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Dear Friends,
Sharing Christ’s Love
I write with profound gratitude and respect for the enormous outpouring of support from this congregation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Elsewhere in this edition of The Word you will find an accounting of the work you have accomplished to date. In speaking with friends in Mississippi, they are so grateful to us and for Episcopalians around the country and the support and offers of support they have received.
Learning to Pray and Learning to Serve
St. Matthew’s is a church that has been called “To Know Christ, Grow in Christ, and Share Christ’s Love”. This mission describes the creative tension between the life of prayer and loving outreach to a hurting world. I will admit that my prayer habits have been disturbed since Katrina came ashore. Make no mistake: I have been praying with you for those who have suffered in the storm’s wake, many of them are my friends. Yet I have found it to be difficult to rest quietly in contemplative prayer, to find that calm space within. I realize now that our emphasis on contemplative prayer prepares us for times like these, wherein we dig deep for God’s resources even when we feel helpless to help others. I also believe that my yearning for silence has been disturbed in order that I might not seek to escape the pain others are facing. So, I commit, and then re-commit to the life of contemplative prayer, recognizing that I am not in control and that the Holy Spirit prays within me, even as I am confused and distracted in the moment.
Dedee Norman
I want to announce that Dedee Norman, our Visitor and Membership Coordinator, will be retiring as of the end of September. Dedee has served St. Matthew’s so well for so many years. She says that she and the Lord have just decided together that it is time for her to retire and I accept that happily for her sake! Please join with us on Sunday, October 2, as we recognize Dedee’s faithful service at the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist. Dedee has already said, by the way, that after a few months break, she will look forward to volunteering around the church. We will miss your staff presence, Dedee, and we look forward to new volunteer-type ministries with you in the future.
Your Pledge for 2006
You have received a letter from me asking you to make a pledge to the 2006 Operating Budget of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. In that letter I re-iterated four goals for the Operating Budget that came from the Vision Process we have accomplished:
*Calling a 3rd Priest
*funding well deserved staff raises
*increasing the Outreach budget to provide for a major mission or project
to respond to re-building needs in Mississippi or Louisiana
*increasing our financial support of mission work in the Diocese of Texas
These are each extremely important goals. At the time of this writing, we have not held the ingathering of pledges on St. Matthew’s Day. I am so hopeful about our future, especially as we seek to call a third priest to work with families, children, youth, college students and young adults. The Wardens, Susan and I have heard your desire for a new priest and we share your enthusiasm. I am in discussion with the appropriate diocesan leaders to create a possibility for this to happen. Please recall that I will call a newly graduated seminarian if our pledges increase as needed, and if he or she is truly committed to minister in the areas we are seeking to increase our ministry. As I said earlier, each of our goals is extremely important to meet. I trust that you will give as generously as you are able. The Wardens will keep you posted about pledge totals as they come in.
Edge of Adventure
Although the September “Edge” groups have already formed and are on their way; be looking for a new group or groups to form in early November. Edge of Adventure is the best small group opportunity to come our way in a long time. Thanks to Keith and Andrea Miller and Paul Williams for the work they are doing to revive our lives of faith and action! Keep your eyes out for new groups to form!
Bob Lively’s Class
Elsewhere in this issue you will find an announcement about the new Sunday night class being taught by Dr. Bob Lively. I am so grateful to Bob for his excellent leadership in pulling together the 2005 “How to Be a Family” Conference in September. The speakers were excellent! To continue our work in developing healthy families, Bob will continue his work on Sunday nights. I commend his class to you!
Bishop’s Visit
Finally, Bishop Rayford High will be our guest for the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, October 30 for baptism and confirmation. As I have always said, a Bishop’s Visit is a “command performance” day of attendance for the parish. Come and enjoy All Saints Day with our Bishop and newly confirmed and baptized. A reception will follow in Huffman Hall.
Faithfully,
Merrill
