January 13 - January 20, 2008
The Church Offers Nurturing, Experienced, Child Care: For the 8:00 a.m. services, the nursery for infants and children up to 4 years old is available in Room 5 of the Education Building Nursery. At 9 a.m. children below 2 years old are taken to the Nursery located down the hallway on the parking lot side of Huffman Hall. The 2 to 4 year olds remain in Room 5 of the Education Building Nursery. Both Nurseries close at 12:15 p.m. There is also a comfortable, sound proof room in the Sanctuary balcony for adults who wish to keep their babies with them during the services.
3 and 4 year old children have two options on Sunday mornings. ALL children, through age 4, are welcome in the nursery on Sunday morning. Those children who are reliably potty trained and developmentally ready for a more structured environment are invited to attend Sunday School from 9:15 - 10:15 in B16 and Chapel in the Choir Room from 10:30 - 11:00.
Thanks for Faithfully
Wearing Your Nametag each and every Sunday!
If
you need a new nametag, please visit the Welcome Table in the Commons right
after church.
Personal Prayer Teams are available during Communion at Prayer Stations on either side of the sanctuary. One is located on the east side by the windows, and the other one is on the west side in the gallery. Prayers will also be offered immediately after church by the team near the windows. All prayer requests and discussions are completely confidential.
Home Delivery of Holy Communion If you are unable to come to church and would like Holy Communion brought to you on Sunday, please call the church office at 345-8314.
If you attend church but are unable to walk to the Altar for Holy Communion, please notify an usher and the communion elements will be brought to you where you are seated.
The Weekly Word deadline is Noon on Wednesdays. If you have an article for the Weekly Word please email them to Office@StMattsAustin.Org and JeriM@austin.rr.com
Be in the know! Subscribe to the St. Matthew's Email Notification Service. On average, you will receive only one email per week. The parish email keeps you informed about all the important events happening at St. Matthew's. Subscribe yourself by sending a blank email to: StMattsEmail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com You can unsubscribe yourself at any time.
*Items marked with an asterisk (*) are run for the first time today.
*Louise Waddill to speak at the Women's Story Circle -- “Overcoming the Odds through God’s Amazing Grace” is the title Louise Waddill chose for the story of her spiritual journey, which she’ll share at the Women’s Story Circle today, following the 10:30 a.m. service in Huffman Hall. Louise is the former Executive Director of the Board of Nurses for Texas and is a Ph.D. nurse. She is most well known at St. Matthew's for her leadership in Daughters of the King, ECW, the Hospitality Committee, and especially in any activity involving the kitchen. She is affectionately called "our kitchen angel." The monthly Women's Story Circle includes a light lunch ($5 donation suggested) and is open to all women. Babysitting is always provided.
*Annual Parish Report: There are copies of the Annual Parish Report and Directory in the Commons this morning; If you didn't get one at the meeting last week, please stop by and pick one up today. Please read the following announcement relative to the Pictorial Directory.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
*Directory Updates: There were many incorrect emails in the directory that went with the Annual Report/ Directory. The emails for the database have not been kept updated because we weren’t publishing them. In order to have an accurate directory for the Pictorial Directory, starting today following each service there will be a copy of the directory in the Commons. Please check your listing for accuracy and make changes or additions as necessary. You may also email your corrections to Office@StMattsAustin.Org , with “Directory Update in the subject line”. They will be updated in the database. The deadline for updating the directory will be February 10th. Submitted by Barbara Haynes
*Group Pictures for the Pictorial Directory: Merrill talked to the photographer, Harlan Harris, who will take the individual and family pictures for the directory. He is willing to have the groups sign up with him, the photographer, for your group pictures just like you will sign up for your personal pictures. Mr. Harris will be in the Commons beginning February 17 to begin making appointments. If you have any questions, please contact me. Babs Clendenin, ba69claus@aol.com, or call795-8854
*Activity Pictures: Barbara Haynes has set up a box marked activity pictures in the office opposite her office. Please drop your pictures (not more than 6 right now) off before February 17, Thanks, Babs.
St. Matthew’s 50th Anniversary T-Shirts
Secure your Piece of History
T-Shirts available for sale after church in the Commons
Orders will be taken once quantities are gone
Suggested donation: S-XL: $7.00/ XXL: $8.00
For our 50th year celebration we will print a history of those years. We want your stories! You are the history and the future of St. Matthew’s. Please share your stories with us! They will show how our church has contributed to your life and how you have given back to the church and the community. Please limit your stories to 350 words and send them to Rita Eccles Jandr@austin.rr.com or drop them off at the office with Barbara. With questions call 345-7396.
*Youth News: Tonight, Sunday January 13th at 5:30 pm the youth group will film the video produced and directed by the High School Youth Group (Wednesday night group). The video will be submitted to a Diocesan sponsored contest in which the winner receives a $1000 for their mission trip program! The contest encourages students to produce a video best illustrating the theme of Stewardship of Creation (Environmental Stewardship). The script will be complete and ready to film using the entire youth group as actors. We will also have dinner together! The evening will conclude at 7:30 pm in Huffman Hall.
*Wednesday January 16th the High School Youth Group will wrap up the video and prepare it for production. The meeting will be held in the basement in Room B-18 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
“Conversations with Kathy.” Parents of children of all ages are invited to join Kathy Dugat, Children's Ministry Coordinator, on Wednesday, January 16th in B13 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM for the first of a series of monthly visits designed to give parents an opportunity to share concerns, ask questions and ponder together things we can do in our daily lives to strengthen our families, empower our children to face the world with confidence and help us all become more aware of God’s love and presence in our daily lives. The topic for this month will be "Putting Down Roots and Letting Out String: Memories, Traditions and Precious Moments." Kathy will bring ideas to share with you, and will leave plenty of time for your questions, comments and concerns. Childcare provided.
Multigenerational Game Night at St. Matthew’s
January 18, 2008 at 6:30PM:
Friday,
January 18, at 6:30p.m., in Room B-18 downstairs below the Sanctuary, St.
Matthew’s will be holding a pizza and game night for all interested players of
checkers, chess, dominos, cribbage (or your favorite game!) This is an
opportunity for children to have some exposure to some of these all-time
favorite games. Everyone is welcome. In particular, it would be a great chance
for some of our members to take on the role of surrogate grandparents to some
youngsters who may not have grandparents in Austin and for kids and parents who
are interested in gathering as families to come, eat and have some fun. A
nursery will be provided for infants and children under age 4. Please RSVP to
Paul Huggins at 736-7541 or email him at paul.a.huggins@gmail.com in order
that he might know how much pizza to purchase and if you need nursery care.
Rector's Classes in Huffman Hall, January 20 - 9:15AM
Sunday mornings
Class Title - "Straight Talk from the Rector"
January 20 - "What I Believe is Essential" - this will be a frank presentation on what I believe is important for families and individuals as we look to the future together. I will give my assessment of the Episcopal Church in this time of controversy, and will, as well, tell you exactly what I think we should be focused on at home and at church. I will tell you what moves me to have faith in Jesus Christ and why I am absolutely committed to teaching about what Jesus called the Kingdom of God.
Other Adult Education Opportunities
*Creative Challenges and Crises" continues! Meets in B-18 as we move into the modern era with our survey of the challenges and crises that have molded the church throughout the centuries. The three weeks in January we'll be looking at the challenge posed to the Papacy by three leading figures: Calvin, Luther, and Henry VIII on January 6, 13, and 20. Dr. Suzanne Hoeferkamp will speak to us about Luther, while our own Chad McCall will teach about Calvin and Henry VIII. On February 3, The Very Rev. Durstan McDonald, Dean Emeritus of ETSS, will teach on the Elizabethan Settlement, which was the foundation of the Anglican church: Join us for this lively and informative class. Submitted by Susan Barnes
*Spring discussions will be focused
around a book by M. Craig Barnes, Sacred Thirst. It helps those on a spiritual
journey (aren't we all?) to be
sensitive to the revelation of God in our daily lives. One reviewer says the
author "gives patient, sane, wise counsel for all of us who are thirsty
for God." While the chapters provide a common theme for initiating
sharing, other issues arise in the midst of the lively exchanges of ideas and
thoughts. The group shares facilitation responsibilities and allows time for
concerns and prayer as well as a 15-minute social time before class begins.
Participants
purchase their own books. Jim and Linda Fryer, 372.9832, fryer602@281.com
Curate Ordination
Greetings St. Matthew’s family! I am very pleased to announce my ordination into the priesthood on January 22nd here at St. Matthew’s, beginning at 6:30 pm. The Right Rev. Bishop Dena Harrison will preside. I am very grateful for every single person of St. Matthew’s. I am truly blessed by your support and prayers throughout the last six months here. I look forward to our future together as we share in the love of God. I hope that all of you will attend the ordination. I am eager to share this important event with all of you! Peace, The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert
*St. Matthew's 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee announces the following events in January and February that will feature a celebration of the fifty years of St. Matthew's existence. Please mark your calendars and plan to participate in these activities. Additional notices will be published from time to time, and the full program will be posted on the St. Matthew's web site as the activities are firmed up.
Tuesday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m., Huffman Hall: Pancake Supper with Entertainment- Jim Byrom and Friends with Music. Mr. Puppet-Family Show for children and families.
Sunday, February 17 - March 8: On campus (TBA): Sign up for photos for Parish pictorial directory.
*Pictures from the Greatest Show on Earth: If you took pictures at the Annual Meeting, Margaret Parker is asking for copies (they will not be returned). You may bring them by the Office. They will used in a future 50th Anniversary presentation.
*3rd Monday Book Group. Did you ever wonder what Mrs. Ahab was doing while Captain Ahab was chasing Moby Dick? Join us in reading Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund to find out. We will meet on January 21 at 5:00 in B-14. The discussion is always lively.
Club 345 is back in 2008!: Some of you might remember a time when St. Matthew’s had Club 345, a club exclusively for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Well, It’s back! Our mission is to promote friendship, service and worship within this particular age group. In other words, we want to have fun in a Christian community. Ideally this group will serve as a pre-youth group, with as much parent involvement as we can have. Children are welcome to bring a friend to any or all events. The more the merrier! Our first meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 27th in Huffman Hall at 3:45. The activity for this month will be making our own individual pizzas, so come prepared to get your hands dirty. For this particular event, please RSVP to Stephanie so that we are sure to have enough ingredients on hand. Childcare will be available for younger siblings, but you will need to contact Stephanie at 335-7424 if childcare is needed. (Be sure to let me know the ages of the children that will be attending so that we can have appropriate supervision.) For more information or questions, suggestions or comments contact Stephanie McCollum at 335-7424 or mmccollum4austin.rr.com or Angi Carey at 382-5218 or aacarey@gmail.com.
Recycle old Phone Books at HEB and Randall’s
You can recycle last year's phonebook at Austin-area HEB and Randall's grocery stores through the end of January. Place old phonebooks in Texas Disposal System dumpsters located in the parking lots of these stores. For each 500 phone books recycled, we save 7,000 gallons of water; 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space; 17 to 31 trees; and 4,100 kilowatts of electricity, enough power to serve an average home for 6 months!