February Birthdays
5 – Dick Fenwick and Mike Moses
20 – Bob Johnson
22 – LeAnn Donahoe
25 – Chris Stehlik
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting was held on January 22 after the morning service. The following people were elected to offices: Cindy Tester–Sr. Warden, Dick Fenwick–Jr. Warden, Bob Johnson–Treasurer, Russ Applequist–1- year vestry term, Russell Burnap–2-year vestry term, and Mischel Stehlik–3-year vestry term. Alice Johnson will continue on the vestry since her term has not expired. Chris Kern will serve as Region V/Convention delegate, Susan Moses, Luana Meeker and Bill Sullivan will be convention alternates. Financial reports from the Vestry and Guild, the adopted budget for 2012 and the complete minutes of the meeting are posted in the Vestry Room. Thanks to Chris Kern and Laurel Hansel for their years of service as their terms end.
Shrove (Fat) Tuesday Pancake Supper
Our annual pancake supper will be held on February 21st from 5:00 until 6:30 PM. There is no charge but a free-will donation will be accepted with all proceeds going to the Heifer Project. If you can help flip pancakes or serve, contact Lynn or Sandy. This activity will be open to the public.
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Request
Anyone who has photos of the kids from the Christmas program, would you please let Lynn Harstad know.
Events
11th–Rooted in the Spirit Team meets with Examining Chaplains in Rushford
19th – Vestry Meeting after the service
15th -16th– Clergy Lenten Retreat, King’s House Retreat Center, Buffalo.
21st – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5:00-6:30pm.
22nd – Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00
25th – Joint St. Matthew’s/Emmanuel Sunday school
Sleepover
25th – Bundles of Love Appreciation Luncheon at 10:00.
27th – Bundles of Love at 2-8:30
February Activity
The activity this month will focus on the Sunday school children. We are planning an overnight with the Rushford Sunday school kids on Saturday, February 25. We will gather on Saturday afternoon, have lots of games, food, and activities. We’ll spread our sleeping bags on the floor in the fellowship hall and hopefully get a few hours sleep before we get up, clean up, eat breakfast, and get ready to attend the morning service at St. Matthew’s. If anyone wants to volunteer to come in early and fix our breakfast, we would greatly appreciate it.
Lenten Meditations
The following is an excerpt from the ERD web site:
During the season of Lent we are called to slow down and consider our baptismal vows as we move toward the celebration of the resurrection of Christ and season of Easter. It is also a time for us to prayerfully consider how we can heal a hurting world.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2012 Lenten Meditations is a tool to help guide us to a deeper understanding of God’s call in our lives. This year, it provides a particular emphasis on promoting health and fighting disease while preparing ourselves for healing. It is co-authored by a group of leaders from across The Episcopal Church, who bring particular theological and spiritual perspectives to these writings as they reflect on their favorite scripture passages and other sources of spiritual wisdom.
The daily meditations will be sent out to the church email list. If you haven’t been getting the email announcements, contact Lynn so that you can be added to the list. Please enjoy the opportunity for reflection.
Dinner for Volunteer Fire Fighters
On February 6, St. Matthew’s will host a dinner for the Chatfield Volunteer Fire Department. Lynn Harstad and Rodney Coe are responsible for the planning and will contact individuals with ways you can help.
January Birthdays
4 – Alice Johnson
7 –AliceApplequist
10 – John Castillo
13 – DylanBillmeier
31 – Dallas Burnap
Pledge Cards
If you haven’t already done so, please return your pledge card as soon as possible so that the Vestry can finalize the 2012 budget at their January 9th meeting.
Epiphany Potluck
The annual Epiphany bonfire and potluck dinner will be a little different this year…the event will be held at the church on February 6. For anyone who can come at 4:00, we’ll take down the greens and clean the sanctuary. At 5:30 everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to share for the potluck dinner. Following the meal, we will have the burning of the greens (in small increments NOT a bonfire) in a patio fireplace outside the church. Beverages will be provided.
Fruit Cake
The Guild would like to wind up the “fruit cake season”. Several people who took fruit cakes to sell or for your own use still need to pay for them. Would you please try to pay Alice Johnson as soon as possible so that project can be finished up. Thanks in part to a great article in the Chatfield News, the fruit cake sold very quickly. Thanks again to Luana Meeker, Bob and Alice Johnson for doing the baking and also to all those who helped buy ingredients, glaze and wrap the fruit cakes.
Team Activities
The joint Emmanuel/St. Matthew’s team continues to prepare for the session, on February 11, with the Examining Chaplains. The Examining Chaplains are a group of clergy and lay people who will question the team on seven areas of church life and history. Following the questioning, they will determine if the team is ready to move to the next step toward commissioning. This session is mainly for the Rushford folks on the team but, since we are a shared team, we want to support them.
January Events
6th – Taking down the greens at 4:00 PM. followed by
the Epiphany pot-luck dinner and burning the
greens at 5:30 PM
8th – Guild Meeting following coffee
9th –Church lady law training 7:30 pm
15th – Team Meeting at 12:30 in Rushford
16th – Church lady law training 2 pm
16th – Vestry Meeting at 7:00 PM
22nd–Church Mtg following the church service…followed by a potluck
30th – Bundles of Love – 2-8:30- Working on cutting out
materials for quilts
Sunday School News
After a very busy Advent and Christmas season, the Sunday School will be turning our attention to the Bible stories that we all love. Be sure to notice the Christmas banner that the children helped design and make. They will also be working to finish the altar that is being built with Bob Johnson’s help. This will be used by the Sunday School one Sunday a month for a communion service downstairs with the children. We are also going to begin to engage the older Sunday School children in some outreach activities along with their lessons. If you missed the Christmas Program, you missed a great “performance” by the Bell Plate Choir and the kids did a beautiful job of sharing the Christmas story! Thanks to Lynn Harstad and Mischel Stehlik for their huge part in preparing for the program.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting and potluck lunch will be held on January 22. The meeting will begin immediately after the service and will be followed by the potluck dinner. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share. Beverages will be provided.
Thinking Ahead
Instead of individual parish visits, Bishop Prior is hosting events within each region in 2012. He is scheduled to be in Region V May 5 through 8. If you have an idea of what you would like to see planned with him, tell your Region delegate or priests, so that they can pass it on at the Region mtg.
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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 11 – Celeste Siewert 20 – Jeremiah Siewert 14 – Luana Meeker 21 – Alex Malinchoc
Dates to Remember November 11th – Pork 13th – Guild 14th – 21st – Team Meeting at 1:30 PM 26th – 27th – Advent 28th – Bundles
November United Christmas Many of the local churches are joining
Ambulance/Police Officers Thanks to all who planned, provided food and worked at the Volunteer
Daylight Savings Time Ends Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends next Sunday, November 6. Fruit It’s that time of year, once again! Luana
Community Chatfield Community Choir is again
Come Holy Accept my Open my heart Guide me in Eliminate the Let me grow October Birthdays 1 – Glenna Berquam 20 – Sara Harstad 24 – Laurel Hansel Ambulance/Police Dinner It
October All-church Activity On
Our God of Abundance “Our God is not a God of scarcity but of The life that Jesus proclaims is a life This will only happen if we, as witnesses From Dates to Remember October 2nd - Apple juice pressing at 9th – Guild Meeting after church 10th – Vestry Meeting 16th – Team 17th – 25th – Bundles of Scott Tester Completes Training Scott Help Our Neighbors The Sauerkraut and Pork Chop Dinner St Minutes Posted In
July Birthdays 3 – Kayla Siewert 11 – Charles Harstad 22 – Tyler Mix 21 – ChrisKern 31 – Tanner Fischer
August Birthdays
3 – Alex Coe 5 – TerriApplequist 19 – Betty Lou Balcome 11 –Don Burnap
Shared Service with Chatfield Lutheran
In celebration of the 10th Migrant On August 28th, Family in Need On June 12, the Dale Rodger’s home was 11 – Charles Harstad 22 – Tyler Mix 21 – ChrisKern 31 – Tanner Fischer August Birthdays 3 – Alex Coe 5 – Terri 19 – Betty Lou Balcome 11 –Don Burnap Shared Service with Chatfield Lutheran In celebration of the 10th Migrant On August 28th, Family in Need On June 12, the Dale Rodger’s home was Dates 11th– 18th 24th 10:30 AM 25th Dates 8th – Vestry Meeting at 7:00 PM 13th– 28th at 1:00 29th Team News The Team has
Dorothy Billmeier Recovering Last week Dorothy fell and broke bones in her foot. She has 5 Twiford Street NW Chatfield, MN 55923 Lloyd Meeker at Care Center Lloyd is in 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 9th – Region V meeting at St. Matthew’s. 10th – Guild Meeting after coffee. 10th – Team Meeting in Chatfield at 5:00 PM 11th – Vestry Meeting – 7:00 PM 15th – Care Center Birthday Party – 1:30 PM 20th – Set up for luncheon – 4:30 21st – Maundy Thursday luncheon – serving 11- 1:00 22nd– Good Friday Service – 7:00 PM 23rd – Easter Vigil at 7:00 in Rushford 24th – Easter Service – 7:30 AM, Breakfast following. 25th – 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 23rd.
Region V Meeting The April 9th 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.
On April 15th, 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.
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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 21st 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 20th 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. 5th Sunday will be determined each quarter. In April, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays will be Eucharist services due to Palm Sunday following on the 3rd Sunday.
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March Events
4th – World Day of Prayer at St. Mary’s Church at 5: 30
8th – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5-6:30
9th – Ash Wednesday service 7:00
13th – Guild Meeting after morning
14th – Vestry Meeting 7:00
20th – Team Meeting at 2:30
26th – Game Night at 6:30
28th – Bundles of Love
Looking Ahead
April 21 – Maundy Thursday Luncheon served from 11-1
April 22 – Good Friday Service at 7:00
April 24 – Easter Sunday Service at 7:30 AM
Pew Cushions and Kneelers
The beautiful blue cushions are now completely installed in the sanctuary. The congregation kneelers will be covered with new blue vinyl by the end of the February. This is, again, part of Mary Harrison’s memorial gift for her mother, Dorothy McConnell. Ministerial Alliance Active Again
The newly reactivated Chatfield Ministerium will be meeting in late March. It will be hosted at St. Matthew’s. If you have any items for discussion, please let Alice or Mike know.
One topic will be how the area churches can promote a community that is supportive of military families. Pastor Mark from the Chatfield Lutheran Church and Alice+ from St. Matthew’s attended a Red Cross seminar in Rochester that was led by Chaplain Morris of the National Guard. Minnesota is a leader in using faith communities and Yellow Ribbon groups to spearhead programs that will aid transitions and be of support to the whole military family from their pre-deployment time to their post deployment times. It was excellent presentation. Some congregations and/or groups are even “adopting” a military family. This means they will help with chores, do daycare, give breaks etc. as scheduled between the family and organization. More information will be sent out as it becomes available.
Singing the Psalter!!
It’s been a while since we last did this, but we are once again going to use Lent as an opportunity to sing the Psalm of the day rather than read it responsively. So loosen up those vocal cords and get them ready for a little extra workout starting March 14th.
Ash Wednesday Service
The Ash Wednesday Service that marks the beginning of the Lenten season will be held on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00
Scott Tester in Basic Training
Scott will be “celebrating” his 22nd birthday at Fort Jackson, NC. on March 2nd. He can’t receive gifts or food but can receive a note in a plain envelope…no birthday cards. I know that he will appreciate hearing from you even if it’s a little late. His address:
E-1 Tester, Scott
Company Eco, Platoon 1
1/34 IN REGT 165th INBDE
5500 Marion Ave.
Ft. Jackson, SC 29207-6019
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March Birthdays
2 – Scott Tester
9 – Dorothy Billmeier
18 – Jesse Donahoe
28 – Melissa Castillo
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be on March 8 from 5:00-6:30. A free-will offering will go to buy mosquito nets to help people in malaria-prone areas of the world. Come and bring a friend.
World Day of Prayer
On Friday, March 4th, 2011, people in more than 170 countries and regions will join together in celebrating World Day of Prayer. This year’s service was written by the women of Chile and centers around the theme: “How many loaves have you?”
This year’s service will be held Friday, March 4th at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chatfield, MN. Ceci Elliott will be our guest speaker with dinner to follow.
Invite your friends and family to join the women of Chile in prayer and song to support women’s ecumenical ministries toward justice, peace, healing, and wholeness. The annual offering will support the work of World Day of Prayer USA and help meet the needs of families who are victims of many forms of poverty, violence, and human trafficking.
Game Night
Due to a death in the extended Moses family, the annual game night has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 26 at 6:30 PM. This has been a popular event in past years and is an inexpensive “night out”. So bring a friend, your favorite board games and a snack to share. Beverages will be provided.
New Lavado Table
Bob Johnson is making us an oak lavado table. The table will be of help to both the acolytes and priests. He is donating both his time and the materials for this project.
Guild News
Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 13th, at coffee after the service. It’s time once again to be discussing/planning the Maundy Thursday Salad Luncheon, so please do a preliminary check of your calendar to assess whether you’ll be able to help out. There are a number of other items on the agenda that need to be addressed at this time, rather than wait for the April meeting, so please do your best to attend.
Feed Us Lord.
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St. Matthew’s Happenings
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January Events
8th– Taking down the greens at 9:00 AM.
9th – Guild Meeting following coffee
– Sliding party at 3:00 followed by the Epiphany
–luck and burning the greens at 5:00 10– Vestry Meeting at 7:00 PM
16th– Team Meeting at 12:00 Noon
31st– Bundles of Community Service Day 12:00-9:00 PM
St. Matthew’s
Outreach What is outreach? Outreach is going beyond, to reach out to others. The
need in our world at times surpasses our understanding. In response, we do what we can to lessen the burdens of others less fortunate than us and to thank those who are able to make that effort. Most of us have been involved in St Matthew’s outreach projects in one way or another. When we give of ourselves to the community either by being there for someone in need or giving our monetary support, we are providing outreach. A few of the activities we were involved in this past year were painting and cleaning at Lakewood, Migrant Ministry in Montgomery, Care Center services and the birthday parties, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, Haiti Earthquake relief, and providing an appreciation meal for Bundles of Love and the Chatfield ambulance crew. St Matthews sponsored 3 families including 7 children for the Community Christmas project. In addition, Bundles of Love gave 6 layette bundles to the Community Christmas Project and distributed 120 layettes/bundles to needy babies. BOL also distributed 700 individual items. The value of the bundles and individual items was approximately $2500.00. Volunteer hours total approximately 9000 hours. The Haiti diaper project shipped 2900 diapers to Haiti, a value of approximately $8700.00. As we continue our outreach efforts in the coming year, know that each of your efforts starts a ripple effect in helping others. Quoting Tiny Tim “God Bless us Everyone!” by Susan Moses Sunday School News
After a very busy Advent and Christmas
season, the Sunday School will be turning our attention to the Bible stories that we all love. Thanks to Alice Applequist for coordinating our Christmas Program and for producing the CD with the children’s pictures In Memorial
On December 14, a celebration of the life of Christine Rodgers was
held at St. Matthew’s. We pray God’s comfort for her family. There will be a benefit to help the family with medical expenses on Friday, January 7 at the Eagle’s Club in Rochester. A bake sale begins at 6:00 followed by a silent auction and door prizes through the evening. |
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January Birthdays
4-Alice Johnson
7 – Alice Applequist 10 – John Castillo
13 – Dylan Billmeier
31 – Dallas Burnap
Pledge Cards
If you haven’t already done so, please
return your pledge card as soon as possible so that the Vestry can finalize the 2011 budget at their January 10th meeting. Sliding and Epiphany Potluck
The annual Epiphany bonfire and potluck
dinner will be held on Saturday, January 9th at the Harstad’s. All interested in sliding should come at 3:00…those less adventuresome will gather at 5:00 for the potluck followed by the burning of the greens after supper. Bring a dish to share, beverages will be provided. Trees and other greens may be brought out ahead of time if it is more convenient – call Lynn for directions. (867-3877) Fruit Cake
The Guild would like to wind up the
“fruit cake season”. Several people who took fruit cakes to sell or for your own use, still have “not paid” by their names on the list. Would you please try to pay Alice Johnson as soon as possible so that project can be finished Vestry News
The Annual Meeting and potluck lunch will
be held on January 23. It was decided to use the memorial money of Dorothy McConnell to have cushions for the pews made. The material has been ordered and construction will begin soon. This should greatly improve the comfort in the sanctuary. Also new glasses and soup bowls were ordered and have arrived just in time for the Annual potluck dinner. Other items for the kitchen are being considered. Team Activities
The joint Emmanuel/St. Matthew’s team is
concluding its study “From Jesus to Constantine” and will begin another series in February. |
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St. Matthew’s Happenings
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Wishing each of you a Happy, Healthy, and
Peaceful 2011 |