To grow in Christ, sharing his love through worship, education, prayer, fellowship, hospitality, and outreach. Vestry Information.

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1 August 2014 St. M atthew s Episcopal Church The Rev. Wanda Copeland 408 South Main Street Interim Music Director: Linda Peters Horseheads, NY Parish Administrator: SheL Allen Sexton: Bill Game Find us on Facebook To grow in Christ, sharing his love through worship, education, prayer, fellowship, hospitality, and outreach Annual Church Picnic Page 4 Vestry Information Page 51 Outreach Report Page 6

2 The story is told of a couple lying lazily in bed on Sunday morning. The wife says to her husband, Get up. You have to go to church. The sluggish husband huffs, I don t want to go to church today. Can t I just lie here in bed one Sunday. To this, his wife replied, No, dear, you re the pastor. If I had one month to delete from the calendar, I would get rid of July. Several days during the month have seen deep personal sadness, and I would rather never have to go through it again. Like the pastor in the story above, I don t even want to get out of bed. I feel out of sorts, like I don t belong, like there might be something wrong with me. It reminded me of an article I read in The Living Church over a year ago. This clergyperson, too, had lost a spouse. This anonymous writer first acknowledged the tremendous support s/he had felt after the spouse s death, but continued with an interesting recounting. As one who attends church regularly, s/he was struck when s/he returned to church alone. Coming to church for community and healing seems like the natural, and good and right thing to do as the author tried to start over. This person described the hollow feeling of coming into church alone. (I think this might be particularly poignant for anyone used to being together in church.) The author describes that almost-desperate sense of being out of place, especially in a setting that is familiar, comfortable, and should be home. S/he said, The real challenge came from arriving at the church alone and finding myself to be part of the furniture in church after church I sat alone, and while I might be greeted with a desultory handshake at the offertory, I came in silence and left in silence. The author even recalled one church experience where s/he happened to sit between two newcomer families. At the peace, both families were introduced, as is the custom in that congregation. However, the author as a single person was ignored. What is it about singles, for we surely have many of them in our midst? Everyone likes and appreciates it when a new family arrives at our doors. But how do we feel about a single person? Just as our image that the best target audience for us is families with young children, so too those who don t fit that category might be more apprehensive about trying to join us. Even a single, who is well-dressed, articulate and knows the service might not be as well received as a family with children. I pray we take the time to realize what courage it can take just to enter our doors. If we look around our church, we have many singles, (as well as a number of people who come without other family members). I remember coming to a new congregation as a young single woman. I was the only young adult (male or female) in that church between 18 and 68! Talk about awkward. I persisted because I knew I wanted to be in the Episcopal Church, and because of the strong encouragement of a couple of families who valued my presence. I invite us to consider the tremendous gifts we are given by singles. Too often we are seduced into thinking of people as couples, as more like us when they are not alone. But truth is, increasing numbers of people live alone or together as two single people, or two people who feel very differently about religious participation. The census now reports that, for the first time in a century, only 49% of households are organized around a married couple. Having been there for several years, I may be oversensitized to the emotional state of singles, but I can assure you we need to examine our welcoming of them. Many Biblical passages remind us to welcome the stranger: Deuteronomy 10:19 reminds the people of Israel that they were once strangers in the land of Egypt. Romans 12:13 says by extend[ing] hospitality to strangers we contribute to the needs of the saints 3 John 1:15 reminds us that strangers might become co-workers in the kingdom Matthew 25:35 tells us that Jesus was once a stranger, and my favorite, Hebrews 13:1 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Your vestry has talked at length about how to extend heartfelt invitations to those who might like to become attenders, and perhaps members. We will be having an open house in the early fall tentatively scheduled for Sept. 20 th. We hope to specifically invite 2

3 people who might resonate with the Episcopal brand of Christianity. More details will be forthcoming soon. As we turn our attention toward the fall and beginning the program year again, may we be jolted into considering how to invite and receive visitors, as well as the people in our midst who might not fit all our criteria. For truly; we might be entertaining angels unaware. August 2/3 5:30 pm 9:00 am August 9/10 5:30 pm Evening Prayer 9:00 am Morning Prayer August 16/17 5:30 pm 9:00 am August 23/24 5:30 Thorne 9:00 am Morning Prayer August 30/31 5:30 pm 9:00 am August 3 August 10 August 17 August 23 August 31 ACOLYTES Emily Lewis, Peter Lewis Morning Prayer [no acolytes] Bill Game, Grant Crossley, and Kevin Comfort TBA Kristen Eames, Matt Eames READERS AND CHALICE BEARERS August 2/3 5:30 pm Judy Peters 9:00 am Madyson Medina, Peggie Diello B. Statham (J. Overacker) Chalice Bearers August 9/10 5:30 pm Judy Peters 9:00 am Mary Vasey, Janet Wilson B. Talbot (J. Clemens) Chalice Bearers August 16/17 5:30 pm John Oldfield 9:00 am Stephanie Lewis, Bill Statham B. Galusha (K. Rolfe) Chalice Bearers August 23/24 5:30 pm Peg Packard Gary Packard, M. Vasey Chalice Bearer 9:00 am Janet Wilson, Erin Cassidy August 30/31 5:30 pm Mark Armstrong 9:00 am Jan Clemens, Peggie Diello C. Clemens (J. Overacker) Chalice Bearers ALTAR GUILD August 2/3 Peg Packard, Peggie Diello August 9/10 Dori Fulk, Barb Talbot August 16/17 Gloria Oldfield, Kitty Rolfe August 23/24 Carol Packard August 30/31 Terry Fox, Jan Clemens ALTAR FLOWERS For the month of August, flowers on the altar are in thanksgiving for Kevin Comfort s Birthday 3

4 August 3 Regan Faught Mason Dispenza 6 Kevin Comfort 7 Joe Murphy 9 Joe Micallef 13 Gary Packard Christine Roller Linda Peters 15 Virginia Slator 16 David Maack 23 Jason Whong 24 Robin Oldfield 27 The Rev. Nancy Lane 28 Matt Dispenza 30 Mary Vasey 31 Paige Mitchell Terry Fox Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Katharine, our Presiding Bishop; Skip, our Bishop and Shepherd; Wanda, our Rector; and Barack our president, Andrew our Governor, our state legislators, members of the Supreme Court, and the leaders of nations, that they may turn from seeking their own power and serve all people with honesty and diligence. For healing and protection for Pam, Joe, Joyce, Mark, Renee, Deeanne, Stephen,, Mark, Andy, Mary, Molly, Susan, Ron, Shirley, Walt, Renee, Joyce, Don, Lynda, Neal, Ken, Carol, Beth, Nikki, Marcy, Edward, Roberta, Wendy and Kathy, Rebecca, Mary Lou, Joanie, Bob, Donna, Ursula, Harold and Barbara, Caroline, Ray, Lisa and Clement. August 2 David & Barbara Talbot 15 Harold & Barbara Cole 28 Diana & Nick Medina I want to thank you all for welcoming me into your mist for the past 11 months. I have felt very accepted & loved. Please keep me in your prayers as I move toward my career in accounting. God Bless SheL Allen ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC August 23 rd from 3pm-9pm at Thorne Street Park. We will have our Saturday Service there at 5:30 pm. Please bring a dish to pass and enjoy the fellowship and service. (We will have Morning Prayer at Church on Sunday at ) ECUMENICAL OUTDOOR SUMMER GARDEN CHAPEL Our Saviour s Lutheran Church 2872 Westinghouse Rd, Horseheads Began in July and will continue thru August 24 th 8:00-8:30 a.m. It is a refreshing way to begin the week singing praises to our God, listening to scripture, and hearing God s Word. Come and join us! 4

5 UNITED THANK OFFERING Do you have your UTO box where you can see it every day? Do you put a few coins in often? Sometimes? Do you pray the prayer on your box? Gracious God, creator of all creation... What part of the world do you think the donation in your box could help with? The next ingathering is in November. There s plenty of time to fill your box. Respectfully submitted Kitty Rolfe, Chair A WORD FROM THE VESTRY I told you we were working on St. Matthew s mission statement and that you would hear more about that. Look on the back of the worship booklet we use every Sunday. You will see the expanded mission statement. Can you find it in this newsletter? Will you help make it happen please? The vestry met in July. We discussed the community dinner. We are developing a new brochure about our church for newcomers. Joy Overacker did a great job of putting it together. We set a date to plan the calendar for the year, All available vestry representatives, and the staff worked all one morning setting dates. Wait and see how organized we can be in the coming year. Please see a vestry person if you have questions or comments. One of the ways we can help grow our congregation is in making new people feel welcome. One place to do that is Coffee Hour after the 10:15 service. (or the 9:00 in the summer). The signup sheet is on the kitchen door. Simple snack and coffee, a drink for young people, and clean up. It s not hard. Thanks for your help with hospitality. Respectfully submitted Kitty Rolfe, Jr. Warden EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN ECW will start the year in September with wine and cheese. We will plan the year. What date is good for you? Please let me know. Make a list of ideas for our activities for the coming year. Yes, the Cookie Sale is coming in December. Plan lots of cookies. Let s do some things together. Catch a movie, go out to eat. What would you like to do? Bring your ideas in September. Respectfully submitted Kitty Rolfe, Chair BROWSE & BUY Thank you all so very much for all your help with our annual outside-inside sale!! We could not have done it without you. It was also one of our biggest sales ever! We also had many first time customers who were thrilled to know that the shop is open every Saturday, and said they would definitely be back. All of this would not have been possible without your generous donations. Donations for August are Thursday, August 7 th & 21 st, from 10am 1:30 pm in the parish hall. Thanks for each and everyone of you for your continued support. God Bless..Barb Statham PRAYER FOR THE TROOPS The whole community will be coming together to pray for our troops at 6:00 pm on August 6, at Wisner Park. Teal Park concerts will be held for the month of August. If you haven t baked yet, this Thursday would be a good time to start. The parish hall is open all day to drop things off in the kitchen. Please have your goodies here by 6. Respectfully submitted Kitty Rolfe, Chair PRAYER SHAWL Prayer Shawl is not meeting this summer. Keep knitting or crocheting, We will bless finished shawls in the fall. Respectfully submitted Kitty Rolfe, Jr. Warden 5

6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HORSEHEADS FOOD PANTRY Thank you to all who donated a total of 189 items and $20.00 for the month of June and two weeks of July. The number of families we serve continues to increase and in some cases we run out of food items. At the moment we could use canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, rice and pasta. If your gardens are producing more than you can use, the Food Pantry would greatly appreciate what you can spare. Respectfully submitted.arlene K. Maack ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUTSTANDING IN FAITH We will meet next month-september. This month you could choose a prayer from the back of the prayer book. Pages 814 to 841. Just pick one. Pray it every day. Tell us in September how that worked for you. Respectfully submitted Kitty Rolfe, Chair OPPORTUNITIES TO ST. MATTHEW S COFFEE HOUR Thank you for all who offer treats for the Sunday coffee hour. We still have a need for servers. Please consider signing up. Kitchen rules are posted in the kitchen. Acts & Facts articles for September Issue should be in the office by August 23 rd. Thanks!! OUTREACH On Saturday July 19 th, we had our Community Free Picnic and we served roughly 225 people. We all had a great time. I would like to thank everyone who helped put the picnic together and who donated deserts. We also had the ½ price Browse and Buy Sale the same day and that seemed to go splendidly as well. Thank you to all who helped with that also. The Children's Clothing Closet was closed in July but is open again in August for the coming school year. Please remember them with very gently used clothing for children to start school with. We are also looking for help one Wednesday a month for a couple of hours, please see Kitty Rolfe with questions. Please remember the Horseheads Food Pantry as they help our neighbors with food. We never know when it might be one of our own in need. Please see Arlene Maack with any question. If you have any suggestions for how we better meet the needs of our neighbor, please contact , or Gloria Oldfield, or Mother Wanda Respectively Submitted Peggie L. Diello, Chairperson DONATE ONLINE You can now donate online to St. Matthew s Episcopal Church. Go to click on the Donate tab at the top of the screen and chose a onetime donation, 12 monthly donations, or 52 weekly donations. You can change the name of the fund you want to donate to for a single donation option to anything you want. For example: Altar flowers for Aug 10 th or pledge payment for July 27 th. You only need a credit card to use the one time option. The other two options monthly and weekly do require a PayPal account. Be sure when you do go to the site to make a donation that you see: Payment Verification Key (PVK): 7082-E30D- DEC6-53E4 at the bottom of that page so that you know you are on the secure site. Website: Facebook: Matthews-Episcopal-Church-HorseheadsNew-York 6

7 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00am-2:00pm Browse & Buy Shop open PROPER 13 BLESSING BOX PROPER 14 Morning Prayer :30-1:30pm B&B Donations 7 5: :00am-2:00pm Browse & Buy Shop open 5:30 Evening Prayer :00am-2:00pm Browse & Buy Shop open 5:30 PROPER 15 PROPER 16 Morning Prayer 31 PROPER :30pm Vestry 10:30-1:30pm B&B Donations 10:00am-2:00pm Browse & Buy Shop Street Annual Church Picnic ST. MATTHEW S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 408 SOUTH MAIN STREET 7 HORSEHEADS, NEW YORK officestmatt@stny.rr.com

8 St Matthew s Episcopal Church 408 S. Main Street Horseheads, NY WORSHIP SERVICES Saturdays 5:30 pm Sundays 8:00 and 10:15 am (September May) 9:00 am (Summer Schedule) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Sunday Education for All Ages (September May) 9:45 am Wednesday Bible Study (except August) CLERGY AND STAFF The Rt. Rev. Gladstone B. Adams III The Rev. Wanda Copeland, Rector Ms. SheL Allen, Parish Administrator Ms. Linda Peters, Organist/Music Director Mr. William Game, Sexton WARDENS AND VESTRY Gary Packard and Kitty Rolfe, Wardens Peggie Diello, Albert Comfort, Gloria Oldfield, Barbara Talbot, Charlie Clemens, Joy Overacker, Mark Armstrong, Kristie Crossley SheL Allen - Clerk of the Vestry 8