St. Matthew’s Church,
Episcopal
Parish Notes –
www.stmattsepiscopal.org
May God continue to bless you as we continue through
Lenten season. Historic St. Matthew’s
Episcopal Church is known for great liturgical music and progressive preaching
in an inviting, traditional setting.
Since 1867 souls have given thanks through prayer, fellowship and
sharing. The
This
House of Prayer welcomes all people of faith on their spiritual journey. St.
Matthew’s Church
“I know the
plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…“Plans to give you hope and a future”
Jeremiah 29
A note from your Jr. Warden:
Thoughts on a Sabbatical, or “Are you enjoying
Rev. Exner's absence?”
I ask the title question, tongue planted firmly in
cheek, to provoke some thought on Bill's absence.
Of course
we all miss Bill's loving and guiding presence in our lives, and look forward
to his return. For many of us, he is the
reason we first came to St. Matthew's.
But there is a reason I ask the question that way. First, a quick discussion on sabbaticals, and
why they are an important part of church life.
Diocesan
policy asks each Rector to take a three month leave every five years. There are several reasons for these leaves,
some are pretty straightforward in nature.
One of the biggest is to facilitate continuing education. We all believe, I think, that Bill is very
good at what he does. Part of that is
surely do to who he is; his personality.
But make no mistake, he works very hard at this. His duties conducting mass on Sunday mornings
barely scratch the surface of what his position entails. Leader, counselor, spiritual advisor,
community organizor, consensul builder, manager; these are just some of the job
descriptions that apply. To do all this,
and to do it well, requires the right person receiving a good basic education,
plus continual refreshing of things learned, as well as updates on new areas of
thought and new techniques. In this
example, Bill is using his time to do some refreshing, to complete some non-violence
training he has been working on, as well as to get updated on new ideas for
dealing with teen drug and alcohol issues.
It is important, as well, for the Rector to
have a chance to “unplug” from the Parish and get a bit of a breather. Like most Parish Priests, Bill loves what he
does. He doesn't like being away. But it is still beneficial to him personally
to have some time away, even if it is just focusing on other things for a
while. Anyone who has been around him
upon his return from an absence can testify to that. His normally charged, positive attitude is in
turbocharged mode. He returns March 18th, be forewarned!
The
last issue,and the one for which I asked the title question, has to do with all
of us. Strange as it may seem, sometimes
the Parish can use time away from the Rector!
The following is a direct quote from Bishop Robinson in a letter to our
Vestry: “The
parish benefits from a "leave" as well -- reminding itself that it is
not the RECTOR who makes a parish, but ALL the people.” We rely heavily on Bill, as well we
should. But perhaps now might be a good
time to stop and think anew about our own relationship with God. It is the Lenten Season- what does that
mean? And what does that mean to
me? Sometimes we can learn a little more
when we don't have someone else to do our thinking for us!
Bill
will be back before we know it (and fully charged!). In the meantime our Parish continues to
thrive under the spiritual guidance and loving hand of Rev. Kathleen Cullen,
and with the help of so many great people from our Parish who contribute so
much to our church each and every week.
Enjoy!
Dave
Greiner
Jr.
Warden
A
few items:
March 7 –
St. Matthew’s welcomes Rev. Pierce, a minister from Food For The Poor.
A VERY SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF THE REVEREND JAY PIERCE
Jay’s diverse education, training and experience
(investment banker, trust officer, development officer, hospice chaplain)
provide him with a unique prospective for his ministry with Food For The Poor.
He joined the interdenominational Christian organization serving the destitute
of the
He is scheduled to visit churches 36+ weekends each
year throughout the
Canonically resident in
the Diocese of Lexington, Jay’s nonstipendary ministry (one who earns his
living outside the church but serves the church in ordained capacities) has
taken many forms: supply priest, interim, stewardship consultant, and member of
the Executive Council.
Patti
and Jay live in beautiful
March 11 –
Vestry Meeting, Parish House
March 21 –
Warden’s Breakfast
March 28 –
Teen Shop Talk
Helpful
Links:
2010
Lenten Meditations: www.er-d.org/Lent then click on the photo image to sign up for
Daily Meditations.
Episcopal
Café – www.episcopalcafe.com
Thank you to all for the care and support- it has been overwhelming and
much appreciated.
Emily has come through the surgery with flying colors and it looks like
we should be able to come home today (Feb. 13). Unfortunately, the pathology on
the tumor did not come back as we hoped - so Emily has a long road to recovery
ahead of her. To help us share information about her treatment and progress, we
have created a website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilydesrochers
Please visit often for updates - you can also view photos and leave
messages in our guestbook.
Thank you for your continued care and support as we help Emily through
this.
Josh and Jill Desrochers
“I no longer call you servants, now I call you
friends” Jesus Christ
In our prayers for comfort and support
“I will refresh you” Jesus
Christ
Get Well & God Bless: Emily, Josh & Jill, Andrew, Alice, Joy, Kevin, Florence, Sam,
Heather, Judy, Bob, Steve, Kameron, Linda and Tom, Pete, Bob, Jen, Lydia, Bria,
Shaun, Marilyn, Millie, Elaine, Laura, Lynda, Carolyn, Nancy, Nicole, Mel,
Debbie, Glenn, Alice, Randy, Liam, Jude, Alice, Moira & Rick
Prayers of Thanks –
Birthdays known to us: Kellie Daneau, Amy Meyers, Fred Paquette, Meredith
Wheeler, Jamie Boissonnault, Medline Cole, Jimmy Waller, Lee Simons, Bobcat
Grant, Corbin Paradis, James Levesque, Kathleen Cullen, Amy Poisson and Rosemarie Fry.
Anniversaries known to us:
Be It Resolved: A General
Convention Resolution asks Episcopalians to volunteer 40 hours a year to a
local public school. Imagine the support
we could lend our local public schools by simply asking, “How can I help?”… Just ask a local principal or teacher or
coach.
Ø
Sunday School is always open for all kids
Ø
Play Group – plays every Wednesday
Ø
Food Pantry
and
Ø
SHINE. Sr. Citizens are welcome Wednesdays in the
Parish House from
Ø
Parish Nurse –hours are 10-noon Wednesdays for anyone who would like their blood pressure checked or have general
health questions.
Ø
Bible Chat –Wednesdays from noon-1pm.
+ Senior Citizens
and Families – Check out the 2010 Seniors Count Resource Guide for the
Manchester Area. www.seniorscountnh.org
or call 644-2240.
www.cslcgoffstown.org
The
March 2010
9th: Faithfully Fit: Yoga: 3rd in series –
16th: Health/Environment: Exploring the R.E.C.I.P.E.S. for
Wellness in Your Life – Joan Stevens
23rd: Spiritual: Millennium Development Goals – Johanna
Young
30th: Book Group: The Last Week by Marcus Borg – Rev.
William Exner and Jill Desrochers
April 2010
6th: Spiritual: Journaling to Achieve Balance in Your Life –
Joan Stevens
13th: Faithfully Fit: Yoga: 4th in series – Jill
Desrochers/Joan Stevens
20th: Book Group: - Women the Untapped Resource by Nicholas
Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn – Jill Desrochers – this article is from Heifer
International World
27th: Spiritual: Jonathan Daniels film and discussion – Rev.
William Exner
All programs meet at
“Pray
your child’s name with love in your heart.
Say your child’s name with love in your voice.”
+ The Treasurer has received a number of 2010 pledge estimates
back. We need to raise $146,000.00 to
keep our parish going strong for 2010.
St. Matt’s needs your offering to God.
Thank you & Bless you. If you
have pledged and requested envelopes they are available on the entry table.
Pledges in hand- 87
Total estimated
pledges $130,717. St. Matt’s needs your help.
OUTREACH
· Fuel assistance – contact 647-4470 or 1-800-322-1073
or www.snhs.org
· ‘
· Women’s Crisis
Center,
· Apply for food stamps by phone 1-800-852-3345 ext. 4238
· The Network Food Pantry hours are Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm
& Saturdays
· Community Clothing Center at 9 North Mast – Same hours
as Network Food Pantry
· Parish Nurse, Wednesday Mornings during SHINE
· St Matt’s Play Group/Undercroft Wednesdays
· The Sr. Citizen SHINE Wednesdays at
· Weekly Bible Chats Wednesdays resumes Sept. 9 at
+
Winter Parish Office Hours: Tuesdays 9-noon, Wednesday
Does the Church Office have your current
e-mail & contact Information???
Drop us a line to keep us in the loop.
Our e-mail is office@stmattsepiscopal.org
.
The Network Food Pantry needs
a boost in food offerings. There has been a large increase in local need. Feel free to drop food off anytime at the
Parish House door. Here is a list of
items that really help: pasta, sauce,
TP, soups , tuna, baby food, diapers, canned veggies and fruits, rice, M+C,
juices, cereals, soap, toothpaste, detergent, tea, coffee. Someone will always benefit from your
generosity.
You
can also help the Network Food Pantry at St. Matt’s by donating your weekly coupon fliers from the Sunday newspapers. Please donate the following: Smart Source, Red Plum and P&G. Place the coupons in the basket by the main
church door.
“Christ is the Worlds True Light”
St. Matt’s
needs your help – STEWARDSHIP
+ Parish Pledge Drive– Every friend and member has something to offer
God. Our skills, time and money enables
St. Matt’s to strengthen the spirits of our members and to serve the needs of
our neighbors. Over the past several
months St. Matthew’s Vestry, Rector and Treasurer have done their best to trim
the 2010 budget while upholding our faithful mission and ministries. The pledge goal for 2010 is $146,000, about a
1% increase from 2009. When the Mission
Budget Draft is presented at the Annual Parish Meeting in January it is my
prayer that you and at least 100 other households will have indicated pledge
support to meet our needs over the course of 2010. Questions?
Feel free to contact Parish treasurer Linda Clark at hfmoon@comcast.net or contact the rector
at 497-2003.
“Lord
help us to be grateful for your whole creation, that we may honor thee with our
substance and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.” (BCP pg. 329)
E-Giving
St Matthew’s now has the ability to accept donations
electronically through an application called E-Giving. It is a product offered through
Morehouse Publishing (a church supply company we have done business with for
many years.) Through this site, you can choose to make a single contribution
for a current or future date or a regular, recurring contribution. You can
have the contribution come directly from your bank account or charge to a
credit card and you can choose what type of contribution you wish to make. A
payment toward your pledge, a donation for flowers, a special gift, ect.
There is a link on St Matthew’s website (www.stmattsepiscopal.org )
that will take you directly to the St Matthew’s E-Giving window. The very first
you visit, you will be asked to enroll as a member – set up a user name and
password and, if you wish, accept the ACH authorization to create bank account
transactions. Once you are a member, you only need to log in using your user
name and password. (Note: If you specify a regular ongoing offering for
a particular time frame, please consider renewing it when the time runs
out. Thanks!)
If you are interested in finding more about the
application’s security, the policy can be found at the following link: http://e-giving.org/security.htm
“The Earth is the Lord’s and all that dwells therein.” (1
Corinthinian)
Anniversary? Birthday? Thanksgiving? Offerings for special occasions may be made by providing for worship in the following
manner:
Candles $20.00
Sanctuary Lamp $20.00
Weekly
Wafers/Host $10.00
Flower Offering $30.00
Please make checks payable to
St. Matthew’s Church and either put it in the Sunday Offering plate or mail it
to the church office: Office, 7 No. Mast
Recycling: Don’t forget to bring in your print
cartridges to be recycled. Just bring them in or drop off at the office.
Family Squares for the Church Quilt - Muslin squares with instructions, for the Church Quilt
are available in the undercroft. If you have any questions about the quilt or
how to use the squares, please contact Margie Battey at 497-2107.
+ Support for Your Business: Do you own your own business? Are you self employed? Are you an active, supportive part of St.
Matthew’s programs or worshipping community?
If so, you are welcome to send your business card/contact information to
St. Matt’s office for inclusion on our Parish Business web page. Our goal is to help people in the parish be
aware of the various talents and services available by way of others associated
with the parish.
Self –
Employed Small Business owners who are active, supportive members
of St.
Matthew’s
Computer Assistance – Doug Doster
497-5372 He keeps St. Matthew’s
humming along.
Food, Spirits & Live Blues – The Village Trestle 25 Main Street, Goffstown
497-8230 Steve and Lorraine Pascucci,
owners. Adult fun, good folks.
French & Rising Funeral Home – 497-4711 Tim
and Gail Kenney, owners. Long time
members and good friends. Excellent and
compassionate.
Jewelry – Jonathan’s Jeweler’s 460 Rt. 101,
Landscaping/Yard Work – John Erlman
625-4145 Solid, friendly and
knowledgeable – one of the good guys.
Market
Martial Arts, Tai Chi –MLK Self Defense Academy 323 South Willow St.,
Manchester 625-4655 or www.mlksda.com Joe
&
Massage – Pat Soule 785-5306
Long time practitioner, gentle and effective.
Organization – Finely Organized
497-8203 or finelyorganized@msn.com Angie Battey
Reliable and delightful.
Painting Interior/Exterior – American Beauty Painting 533-1117 Ted Harlow A true artist and hard worker.
Pampered Chef –
Photography –
Piano & Voice Lessons, Beginners to Adults welcome! – Judy Pancoast 264-9618 Experience, warmth and a love for kids!
Restaurant – Vic’s Brunch Place
The Meeting Place Plaza 199 Rt. 101,
Amherst 249-5822 Vic & Sarah
Cotugno Excellent Food from good people.
Transitions Lifestyle System
– A low glycemic, body fat burning, muscle saving, eat as much as you want of
the right foods kind of food plan.
Website design –
Wood crafts and Furniture – WhippleWill Woodsmith 497-3291 Jean Leduc Skill with a smile.
Friends of St.
Matthew’s We Recommend
Ace Goffstown Hardware,
Building/Home Inspections
and Engineered Energy Consults - Criterium-Turner Engineers 497-3137 or www.EngineerNH.com
Catering, Breakfast – The Happy Tomato Café 4 Main Street, Goffstown
497-4072 or www.happytomatocafe.com
Crispin’s House After School Program at
Electrician – Norton Phelps 973-1469 or email to
nortonphelps@comcast.net
Electrician – Ian
Fine Dining – Patrick’s Country Restaurant 9 High Street,
Goffstown 497-4800
Florists – Apotheca Flower Shoppe & Tea Chest Goffstown 497-4940 www.apothecaflowershoppe.com
Goffstown Public Library – resources and welcome for all ages
Groceries – Sully’s right across from St. Matthew’s
Snow Removal – Brian Untiet
497-2776
Please Note: This listing is a
work in progress. It’s purpose is to
support active members of St. Matthew’s and to give a friendly “shout out” to
local businesses who constantly go beyond the call of duty to work with us.
Give Thanks To God Always
IN GOD’S PRESENCE IS JOY.
IN GOD’S SERVICE IS PERFECT
FREEDOM.