The Weekly Word
October 24, 2004
Assigned Vestry Members for October: Pat Boon and Kate Canby

LOVE LETTERS: What I Love About St. Matthew’s Is… "I love the friends that I have at St. Matthew’s."

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The November issue of The Word is now on-line! www.StMattsAustin.org

TODAY Hot Dog! St. Matt’s Kids’ Party! You and your children ages birth – 5^th grade are invited by our Children's Council to come to "The Mountain" Park, this afternoon from, 4:00-6:00 pm, to play, visit, and eat. Bring a side dish or dessert; we’ll provide the hot dogs and drinks. This is a great time to extend your children’s church friendships, and your own, as well! The park is located off Westerkirk, between Scotland Well and Callanish Park Dr. Call Stephanie McCollum for information or directions, 335-7424.

TODAY *CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER and CONTEMPLATIVE EUCHARIST This evening Fr. Jim Williams will present a teaching on contemplative prayer - at 4:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This instruction will be followed at 5:15 p.m. by a Contemplative Eucharist that will last 45 minutes. A spiritual way to wrap up your weekend with a quiet, reflective time of worship.

TODAY *Young adults! Are you looking to connect with friends and fun at St. Matt's? Xplorers may be for you. The Xplorers is a fellowship/study group for young adults that meets for monthly social outings, does service projects, eats together, and meets once a month after the 10:30 service for study. We are always happy to have new folks and visitors! We will have a potluck lunch after the service in Huffman Hall TODAY with an informal discussion/study of cults. Contact Heather Walter, 627-6938, for more info or email Kristi Robison, kristi_robison@gsdm.com, to get on our email list and receive our fall schedule!

TONIGHT *Youth movie night is this evening, 6-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Building. All youth, 6-12 grade, are invited for fun, pizza, and a little movie discussion. Come hang out and enjoy with us! Call or email Robisons for more info: 339-4063 or kristi_robison@gsdm.com.

TODAY Sign up for the Enneagram Workshop in the Commons today after church. Dates are Friday, November 12, 7 – 9 p.m., and Saturday, November 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The $40 registration fee includes lunch on Saturday. Call or see Crystal Wade for additional details, 250-9161

TODAY *DAUGHTERS OF THE KING TRAINING: The Daughters of the King is an Order for women who are members of the Episcopal Church or churches that are in the Historic Episcopate. St. Matthews’s chapter, known as St. Cecilia, will be offering training beginning TODAY at 9:30 a.m. in Room B-10, for women interested in learning about the Order and how the promises made at Confirmation interface with a life-long commitment to prayer, service and evangelism for Christ’s sake. St. Cecilia Daughters find that the monthly meetings provide a "safe place" in a busy world where we can be together in fellowship, support each other, and pray for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom. For further information contact Mary-Lynn Polk, President at 258-3359 or marylynn78750@yahoo.com.

TODAY Boy Scout Troop 511 will be selling Holiday Greenery at St. Matthew’s on Sunday, October 24 before and after church. Stop by the display outside the West entrance to see new items this year that can be mailed directly to someone as a gift. For more information call Brian Lackey at 418-1699.

Calling All St. Matthew’s Authors: is anyone else selling or signing books in the near future? Contact Betty Mitchell and let us get the word out! Email betty@stmattsaustin.org or call 345-8314 x 215

Everyone in the parish is invited to the November 7, "Parish Get Acquainted Lunch" hosted by the Newcomers Council. This is an opportunity to meet and welcome the newest church members into our parish community. You can make reservations for this delicious catered lunch at the Welcome Table in the Commons, by calling the church office, 345-8314, or by email to dedee@stmattsaustin.org Reservations must be made by November 1.

Coming Soon -- the Women’s Retreat: Jumpstart your Lenten devotions by attending the ECW Women’s Retreat at Camp Allen, February 4 – 6, 2005. It will be led by the Rev. Susan Barnes, Posy Jackson and Cynthia Clawson. Registration runs through mid-December. See Diane Sparks to register or download a form from the St. Matt’s website www.stmattsaustin.org

Special Gifts Committee seeks investment management services.  The Special Gifts Committee seeks proposals to provide managed account services for investment of funds in the Church's endowments.  Contact Bert Hooper at 346-6675 or mbhooper9453@aol.com to obtain a proposal package.  Proposals are due in the Church office by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, October 28.  Interviews of selected proposals will be conducted on November 8.

Sunday, October 31 is the day we observe All Saint’s Day. On that day a special prayer request bulletin insert will list names of our loved ones who have died. In the Commons you will find a basket containing cards where you may print the names of those in your family you wish to have listed. Fill out a card and return it to the basket. All names received by Wednesday, October 27, will be printed. Please print legibly and include your own name so that we may call if we can’t read your writing. Or better yet, just email your names to betty@stmattsaustin.org

*If you would like to volunteer for teaching with the Literacy Austin Program the training will begin on Wednesday, November 3^rd.  There will be classes Monday and Wednesday through November beginning at 6:00 p.m. and lasting about two hours each time.  We would begin teaching in January, in Cooperation with St. John’s at their campus.  Please call Rita Eccles – 345-7396 if you are interested and have question.

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Saturday, October 30
9:00 a.m. – noon
Led by Fr. Jim Williams, this is your opportunity to respond to God’s invitation to receive the gift of silence and prayer.
For more information
please call Jim at 345-2614

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