What Might God Be Calling Us to Do With Our Building? An Update 
Dear Friends of St. Matthew's:

Many thanks to those of you who took the time to attend one of three initial discernment sessions in June and July!

During each gathering we emphasized that whatever we do with our building should support God's mission for the people of St. Matthew's (so while this discernment process includes the building, it is larger than the building).  In sessions two and three the import of this particular discernment session and moment in St. Matthew's history was made clear. The last time our congregation undertook an in-depth discernment process about the building was in the 1990s. St. Matthew's Library, two youth rooms, Undercroft Gallery, and current Church offices emerged from that season of discernment.
On Thursday, July 21, St. Matthew's Vestry met to review and discuss the transcripts from each of the three discernment sessions. In addition to identifying specific ideas that emerged at two or more sessions, your vestry "heard" an affirmation of what is already taking place at St. Matthew's.

While we wanted to start this first part of our discernment process sooner rather than later, and thought June and July would be a good time, we learned that summer is not an ideal time to convene congregational conversations.  We only heard from a small segment of our congregation, and several demographic groups were missing.

As Sunday attendance is historically lowest in August, and we are also hosting Project Home and serving at Loaves  and Fishes, your Vestry has decided to extend this initial phase of discernment into September and perhaps early October so that the maximal number of faith community members can participate. More information will be forthcoming in Tidings, on The City, and in the worship bulletin Announcements.
In the meantime, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Your Vestry,
John Lawyer, Judy Johnson, Ron Matross, Heidi Gordon, Barrett Fisher, Yusuf Shalita, and Sherry Latty
- Storyteller & Parishioner Duke Addicks            
Six Families Staying Overnight in the Parish Hall through Interfaith Action's Project Home
By Elaine Tarone
 
As planned, on Monday August 1, six temporarily homeless families moved into the St. Matthew's parish hall.  Volunteers from the congregation had set up living spaces for each family near the kitchen: cots and mattresses surrounded by cardboard walls; a well-stocked play space and art space; and a reading /computer room that a longtime volunteer from SAP Methodist Church, Deena Strohman, filled with a wide selection of books supporting her popular reading program.

The families arrive at the church door on Chelmsford in a small van at about 5:45pm, and they depart each morning at 6:15am (8:15 on Saturday and Sunday). The children this year range in age from a 3 month-old infant to a 17-year old teenager.  Here are some snapshots of our guests this year: Azaia, who turned 16 on Aug 3, is on crutches with his foot in a cast; Stephanie, a single mom with children aged 3 and 6, takes the bus daily to her job at the airport; Torrence, a single dad, walks with all the kids to College Park (he is trying to learn Spanish and would love it if you could stop by and chat with him in beginning Spanish for 10 or 15 minutes); Elijah, an only child aged 12, is a responsible caregiver for the younger children; Kari has four children under the age of 8, and is breast-feeding the youngest, a 3-month old infant.

Volunteers from local congregations take turns supporting these hard-working neighbors who have found themselves without a roof over their heads. Please stop in any evening in August between 6:30pm and 8:00pm to join other volunteers in reaching out across lines of socioeconomic difference.  In particular, consider stopping by any Friday night in August at 8:15pm to hear Duke Addicks use drum and voice to tell his stories about brave youth in Minnesota history.  Thank you so much to all of you who are volunteering this year in Project Home!
Donna - Ireland  Wedding 
 
Joel Donna and Rachel Ireland will be married in Mankato, Minnesota on August 13. The Rev. Blair Pogue will preside and the music will be performed by Sunday Night Music Director Jeff Kidder.

Joel was a member of St. Matthew's several years ago - attending the evening service and serving on the Vestry. He left the Twin Cities for a new job and is working at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Joel writes: "Family and water have both shaped Joel and Rachel and their relationship. Family had first brought them together (e.g. Rachel moving back from Miami, FL to be with her family and being introduced by Joel's mother). Getting to know each other's families has brought them closer together.

Water has played an important spiritual role in Joel and Rachel's lives. Joel lives to explore new trout streams. Rachel loves resting on beaches. Together, water from the Mississippi, to the Grand Canyon have provided a context for Joel and Rachel to grow together and with God. These water filled spaces have brought them peace through presence and understanding and joy through adventure. Through God, family and water, Joel and Rachel have grown in love; understanding each other more deeply and caring for each other, for others, and for our world. They look forward to many continued adventures together." Here is a link to the full story
 
The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence

On Sunday, September 25, 3-7pm, Protect Minnesota will use the power of music to reach across barriers for social change. The concert will give Minnesotans an opportunity to raise our voices in harmony with citizens throughout the country who are calling for common sense gun reform.The concert takes place at International Market Square in Minneapolis with music by JD Steele, New Sound Underground, The R Factor and two community choirs directed by JD Steele. Tickets are $15 and children and students are free. 
 
Protect Minnesota is an independent organization devoted to gun violence prevention in Minnesota. They take a public health approach to gun violence, recognizing that the solution to this epidemic will be a combination of legislation, litigation, education community investment and changing societal expectations around gun ownership. As part of their work, they formed the Interfaith Alliance for Gun Safety to bring together faith groups working for change.
 
Here are some ways you can get involved to fight gun violence:
  • Become a member of the Protect Minnesota Interfaith Alliance for Gun Safety. Click here to sign up.
  • Attend Protect Minnesota's monthly Volunteer Open House - the next one is  Thursday, August 18 at 5:00pm to learn about volunteer opportunities.  
  • Assist the Protect Minnesota Interfaith Alliance for Gun Safety in expanding their reach and relevance by connecting with other faith groups and individuals of faith in greater Minnesota.
  • Participate in planning and promoting "Sharing Our Stories: An Interfaith Forum on Gun Violence" on December 14, the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting. The event will include a bell ringing ceremony to name and remember those lost to gun violence.
  • Promote and participate in phone banking, lobbying, and other volunteer activities.
Faith + Learning Resources
  • Finding God in All Things with Margaret Silf, is a short retreat sponsored by the Loyola Center for Spirituality.  Silf is a writer and is passionate about making Christian spirituality accessible to people with no theological background. Her writing reflects her experiential approach,  drawing connections between the eternal truths of the Christian vision and the moment-to-moment events and choices of everyday living. She was trained by Jesuits of the British Province in spiritual companionship, and now devotes herself to writing, and accompanying others on their spiritual journey through retreats, workshops and days of reflection. The retreat is September 19th (7-9pm) and 20th (9:30am-2:30pm) at the Carondelet Center, St. Paul.  Click Here for more information and to register. FYI - join Blair Pogue, Terese Lewis and Lis Christenson who are already signed up!
  • The Christos Center offers a year long Spiritual Formation Program titled Experiencing God: The Quest for More. People are searching for meaning and purpose in life.  It often begins with holy questions that mark the beginning of a deeper spiritual journey and call for careful tending and discernment. This program dignifies the doubts, allows for questions and invites deep and wide exploration.  It leans on contemplative traditions that have guided and shaped so many throughout history. The class  meets twice weekly and the registration deadline is Sept 4.  Read more here.The Center also offers a 2 year Spiritual Direction program called Tending the Holy-- a program preparing and supporting those interested in becoming spiritual directors. St. Matthew's parishioner Dan Johnson is the Executive Director of Christos.
Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights
  • Sunday, August 7: Don Samuels will be preaching at 9:30am service
  • Please Note: the Wednesday Noon Eucharist and Lunch will not meet in August, but will resume Wed, Sept 7
  • August 21: Compline + Conversation at the home of Susan Monkmeyer and Harold Quednau, 6:30pm
  • August 28: Loaves and Fishes, Sign Up Here!
  • August 30: Bethel Church Connection Fair
  • September 11: Return to regular worship schedule of 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • September 25: The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, 3-7pm
  • SAVE THE DATE: the Men's Retreat is October 28-29 at Dunrovin Retreat Center (just north of Stillwater).
 
Please share your news and photos with us: [email protected] 

Visit our website for the prayer list, calendar and sermons