listening" session. The focus of this third session was to share what we learned and where we met God during Project Home, and how the Deep Listening practices and skills acquired during the first two sessions enhanced our relationships with neighbors who are temporarily homeless.

We affirmed that those who came to the first two Deep Listening training sessions were better able to "let go" of what they carried with them from the day, and offer a fuller "ministry of presence." Further, it was observed that more volunteers "came out of the kitchen" this year to listen to the guests. The majority of participants in the first two Deep Listening sessions were from St. Matthew's. Next year we would like to see more volunteers from participating churches at a similar type of training.
Some of the learnings those gathered shared during this 3rd session included:
  • Importance of rooms/doors for our guests. Gave them dignity and peace, and showed them respect.
  • Creativity was prominent and important - art, gardening, flower arranging.
  • Resilience and dignity of people who find themselves homeless.
  • When volunteers were able to come to Project Home multiple times they had more continuity and deeper connections with the guests.
  • Holy surprise - things happened that people did not expect.
  • Wonderful when Duke told stories of young Native American women who were brave.
  • It was meaningful to share work/expertise with the families who were at St. Matt's.
  • People felt that they had brought their "honest selves" to their encounters  with others.
  • Importance of humor and playfulness.
Faith + Learning Resources
 
This section offers faith and learning opportunities at St. Matthew's and in the wider community.  If you have a resource to share, please send it to Tidings. 
  • Parishioner and Vestry member John Lawyer recommends the Benedictine Center at St. Paul's Monastery in Maplewood.  They offer programs for oblates & oblate formation, individual & group retreats, spiritual direction and a full range of spiritual formation activities (e.g., speakers, poetry readings, workshops), etc.  They are local and affordable, with scholarships available for most activities.
  • The Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota offers a diverse range of classes in their School for Formation, including a class taught by The Rev. Reed Carlson on the Old Testament beginning Oct. 12.  The Rev. Blair Pogue will also teach a class on Missional Leadership: Practices and Habits that Let God Lead. The 7 week class begins December 12.
  • Check out Penumbra Theater in St. Paul - they are a small but powerful organization offering "professional productions that are artistically excellent, thought provoking, and relevant and illuminates the human condition through the prism of the African American experience."  A production titled "Rodney King" runs from Oct 1-11.  A group from St. Matthew's is planning to attend a matinee on October 4 with a post play discussion.
Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights
  • September 13: Return to 2 Services at 10:30am and 5:30pm
  • September 13: 9:00am - All Ages Celebration: Breakfast, Faith Sharing, introduction to "The City" including individual assistance with laptops,  Undercroft Gallery - Semmelroth Art Show Opening at 12:00pm
  • September 16: Cook's Night Out at IPho Saigon in St. Paul, 6:00pm
  • September 19: African Dinner Gala to support the Blue House
  • September 20: St. Matthew's Day - remembering Beatrice Garubanda, Founder of the Blue House at the 10:30am service.  Christian Formation classes for all ages begins, 9:15am
  • September 20: Adult Forum - Trauma Awareness and Training, 9:15am with Krista Nelson, Wilder Foundation
  • October 4: Rodney King production at Penumbra Theater, 2:00pm


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

Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons