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So
let us not grow weary in doing what is right,
for
we will reap at harvest time,
if
we do not give up. — Paul,
Galatians 6:9 (NRSV)
Dear
Saints:
Good
things are happening at St. Matthew!
Valerie
Mansell's leadership along with a schedule change appears to be
working for our Sunday School/Children's Church program. We had
approximately 60 people attendance yesterday (September 26).
Confirmation is up and running also, at a new time (the Sunday School
hour) and with new materials. We have a large class this year with
eleven students, six of whom will be confirmed in 2006.
For
15 minutes each week at the Sunday School hour Laurie Johnson is
working with our children ages 4 through the fourth grade to create a
children's choir. She, too is having marvelous success with just
under 20 a week or two ago. I recently heard our daughter, Meaghan,
and a couple of her friends singing a song they've been learning
under Laurie's guidance and I thought to myself what a joy it will be
to have this young choir bless us with their presence from time to
time in worship.
Our
Vision and Mission Task Force has just completed the first stage of
its work by drafting four statements on our basic beliefs, values,
mission, and vision here at St. Matthew. Amy Hoag will be
spearheading the next stage in this process as we gather in small
groups to prayerfully consider these statements and offer feedback to
the task force, who will then write new drafts based on the
congregation's responses. Amy, by the way, needs volunteers to help
with this process in a variety of ways. Please contact her if you can
help out. It's my sincere hope and prayer that, once adopted, these
statements will serve to better clarify who we are, what we stand
for, and direct our future mission.
Then,
too, the Executive Council has initiated three ministry teams for
the purpose of reaching our membership and community. The first, the
Core Member team, will reach out as agents of pastoral care to
shut-ins and other aging or infirm people in our congregation to
visit and offer Holy Communion. Fred Wadsworth has volunteered to
coordinate this team. Second, a New Visitor team will reach out as
ambassadors for Christ to those who have visited our congregation in
the recent past. Already there is a Cookie ministry being provided by
some in our congregation, which has been well received by our
visitors. Carol Bingemann along with Jimmy Johnson are the
coordinators for this team. Third, an Inactive Member team, with a
spirit of reconciliation, will contact and visit members who are no
longer attending at St. Matthew. Charlotte DuPriest has offered to
coordinate this team. Each of these new teams is looking for
volunteers to help in carrying out their unique ministries. Call one
of these coordinators if you would like to be involved.
God
is indeed doing good things in and through us here at St. Matthew.
The only missing piece is...YOU!
Blessings
on you all,
Pastor
Larry |
