Newsletters

Season: Epiphany, Lent & Easter (January, February, March & April)

The Sunday School children invite you to attend their program as they tell the age-old Christmas Story and celebrate Jesus’ birth in song and bell plates. Their presentation will be part of the morning worship service at 9:30AM on December 18 at St. Matthew’s. Plan to stay after the service for food and surprises.

St. Matthew’s Happenings

December

November Birthdays

 1 – Tony Billmeier
15 – Kathleen Malinchoc

11 – Celeste Siewert        20 – Jeremiah Siewert

14 – Luana Meeker            21 – Alex Malinchoc

Dates to Remember

November

11^th – Pork
Chop and Sauerkraut Dinner 4:30-7:00

13^th – Guild
Meeting after church

14^th –
Vestry Meeting at 7:00 PM

21^st  – Team Meeting at 1:30 PM

26^th –
Hanging of the Greens at 9:00 AM

27^th – Advent
begins with Lessons and Carols

28^th – Bundles
of Love – 2:00 – 8:30 PM

November
is UTO Month

United
Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of
the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women and children
nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving
start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who
participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank
Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and
to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the
Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the
developing world. Please bring your contribution this month.

Christmas
Giving

Many of the local churches are joining
efforts again this year to provide gifts and food donations for local families
in need. This effort is in conjunction with the Sharing Tree sponsored by
Fillmore County Social Services but only local families are included. Each
church will adopt as many families as they are able and will be given a
specific list of toy requests by the children in those families. Monetary
donations will go to providing gift certificates to Sunshine Foods to buy
groceries for a Christmas dinner. All family names are anonymous.  We would like to have all the gifts and food items to the
Chatfield Lutheran Church by December 8th.  We are planning on packing
everything up for the families on Sunday December 11th, with the families
coming either the 12th or 13th. A
list of food and household items are available on the bulletin board. You are
encouraged to choose several items from the list and place them in the box
provided in the fellowship hall.  If you
want to make a monetary contribution to this effort, please contact Sandy
Sullivan.

Ambulance/Police Officers
Dinner

Thanks to all who planned, provided food and worked at the Volunteer
Ambulance and Police dinner on October 17. They always appreciate being
recognized for the important work they do.

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends next Sunday, November 6.
Turn your clocks back one hour.

Fruit
Cake

It’s that time of year, once again! Luana
Meeker will head the project with the assistance of Bob & Alice Johnson. The
first batch is decorated, wrapped and ready to go. All parishioners are
encouraged to help in selling the cakes.

Community
Choir

Chatfield Community Choir is again
preparing for a Holiday Concert along with the Chatfield Brass Band on Sunday,
December 4th in the afternoon!    Rehearsals began Sunday, October
23rd from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Chatfield United Methodist Church and will be held
each Sunday, same time, same place!     We would love to
have adults and teens of all ages join!  The group will be directed by
Nate Raabe and Carmen Narveson.  Even if you can’t make all the
rehearsals, come for as many as you can – we’d love to have you participate!

Come Holy
Spirit

Accept my
thanksgivings for your many blessings;

Open my heart
and help me be still and listen to you; Be with me as I go about my daily work
– give me joy in my dealings with others – in my home, work, places, churches;

Guide me in
love and peace as I meet all persons – on the streets, stores, offices:

Eliminate the
fear of the unknown:

Let me grow
where you plant me – your grace provides all I need to do the work you have
given me. Amen

October Birthdays

  1 – Glenna Berquam

20 – Sara Harstad

24 – Laurel Hansel

Ambulance/Police Dinner

It
has become a tradition for St. Matthew’s to honor the volunteer ambulance crew
and the local police officers with a dinner at the church. October is National
Volunteer Month and this year the event will take place on Monday, October 17.
Gathering will be at 5:30 followed by dinner at 6:00 PM. We will be contacting
people to help with the food preparation.

October All-church Activity

On
October 2^nd, following coffee, you are all invited to the Sullivan’s
to make apple juice and share the noon meal. There are lots of apples this year
so bring several plastic containers to take home some juice. You are encouraged
to invite friends to join us.

Our God of Abundance

“Our God is not a God of scarcity but of
abundance. The words of Jesus make this crystal clear, “I have come that
they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

The life that Jesus proclaims is a life
where everyone has enough: livelihood, love of neighbor, and most importantly
love of God. That is why, wherever there is scarcity, whether economic or relational,
with either neighbor or God, we are called to do whatever we can to make sure
everyone has enough.

This will only happen if we, as witnesses
to the abundant life, work to end all forms of oppression that hold back any
one of God’s children from living the abundant life.”

From
Bishop Prior’s weekly blog at  news@episcopalmn.org

Dates to Remember

October

2^{nd -} Apple juice pressing at
Sullivan’s after church

9^th – Guild Meeting after church

10^th – Vestry Meeting
7:00 PM

16^th – Team
Meeting at 2:30 PM

17^th –
Ambulance/Police Officers dinner at 6:00

25^th – Bundles of
Love

Scott Tester Completes Training

Scott
Tester has completed his diesel mechanics training with the U.S. Army. He
returned to Minnesota in mid-September and will work with the Army Recruiter in
Rochester for two weeks. Scott will then have 2 weeks leave followed by an
assignment at Fort Hood in Texas. Keep him and all of our military personnel in
your prayers.

Help Our Neighbors

The
Vestry has approved St. Matthew’s cooperation, with several other Chatfield
congregations, in distributing a survey from a local task force called “Help
our Neighbors”. Bill Sullivan has been representing St. Matthew’s at the
meetings of this group. The group’s mission is to empower neighbors to serve so
people of all ages may live with independence and dignity. The survey will be
given to all parishioners fifty years of age or older and the results will be
used to determine what services could be offered to allow seniors and others to
remain independent and safe in their homes. The survey will be distributed in
early November.

Sauerkraut and Pork Chop Dinner

St
Matthew’s will again be hosting a Veteran’s Day sauerkraut and pork chop dinner
on November 11, 4:30-7:30. Tickets will be presale $10.00 and $11.00 at the
door. Susan Moses and Sandy Sullivan will serve on the planning committee. The
menu will include grilled pork chop, sauerkraut, squash, mashed potatoes/gravy¸
rolls and dessert.

Minutes Posted

In
order to help keep everyone informed as to what takes place in the various
meetings, minutes of the Vestry, Team and Guild meetings will be posted on the
white board in the vestry room. Please feel free to look them over to be
updated on activities of those groups.

July Birthdays

3 – Kayla Siewert

11 – Charles Harstad

22 – Tyler Mix

21 – ChrisKern

31 – Tanner Fischer

                          August Birthdays

3 – Alex Coe
14–Lynn Harstad

5 – TerriApplequist

19 – Betty Lou Balcome

11 –Don Burnap

Shared Service with Chatfield Lutheran

In celebration of the 10^th
anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America-Episcopal Church full
communion agreement a combined worship service will be held at the Chatfield
Lutheran Church on July 24th at 10:30 am.  The full communion agreement of the ELCA and The Episcopal
Church has been a remarkable opportunity for Lutherans and Episcopalians to
recognize that what we share is far greater than what distinguishes one part of
the Body of Christ from the other. This is a joint service and
will integrate members from both congregations. We will NOT have a service at
St. Matthew’s the morning of July 24th. St. Matthew’s will be represented by
Luana Meeker as greeter, Dick Fenwick will assist with Eucharist, and Bob
Johnson will be one of the readers. We hope that you will make a special effort
to attend this important worship service.

Migrant
Ministry

On August 28^th,
St. Matthew’s will again team up with St. Peter’s Kasson to provide a meal for the
migrant workers at the canning plant in Montgomery. We attend the Spanish
service which is followed by a shared meal of barbecue sandwiches, chips, and
bars. This is a great experience so we hope more of you can participate this
year. Contact Bill or Sandy for more information or to volunteer to help.

Family in Need

On June 12, the Dale Rodger’s  home was
destroyed by  fire. All of  their
home and  personal  belongings were lost. A fund is being raised
to  help
them  with replacement   costs.
Donations   may  be
dropped  off  or mailed to
the  Root  River
State  Bank  or  the
Chatfield VFW.
July Birthdays
3 – Kayla Siewert

11 – Charles Harstad

22 – Tyler Mix

21 – ChrisKern

31 – Tanner Fischer

August Birthdays

3 – Alex Coe
14–Lynn Harstad

5 – Terri
Applequist

19 – Betty Lou Balcome

11 –Don Burnap

Shared Service with Chatfield Lutheran

In celebration of the 10^th
anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America-Episcopal Church full
communion agreement a combined worship service will be held at the Chatfield
Lutheran Church on July 24th at 10:30 am.  The full communion agreement of the ELCA and The Episcopal
Church has been a remarkable opportunity for Lutherans and Episcopalians to
recognize that what we share is far greater than what distinguishes one part of
the Body of Christ from the other. This is a joint service and
will integrate members from both congregations. We will NOT have a service at
St. Matthew’s the morning of July 24th. St. Matthew’s will be represented by
Luana Meeker as greeter, Dick Fenwick will assist with Eucharist, and Bob
Johnson will be one of the readers. We hope that you will make a special effort
to attend this important worship service.

Migrant
Ministry

On August 28^th,
St. Matthew’s will again team up with St. Peter’s Kasson to provide a meal for the
migrant workers at the canning plant in Montgomery. We attend the Spanish
service which is followed by a shared meal of barbecue sandwiches, chips, and
bars. This is a great experience so we hope more of you can participate this
year. Contact Bill or Sandy for more information or to volunteer to help.

                        Family in Need

On June 12, the Dale Rodger’s  home was
destroyed by  fire. All of  their
home and  personal  belongings were lost. A fund is being raised
to  help
them  with replacement   costs.
Donations   may  be
dropped  off  or mailed to
the  Root  River
State  Bank  or  the
Chatfield VFW.

Dates
to Remember in July

11^th–
Vestry Meeting at 7:00 PM

18^th
– Team Meeting at 6:30 PM

24^th
– Shared service with Chatfield Lutheran at

10:30 AM

25^th
– Bundles of Love at 5:00-8:00 PM

Dates
to Remember in August

 8^th – Vestry Meeting at 7:00 PM

13^th–
Team Meeting at 6:30 PM

28^th
– Migrant Ministry in Montgomery leave church

at 1:00

29^th
– Bundles of Love at 5:00-8:00 PM

Team News

The Team has
resumed its study of Life Cycles with the folks from Rushford. A Total Team
Summit was held in June in Mankato. Bill Sullivan and Alice Applequist attended
representing the Rooted in the Spirit Team composed of St. Matthew’s and
Emmanuel Rushford members. Unlike other years, this was a gathering of southern
teams only. A separate meeting for the northern teams was also held. Sandi
Holmberg presented information on Total Ministry as a transformation process
for churches of all sizes. Much of the time was spent sharing activities of the
various southern Total Ministry congregations. There were representatives from
8 Total Ministry teams: Chatfield/Rushford, Eagan, Marshall, Laverne,
Redwing/Lake City, Hastings, Sauk Center area, and St. Mark’s Cathedral in
Minneapolis.

                Dorothy Billmeier Recovering

Last week Dorothy fell and broke bones in her foot.  She has
had surgery and is recovering at home. If you want to drop by, call beforehand.
Address for cards is:

5 Twiford Street NW

Chatfield, MN 55923

Lloyd Meeker at Care Center

Lloyd is in
the Care Center while he regains strength after his last
hospitalization. Address for cards is:

Chosen Valley Care Center – Room 105A

1102 Liberty Street

Chatfield, MN 55923

Or feel free to drop in on him for a short visit!

 April Events

9^th – Region V meeting at St. Matthew’s.

10^th – Guild Meeting after coffee.

10^th – Team Meeting in Chatfield at 5:00 PM

11^th – Vestry Meeting – 7:00 PM

15^th – Care Center Birthday Party – 1:30 PM

20^th – Set up for luncheon – 4:30

21^st – Maundy Thursday luncheon – serving 11- 1:00

22^nd– Good Friday Service – 7:00 PM

23^rd – Easter Vigil at 7:00 in Rushford

24^th – Easter Service – 7:30 AM, Breakfast following.

25^th – Bundles of Love Sewing Group – 6:30 PM

Easter Service and Breakfast

The Easter service will begin at 7:30 AM and will be followed by breakfast. If you can help set up, cook and/or serve the breakfast Easter morning breakfast, meet in the kitchen at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 23^rd.

Region V Meeting

The April 9^th meeting of Region V will meet at St. Matthew’s beginning at 9:00 AM. We will be responsible for providing light breakfast items and coffee before the meeting before the meeting and will also serve a soup and sandwich luncheon at the conclusion of the meeting. If there is an interest, Susan Moses will be having a concurrent informational/work session for the Diapers for Haiti Project for anyone interested and not directly involved in the Region V meeting.

Care Center Birthday Party

On April 15^th, St. Matthew’s will be providing the treats and gifts to all Care Center residents who have April birthdays. Thanks in advance for those who will be able to help with the event.

Nets for Life

St. Matthew’s is participating in a diocesan-wide project to provide mosquito nets for people in malaria-prone areas of the world. The Shrove Tuesday pancake supper raised $250 for the project. A free will offering will be taken at the Region V meeting for Nets, on April 10th we will be taking a 2nd offering for the project, and the Easter breakfast donations will also go to Nets.  St. Matthew’s goal is for 60 nets @ $12/each (($720).

Team News – Sharing Services

The joint team continues to meet monthly. We are studying a series of lessons on Ethics. This Holy Week, we will be having the Good Friday Service at St. Matthew’s with an invitation to the Rushford congregation to join us. Since Emmanuel Church does offer an Easter Vigil with Ben Scott presiding, they have invited our congregation to worship with them at that Saturday evening service. Both the Good Friday service and Easter Vigil begin at 7:00 pm. If you would like a ride to Rushford

on Saturday, contact Sandy Sullivan.

April Birthdays

1 – Cindy Tester                      17 – Sandy Sullivan

8 – Bill Sullivan                        22 – Dominic Billmeier

10 – Josh Harstad                     30 – Susan Moses

Dick Fenwick to Retire as Lay Reader

Dick’s last service as a Lay Reader will be April 3. He began doing Lay Reader Services while Rev. Marvin Nordmier was serving our church.  In addition to leading some Sunday Morning Prayer services, Dick took his turn leading Wednesday night Lenten services (over the years), leading CVCC services, serving on the Chatfield Ministerium Committee, picking up random extra services when the priest was going to be gone, and taking communion to our shut-ins for years. Dick was asked by Rev. Ben Scott to be the mentor to both Harvey Bernard Jr. and Alice Applequist, when they decided to begin their lay reading time at St. Matthew’s.  Thanks, Dick, for being such a gracious and faithful servant/teacher/mentor/lay reader. We look forward to your continuing service as chalice bearer, greeter and other duties so important to St. Matthew’s.

Maundy Thursday Luncheon

On April 21^st we will be hosting the annual Maundy Thursday luncheon. The menu includes a barbecue sandwich, assorted salads and pies. Serving will begin at 11:00 and go until 1:00. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for youth 5-12 and free under 5 years old. There will be door prizes. This is a good opportunity to invite a friend to St. Matthew’s.  We will be setting up for the luncheon on Wednesday, April 20^th at 4:30 and would appreciate having anyone who can help.

Service Changes

At the Annual Meeting in January, input was gathered as to whether a Eucharist service should be offered more often than twice a month. That input indicated that, among those who responded, there was an overwhelming desire to have more Eucharist services but to somehow include the lay readers. With this information, the Vestry agreed that: 1st & 3rd Sundays will begin with morning prayer and

followed by a brief Eucharist service.

2nd & 4th Sundays will be the normal Eucharist

Service.

5^th Sunday will be determined each quarter.

In April, the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Sundays will be Eucharist services due to Palm Sunday following on the 3^rd Sunday.