Spirit Newsletters 2006
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The SAINT MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH of St. Matthew’s January / February 2006 Parish Mission Statement Our mission is to be a caring, inclusive community, centered in the Eucharist and grounded in the Gospel, so that we can reach out as Christ’s hands to the world. FROM THE RECTOR Dear People of but there never has been a good time I want to explore, I want to go deeper, St. Matthew’s, before this to go. I’ve talked this over and I know I need renewal. at length with the wardens and vestry, As many of you and the timing feels right. I will be In another part of the application, I know, I am taking a back before construction is finished, wrote: sabbatical this and here as we “live into” our new St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is at spring, for a total of buildings next year. (And, of course, a wonderful point in its journey, and I four months. My missing some of the construction time am excited to be Rector. I have been contract provides is not the worst thing in the world!) there for 8 years, and look forward to for this time after 6 But because it’s a priority for me to be many more. But I know I need years. I’m now in my 9th year here, here when we move back into the Sabbath refreshment and renewal, or church in April, I will be taking a month I will not be able to be an effective from the end of February to the end of leader. March, and then three months This is, obviously, a very brief beginning after Easter (April 16). summary of my plans, and I will be What’s Why go? What is this for? delighted to talk more with any and all of you who are interested. It is my I applied for a sabbatical grant from the hope that not only will I come back Happening? Louisville Institute (which I have been renewed and full of energy, but that I awarded), and I’d like to quote part of will come back with ideas and gifts to Miscellaneous News............ 2 the proposal I wrote: benefit the whole parish. Vestry Nominees .................. 3 I am proposing a genuine sabbatical I will leave on February 26 for the first – a time of rest, refreshment and, most month of the sabbatical, which begins Prayer List ............................. 6 importantly, spiritual renewal. I want in Jerusalem, at St. George’s Anglican time to expand my prayer life, renew College, with a 3 week course entitled Parish Families...................... 7 my vocational commitment, and “Ways in the Wilderness”. The rediscover the joy that led me into the College describes it as “a new priesthood. Specifically, I am direction in pilgrimage, with focus on INSERT: planning: the historical origins, theological • Retreat time at the convent where traditions and contemporary practice Adult Education this Spring I am an associate of monastic life in the biblical lands.” It will “combine study and field Music Notes • An 8-day Ignatian retreat • An intense desert experience in excursions with pilgrimage and Thanks the Sinai devotion.” As you may imagine, I am • Study at the General Theological very excited! And then I will be back Seminary for the end of Lent, Holy Week and • A visit to the island of Iona to Easter – and returning to our explore Celtic spirituality sanctuary! • Time in New Orleans with family, Yours in Christ, and assisting as needed at St. + Anna’s Church Lucinda 1 MISCELLANEOUS NEWS Work Trip to New Orleans You are invited to join a trip to New Orleans to work with our partner parish, St. Anna’s. The work will include cleaning, garbage removal, minor repairs and carpentry, and other necessary tasks to aid in rebuilding this wonderful parish and city. The dates are Wednesday, February 15 through Sunday, February 19. All are welcome and many have already expressed interest, so please join us! For details or to sign up, please contact Ben Robertson or Tim Eicholtz. Renewing Our Support for the Orphans in Kenya If you Google “Oyugis Kenya” St. Matthew’s Church is the first (and second) entry to appear. Since 1997 we have developed a special relationship with this small village in Kenya. As we assist the people of Oyugis to develop their institutions such as the school, clinic and community center, we must remember those who are the most vulnerable—the children who have lost their parents to AIDS. During the month of February, St. Matthew’s will make a special effort to revitalize our support of 40 orphans of Oyugis. These children truly have no one besides us to feed, clothe, and pay their school tuition. Such support costs $300 a year for each child. Look for more information about the children of Oyugis in the next several weeks. If you have questions or wish to assist in this effort call Orphans of Ouygis in a classroom Sally Macdonald at 897-1955 or Cathy Sutton at 451-6728. with their teacher. Birthday Celebrations of our Via Media Returns! Homebound for February Via Media is an innovative course meant to give both seekers and existing members an opportunity to learn more about the February 15 Ann Fuller Episcopal Church. February 27 Joyce Aprile Classes are for 8 weeks on Sunday nights, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. beginning Sunday, February 19 and ending on April 9. For more details or to register, call the parish office at 895-3485, or sign up on the main bulletin board outside the front office. 2 VESTRY NOMINEES The following parishioners, having met the requirements of the Canons, were selected by the Nominating Committee and have agreed to have their name placed on the ballot to serve on the Vestry for a three year term. If not elected, they have agreed to serve for three years on a parish committee. Six adults (one will fill an unexpired term of one year) will be elected at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22, following the 10:00 service. If you are unable to attend the meeting because you will be out of town that day or are homebound (nursing home or hospital, etc.), you may call the office and an absentee ballot will be mailed to you. It must be received in the office no later than Friday, January 20, in order to be counted. Matt Goldberg was appointed to serve as the Youth Representative (member in good standing; and at least 16 years old). The congregation is asked to ratify or not ratify the vote of the youth at the Annual Meeting. J. Peter Bell I am a newcomer to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, and have been attending for about 4 years. I was brought into the parish by my then significant other, now wife, Heather Weston who grew up at St. Matthew’s. Heather is the daughter of long-time parishioner Sarah Weston. We were married at St. Matthew’s in the fall of 2004. Although I grew up Roman Catholic, a product of Catholic grade schools and a 1993 graduate of Trinity High School, I had been a non-practicing Catholic for a couple of years when Heather brought me to St. Matthew’s. I was attracted by the similarities of the two faiths, but was encouraged by the more open and tolerant attitudes of the Episcopal Church. I was also very impressed with The Rev. Lucinda Laird’s ability to talk and teach instead of preach. It was equally amazing how much the parish had to offer for what seemed a small congregation. In the last three years, Heather and I have been swept up in the St. Matthew’s family: Heather is a member of the bell choir and I helped build the church playground, where I met John Willingham and Greg Uligian who convinced me to go to Kenya last summer. I have since become a member of the Board of Directors of Hearts4Kenya, a non-profit company founded this year to help fund and coordinate efforts to aid the people of Oyugis, Kenya. My day job, or more often night job, is Head Carpenter at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. My responsibilities include event organization and supervision of crews to run whatever show happens to be in: opera, ballet, Broadway, orchestra, comedy, etc. Steve Cherry I am 53 years old, and have been a member of St. Matthew’s since May 2004, along with my wife of 27 years, Mary Jane. I am an architect, working primarily in the area of design of commercial buildings. I am currently in my fourth year of EFM (Education for Ministry) course at St. Matthew’s. What I appreciate most about St. Matthew’s is the openness expressed by its people, both from the pews and the pulpit. Candis Crocker The Crocker family has made St. Matthew’s our church home since 1981. (It seems like only yesterday that Mike and I walked through the doors for the first time with two toddlers in tow)! In recent years my involvement has been primarily with the music department, in both adult choir and hand bells, but over the years I have taught Church School, served on and chaired parish committees, and worked with the middle and high school youth groups. I have been a chalice bearer, chaired the Every Member Canvass, and previously served on the Vestry. I am a long-time employee of Norton Healthcare, where I am currently a corporate manager for the hospital pharmacies.