June An excerpt from the article, A New Monasticism Listening to the Scholars

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1 June 2018 An excerpt from the article, A New Monasticism Listening to the Scholars A few weeks age, at our Friday Leadership meeting at IU Health, we read this article and reflected on the portion that I want to share with all of you. The late German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, The renewal of the church will come from a new type of monasticism, which has only in common with the old an uncompromising allegiance to the sermon on the mount. It is high time men and women banded together to do this. Monasticism from its very beginning was a perspective on how to live the Christian life to its fullest. It proposes a life of prayer and service. Since most of us will never give up our families and careers and homes to dwell in a remote abbey faraway from the common life, we can glean some nuggets of insight in how to incorporate what is best about monastic ways of life into the daily routines and obligations that each of us hold. The authors of the article are part of the Lindisfarne Community Secular Monasticism in Scotland. I hope you will enjoy this article! Philosophers have spoken for some time about a major shift in our society. It is the movement from industrial to informational, from a unified society with a common social vision to a deeply divided society with no center. The certainties of modernity have given way to the uncertainties of post-modernity. Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre in the mid-80 s began to speak of a new dark ages. He likened contemporary culture to the period when the Roman Empire began to disintegrate from the third century CE onwards. In a phrase, MacIntyre characterizes contemporary society as a collection of strangers. He suggests that it was small communities of virtue monastic communities in which civility was maintained and through which Western civilization was saved from barbarity. He suggests further that it is small communities of virtue who will have the most powerful effect on our present society. Futurists (for example, Alvin Toffler and Leonard Sweet) have likewise painted a picture of society which is experiencing, and will continue to experience, massive changes. Of course, society has always changed; what we are experiencing now is the increasing rate of change, the sheer speed of changes, driven mostly by technology. It is a truism to say that the speed of such changes has provided and will continue to provide our culture with unprecedented uncertainties. Psychologists (for example, Larry Crabb) have begun to question whether the therapeutic society of the last 40 years of the twentieth century has actually done as well as older cultural forms that is, those based on connectedness rather than counseling. In other words, the deeper human needs are better met by simple human relationships of love, trust, care and accountability. It is the loss of those kinds of relationships which have produced the many neuroses and pathologies of Western society. At the same time, sociologists find there has been a reawakening of spiritual consciousness. In the 1960 s social thinkers were predicting the demise of religion. It became clear in the last quarter of the twentieth century that, far from dying, religion was revitalized. All around the world (except Western Europe, by and large) religion has had an important resurgence. It has taken many forms from various fundamentalisms to renewal movements to new religions. Religion is here to stay. But the content and expression of religion is changing (see, for example, the work of sociologists Peter Berger of Boston University and Robert Wuthnow of Princeton). People are now less content with formal, unchanging denominational allegiance and more willing to change, to experiment. Religion is now more experiencebased, more felt than thought about. People are longing for the mystery of religion and less taken in by the slick commercial presentation. Theologians, Robert Webber amongst others, has urged the church to regain the ancient paths, those walked in the first 500 years of the church s history. It was in this period Continued on page 2 Page 2 Reports: Vestry/Outreach Page 3 Announcements/Happenings Page 4 Happenings cont. Page 5 Happenings cont./ministry Schedule

2 Continued from page 1 that monasticism was shaped to be a vibrant spiritual movement which both preserved civilization and remained a countercultural challenge to society. John Howard Yoder and Stanley Hauerwas have written urging the church to truly become the church, presenting to the world church as an alternate social reality shaped by the life of Jesus and characterized by enemy love, servanthood and forgiveness. The New Monasticism in which we are engaged is a Spirit-led movement to serve God and meet the needs of our contemporary generations. CFR Occasional Papers, CFR (IMC, Inc), 2002 Rt. Rev. Jane Fitz-Gibbon, Abbess; Rt. Rev. Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, PhD, Abbot Reports VESTRY Vestry has May meeting Vestry Members Present: Steve Albrecht, Natalie Palmer, Celeste Sheets-Eaton, Greg Staab, Linda Sykes, Jeff Weir Vestry Members Absent: Phil Sowders Others: Priest-in-Charge Frank Impicciche, Vestry Clerk Dale Caldwell, guests Lisa Fleetwood (representing Community Health, Faith Health Initiative Program), and Cody Lock from the Engagement and Outreach Committee. Community Health: Faith Health Initiative Program Lisa Fleetwood from the Faith Health Initiative Program of Community Health made a presentation on the resources being made available to faith communities and neighborhoods. The program is currently evolving, and is looking for ways to partner with faith communities. Speakers Bureau offers numerous seminars on a variety of health topics Health Screenings Resource Concierge Services which seeks to assist in finding resources that fits a member's needs, whether it be transportation, legal support, job skills training, etc. Faith Community Nursing Support including training and certification for eligible nurses Monthly Newsletter Health Curriculum and Resources OUTREACH Report from E-Team (Engagement and Outreach Committee) The E-Team is a clearinghouse of ideas and projects and not necessarily the personnel to carry out a program. It is recommended that individual parish members should take at least partial ownership of their idea with guidance and support from the committee. Members are encouraged to bring an idea to the committee to determine how it might best be facilitated. The team is researching branded marketing products. The team is exploring community programs in which St. Matt's can be involved. They will engage in such programs with the approval of the Vestry. May Financial Review We continue a trend set earlier in the year by exceeding the budget we set for the year. Individual contributions are above projections and overall expenses are falling below expectations. We have put ourselves in a great position to support Frank in his full-time ministry with us starting July 1 st. Summary: Actual Budget Total Receipts $84,929 $72,712 Total Disbursements $73,603 $78,370 Surplus/Deficit $11,326 ($5,658) 2 Please JOIN OUR ENGAGEMENT& OUTREACH TEAM The next meeting is Tuesday, June 12th at 7 p.m. Please join us. We need your ideas and help. For more information see Cody Lock As you are able, please consider giving to ICAN. You can mail personal checks made out to ICAN C/O IAM and mail to ICAN, c/o Emerson Ave. Baptist Church, 308 N. Emerson Ave. Indianapolis, IN46219 or you can give on line at: Thank you all, and please continue to help St. Matt s to help stock several neighborhood shelters and pantries on the far east side with toilet paper and other toiletries.

3 Announcements Happenings June 1 Alex Caress June 5 Joe Hauptmann June 7 Maggy Staab June 19 Naomi Harris June 28 Robin Robbins June Birthdays Graduation Day and Mothers Day Alex Hauptmann graduated from IUPUI. Congratulations, Alex June Anniversaries June 10 Gary and Cheryll Wyne June 12 Ed and Barb Steward June 19 Michael and Stephanie Trabel June 27 Steve and Jennifer Albrecht June 27 Phil and Kelly Leswing All Ladies received a rose and a fan. Thank you St. Matt s. Remember: Please sign up for Coffee Hour. Bring some of your favorite pastry and fix the coffee. Thanks you. Pentecost weekend The next Wednesday Pitch-In will be on Wednesday, June 27 following the 10 a.m. service. Come join the fun. Bring whatever; there s no set menu. Wednesday, June 27 is the deadline for sending in any calendar events, meeting dates and times, articles, and announcements for the July issue of smatterings. The next meeting of Book, Yarn, and Prayer will be Monday, August 6 at 7 p.m. We will tackle some more of the Bible Study at the back of Sisters & Brothers. Bring your favorite Bible version. If you haven t ordered your St. Matt s Polo Shirt yet, be sure and let us know! There is still time. These shirts are nicely embroidered (pictured above) and can be worn for all kinds of occasions whether at a St. Matt s event or when you go out on the town! 3

4 4 Kite Sunday

5 Pride Festival Sunday Ministry Schedule June 2018 Ministry June June June June July Schedule :00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM Pentecost 2 Pentecost 3 Pentecost 4 Pentecost 5 Pentecost 6 Lectors Bonnie Godfrey Crystal Black Marla Davenport Mark Carpenter Natalie Weir Vicki Mansfield Steve Albrecht Linda Sykes Suzanne Kissling Missy Ellis Intercessor Bonnie Godfrey Elaine Mattson Suzanne Kissling Joan Porter Linda Sykes Chalice Elaine Mattson Suzanne Kissling Joan Porter Andy Wilkinson Joe Weaver Crucifer/ Brayton Leswing Devon Teague Andy Wilkinson Jon Robbins Mark Carpenter Ushers Kaye Palmer Andy Wilkinson Jeff Weir Greg Staab Natalie Palmer Joe Weaver Angie Wilkinson Natalie Weir Missy Ellis Denyse Palmer Oblations Albrecht Missy Ellis Joe Weaver Natalie Palmer Natalie Weir family Greg Staab Kaye Palmer Denyse Palmer Jeff Weir Counters Natalie Palmer Greg Staab Julie Hauptmann Zella Rosene Natalie Palmer Missy Ellis Angie Wilkinson Andy Wilkinson Jennifer Albrecht Missy Ellis Altar Guild Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 1 If you are unable to serve, please find a substitute and advise the Parish Office. Thank you. 5

6 St. Matthew s Episcopal Church Come Grow with Us! 8320E. 10th street * Indianapolis, IN * stmattsindy.org All Are Welcome St. Matthew s Episcopal Church 8320 East 10th Street Indianapolis, IN Phone (317) FAX: (317) Parish office@stmattsindy.org Priest-in-Charge frfrank@stmattsindy.org June Formatting and editing: Esther Weaver, Photos by: Kaye Palmer, Cody Lock, Esther Weaver St. Matthew s clergy and staff: The Revd Frank Impicciche, Priest-in-Charge Dale Caldwell, Parish Administrator Crystal Black, Hand Bell Choir Director Dale Caldwell, Organist/Choirmaster Services Sundays: Holy Eucharist Rite II 10:00am Wednesdays : Holy Eucharist 10:00am Nursery available on Sundays starting at 9:45 Parish Office Hours: Mon. & Thurs. 8am-1pm, Wed. 8am-2pm St. Matthew s Mission Statement The mission of St. Matthew s is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. We do this through worship of God, education of ourselves and our children, care for each other and outreach to others, sharing faith stores with others, and caring for all our resources (our time, treasure, and talents). Smatterings is published monthly except in the summer. The deadline is the 15th of the month for the following month s publication.