Announcing the 8th of St. Matthew’s: Catherine Wright

“Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your , and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this , that we may receive a faithful , who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

This was the prayer recited when we commissioned our Rector Search Committee at our annual meeting in January, before every meeting of the committee since, and by so many of you throughout the year. It has sustained the committee’s efforts over their more than 1000 combined hours invested in the search, has strengthened their discernment, and has acted as a foundation to chart the next chapter for our parish.

Reverend Catherine Wright, who also goes by “Mother Katie,” has been described by those who know her well as “a rock with great sense of humor and humility,” who understands “how to live faith with challenges,” who “puts first,” and who “knows God’s grace.” Though our search spanned thousands of miles, Mother Katie will be coming to us from only a few miles away at St. David’s, Austin, where she has served for more than eight years as both their Locum Tenens during their rector search and as second chair to their current rector. Previously she served as Rector at St. Andrew’s in Elyria, Ohio. Her service at St. Matthew’s will begin on February 1, 2021, so that she may honor her service at her current parish during Advent and prepare for her tenure with us. Also joining our parish family with Mother Katie will be her family — husband, Jimmy; son, Luke (22, who lives in Seattle); daughter, Rachel (20, who lives in Austin); and daughter, Sarah (9), who enjoys kicking the soccer ball and baking cookies with her mom. Rev. Wright’s introductory note to St. Matthew’s follows this announcement below.

Please join the vestry and me in sincerely thanking all the members of our Rector Search Committee — Joyce Statz (chair), Jason Bagshaw, Jenny Watson (née Bailey), April Beaty, Mary Nell Frucella, Ann Hart, Jeff Jury, Stephanie Koller, Kathleen Niendorff, Ann O’Connell, Lisa Richardson, and Christian Von Wupperfeld (vestry representative) — for their immense efforts, discernment, and graceful stewardship of our search; to the Rev. Christine Faulstich, Rev. Kellaura Johnson, Rev. Francene Young, Rev. Blake Rider, and Kathryn at the for their guidance; to all the many, including the Rev. Seth Deleery, who provided support along the way; and of course, to the Rev. Christian Hawley, who has and continues to lead this parish with spirited, authentic, and thoughtful grace during these unique times, who will be reassuming his role as Senior Associate Rector on February 1st, and who, until then, is readying us for the arrival of the 8th Rector of St. Matthew’s.

Welcome, Mother Katie — we are grateful to you for accepting the call, and we excitedly await and celebrate your and your family’s arrival!

On behalf of the vestry, thank you for being a part of St. Matthew’s, and may God’s Peace be with you all!

Doug Webster, Senior Warden

Greetings to God’s Beloved at St. Matthew’s,

As we stand at the cusp of Advent and another liturgical year, I am delighted to be called to be the next rector of St. Matthew’s. Advent is a time of new beginnings and anticipation and has always had a special place for me. My own birthday falls in the middle of the season and our children’s birthdays, in the order they were born, are 12/19, 12/21 and 1/27. Our youngest child was born while I was the rector of St. Andrew’s in Elyria, Ohio. It would be fair to say I get the waiting, preparing, making things ready during the time when the days grow short and we are longing for the wait to be over.

12 St. Matthew’s is a wonderful place that I have been seeing and hearing great things about since I arrived in Austin over eight years ago. You have a wonderful history, great facilities and are a people of care and enthusiasm. Your love of God and commitment to reaching out to the world around you with that love and generosity has been obvious to me from the beginning. Your search committee had a careful, prayer filled and joyful experience of discerning a partner for your years to come, and I am grateful for their trust in me. I know there are exciting years ahead for us.

I look forward to joining you on the first of February as we begin our work together. You will be in my daily prayers, and I ask your prayers for my family and the good people of St. David’s as I say my good-byes to them.

Yours in Christ, Mthr. Katie Wright

13 NOTICE OF THE 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. Diocesan Council Representatives Each year St. Matthew’s is represented by four (4) delegates MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AUSTIN, TEXAS at Diocesan Council. The next Diocesan Council will meet virtually on Feb 26-27. At this annual meeting, we elect two Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January (2) persons who will serve as alternates in 2021 and as 24 from 12:00-1:00 pm via Zoom. Fr. Christian will open delegates in 2022 and 2023. our meeting with prayer and then we will move directly to presenting the ballot and taking nominations from the floor – Delegates to Diocesan Council, 2021: Vickie Blumhagen, for five (5) new members to the Vestry, three (3) new Ann O’Connell, Joyce Statz, and Shelly Kirkgard; Alternates members to the Endowment Committee, two (2) new to be elected. members to the Memorial Garden Committee, and two (2) – Delegates to Diocesan Council, 2022: Joyce Statz, Shelly alternates for the 2021 Diocesan Council (you can find Kirkgard, and 2021 electees. Alternates to be elected at 2022 details about those elections below). After nominations are Annual Meeting. closed, we’ll honor outgoing vestry members, give out the St. Roch awards for outstanding service in times of Candidate applications received as of 12/22/20: pandemic, and peek ahead at 2021 events. Memorial Garden Committee If you’re interested in standing for election for the above Two members will be elected at the 2021 Annual Meeting mentioned positions, complete a Candidate Information to serve on this committee which oversees the Billye Taegel Form (https://stmattsaustin.org/about/vestry.html) and Krystow Memorial Garden. The term of service is three (3) return it to Communications Director, Nooshin Ghanbari, years. at [email protected]. – Terms expiring in January, 2021 Annual Meeting: Alan The Candidate Information Form includes the eligibility Carson and Joyce Statz criteria for election to church offices. In order to be placed – Terms expiring in January, 2022 Annual Meeting: on the ballot in advance of the election, we ask all nominees Elizabeth Barrett and Jill Miller to have their information to Nooshin no later than Sunday, – Terms expiring in January, 2023 Annual Meeting: Anne January 17, 2021. Otherwise, a nominee will have to be Webster and Elisabeth Ellis nominated from the floor during the Annual Meeting. Candidate applications received as of 12/22/20: Electronic Elections: After the floor has been closed and all nominations received, the election commission Endowment Committee composed of the outgoing vestry and business manager will Three (3) Endowment Committee members will be elected send an electronic ballet to all members of the parish via at the 2021 Annual Meeting and will serve three (3) year email. Membership in the parish will be determined by an terms. They are responsible for the oversight of our St. individual’s presence in the Realm database. Members Matthew’s Permanent Endowment Fund, keeping watch without email will have the opportunity to call into the for the future generations that will come to St. Matthew’s, office to cast their votes. Results will be announced on and providing seed money via grants for mission and Sunday, January 31. ministry in the parish and outside our walls.

Vestry – Terms expiring in January, 2021 Annual Meeting: Paul The Vestry is the lay leadership team which works Koller, Gidget Fisher, and Judy DeWitt with the head of the congregation to set the vision and – Terms expiring in January, 2022 Annual Meeting: Vicki mission of the church and oversees issues of stewardship, DeWeese, Nora Foster, and Mary Nell Frucella building and grounds and other critical decision-making. We – Terms expiring in January, 2023 Annual Meeting: Bonnie will vote to elect five (5) Vestry members who will each Coleman, Leslie Fields, and Jennifer Sanchez serve a three (3) year term. Candidate applications received as of 12/22/20: – Terms expiring in January, 2021 Annual Meeting: Chichi

Armstrong, Jeff Bobick, Gabrielle Field, Emma Garrett, and Mandy Hubbard

– Terms expiring in January, 2022 Annual Meeting: Jeanine

Adinaro, Carlos Castaño, Kasey Gilliam, Amy Novak, and

Doug Webster

– Terms expiring in January, 2023 Annual Meeting: Jim

Michael, Christian Von Wupperfeld, Lise Harding, Kelli

Hughes, and Tom Canby

Submitted by the Rev. Christian Hawley, Candidate applications received as of 12/22/20: Ann Locum Tenens of St. Matthew’s O'Connell, Armando Ruiz, Joyce Statz 14 WEEKLY WORD FOR DECEMBER 27-JANUARY 2

VIRTUAL EVENTS ON OUR WEBSITE Stay up to date on all of our online offerings — like Adult Formation, Noonday and Evening Prayer, and events for families — by visiting our Virtual Events page. On the red overhead Navigation bar of our website, there is a tab that says “Virtual.” Simply click on the page that drops down, titled “Virtual Events.” Make sure you have the URL bookmarked, too: www.stmattsaustin.org/virtual/events.html.

YEAR-END GIVING The church office will be open until 4:00 pm on New Year’s Eve to accept last-minute year-end giving. Any gift dated and received December 31 or earlier will be considered a 2020 contribution. If it is mailed, the postmark must be dated in 2020. This will assure full compliance with IRS regulations. Many thanks for your gifts! Submitted by Chris Schumacher, Business Manager

2021 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE Thank you to everyone who has turned in pledge cards for next year — not just for your stewardship of your parish, but also for helping the vestry to better plan during this unique time. If you haven’t yet been able to mail in your pledge card or register your 2021 pledge online, the earlier you are able to do so, the more insight the vestry will have in their budgeting process. If you don’t know yet, that’s fine too; please submit it with an “I don’t know yet” and follow up when you have more visibility. Any and all participation is valued and appreciated. Many thanks again! Submitted by Kasey Gilliam, Chair of Stewardship Committee, and Doug Webster, Senior Warden

REALM DATABASE ROLLOUT Please continue signing up for Realm at www.onrealm.org/stmattsaustin or by downloading the Realm app, “Realm Connect – For Our Church,” on mobile devices. Head to the Realm tab on the St. Matt’s website for some useful resources, like this FAQ: www.stmattsaustin.org/Realm/FAQ.html. For additional assistance, please contact Miles Wilson, our Realm Migration Support, at [email protected]. Miles is also available at 214-680- 6261 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:00-8:00 pm and weekends from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Submitted by Miles Wilson

COMPLINE IN PAJAMAS We will be offering virtual Compline in Pajamas twice a week for people of all ages. April Beaty, Kristin Braun, and their families will be hosting on Sunday and Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm. Pajamas are not required, but neither is brushed hair. Peace and grace to each of you during this quiet season of hope. May God meet you in the promise of something greater. Visit our Virtual Events page for the Zoom link!

INVITATION: VIRTUAL FELLOWSHIP MEETING | SATURDAY, JAN. 9, 2021 FROM 8:30-9:30 AM All are invited to hear Jessica Miller from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central Texas discuss “Navigating Stress from COVID-19.” Per NAMI, the pandemic has created a wave of stress and anxiety in homes and community. Further, chronic stress has been shown to compromise immune systems. Jessica will overview NAMI’s mission, services, practical ideas to navigate this stress, mental health myths, and some elements to create a supportive environment for mental health. Let’s start the conversation!

Zoom access info and documents will be sent to those that RSVP to Don Neely, [email protected]. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew strives for the disciplines of Prayer, Study, and Service. Submitted by Don Neely

UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS In observance of Christmas, Youth Group will not meet this Sunday, December 27. The following Sunday, January 3, we will kick off the new year with an all-youth service project cleaning up Christmas trees along 360. Meet at St. Matthew’s at 4:00 pm! For more information, please contact [email protected] or refer to the most recent Youth Email Blast.

UPCOMING FAMILY MINISTRY EVENTS We are continuing to press on with Sunday School for elementary students Sundays from 9:45-10:15 am! Additionally, the Mix (3rd-5th grade bible study group) will meet online on Sundays, December 27 and January 3. These links can be found on the Virtual Events page of our website. Finally, our Family Ministry is now offering in-person story time! If any families would like Miss Kelley to come to their house and read a Christmas story outdoors, please contact [email protected].

15 CURRENT NEEDS AT WESTOVER FOOD PANTRY The Westover Food Pantry now has enough egg cartons, so keep saving them, but don’t bring them by until we ask for them again. Now, we need standard-size paper grocery bags — those from the store or from grocery delivery, as well as the gray and red plastic HEB bags. We continue to need big packs of paper towels (they get split one per family). Please drop things off at the Westover Church office, on the east side of the sanctuary. Ring the doorbell and talk with the receptionist: 8-5 Monday-Thursday, and 8-noon on Friday. If you’d like to help pack bags of groceries on Thursday mornings, please email [email protected] to learn more. Thanks, everyone! Submitted by Joyce Statz

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS: BLANKET DRIVE Winter is here and our homeless neighbors are in need of new, twin-sized blankets. Austin Front Steps has a program to provide needed blankets to the homeless and you can help! The program is easy, with blanket types, sizes, and suggested brands provided. You can order online and have the blankets shipped directly to Front Steps (ARCH) and they will distribute. The goal this year is 1300 blankets. Please help us support those in need and spend $20 to buy a blanket to keep a neighbor warm this winter. For details, visit www.frontsteps.org/get-involved/annual-blanket-drive. Submitted by the HON Team

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN OUR PRE- AND POST-SERVICE SLIDESHOWS! You may have noticed that our YouTube services now include a brief slideshow leading up to and just following the Sunday 10:30 am service. The purpose of the slideshow is to give our St. Matt’s family little windows into one another’s experiences through the week, which is especially important in these times when many of us cannot gather in person. Please participate by taking a moment during the week to email a photo or two from your phone to [email protected]. Thank you! Submitted by Clark Hughes

ADVENT BAG THANK YOU NOTES Advent bags were delivered to our seniors who are in facilities or who are homebound. They were a BIG hit! We have received several notes of thanks. Here in their own words are some of their expressions of gratitude: “Each of you was a Christmas angel. The little girl in me was so excited to have a ‘surprise’ package delivered to my door.” “It was the bright part of a rather lonely day. Reassured me that we dropped anchor at the right place when we joined St. Matt’s some years ago.” “It was very thoughtful, especially at this time. I’m so blessed to be able to watch the virtual services.”

YOUR ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE IS SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS! The St. Matthew’s Permanent Endowment Fund consists of donations in memoriam and other gifts made by members and friends of St. Matthew’s. We are seeking your help in identifying innovative and transformational projects that fulfill our purpose to share God’s love and which we can help get going by providing funding. For information and instructions regarding the grant application process, visit www.stmattsaustin.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/3204341. Submitted by Paul Koller

16 SMALL GROUPS Small Groups are a chance for parishioners to share a diversity of passions with one other and with our neighbors. If you want to form your own Small Group with support from church staff and , email [email protected] and [email protected]. For more detailed group descriptions, we invite you to visit the Small Groups page on St. Matthew’s website. Submitted by Christian Hawley

Art Among Friends Linda Fryer [email protected] Tuesdays at 1:00 pm In courtyard if weather permits; otherwise over Zoom. Anti-Racism Small Group April Beaty [email protected] Resources regularly shared over Facebook and email. Cycling Group Adam Bartlett [email protected] Next cycling event to be announced. Español con amigos (Spanish with friends) Kathryn Miller [email protected] Next meeting to be announced. Faith in Action Jack Roberston [email protected] Accepting projects that put our hands and hearts to work. Family Camping Group Brad Banister [email protected] Next trip TBD. Let’s Go to the Movies Babs Clendenin [email protected] Wednesday afternoons; please contact Babs for details. Saturday Morning Prayer & Share/OSL Group Sandy Lanier [email protected] Saturdays at 9:00 am over Zoom Third Monday Book Club Diane Sparks [email protected] Next meeting Monday, January 18, 5:00 pm, Zoom Wall Street Musing Chris Wilson [email protected] Next meeting to be announced.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 8134 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78759 Telephone (512) 345-8314 | Fax (512) 346-2085 www.stmattsaustin.org | Facebook: St Matt’s Austin

17 IN OUR PRAYERS

Clergy: Justin of Canterbury, ; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Andy, Jeff, Kai and Hector, our Bishops; Catherine, our incoming Rector; Christian, Andrew, Chuck, Jerry, and Seth, our clergy; and Katie, our seminarian. Lay Leadership: The Staff, the Wardens, the Treasurer, the Vestry, the Day School Board of Trustees, the Endowment Committee, the Memorial Garden Committee, and all the other commissions and councils of the Vestry of St. Matthew’s. Our Outreach Partners and Ministries: Angel Tree (prison ministry), the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Caritas, Casa Marianella, Community First, Daughters of the King, EfM, El Buen Samaritano, Episcopal Veterans Fellowship, Foundation for the Homeless Family Rehousing Initiative, Good Faith Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Helping Our Neighbor, Honduras Good Works, Hope House, Interfaith Action of Central Texas (IACT), Job Support, Kairos (prison ministry), Ladies Let’s Talk, MPAC, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Threads of Love, and the Women’s Story Book Project (prison ministry). Our men and women in the Armed Forces and Peace Corps. Those in civil authority, especially our President, Governor, Mayor, and legislative and judicial branches. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who are actively being persecuted for your name, and all of God’s children who know suffering at the hands of war, disease, natural disasters, injustice, and oppression, especially the Hughes and Lane Murray prison units, frontline responders, and all affected by coronavirus. The students, families, and staff of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School and other schools and seminaries: Seminary of the Southwest.

Ongoing Prayer Requests Ann Fry Larry Richards Emily Fairbairn Alex Acosta Elaine Goessling Lawrence Richards, Jr. Victoria Garza Rosemary Alexander Sarah & David Grimes Ridgeway family Jim Gray family Linda Allen Cliff Harrison Cletus Romay & family Jason Amy Dave Hartman Nancy Satterfield Hink Johnson & family Jill Bacon Michael & Gina Hatheway Earlyne Seaver Lee Jones family Beatrice Barzetti Tony & Maly Hatheway Jeffrey Seiler Loren Neely Judy & Ronnie Bates Jack Virgie Seiler Michael Rasch family Lucy Boyea Dawn Jarvis Mary Graham Sheppard Schexnayder family Jane & Don Bray John & Deanna Arlene Smith Ron & Janis Shrum LaVaughn Bray Julie & family Jim Sparks Larry Simons Glenda Brown Debbie Kimball Michael Stanley & family Diane Sparks Karen Bunton Caitlin L. Reenie Starfelt Louise Waddill Wanda Burnette Tracy Land Steans family Kim Wendland Glenda Carl Becky Litherland Stephanie Kara Wright & twin babies Jonelle Chapman Marcus Laurie Frucella Thaxton Janet Zeinert Barbara Bass Clarke Marianne & baby Bates Collette Torres Those Who Have Died Clifton & family Kim Martinelli Kate Vaughn Daniel Adams Ed & Betty Davis Laurie Wells Matson Christine Warner & family Barry Coe Dedee & Steve Leland McCullough Kathleen Webster Jim Gray Delker family Suzanne McDaniel Cynthia Wilson Nancy Johnson Josie Dougherty Donald Pearce Mike & Jocelyn Wilson Lee Jones Emilia Douglas Bob Peckham Bob Yeargain Michael Rasch Shirley Dyer Pete New Prayer Requests Charlotte Schexnayder Glen Ellis Jose Prado Peggy Adams & family Ender Mary Vivian Coe & family Talmadge Fitts Mary Ratcliffe Judy Estes

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