Dear Saints, Epiphany Greetings in the name of our crucified, risen and ascended Lord and coming Savior Jesus Christ!

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1 St. Matthew s Staff Rev. Orin Cummings Rector Sherry Minzey Admin. Assistant Ron Stockton Music Director Jim Minzey Sexton Officers PATTI MCGILL Senior Warden Linda Gerding Junior Warden David Macey Treasurer Linda Gerding Secretary Dave Chullino George Miller Clerk of the Works Service Times 8:00 a.m 11:00 a.m. Sunday Service RITE II Dear Saints, Epiphany Greetings in the name of our crucified, risen and ascended Lord and coming Savior Jesus Christ! A new year is upon us providing another opportunity to begin again. If Shared Ministry no longer feels invigorating, then let us make 2019 the occasion to reflect on our journey and begin again. In passing the mantle, Fr Bill articulated a vision that it is clearly part of God s plan for the vitality and continued presence of St. Matthew s in Raytown: I believe that the Holy Spirit is most pleased with the decision to form a shared ministry with Pastor Orin Cummings. In the meditations of my heart over the past year, I have heard the voice of our Lord point in the direction of a shared ministry with the Lutherans (The Messenger January 2016). We are two months from beginning a fourth year of Shared Ministry. So much has happened on this journey for which we thank God. From the beginning, BRT committed to One in Prayer Challenge on discernment. We joined them in seeking spiritual direction and understanding for our common life. Today, we are grateful to leaders from both churches who conducted Wartburg Theological Seminary Classes via SKYPE on Shared Ministry. They shared how we alternately host United Services on fifth Sundays and on special occasions e.g. Pentecost. Led by both Bishops, churches participated in the installation of Reverend Cummings as Rector at St Matthew s. We have held joint Lenten services, Bible Study, VBS, and Confirmation class. Invitations from ECW and DOK were warmly received by BRT members. St Matthew s participated in Lutheran event God s Work, Our Hands. Together churches participated in Raytown Summer Lunch Program. Members of St Matthew s joined in Summer Dinner and a Movie event at BRT and conversely for Happy Crafters. BRT s Church Council hosted a meeting with St Matthew s Vestry aimed at helping leaders become more acquainted with each other learning names, interests, experiences and family of faith stories. St Matthew sponsored fundraisers were supported by BRT and vice versa. These are some of the blessings of Shared Ministry. Continued on page E. 65 th Street, Raytown, Missouri Phone: stmattsraytown@gmail.com 1

2 Continued from page 1 In addition, our shared experiences have been educational in that we have learned BRT s traditions, culture and distinctive character. We are getting to know and develop intimacy with BRT by learning to compromise, empathize, and accept differences. Of course, having the right (positive) attitude is key and begins with a willingness of individual members to step out of their comfort zone. Shared Ministry makes us more alert, prepared and energized. It makes us more aware that we belong to the bigger church. Therefore, we are grateful to pool our resources and share expenses for security in ministry. This new year brings more opportunities and challenges as we walk together in ministry and mission. We can build on the sum total of our 100 plus years in Raytown by reinventing ourselves. But to do this we must recommit ourselves to the vision. In the words of King Arthur from First Knight I pray: May God grant us the wisdom to discover right, the will to choose it, and the strength to make it endure. Amen. In Christ s service, Fr. Orin SWEET MUSIC On the Second Sunday of Advent the Trio of Marci-Brown Turlin, Carl Turlin, and Patti McGill sang Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, as the Offertory Hymn. They were followed later in the service by the Trio of Marci-Brown Turlin, Carl Turlin, and Janet Anderson-Brown singing a Communion Hymn. We are very blessed to have these Song Leaders share their beautiful voices. L-R: Patti McGill, Marci Brown-Turlin, Carl Turlin, and Janet Anderson-Brown 2

3 ABOUHALKAH S RETURN December 16, 2018 Yael Abouhalkah and Beci Bosley were back at St. Matthew s again after being gone for 16 months as Peace Corps Volunteers in Namibia, Africa. Yael and Beci each took turns during coffee hour to share stories about their experiences teaching learners how to speak English. St. Matthew s had a small reception for them during coffee hour, prior to an Open House for family and friends to stop by to donate books or cash for the libraries they are supplying in Namibia. Donated Books and Cash 3

4 REAP CHRISTMAS STORE REAP completed distributing items from their Christmas Store on Wed. Dec. 12 th and Thurs. Dec. 13 th. Linda Gerding had previously delivered from St. Matthew s: two 40 gallon trash bags full of donation and $ Again this year, volunteers from St. Matthew s helped to categorize and sort items, or be a shopper s aide. Each client came by appointment only and had to pre-register for eligibility. They were accompanied by a shopping aide and were given a huge bag upon entering the store. They could choose a roll of wrapping paper and bows and then begin to shop. They could pick for each child on their list: A major toy from a table (bigger and more expensive) A minor toy from a table (less expensive) A hat, scarf and gloves (for everyone in the family including Mom & Dad) One large and 2 small stuffed animals for each child A household bundle for the home (some bundles included 2 bed pillows or a body pillow) 5 Books each for every family member If there were children under 10 a large grocery bag filled with miscellaneous items Their items were then placed in a pile while they checked out and went to get their cars for volunteers to help them load up. That was Darrel Cook s job this time, to load the cars. This year REAP served 250 families and 500 children, at last count. Families are helped with gifts even after the Christmas Store has officially closed. Everyone is always very grateful and appreciative. Ann Verlinden and Judy Riggs, Christmas Store coordinators, especially wanted St. Matthew s to know their appreciation of its support. Our community is so blessed to have REAP, that allows St. Matthew s the opportunity to help so many young children to have a nice Christmas, along with so many parents too. THANK YOU St. Matthew s Parish Family for your generosity, and to Beth & Darrel Cook, Linda Gerding, and any others from St. Matthew s, for volunteering their time to help with the Christmas Store again, this year. Blessings, Linda Gerding 4

5 EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN LUNCHEON On Saturday Dec. 15 th a group of St. Matthew s women met at Summit Grill for a Christmas luncheon. Fellowship and sharing laughs was the theme, and the food was excellent too! MANY THANKS to all those whose efforts went toward the celebration of a beautiful Christmas at St. Matthew s. We are especially grateful to the Altar Guild members who did so much to prepare for and supervise the hanging of the greens and who were ever-present before, during and after the Christmas season services to be sure that all was ready and in order for worship. We are also grateful to all those who contributed toward the plants, flowers and greens for Advent and Christmas. Many commented on the loveliness of the sanctuary. Thank you! Those who contributed this year were: George & Jeannie Miller Dave & Kay Chullino Jane Matson Jim & Sherry Minzey Mike & Linda Gerding Jane Petrie Linda & Dave Batson Dave & Frances Macey 5

6 As we approach the feas t of manifes tation, or Epiphany. The Bles s ings of Epiphany. The Light of Chris t DOK Chapter 6

7 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019 The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the Church Parish Hall, following the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist on Sunday, January 29. All Parish officials and group leaders, please remember that Annual Reports are due on January 9. If possible, send reports by to the Church or to Sherry Minzey s at the office. Thanks! A new 2019 Altar Flower and Sanctuary Candle Chart is in the Narthex. Please sign now for the dates you want. Each vase is $ The Sanctuary candle contribution for is $5.00. Envelopes will be available on the Narthex table for Easter & Christmas Memorial Flowers. The Sanctuary candle contribution for a 7- day candle is $5.00. If you have a special flower request please contact Jane Matson. Office Closed Tuesday January 1 st Please use your new 2019 offering envelopes! It really helps when you enclose your contribution or pledge in the envelope as it enables the counters to do their work faster and with greater accuracy. Also, please do not use any 2018 envelopes for offerings or pledges as in some cases the numbers have changed. Thank you so much! If you haven t picked up your envelopes, they are on the table in the Narthex. January 23 rd February Messenger/Calendar Deadline 7