Saint. 201 East Frederick Drive Sterling, VA February From the Rector Rob Merola. Save the Date for the

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1 Saint 201 East Frederick Drive Sterling, VA Dear Friends, Matthew s February 2018 Episcopal Church It gets people s attention when a bomb hits the East Coast. In this case, the bomb was a storm. Once, not so long ago, it would have been called an Nor easter. But frankly, that is no longer dramatic enough. That word has simply been around too long, has become too familiar, to make people stop what they are doing and take notice. Hence, it is now a bomb cyclone that is in the news. This is not inconsequential for the church, or for spiritual systems in general. They ve also been around for a long time. The words they use feel old and well-worn, and so are easily discarded in favor of what s new and exciting. We think we already know what they have to offer, and so move on to more urgent things. But the simple truth is reality, whatever we call it, whether or not we pay attention to it, does not change. Whether it s a bomb cyclone or nor easter, a weather system still functions in the same way. Whether I watch the news or grow tired of all the hype, the East Coast impacts will still be the same. And Spiritual Truth, whether heeded or ignored, will still shape our lives. Not infrequently, and probably more frequently than we would like to admit, problems are of our own making. In my case, at least, I have made poor choices. The sooner I own that and begin to choose differently, the better. But that requires me to pay attention to old, old wisdom. To things that aren t glamourous but are true. To things that might not help me look good in this brave new world, but which will genuinely help me be good. I have seen a lot of life and a lot of people s lives. With the help of various professionals, I have carefully and thoughtfully dissected my own. I have read volume after volume after volume. I have talked with thousands of people. And with all my heart I believe this to be true: we ignore the consistent and intentional development of our spiritual lives at our own peril. And frankly, at everyone else s peril as well. Again, in my case at least, it has too often been others who pay dearly for my mistakes. If I had one piece of advice to offer at this point in my life, it would be to make your spiritual life your highest priority. Make it more important than everything else, because understood rightly, everything else flows from it. James 1: 17 says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. All gifts that truly bless us are God's gifts. Without reservation, I believe this to be true. As we move into the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday is February 14th), I encourage all of us to be in church unless good reason prevents, to undertake disciplines that will help us better know God (perhaps our Lenten WatCH series?), and to give up things that distract or get in the way (alcohol? Recreational Shopping? Anger?). Life will not go on forever. What you and I do today will shape all our tomorrows, and often our dear one s tomorrows as well. Be smarter than our culture would have you be. Be wise like people once were. Make your days count. Rob+ From the Rector Rob Merola Save the Date for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 13, 6pm-8pm

2 Ash Wednesday & Lenten WatCh Series: Braving the Wilderness Wednesdays, Starting February 21st One of the things we ve been doing at Saint Matthew s for the last 17 years is gathering together as a church to study a book during the season of Lent. That practice will continue this year with Brené Brown s "Braving the Wilderness." Other than the Bible, I cannot think of a more important book for our times. To be quite frank, it seems to me that our future as individuals, a nation, and as the human race rests on our ability to learn the principles this book calls to our attention. It will challenge you, to be sure. Reading it is not always comfortable far from it. But you will also benefit from it. I know I did! Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14, with services at 6am, 12pm, and 7:30pm. Then on Wednesday, February 21, our book study will begin. It will include a brief summary of the evening s reading followed by small group discussion. You will see that we are offering two identical tracks to provide flexible options for families and those coming from work. The schedule is as follows. (Come for any portion of the program if you cannot make the whole thing). 5:30pm Track 1: Braving the Wilderness for Adults and Teens (same program as 7:00pm) 6:30pm Both Tracks: Simple Supper for All 7:00pm Track 2: Braving the Wilderness for Adults and Teens (same program as 5:30pm) 8:00pm Compline for All Books are available for purchase from Amazon at go.stmtts.org/amazon. And the 2018 VBS Theme is SHIPWRECKED! Venture onto an uncharted island where kids survive and thrive. Anchor kids in the truth that Jesus carries them through life s storms. Save the Date: July 23 rd -27 th Be on the lookout for registration information later this month! Check the bulletin.

3 Annual Meeting February 3 and 4 All Services Mark your calendar for the Saint Matthew s Annual Business Meeting. We will discuss our successes from 2017 and talk about our plans for We will also vote on the 2018 budget and for our new Vestry members. Take a moment to read the short biographies below of those individuals who are presently on the ballot. All are welcome. Emily Palmer I was born and raised in Herndon and have been a life long member of St. Matthew s. I was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew s and have attended four mission trips to various countries including Belize and Haiti. A graduate of James Madison University with a bachelor s of science in Kinesiology, exercise science and minor in coaching education followed by a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Shenandoah University, I currently work as a physical therapist in the Chantilly area. In my free time I enjoy hiking, playing and coaching soccer, cheering on my JMU Dukes and local DC teams, photography, and playing with my Dog, Bailey. As part of the vestry I would like to expand the young adult ministry to allow for a place for fellowship and fun for those out of college. Linden Sanders I came to the United States from England in October 2016 to live with my daughter and her family here in Sterling. This followed the death of my wife in I joined St. Matthew s a couple of weeks after arriving, and I have enjoyed the fellowship here since. I love being in America and have no plans to return to the UK, and I love it here at St. Matt s. I have made good friends here through the Men s Group which meets on Saturday mornings and the bible study group which meets every Thursday at noon. It was my joy to help with an Alpha course in the Fall of 2016 and I hope that this will become a regular feature at St. Matt s. Candace Timmons I am a lifelong Episcopalian. After living in Southern Nevada for over 60 years, I retired and moved to the Northern Virginia area to be closer to my only child, Miriam Turner and her family. What a blessing that Miriam s family had found St Matthew s. I quickly adapted to and adopted the St. Matthew s family. In January 2012, I purchased a home in West Virginia (what retiree could afford Loudoun County?) and since then I drive approximately 50 miles each way to church. A great time to reflect and enjoy God s creation. I have been the coffee hour coordinator since September I teach the 9:30 class of first & second graders in Faith Factory. This is one of life s greatest blessings! I am also St. Matthew s delegate for the Northern Piedmont Region & the Diocese convention. I have volunteered each year for Vacation Bible School, participated in the Palm Sunday Passion readings, and overall try to help out whenever and wherever I can. I hope that being a part of St. Matthew s vestry I would be able to help the Episcopal church and St Matthew s continue it s forward thinking philosophy of sharing God s love with everyone and also continue to embrace and share the many time honored traditions of the Church.

4 Youth Happenings Luray Caverns Saturday, February 3, 9:30am 4pm Middle schoolers are headed out to Luray Caverns! If you have a fear of wide open spaces and living above ground, this is DEFINITELY the trip for you! Parent chaperones welcome and needed! Text or for more details! Elliott@stmtts.org / (925) Black Panther Sneak Sneak Preview Thursday, February 15, 6pm High schoolers are invited to see Black Panther! Not just another superhero movie, the latest installment to the Marvel Universe is groundbreaking in many ways: predominately Black cast, Black director Ryan Coogler, promotes Afro-futurism, shatters Hollywood stereotypes of poor African countries, and is brimming with strong, complex female characters! You don't want to miss this! We are grabbing a "sneak" sneak preview in 3D with exclusive content, a famous Alamo Drafthouse milkshake, a Black Panther Commemorative Coin, and access to a special-event menu! RSVP now, limited spaces! Tickets are $25, and youth can bring $15 to order dinner if they choose! Scholarships available. High School Alpha Sundays, January 14 March 11, 7pm-9pm We have moved High School SNL off site to the Metcalfe s to offer Youth Alpha on Sunday nights! Alpha is an incredible series where we get to ask all the big religious and philosophical questions about Christianity we don't always get to, like "Who really is Jesus?" and "What is the Holy Spirit?" and "What does Christianity have to do with me really?" We hear from people of all faiths and backgrounds, and get to have some great conversation. Also, we have dinner and dessert starting at 7pm every week! Bring a friend, and join us, it's great. Phil and Teresa Metcalfe: 608 East Poplar Road, Sterling. Contact Elliott for more information: Elliott@stmtts.org (925)

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