The Weekly Word

October 22, 2006

To Know Christ, Grow in Christ, and Share Christ’s Love.

 

*Items marked with an asterisk (*) are run for the first time today.

*Parish Questionnaire-Please complete and mail the Feasibility Study Questionnaire to Cargill and Associates this week.  Your candid opinions are extremely important as we consider a Capital Stewardship program in 2007.

 

* Our Boy Scout Troop 511 will once again be selling Holiday Greenery at St. Matthews, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Due to our great success and quality of the products, we will once again be offering beautiful fresh wreaths, door swags, table centerpieces, and much more from Sherwood Forest!!

 

*St. Matthew’s Day School is off to a great year. Let’s support their fundraising efforts by participating in their Box Top Project to raise money for library books. Just clip Box Tops from your favorite brands such as General Mills, Kleenex, Ziploc, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury and deliver them to the purple bag in the Commons by October 29th.  If you have questions, please contact Kelly Smith at 349-7650 or at ksmith10@austin.rr.com.

Spiritual FormationEnneagram Workshop at E.T.S.S. October 27 - 28
Why in our encounter with life do we human beings so often keep running up against ourselves instead of making a breakthrough to God? Rev. Margaret Waters offers an opportunity to explore the Enneagram—nine distinct and fundamentally different patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting that influence our spiritual journeys. With input, conversation, laughter and prayer, Rev. Waters will help us in our journey within to find the dominant gift and sin of our interior geography. Organized by Eremos.  Time: Friday evening (6:30 - 9) and Saturday (9 to 4)  Venue: Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, 606 Ratherview Place, Austin 78705  Fee: $50.00 (includes lunch and materials); call 531-9594, or email srmangele@austin.rr.com

 

We will observe All Saints’ Day on Sunday, November 5.  On that day a special prayer request bulletin insert will list names of our loved ones who have died.  In the Commons today 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 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 31 will be printed.  Please write legibly and include your own name so that we may call if we can’t read your writing.  Or better yet, just email betty@stmattsaustin.org with your names.

The next dates for Holy Baptism will be Sunday, November 5, and Sunday, January 7, 2007.   If you or one close to you desires to be baptized, please notify the church office, 345-8314 or email Betty Mitchell betty@stmattsaustin.org 

*Get Acquainted Luncheon- It’s time to mark your calendar and make your reservation for the Get Acquainted Luncheon. Meet and honor St. Matthew’s newest members. Enjoy the wonderful lunch and fellowship on November 5th directly following the 10:30 service.  For reservations contact Betty Mitchell at betty@stmatttsaustin.org.   New members who are being honored, make sure to contact Thilde “Teal” Smith to make an appointment to have your picture taken for the Profile Book. Please don’t forget return your personal profile information for the booklet. You may contact me at 657-2882 or thildec@yahoo.com.

*SOULFOOD RETREAT - November 3-5, 2006 Camp Allen, TX -
"A Time of forgiveness" Tenth Anniversary of SoulFood Retreat is celebrating the theme this year of "forgiveness."  Sponsored by Recovery Ministries of the Diocese of Texas, this annual retreat features traditional Twelve Step type speakers and meetings. The unique environment allows participants to discuss the experience of their faith and the church in their spiritual journey. This special opportunity is open to all Episcopalians, other denominations, and unchurched folks. Its program deals with alcoholism, drug addiction, and other addictions, and illnesses involving food, gambling, sex, and other issues. Information is available from Troy Whitehurst, or info@episcopalrecoverytexas.org.

*Acolyte Meeting and Training:  On Saturday, November 11^th at 10:00Am in the Sanctuary there will be a meeting and training for all Acolytes and all young people aged 11 and older who wish to become Acolytes.  The meeting will be conducted by Father Merrill Wade and Scott Telfer.  If you are an existing Acolyte or a young person who wishes to participate in this important ministry please contact Scott Telfer at nmallory@austin.rr.com or at 257-0735 to confirm your attendance.

 

 

 

*Rector’s Downtown Women’s Group I would like to host a women’s group in downtown Austin that could meet to study or pray together once a week for 6 weeks.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the Men’s Group that has been meeting weekly downtown and would sincerely appreciate an opportunity to lead a group for women.  We could study Scriptures, work issues, or any topic of interest to the group.  Our group will meet at Paul Williams office located near 12^th and Nueces.  Those who attend gather from 11:30AM to 12 Noon to eat and the class begins promptly at Noon with Noonday Prayer and ends at 1:00PM sharp.  I would recommend that we meet six consecutive Mondays beginning November 13 through Monday, December 11.  Please email me at Merrill@stmattsaustin.org if you are interested in this gathering.  I would like to have a group size of 12 minimum and 18 maximum.  Let me hear from you!

The Kerygma Bible Study training session for the Diocese will be held at St. Matthew’s Thursday, Nov. 9^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Lunch is included.    As hosts our registration fee is $10.00 per person and there is also a price reduction on materials.  If you have questions regarding the program call Kerygma 1-800 537-9462 or Email explore@kerygma.com.  You can register with Rita Eccles 345-7396 or Email jandr@austin.rr.com.

 

*Stewardship of Resources.  With the new A/Cs in for the Sanctuary and Commons and the new lighting we have invested in the ability to better manage our energy costs and still worship in comfort. We can reap the best from these improvements if you can help take the initiative with three tasks when you leave an event or meeting.

        1. Turn off the A/C.

            These are two basic types of thermostats around

             the campus – programmable and non-programmable.

             Most of the basement rooms have non-programmable

             thermostats. Just slide the SYSTEM SWITCH to OFF.

             The sanctuary and the commons have programmable

             thermostats. Before you leave, please push the button

             labeled RUN PROGRAM.

        2. Turn out all the lights.

        3. Close all the doors and lock them behind you.

Thank you for helping. Dave Bowman, Business Manager

 

*New IRA's Laws Promote Your Generosity: People 70 and 1/2 years old and older can now give to St. Matthew's from their IRA accounts without having to report the amount as income.  Gifts may be up to $100,000.00 per year per person and may be made only in 2006 and 2007.  For more information please contact Vestry Representatives Reid Kirchem at 821-1866 or Allen Keith at 467-7171(work) 454-1677(home) or our Business Manager, Dave Bowman, at 345-8314.

The St. Matthew's ECW 2007 Annual Women's Retreat will be held March 2-4,2007 at Camp Allen. Virginia Stem Owens, author and retired English Professor will be our retreat leader.  Her topic is "The Spirituality of Imperfection”. Virginia is a bright, funny and inspirational speaker you will not want to miss.  Registration began Oct 1st and will run through  Jan 15th. Payment of 50% of the registration fee is due at registration. The balance is due by Jan 15th.   Double room(2 per room)-$180 per person,  Single room- $210 per person, teens (4 to a room)-$90 per person.  Registration forms are available in the Commons or Church Office.  You may also  download the form from the www.StMattsAustin.org website.   Please contact Debbie Marshall at 926-5424 or Janie McMahan at 341-7432 if you have questions.