Financial Generosity    
By The Rev. Blair Pogue

There is so much to be grateful for at St. Matthew's! God has blessed us with spiritual vitality, a healthy church, and great people from the Twin Cities and around the U.S. and world who are incredibly generous with their time, talent, and treasure. We are trying to participate faithfully in God's mission in our time and place; people are learning more about what it means to be a follower of the Way of Jesus in everyday life; we are growing in our understanding of what is involved in Christian racial reconciliation; we are continuing to develop global liturgies and awareness; and we are continuing to learn how our gifts and pockets of energy are related to the world's needs. Our church is at least 40% age 16 and younger, we honor our Episcopal/Anglican tradition while trying new things without fear of failure, and we have raised up some amazing leaders for the wider church. There is so much to be excited about at St. Matthew's!

Giving back to God a portion of what God has given us is not always easy. It is sometimes hard to know what to give, and many of us did not come from families that modeled faithful giving. But our finances are an important part of our spiritual lives-an opportunity to grow closer to God and our neighbors. For many of us, trusting God with our finances can feel new and even vulnerable. Yet, as many of us have found, when we commit to giving a portion of our income to God, we grow spiritually. We learn to live with less fear and more generosity. After all, as Jesus once said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Thus far St. Matthew's Generosity Campaign has resulted in 71 pledges totaling $317,690. To maintain our current level of ministries and offerings in 2016, St. Matthew's will need $390,543. In addition, our Vestry is trying to steward our one-hundred-year-old building well through addressing a series of pressing maintenance issues. Doing so will cost $35,000 each year for the next five years on top of this regular operating budget.

St. Matthew's is a generous church. That generosity has brought us to this place of strength. Our Vestry invites you to join us in making a commitment to St. Matthew's this year or deepening your financial commitment. 
Blue House Boutique Workshop for All Ages: Nov. 8

This Sunday, children and youth from preschool on up will join with adults in the parish hall at 9:15am to make crafts to sell at the Blue House Boutique on Dec. 5 & 6.  Please join us for a morning of fun and creativity to benefit the girls of the Blue House Orphanage in Uganda!
The First Blue House Boutique -- 2005 
By The Crafters

It all began that summer when Beatrice Garubanda and friends at St. Matthew's began making homespun crafts to sell to raise operating funds for the Blue House.  Tracy Dunnwald shared her favorite pattern for knitting dishcloths and the women began production.  Beatrice made several dishcloths and, while knitting was not her strong suit, when she sold them for $5.00 apiece, everyone got really excited.  Using African fabric samples from Larai Dahip, Carol Roeller made colorful handbags and Beatrice sold the items when she made presentations about the Blue House.

After the shock of Beatrice's death in September, and the realization that fund raising was even more of a priority, we crafters suggested a holiday sale in December.  Tracy began producing her dishcloths and beautiful greeting cards. Carol sewed quilted jackets, aprons and assorted Ugandan pieces.  Linda Lopez and Pat Mack joined in, making warm knitted articles and African bead bracelets respectively. Michelle Chiezah suggested that it be called a Bazaar, as they would in Africa. Read More... 

Continuing the Conversation about Race & Reconciliation in America Today -
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

On Monday, November 9, anyone interested in learning more about mass incarceration in America, as well as the impact of recent adjustments in federal drug penalties, is invited to come to the St. Matthew's Library from 7-8:30 pm for a discussion. We will be joined by special guest contributors Kevin Reitz and Susan Jones.

Kevin Reitz, the husband of parishioner Susan Jones, is part of the University of Minnesota law faculty. He teaches criminal law, criminal procedure, and professional responsibility. Kevin's recent book with Henry Ruth, The Challenge of Crime: Rethinking Our Response (Harvard University Press, 2003) considers issues of crime and punishment in American history, drug control policy, policing, gun control, and juvenile justice. Much of his writing has been in the field of sentencing policy.

Susan Jones, a member of the St. Matthew's faith community, is a historian of the modern biomedical and life sciences, with specialization in the historical ecology of disease, comparative and veterinary medicine, and environment and health at the University of Minnesota. Susan completed her Ph.D. in History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania (1997). She will provide important historical background information and context for our discussion including the main features of Jim Crow as well as the "scientific" basis for assumptions about racial differences.

You are encouraged to come for this important conversation, regardless of whether or not you have read Michelle Alexander's book. You are also welcome to invite friends to join us.
Nerland - Anderson Wedding! 

Elizabeth Nerland and Jacob Anderson will be married at St. Matthew's this Saturday.  Elizabeth grew up in our church -- she is the daughter of Ann and Bruce Nerland and the sister of Margretta and Paul.

Elizabeth and Jake met in their college years while working during the summer at the Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island, Michigan.  The couple lives in Chicago where Elizabeth is the Assistant Director of Membership at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Jake is Manager of Artistic Administration at Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

A Thanksgiving Tradition...

Every year, St. Matthew's is blessed to offer a Thanksgiving Service at 10:30am followed by a celebratory feast at 12:30.  All are welcome!

Rosa Uy and Warren Poole will cook turkey, stuffing, and pies, but everyone attending is asked to bring an appetizer or side dish. RSVP's as well as mention of what you are bringing is appreciated.  Contact Marilyn Grantham or 651 644-5422.  Also - for those having their own dinners, the St. Matthew's youth offer a Pie Fundraiser - with 6 different homemade options!  There are sign ups for both in the parish hall.
Faith + Learning Resources     
  • Blair Pogue recommends Eric Law and Stephanie Speller's The Episcopal Way -- a book that explores both the core values of the Episcopal/Anglican tradition and church as well as how they address today's changing and complex world. Chapters include "Digital Media and the Incarnation," "A Multi-Tasking World and a Liturgical Church," "Globalization and an Indigenous Church," and "Secularism and a Thoughtful yet Mystical Church."
  • Nov. 8: Como Conservatory 100 Year Celebration - As part of the week-end festivities, St. Matthew's parishioner Katrina Vandenberg will be featured reading her poetry with others at 2:00pm.  Read more here.
  • Nov. 18: Daniel Wordsworth, president of the American Refugee Committee (ARC), will speak about the European and Syrian Refugee Crisis at 6:30pm at Olivet Congregational Church, 1850 Iglehart Avenue in St. Paul. For more information, call 651-646-1478 or visit their website.
Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights
  • November 8: All Ages Living Faith - Blue House Workshop at 9:15am
  • November 9: Book Discussion - The New Jim Crow at 7:00pm
  • November 22: Loaves and Fishes at the Dorothy Day Center, St. Paul
  • November 27: Thanksgiving service, 10:30am and feast at 12:00
  • November 30: Advent Taize Candlelight Service, 7:00pm
  • December 5-6: Blue House Boutique
 
Please share your news and photos with us: tidings@stmatthewsmn.org 

Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons