The Weekly Word

January 20- January 27, 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.

*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.

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

*Friends, Holly Miller's funeral will be Friday, January 25 at 2:30 PM. A Reception will follow. I would appreciate help with sandwiches, cookies, fruit trays, etc. Please contact Babs Clendenin (ba69claus@aol.com) and let her know what you will bring in order to know the amounts. Thank you.

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 10^th. 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 50^th Anniversary T-Shirts Secure your Piece of History

T-Shirts are available after church in the Commons. Orders will be taken once quantities are gone. Suggested donation: S-XL: $7.00/ XXL: $8.00

For our 50^th 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.

Other Adult Education Opportunities

*Breakfast during the Education Hour: Next Sunday, January 27, 9:15 a.m. the Sunday School and Adult Education classes will meet in Huffman Hall for breakfast.

*You are invited to join Fr. Joe DiPaola’s Bible Study Class that meets each Thursday at 10:00 a.m . in Room B-14." In addition to Bible Study, we have a number of other events and activities planned."

Thursday Noon Study Group: A study of Judaism is beginning Thursday at Noon in Room B-14. This is part of a series of discussions about world religions. Come and enjoy the conversation and fellowship. Contact Susan Barnes, 345-8314, Ext 217, or email Susan@StmattsAustin.Org

*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. On February 3, The Very Rev. Durstan McDonald, Dean Emeritus of ETSS, His topic: Is the Elizabethan Settlement Imperilled?: Join us for this lively and informative class. Submitted by Susan Barnes

*Cursillistas take note – It’s been awhile. Palanca Party, coming up, January.. 27th at 5:30pm in B18, lots to do for Cursillo # 219 & 220. Also, be ready to eat some pizza and share in prayer and conversation. Fun time for the family, bring the "kids". No Ultreya this month but, February 10th right here in Huffman Hall, the Convocational Ultreya with St. Matthew's as host Parish. Next Cursillo, # 219, February 21-24, Camp Allen. Be a Sponsor, talk it up, not too late for an application. Submitted by Dyke Miller

Club 345 is back in 2008!: Some of you might remember a time when St. Matthew’s had Club 345, a club exclusively for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th 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 27^th 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.

*BELLS ARE RINGING AGAIN IN 2008! The St. Matthew’s Handbell Choir is resurging for the 50th Anniversary Celebration year. Under the direction of Mr. Bill Kahlke, the first demonstration/rehearsal will be Sunday, January 27, 6 -7 p.m. in the Choir Room. Our 3 1/2 octave Malmark bells are ready for rehearsal and future dates of playing which will include a guest clinician workshop, Sunday morning ringing during the Liturgy; and other musical events coordinated with the Music Department. Handbell playing is a good thing! Please call Jean Fuller, 345-8314 Ext 221, or email: Jean@stmattsaustin.org for more information.

Calling All Moms for a Little Time Out: Calling All Moms for a Little Time Out. Beginning Thursday, January 31st the Moms¹ Group will begin a new chapter, with renewed energy and a focus on the needs of Moms with children of ALL ages. The newly formatted group will provide an opportunity for some timeout from the kids to discuss topics important to Moms. We will meet at the church in room B-14 on Thursdays from 9-10am with childcare provided. The first three meetings will be every two weeks to help build initial relationships within the group then meet on a monthly basis on the last Thursday of the month. Please see the meeting schedule below. The first three meetings will focus on stress and anxiety in our day-to-day lives presented by Merrill. We will explore the ways our families are
affected by the constant motion and activity that seems inevitable in
today’s society and how we, as Moms, can find ways to manage it better.
We hope you will mark your calendars, invite a friend, and join us for an
hour of fellowship and respite from the busy-ness of motherhood!
Meeting Dates: January 31, February 14, February 28, March 27, April 24 and May 29. For more information or questions please contact Anne Webster at 343-5583 or websters@austin.rr.com.

St. Matthew’s Gratefully Acknowledges
Commemorative Gifts to St. Matthew’s
Permanent Endowment Fund:

Gifts received in the last 30 days

To the Glory of God and In Loving Memory of Cammie Simons Springer by

Brenda and Terry Helfrich

Tish and Kevin McGilliccuddy

Dedee and Steve Norman

Barbara and Jim Williams

Sue and John Burton

To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Holly Miller by

Sue and John Burton

Beverly and Julian Caraballo

Mannon and Lee Eldreth

Margaret and Jim Myers

Paddy and Mike Root

To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Joe Cauble, Charles Canby and Marc West by

Barbara and Jim Williams

To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Charles Barnes by

Debbie and Larry Simons

Sandy Holt

To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Clyde Carman by

Nancy Boyd

To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of the Rev. Dr. “Chip” Nix, Jay Pearson, Jere Bill LightBrown, John Harvey and George Holt by

Sandy Holt

*Coffee and Conversation: If you are visiting or are new to St. Matthew's, we invite you to join members of the newcomers council for "coffee and conversation" on Sunday, February 3 2008 after the 10:30 service in room B-6 directly under the sanctuary. This will be a time for you to gather in a casual setting, ask questions and express your needs

*St. Matthew's 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee announces the following events for 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.

* 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 50^th Anniversary presentation.

A Few Tote Bags Left -
For Toting Groceries, Hardware, Books, …

The Environmental Stewardship Council has a few canvas tote bags left. If you haven't gotten yours, or if you need more - they make great gifts, please contact
Gloria Bankler at gloria@bankler.com, 733-0505 or
Susan Robertson at srobertson44@austin.rr.com, 453-4115.

YOU are invited to attend our next meeting after the 10:30 service next Sunday, 1/27. There will be opportunities to learn and help others learn about good environmental stewardship.

*BOX TOPS: 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 place them in the purple box in the narthex. If you have questions, please contact Lauren Rosprim at 342-8099 or at laurenrosprim@sbcglobal.net