In This Issue. February News of and for the Community of St. Matthew Presbyterian Church

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1 News of and for the Community of St. Matthew Presbyterian Church February 2017 In This Issue Upcoming Events Dates to Remember Important Contacts Greetings from Leslie Youth Notes Christmas Play Congregation Notes Learn About Ahmadiyya Islam, February 11 The Silver Spring chapter of the Ahmadi Muslim Women's Association is hosting a special educational program on Social Justice & The Prophet Muhammad that will take place this coming Saturday, February 11th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Sandy Spring Museum, Bentley Road, Sandy Greetings from Leslie by Leslie Klingensmith Greetings, friends, and welcome to February! We are about 1/3 of the way through winter and the days are already getting noticeably longer. Thanks be to God! As you read through this issue of the Messenger, you will see several interesting things that have happened recently or that are going to happen in the near future. I just want to highlight a few of them. Remember that during the month of February we are collecting clothing and household items for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC is based right here in Silver Spring and provides assistance to refugee families. All types of clothing are needed, but especially winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves and umbrellas. Also, they tend to be short on items for men. Household items that are helpful are bed linens (twin or full - need both a fitted sheet and a top sheet), vacuum cleaners, microwaves, and strollers. IRC will also happily take Target or Wal- Mart gift cards to pass on to their client families. Many thanks to Jim Leong for heading up this effort. If you have questions or would like to assist with the effort, please see Jim or me. I also want to draw everyone's attention to our Black History Month celebration that will be held on Sunday, February 26 immediately after church. It is going to be great! We are going to hear stories from our own

2 Spring, MD. Refreshments will be served and the event is open to all women, so feel free to invite women family and friends. If you are interested in this special event, let Ruth Burgos-Sasscer know ( ) so she can arrange transportation for those who would like to travel together. Ash Wednesday Service, March 1 Lent will begin soon. Plan to observe the beginning of this special time with our Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. The service will be held in the Agnes Wilson Room. There will be prayers, hymns, and the imposition of ashes for those who choose to receive them. African American members who lived through segregation and the Civil Rights Movement. Come get to know our own history more deeply and appreciate what some of our senior members have experienced. We will also learn how their faith helped them cope with difficult circumstances. Join us as we honor these dear friends, who each have made such significant contributions to the nation and community in areas that include finance, education, military service, engineering, and politics. Many thanks to Karen Brown Gonzalez, Kirsten Gonzalez, and Leigh Leslie for coordinating this project. Finally, it feels like a long time away, but Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday on Wednesday, March 1. We will observe the beginning of the season with a worship service in the Agnes Wilson Room at 7:30 PM. Further details will be in Sunday bulletins, but make sure you save the date and plan to begin this contemplative time with ashes, hymns, and prayers. You can find further details about these events and others in the newsletter. Thanks for being God's people and doing what you can to spread love in the world! Grace and peace, Leslie from Konni Brantner As I imagine most everyone is aware, the end of 2016 was a difficult and trying time. But as we all know, God can use the bad to create good- let me share some of the good that came out of this journey: First: Reinforcement of the knowledge that I work for the best Pastor in the world, and for the best congregation on earth. From the first call to Leslie (from the hospital on Sunday night) I could not have asked for a more supportive, helpful, loving, caring pastorboss- friend. She made it clear to me that my one and only concern was getting well. Perhaps Advent 2016 would not be as we had planned, but we would all get through it. And YOUTH NOTES by Konni Brantner St. Matthew Mission Marathon, Starting Saturday, April 1 Children: Y Come join us for a St. Matthew Mission Marathon starting Saturday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. and going to Sunday morning, April 2, at 9:30 a.m. We'll do projects We'll play games We'll watch a movie We'll make a snack Come at 7:00 AFTER DINNER...and stay as long as you want! You can even sleep at the church! We'll have lots of fun while we look at ways to help others. You'll need: a permission slip, a sleeping bag, pillow and "cuddly friend", PJ's, clothes, etc. The cost of the event is $10. If you have a movie you'd like for

3 we all did! us to watch, let Konni know. Second: I work with the best people around- the number of you who stepped up and offered your help- with Church School, Christmas Eve, Smart Sacks, etc. was so incredible. Likewise, the outpouring of cards, food, calls and prayers is something I will never forget. Third: We, at St. Matthew are so lucky, we have some young adults, growing up in our church and becoming real leaders. I especially am grateful to Eseme Koge and Louise Boyle who kept the children's play moving. Even this past weekend, as we rehearsed, I could sit back and these two young adults "handled it"! It's great to see a glimpse into our church's future, and let me tell you, it's secure. Fourth: When I can't be dependent on myself, I remembered, very quickly the importance of family, friends and God. Fifth: I love my job! I have always known that, but as friends were saying..."wow, sit back and enjoy the vacation"- I could honestly say. "I DON'T WANT A VACATION... I WANT TO GO TO WORK!!!" Being forced to sit back and watch Advent and Christmas go by was humbling, frustrating and exhausting! For more information and to register, call Konni at or her at stmattkmb@hotmail.com. Please RSVP by March 26. Feel free to come in your PJ's! A St. Matthew Wish List... DIETERS: Once again, we are looking at our Community Easter Party, and filling all those eggs! So, if you have any extra candy- chocolate, hard, sugar, etc. that you would like to get out of your house- please donate it to our party. Just drop it off in the office. SUPPLIES FOR TWO PROJECTS: This year, during Vacation Church School we are going to have a day of service where many of the activities will be projects that the kids do for other people. Two projects I wanted to mention are: first aid kits for the homeless and candy bar wrappers for smart sacks. The reason I mention these is that they require a lot of supplies- the candy bar wrappers require full size Hershey bars (plain, no nuts)- we need about 150! The first aid kit requires: lots of band aids, individual packs of ibuprofen, small individual alcohol wipes antibiotic ointment and moist towelettes. Our goal is to make 5o. If you can donate any of these supplies, please either let Konni know or bring them into the church. You get them... I'll store them. CREPE PAPER ROLLS: for our children to use at their PJ Mission Marathon- they will use them to create party games for Extra-Ordinary Birthdays. There's a box in the narthex! PLASTIC BREAD BAGS: We are still collecting full size plastic bread bags for our Martha's Table project. CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHER for last quarter of the year (March - beginning of June) We are in need of a teacher for our wonderful group of first and second grade children. Please contact Konni if you are interested. Christmas (in January) Play, Sunday, January 29 By Konni Brantner Sixth: When you can't participate in the "busyness" of the season, it's harder than you think to stay positive and to remember Jesus is the reason for the season. In the end, I Well, it's a good thing "Christmas is not about a date!" Due to my unexpected health issues, we had to postpone our children/youth christmas play. So, on January 29, the cast finally got to present the play. The kids did a great job! A special thanks to Eseme Koge and Louise Boylewho took over rehearsals, discipline, and props. It was wonderful to have such

4 think I came away with a new understanding. Seventh: When I am healthy and active, it's easy to take these gifts for granted, perhaps being forced to stop, helped me put my life and blessings in perspective. great young adults to work with! We truly couldn't have done it with out them. The program was well done, the kids worked hard and the congregation was treated to a new and different way of looking at the Christmas story. Eighth: I am not a very patient person, but I'm learning!!! Ninth: I Have SO MUCH to be thankful for- a wonderful husband who has cared for me so selflessly, an incredible church, a wonderful job, caring co workers, an understanding and compassionate boss who is also a supportive friend, awesome, encouraging friends, a caring family and a God who has truly wrapped "His" healing, loving and supportive arms around me. I am truly blessed beyond measure. Tenth: The words THANK YOU seem very inadequate, but they are sincere! I am so grateful and appreciative to each and every one all of you- The Brantner's are so lucky to be part of the St. Matthew family. Many thanks to... Jacob Matey Koge Koge Youri Sack Hannah Matey Kanayo Duru Bella Acosta Anya Lynch Eseme Koge Sam Acosta Louise Boyle Greer Taylor Sasha Winter Evie Lynch Finian Gallagher Matthew Winter Callum Winter And a special thanks to: Your Annual Contribution Statement You can pick up your 2016 year-end contribution All the parents who faithfully chauffeured their children to rehearsals helped them memorize and put up with my weekly s and helped as we worked to find a new date for our performance. Declan Gallagher who was all set to be in the play, but just could not adjust his schedule for a January date. We were sad to lose him, but so grateful to Finn Gallagher for coming to our rescue at the last minute. Bruce McPherson, Terry DeJong and their crew for putting the stage up (and taking it down). Eseme Koge and Louise Boyle for "double duty" both as directors and talent. Jeremy Young for all the musical and technical support. The 7th Day Adventist congregation for lending us their sound system.

5 statement in your folder in the narthex. Any questions should be referred to our financial secretary, Glenda De Jong. 9th Annual Vacation Bible School, June Once again this year we will teaming up with St. John's Lutheran Church. Our theme is God's Power Burning Bright. Sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Vacation Bible School is for children 4 years old through those who have completed 5th grade. Children need to be 4 by September 1, 2017, and be potty trained. For more information, contact Konni or Glenda DeJong. CONGREGATION NOTES Mary Martha Circle Meets February 8 by Millie Ames The Mary Martha Circle met January 11 to continue our study of "Who is Jesus" and how he was understood by those of the early church. Julia McBee presented the lesson. Ruth Sasscer held a brief business meeting. She noted our members who were ill. We then looked to our goals for Ruth was also our hostess. We were pleased to have Konni Brantner join us for lunch. Our next meeting will be February 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the Agnes Wilson room. Bring a sandwich. Dessert and beverage are provided. Hope to see you there. St. Matthew Celebrates Our African American Heritage, Sunday, February 26 by Karen Brown Gonzalez Camp Joy July 9-15 Camp Joy is open to all middle and high school kids. Our first meeting is Feb. 19 immediately after church. Join us in song, hear stories from our members and share African American inspired foods as we celebrate Black History Month. We will begin during Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. and conclude with a potluck luncheon and program. Start now researching recipes to select an awesome main dish, salad or dessert to prepare and share. Bring your entire family Alternate Christmas Results

6 Please plan to attend if you are at all interested in participating. We need to get an idea of who is interested. by Elsie Maxam We also need adults! If you are interested, please contact Konni. Twenty-two St. Matthew families donated funds so that many people around the world will have their lives changed. Through Church World Service they will receive chicks, blankets, seeds and tools, nutritional packets and educational toys for children, jerry cans, school kits and goats. Many children will have wonderful parties. Food and services will assist folks at Shepherd's Table. The totals are: Shepherd's Table $ Birthdays $ Church World Service $ Total $ Thanks to all who made this possible. Thanks also to Donna Chirwa and Don Maxam for their continued help. Important Contacts Leslie A. Klingensmith, Pastor Konni Brantner, Director of Youth Education and Outreach Jeremy Young, Director of Music and Organist Al Conner, Church Office Administrative Assistant Julia McBee, Clerk of Session Bill McBee, Newsletter Editor Many thanks to our Second Sunday Altar Flowers "Double Feature" Program by Jeanette Dibble The St. Matthew's Worship-Music Commission is happy to announce that 2nd Sunday Altar Flowers is resuming with a new "DOUBLE FEATURE" PROGRAM as follows: 1. Every second Sunday will now be Birthday Sunday as well, with fresh flowers (or perhaps shrubs from our grounds) on the altar table for all to enjoy. During the service, our Pastor will invite all present who have birthdays that month to stand and be recognized. 2. There will be a sign up sheet on the Narthex bulletin board for those who wish to dedicate flowers on the 2nd Sunday to honor some special occasion (such as a birthday, anniversary, memorial, reunion, etc.) The event/person you designate will be announced from the pulpit and listed in that Sunday's bulletin. To support this activity, donations will be gladly accepted by cash (to Thecla Brathwaite) or check (made out to St. Matthew with a notation on the check "for altar flowers" and placed in the offering plate. Any amount is welcome. Our goal is maximum parishioner participation by sharing feelings of celebration and goodwill while also enhancing the beauty of our worship service. Anyone who enjoys working with flowers or delivering to shut-ins after the service is warmly invited to join us. Thanks for your continued support!

7 photographers Nulty Lynch and Konni Brantner The deadline for the March newsletter is March 3.