December Advent is Advent. Prayer intentions for the parish

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1 December 2017 Prayer intentions for the parish Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 817) Advent is Advent As a church musician, I have probably made more enemies of church members (and some clergy!) over my music choices Dale Caldwell for the Sundays of Advent. Every church (until now, and I am over-flowing with gratitude for this year!) I have endured the gradual creep of Christmas hymns and music into the Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve. It is so difficult to focus our thought on preparation and expectation for Christ's coming: manifested in the world as a child, as a gracefilled presence in our hearts, and in his glorious Second Coming. We cannot avoid the ubiquitous sights and sounds of Christmas. Without retreating to a monastery, it is impossible to avoid premature encounters of His arrival. While serving as a full-time church musician, my responsibilities in Advent were all-consuming. There seemed to be no life outside of the church. Christmas Day arrived along with total exhaustion. I dreamt about how I might celebrate this season of arrival and fulfillment, only to find that my friends were done with Christmas. Tinsel-strewn trees began to litter the curb just a day later. Now that I was finally able to rejoice, it was over. But at St. Matt's, I am thrilled that Advent will indeed be Advent and not Advent/Christmas. Yes, we will read and hear about the promises made to us by an extravagant God. But at this point they are promises only. Our inner excitement will grow until it bursts forth Christmas Eve as we sing O Come, All Ye Faithful. Yes, be faithful. Don't unwrap ANY presents until Christmas. For on that day, you'll revel in the wonderful gifts you've received and celebrate your self-discipline. So for these next four Sundays, prepare your hearts and explore the meaning of the Greatest Gift. Page 2 Rector s Warden s Desk/Reports: Vestry Page 3 Reports cont. Outreach/Announcements Page 4 Announcements cont. Page 5 Happenings Page 6 Ministry Schedule Page 7 Coming Events

2 A Joyous Christmastide Greeting to All, I wanted to elaborate on two items from the 11/27 Vestry meeting (see Vestry Meeting Summary). Greg Staab First, thank you to all who made their Commitment to the Community. Your covenant of Time, Treasure, and Talent is not only appreciated, it is encouraging to see the care and love we have for one another in this community. As of this writing we are at 80% of our financial goal. If you have not completed your Commitment to Community Card it s not too late. You can pick on up from the table outside the sanctuary or by seeing one of the Vestry members. Second, the Vestry is starting to plan for That starts with seeking two new members to be part of the Vestry. The Vestry is charged with running the business of the church. If you have an interest and would like to learn more about being a Vestry member, please contact Father Frank or one of the Vestry members. Please let us know what s on your mind. We welcome your feedback on any topic or issue and discuss anything you bring to us in each Vestry meeting. We had hoped to hold two meetings after the Sunday service this year. However, the calendar got away from us and we were only able to schedule one. Next year we will make a greater effort to bring our meetings to you. My best to you all, Greg Staab, Rector s Warden From the Rector s Warden s Desk 2 Reports VESTRY Vestry has November meeting Vestry Members Present: Natalie Palmer, Greg Staab, Jeff Weir, Angie Wilkinson. Priest-in-Charge Frank Impicciche and Vestry Clerk Dale Caldwell were also present. Vestry Members Absent: Celeste Sheets-Eaton, Phil Sowders Opening Reflections & Prayer: Fr. Frank asked, How does your worship inform how you live a just life? Consent Agenda: Motion to approve: Angie Wilkinson, seconded Jeff Weir. Approved unanimously. Feedback from Congregation Fr. Frank has received positive feedback on the Sunday Service liturgy and music. Evaluations and comments on the Veteran's Day celebration. Old Business People's Warden Report Kitchen water heater & water supply no additional info The HVAC equipment was recently replaced at the Rectory. Rectory Update The Alhamwis have moved to Fishers (as of the end of November). Exodus has a family of 11 who needs housing immediately Stewardship Update good response to the Commitment Cards by the parish so far; several families who have not submitted a commitment card will need follow-up contact. Episcopal churches playing a role in the opioid crises was tabled for this month. New Business Continued on page 3

3 Continued form page 2 Discussion: 2018 Vestry Candidate Nominations It was determined that a Constant Contact invitation to those interested in vestry/leadership roles in the parish are to contact the Priest-in-Charge or Vestry members. Boy Scout Scholarship new scout troop leader is looking at available national organization grant money, as well as contributions from scout troop alums and their families. Vestry will follow-up on the extent of the church's support. Greening of the Church with Christmas Eve the same day as Advent IV, it is difficult to schedule the OUTREACH St. Matt s ministers to local shelters It s time for the occasional call out for funds. Each year, ICAN and the Irvington Area churches call for special monetary offerings. St. Matthew s typically provides $300 each fall. In addition, 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 annual event. This year, there will be a gradual greening process throughout the Sundays of Advent. The church received a communication from Grace House group home for adult women struggling with opioid addiction that has recently moved into the Irvington neighborhood. Fr. Frank will follow up with their leadership on if/how we might connect with them. Post-Centennial Celebration logo update line drawing of church with Come Grow with Us. Denyse Palmer will be asked to update this logo. Ave. Indianapolis, IN 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. Announcements DON T FORGET: This Saturday (December 2) from 11:00am - 3:00pm, St. Matthew s and ARPO are teaming up for Pet Pictures with Santa! And, of course, all children and children at heart are welcome to have pictures taken, too! Bring your pet to visit and get a picture with Santa Clause! Adult Forum/ Sunday School Starting Sunday, December 3 9:00am-9:45am The Adult Forum will be discussing LIVING WELL Through Advent Come join us in the Cozy Corner. This Sunday BLESSING OF MINISTRIES On the First Sunday of Advent, we will have the opportunity to bless all of the ministries and ministers at St. Matthew s! This is an opportunity to recognize the many ways that St. Matthew s serves god, one another, and our community. Please plan to attend! Also, we will bless and dedicate two newly restored sanctuary hairs that were used at an earlier time at St. Matthew s. Also, through a generous gift, we will bless a new aspergillum, which is the wand-like implement for sprinkling Holy Water. 3

4 ADVENT 2017 This Advent, the Living Well book is being made available to everyone in the congregation for use in your personal observance of Advent as well as for use during the Adult forum/ Sunday School. Be sure to pick up a copy located in the narthex. The Book & Yarn club, in cooperation with Community Hospital East, will be making hats, scarves, and mittens to those of all ages and sizes who are in need on the east side. They will set out a basket for anyone who wants to make a hat, scarf, or mittens. Because we are working with Community East, we can use any color or yarn. Jan Higbie has some yarn if anyone is in need. We are also trying to make a quilt or two! Please notice: IT IS TIME TO RENEW LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITOR & MINISTER LICENSES This is the time of year that all licenses for LEV and LEM (Chalice Bearers) need to be renewed by Bishop Jennifer. Our diocesan custom is that both of these licenses must be renewed during Advent every three years. I will submit requests to Sally. Please send me your name so that I have a complete list. Indicate LEV or LEM or both, and I will then submit to Sally for the bishop to review and renew. Thank you, Fr. Frank Thursday, December 28 is the deadline for sending in any calendar events, meeting dates and times, articles, and announcements for the January issue of smatterings. Remember: Please sign up for Coffee Hour Bring some of your favorite pastry and fix the coffee. Thank you. The next Wednesday Pitch-In will be on Wednesday, December 27 following the 10am service. Come join the fun. Bring whatever; there s no set menu. 4 Farewell and Welcome As we bid farewell to the Alhamwi family and celebrate their moving into a new home, we are quickly preparing the rectory to welcome a new family from Exodus. This week, a family of 11 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be moving in. The family s faith background is Seventh Day Adventist. Please join me in welcoming Jean Marie Gashumi and Ikuze Nyiransabimana and their seven sons and two daughters!

5 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS December 5 Tom Higbie December 5 Gary Wyne December 6 Joan Porter December 7 Doris Wilkinson December 14 Suanne Kissling December 15 Scott Matthews December 15 Denyse Palmer December 20 Bob Strange December 22 Nancy McFarland December 25 Jacob Cooper December 26 Donna Humphreys December 27 Emily Albrecht December 31 Therese Cooper December 31 Michael Trabel DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Book, Yarn, and Prayer will meet MONDAY, December 4 th at 7:00 PM. We selected 100 days of solitude by Daphne Kapsali for our next volume. We will discuss the first five stories in December. The January meeting date will be the group at the December meeting. We reached out to Community East Hospital and will be making hats, scarves, mittens, etc. for all ages and genders as our outreach project. Everyone is encouraged to add to the basket that Jan will place in the narthex. Contact Alice Moody and Jan Higbie for more information. December 21 Joe and Esther Weaver Happenings Fr. Frank s Birthday Coffee Hour Children s Hat Sermon 5

6 Veterans Day at St. Matthew s Ed Steward, US Army, Don George US Navy, and John Crooks, US Air Force Sunday Ministry Schedule November 2017 Ministry December December December December December January Schedule Lectors 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM Advent 1 Advent 2 Andy Wilkinson Marla Davenport Lessons & Carols 1. Natalie Weir 2. Vicki Mansfield 3. Andy Wilkinson 4. Missy Ellis 5. Elaine Mattson Advent 4 Christmas 1 Epiphany Alice Moody Jennifer Albrecht Phil Sowders Kissling Jeff Higbie 6. Steve Albrecht 7. Nancy McFarland 8. Kissling Linda Sykes Bonnie Godfrey Missy Ellis Intercessor Bonnie Godfrey Kissling Crystal Black Steve Albrecht Phil Sowders Jennifer Albrecht Chalice Joe Weaver Bonnie Godfrey Joan Porter Kissling Jan Higbie Andy Wilkinson Crucifer/ Server Devon Teague Joe Weaver Cody Lock Brayton Leswing Devon Teague Bonnie Godfrey Ushers Jan Higbie Andy Wilkinson Jeff Weir Greg Staab Natalie Palmer Kaye Palmer Tom Higbie Angie Wilkinson Natalie Weir Missy Ellis Denyse Palmer Jeff Higbie Jennifer Nancy Vicki Mansfield Natalie Palmer Jeff Weir Oblations Albrecht McFarland Kissling Celeste Sheets- Kaye Palmer Denyse Palmer Natalie Weir Vicki Mansfield Kissling Eaton Counters Angie Wilkinson Zella Rosene Greg Staab Natalie Palmer Missy Ellis Angie Wilkinson Julie Hauptmann Andy Wilkinson Joe Hauptmann Jennifer Albrecht Jon Robbins Julie Hauptmann Altar Guild Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5 Team 1 6 If you are unable to serve, please find a substitute and advise the Parish Office. Thank you.

7 A Coming Events Lessons & Carols St. Matthew s will delve deeply into the themes of Advent in a service of Lessons & Carols, Sunday morning, December 17, led by the singing and hand bell choirs. Advent Events The four Sundays of Advent are penitential in nature Advent and are Lessons marked by and watching Carols and waiting for the coming of God s Kingdom. The service traces the human journey, beginning with the fall of humanity in the garden of Eden, and proceeding through God s promises and the prophecies of Christ s coming. Our anticipation grows through this season until we can celebrate again at Christmas the gift of grace in Christ s coming as a baby. We also pray that, at His second coming, Thy Kingdom come will be finally Altar Guild Christmas Cleaning Event The Altar Guild will gather on December 16 from 10amnoon to clean and prepare for the Christmas Eve service. Christmas Eve service scheduled One service is scheduled for Christmas Eve, December 24. The prelude with special music and carols for all will begin at 7:40pm. The service will follow at 8:00pm. H I Christmas Decorations are provided through your generous donations Each Christmas beautiful flowers and decorations in our church are provided by our parishioners. These are offered in memory of departed loved ones, to celebrate blessings, or simply to rejoice in the Glory of God! Your donation will help provide beautiful Christmas decorations within the parish. Please complete this form including your donation and place in the offertory plate or mail to the parish office. Your memorial contribution will be listed in the weekly bulletin. In Thanksgiving for / In Memory of / In Celebration of: By MERRY CHRISTMAS 7

8 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 December Formatting and editing: Esther Weaver, Photos by: Kaye Palmer, Andy Wilkinson 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.