Theodicy Jazz Collective: Saturday April 23 
 
Invite your neighbors and friends! The Theodicy Jazz Collective is coming to St. Matthew's this weekend - on Saturday, April 23rd for a workshop at 3:30pm and a Vespers service at 5:30pm. The group is led by friend of St. Matthew's, the Rev. Andy Barnett who is part of the worship and music team at the Washington D.C. National Cathedral.  We have also invited the parishes of Holy Trinity in St. Paul, Gethsemane in Minneapolis and the U of M Campus Ministry.  This is a wonderful opportunity to bring us all together to try something new!

Theodicy Jazz Collective is committed to making justice real through the creative, spiritual power of music. The group believes that music has the power to promote understanding in society and that the jazz principles of community, flexibility, and listening can help the church thrive in our rapidly changing world.   

Faith Forum Series on Worship 
 
On April 24 and May 1 and 8 from 9:15-10:15 in the Library Blair Pogue and Dan Anderson will offer a three week series focused on worship. Some of the questions and topics we will explore include:
  • Why is worship central to the Christian life and a counter-cultural act in today's society?
  • What are the major components of Episcopal worship and the history and theology behind them?
  • A brief history of Episcopal worship from Thomas Cranmer's 1549 Book of Common Prayer forward.
  • How decisions about worship are made in the Episcopal Church.
  • Cultural diversity and images and language for God.

Hope you can join us!
In Thanksgiving and Gratitude: A Tribute to Linda & Paul Brady 

Linda and Paul Brady will be leaving Minnesota this month as they move to Silver Spring, Maryland near Washington, D.C. to be closer to family.  Both served as friendly, hospitable ushers, greeting us as we enter the sanctuary on Sundays. Linda was a Vestry member and Paul gave his talents to the Building Maintenance crew.  When  we began the Friday evening service  6 years ago, they offered their support in many ways. The Bradys have been an important part of our parish and we will miss them!! 

Our memories and expressions of gratitude for Linda and Paul were shared on The City - and they appear below. To read all of the tributes, click the link at the end of the article.  A special prayer and blessing during the 10:30am service next month will officially send them on their way.  
  • "I have so appreciated your serving attitudes, gentle spirits and common sense comments in gatherings. Such a gift to us all. You will be greatly missed. May your next adventure be filled with love of family. Blessings," - Judy Niemi Johnson
  • "Paul and Linda were THERE when we launched the Sunday evening service. They were always there supporting the service and dinner, making sure people had someone to talk to over dinner and cooking meals regularly. They were also in the kitchen regularly, cleaning up AFTER the dinner. Paul has helped with our building, Linda served on the Vestry, and they both welcomed hundreds, maybe thousands of people to our services over the year. Thank you Linda and Paul - we will MISS YOU and your sense of humor, compassion, hospitality and servant hearts!!"  - Blair Pogue
  • "Usher colleagues and leaders. Intriguing and sometimes humorous book club commentary. Great discussions regarding dogs and their humans. Honest, kind-heated, generous and hard-working friends. Very much missed!" - Maddy Brown
  • "When Bob came home from his DBS, Brain Surgery, I asked Paul if he would be willing to come over and sit with Bob while I went out for awhile.  And he did...... I loved Paul's sense of humor even when I didn't know what he was talking about because he knew and laughed at his own humor.  What a guy!  Linda was always involved as mentioned in the sunday night dinners, but also, book club, social justice issues, donating coffee to Brother Lawrence Guild, ushering and many other things.  They are just quality people who you can count on and we will miss them." - Susan Hardman    Read More Here.
More St. Matthew's Photos... 
You are all such a great good looking group of people!  Here are some snapshots of our life together.... 
   
 
Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights
  • April 23: Jazz and Gospel Workshop, 3:30pm and Vespers, 5:30pm with the Rev. Andy Barnett and the Theodicy Jazz Collective.
  • April 24: Faith Forum on Worship, 9:15am with Blair Pogue and Dan Anderson
  • April 27: Confirmation Class, 7:00pm
  • April 29-30: Women's Retreat at the Riverwood Conference Center
  • May 7: Mother's Tea for the Blue House, SAP Lutheran Church, 10:00am
  • May 15: Pentecost

 

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

Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons