October 2017 A friend posted on Facebook: Daylight starts increasing in 11 weeks and 3 days can t wait! What is it about this time of the year, that many of us may want to quickly skip over and get past fall and winter? Truth be told, I think many of us eagerly anticipate the welcome of fall-like weather, the changes in the color of the leaves, great smells as leaves fall to the ground and as ovens heat up with yummy treats! But, I hear many comments and see many such posts as these that dread the dark, cold cover of winter. As we approach this change in season, there is an inclination for many to begin the process of looking inward, reflecting on our lives, and taking stock of our priorities. Perhaps it is not coincidental that the fall brings holy days like Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement in Judaism), the feasts of All Saints and All Souls in the Christian Year, and civic holidays like Thanksgiving, where we reflect and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy in life. Instead of putting our heads down and grinding it out until the first thaw of spring, I want to invite us to embrace this change in time and season. To drink it in fully with all the possibilities it may hold for each of us. Our change of seasons that we in the Midwest enjoy, provide a natural cycle to reflect on the circle of life. Fall can put us in touch with where we are on life s journey on what has been done and what has been left undone. Maybe, this year, you can choose to sit a little longer to feel and to accept some of your regrets, to seek ways to reconcile with what is broken in your lives, and ask God to help you see the bounty in your life. If you are like my friend, wanting to skip over this season, I invite you to approach this time of year with an open and embracing attitude, and to watch what gifts this season of change may be holding for you. Page 2 Reports: Vestry Page 3 Reports cont. Financials/Outreach/Christian Ed. Page 4 Announcements Page 5 Announcements cont. Page 6 Happenings Page 7 Happenings cont. Page 8 Happenings cont. Page 9 Ministry Schedule
From the Rector s Warden s desk Wow! What a day it was!! That s the reaction I received from one parishioner as the St. Matthew s Community Day was winding down. I agreed with her; it was a great day! On behalf of the Vestry I d like to thank all those Greg Staab who came out. I d especially like to thank the Boy Scouts from Troop 161 for their participation and cooking! A big thanks to Vicki Mansfield for facilitating the Drum Circle, to the fire fighters at Station 43, to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for holding their Roll Call in our parking lot, to Mayor Joe Hogsett, to Easy Ride em Pony Rides, to ARPO Pet adoption and their cute doggy, to the Ransberg YMCA, to the Jane Pauley Health Clinic, to the ICAN Assistance Center, to the ICAN Food Pantry, to the Still Waters Adult Day Center, to the Alhamwi Family and leather bags and delicious foods, to Florek Music and their wonderful music in the sanctuary, to Vegan Annie, and to all the volunteers that made the day a success. Earlier this year when the Vestry began planning this event, we stated our goal was to open our doors to the communities we are part of both internally and externally. We feel like we succeeded doing that. All guests had fun and received a cloth shopping bag with the St. Matt s logo and a phrase, Come Grow With Us! on it. We have a few more of those bags to give our future guests as well. The Vestry welcomes your feedback on the event as we consider doing this again next year. Please let us know what you think. Thank you for making it a great day! Reports VESTRY 2 Vestry has September meeting Vestry Members Present: Natalie Palmer, Celeste Sheets- Eaton, Phil Sowders, Greg Staab, Jeff Weir, Angie Wilkinson. Priest-in-Charge Frank Impicciche and Vestry Clerk Dale Caldwell were also present. Vestry Members Absent: None Fr. Frank s Comments Expressed gratitude for all the work that has been accomplished in organizing Community Day as well as the response by community organizations. Described a recent Executive Council meeting he attended Bishop Jennifer is bringing a different approach to administration which will be good for the future of the Diocese. Hope Counseling is unsure of its future as counselors look to retirement. Consent Agenda Minutes from August Meeting People's Warden Report Jeff Weir Motion moved, Angie Wilkinson; seconded, Celeste Sheets- Eaton. Approved unanimously. Old Business Community Day Natalie Palmer walked the Vestry through the Community Day Production Schedule that listed materials needed, time line, assignments, to-do list, space allocation, and wrap-up. St. Matthew's Welcome Center Greg Staab is still negoti ateing with IndyGo on requirements to fulfill its construction. City permits will also be required. New Business Current Budget: discussion centered on the financial state of the parish now and in the future; the number of past and present pledging units were compared as well as givers of record. Fall stewardship drive A possible leader has been confirmed Irvington Community Day St. Matt's will participate again this fall. An application is in process. Feast of St. Francis Pet Blessing, October 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Diocesan Convention asking for donations for homeless Closing Reflections & Prayer
August Financials reported Dear friends in Christ, In reviewing the financial results for September, I would share the following graphs of our receipts and disbursements: Administrative Costs, 13% Worship Costs, 8% Disbursements Diocesan Apportionment, 13% Outreach, 1% Clerical Costs, 24% Occupancy Costs, 41% As you would expect, 76% of our receipts are from pledges and givers of record while 12% is from diocesan support and 11% is from rental income either the rectory or church building space. Our largest expense is for our facilities, followed by clerical costs, diocesan apportionment, administrative expenses, worship and outreach (in that order). We are continuing to project a deficit for the year. As always, if you have any questions about the financial statements, please do not hesitate to contact me. Natalie Weir OUTREACH St. Matt s ministers to local shelters Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219 or you can give on line at: http:// 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 rally.org/ican. 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. Christian Education Children s worship by Angie Wilkinson This is the season of the Ordinary time. This time is not ordinary as in common or regular but is the time of the weeks between Pentecost and Advent. It is often referred as the green growing time. As we hear stories of what God is calling us to do, we join in that call and grow in our faith. Sunday, Oct 8 Cornerstone- Jesus is our cornerstone- Making a cornerstonsunday Sunday Oct. 15 - Our relationship with God Sunday Oct 22 - God knows us by Name Sunday Oct 29 Moses the 10 commandments-and the greatest commandment- of Love Lessons for September led us to investigate the shells of the cicada and discuss their 14 yrs of waiting as us waiting for Christ s coming and the shells as our earthly life that we leave behind. The first Sunday in October found us entertaining Joseph Salfity s Grandchildren and discussing our relationships with family, others and God. Adult Forum continues each Sunday 9:00-9:45am We finished our study of the Creeds and are now turning our attention to a dive into the Book of Common Prayer. Also, this series will make a good addition to those seeking continuing formation and for those interested in being Confirmed or received in the Church. 3
Announcements Matthew s PET BLESSISING SATURDAY, October 7 11:00am - 1:00 pm 8320 E.10th Street St. Matthew s Episcopal Church is teaming up with The Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (or ARPO) to share information about adoption and to bless all pets 4 Walk. Give. Change the world. October 15th 1:30 pm St. Matthew s needs sponsors and runners. If you can help, contact Jenny Lloyd-Jones. This year moneys will also go to help the victims of the hurricanes. Crophungerwalk.org Come to St. Matthew s 8320 E. 10th Street and bring your DOGS CATS SNAKES SPIDERS REPTILES GUINEA PIGS and ALL other pets! ***ARPO FACTS*** ARPO has adopted out over 5,000 pets since 1998! ARPO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Adoption fees only cover about 1/2 of the medical costs for each animal. The rest comes from donations, grants and fundraisers. All ARPO adopted pets are spayed/neutered prior to going to their new homes. ARPO qualifies for the highest PetSmart Charities Rewards Program as a result of our adoption policies and procedures using extensive application screening, home visits before placing animals, after-adoption follow up program, and ensuring no animals are released unaltered.
October 1 October 1 October 3 October 3 October 3 October 3 October 24 October 8 October 20 October 22 October Birthdays Jeff Higbie Jon Robbins Allison Albrecht Janet Higbie Joseph Salfity Dee Tichenor Esther Weaver October Anniversaries Greg Stabb and Missy Ellis Dennis and Susan Teague Dick and Edna Mae Fisher Remember: Please sign up for Coffee Hour Bring some of your favorite pastry and fix the coffee. Thank you. Book, Yarn, and Pray will meet MONDAY, NOVEBER 6 at 7:00 pm. AT our October meeting we finished our book by James Patterson, Woman of GOD. We did not decide on another one. Several were mentioned, so we will decide in November. We need your help. It is that time again to think about the cold weather that will be coming soon. We are a little behind in our making of hats, gloves and scarves. Therefore we will spend our entire meeting in November working on these items. Thursday, October 26 is the deadline for sending in any calendar events, meeting dates and times, articles, and announcements for the November issue of smatterings. The next Wednesday Pitch-In will be on Wednesday, October 25 following the 10am service. Come join the fun. Bring whatever; there s no set menu. Several of us want to learn how to either knit or crochet, so, if you would like to learn, come to the meeting as there will be someone to help you. If anyone would like to help us with our project, we will place a basket in the narthex for you to place your completed items. Hats, mittens, and scarves of all sizes and designs and colors are needed. Contact Janet or Alice Moody for more information. Remembering 5
Happenings Community Day September 23, 2017 6
The Feast of St. Matthew September 24 2017 As part of the Feast of St. Matthew, we processed outside with our banner and the ringing of bells to dedicate the newly planted Centennial Tree given in honor of David Wilkinson. This tree is a Shumardi Oak tree. It grows tall and straight and is a staple of strength and timelessness. This species is known to grow 100+ feet tall, 60+ wide and live to be over 400 years old. The tree is a living reflection of Cave s commitment and care for St. Matthew s and he love of nature. It was planted near our entrance so as friends and guests enter our grounds, standing tall like Dave, the Centennial Oak will be a beacon of welcome and invitation. H I A 7
Altar Guild s Work Day Saturday, September 30, 2017 Boy Scouts present Eagle Scout Project Saturday, September 30, 2017 8
On Sunday, October 1, we celebrated Joseph Salfity s 96th birthday. After the service we were treated to a beautiful, delicious coffee hour provided by the Salfity family. Thank you, Salfitys Sunday Ministry Schedule October 2017 Ministry October October October October October November Schedule 1 8 15 22 29 5 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM Pentecost 17 Pentecost 18 Pentecost 19 Pentecost 20 Pentecost 21 Pentecost 22 Lectors Steve Albrecht Natalie Weir Joe Hauptmann Jeff Higbie Alice Moody Phil Sowders Andy Wilkinson Suzanne Kissling Joan Porter Jennifer Albrecht Linda Sykes Missy Ellis Intercessor Natalie Weir Crystal Black Steve Albrecht Phil Sowders Jennifer Albrecht Chalice Jan Higbie Andy Wilkinson Joe Weaver Suzanne Kissling Bonnie Godfrey Vicki Mansfield Elaine Mattson Crucifer/ Server Joe Weaver Bonnie Godfrey Brayton Leswing Joe Weaver Devon Teague Bonnie Godfrey Ushers Greg Staab Natalie Palmer Kaye Palmer Jan Higbie Missy Ellis Andy Wilkinson Missy Ellis Denyse Palmer Jeff Higbie Tom Higbie Greg Staab Angie Wilkinson Oblations Bonnie Godfrey Missy Ellis Vicki Mansfield Natalie Weir Celeste Sheets- Suzanne Greg Staab Eaton Kissling Jeff Weir Palmer Family S. Albrecht Family Counters Zella Rosene Greg Staab Natalie Palmer Missy Ellis Angie Wilkinson Andy Wilkinson Joe Hauptmann Jennifer Albrecht Jon Robbins Julie Hauptmann Zella Rosene Andy Wilkinson Altar Guild Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5 Team 1 If you are unable to serve, please find a substitute and advise the Parish Office. 9
St. Matthew s Episcopal Church 8320 East 10th Street Indianapolis, IN 46219 5399 Phone (317) 898-7807 FAX: (317) 898-1443 http://www.stmattsindy.org Parish E-mail office@stmattsindy.org Priest-in-Charge E-mail frfrank@stmattsindy.org October 2017 Formatting and editing: Esther Weaver, Photos by: Kaye Palmer, Fr. Frank, 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. 10