eBulletin for Sunday Jan. 27, 2019
News
The days and weeks ahead
Thu. Jan. 31 Music rehearsals, handbells 6:15 pm, choir 7:30 pm
Fri. Feb. 1 Funeral for Jean Morgan, 4 pm
Sun. Feb. 3 Worship service, 10:30 am
Tue. Feb. 19 Book Club, 2 pm
Sun. Feb. 24 Worship and Music Committee, after church
Sun. Mar. 3 Pancake Sunday lunch, after church
Remembering Jean Morgan
Jean Carol Morgan, 89, of our congregation died Jan. 22 in hospital. There will be a visitation at Snow’s Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive, on Wed. Jan. 30 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral service will be on Fri. Feb. 1 at 4 pm at St. Matthew’s, with a reception following in the church hall. Burial is planned for the spring.
Born in Halifax, Jean was the younger daughter of Carl Cossman and Nancy Christie (Gass) Bowers. She attended Sir Charles Tupper School, Queen Elizabeth High, and Dalhousie University. While at Dal, she met David Irwin Morgan (Ottawa) and they married in 1951. Dave’s Army career led them to different places in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, as well as three years (1968-71) at CFB Soest, West Germany, where Dave served as the last Base Commander. In her youth, she was into badminton and competitive diving. She taught swimming at Camp Memphramagog (Magog, QC), run by her aunt Daisy (Kolah) Gass. She and Dave spent 41 summers at Malagash, NS, and many winters in Florida, along with numerous trips and cruises to interesting parts of the globe.
She was predeceased by her husband, LCol David I. Morgan (2015), her son, the Rev. David C.I. Morgan (2001), and her sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Gregory (2000), of Halifax.
Please keep Jean's family in your prayers: daughter Brenda Wallace, son-in-law John Wallace, grandson Craig Wallace, granddaughter Elizabeth (Liz) Wallace, and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Carolyn Nicholson.
Please hold in your prayers ...
Marg Arklie, now recovering at home
Dale MacLennan, welcoming sister Donna home to extended care at Shannex in Clayton Park
Thanks to …
All 22 people who attended the first Potluck Church of 2019. The theme for this casual meal, conversation, and friendship was "Epiphany: Wonder and Praise – Words, Song and Food". Mark your calendar – the next Potluck Church is March 5.
Pastoral Relations Liaison role for Betsy
Rev. Betsy Hogan has been asked to be one of the Pastoral Relations Liaisons for the Region 15 (Nova Scotia/Bermuda), in the new structure of the United Church of Canada. In this role she would be a resource to help congregations find a new minister. In her service to the greater church, she also oversees the Dalhousie University Chaplaincy.
Property update from Stewards
Last fall St. Matthew's was asked by the fire marshal to undertake some upgrades related to the sprinkler and electrical systems. General concern about the cycle of repairs, both minor and significant, led to the church's decision to do a comprehensive audit of the structural, mechanical, and electrical condition of the historic sanctuary. This decision was supported by an anonymous donation of $200,000.
The Property Committee, chaired by Ian Austen and ably supported by custodian Wayne Lynch, reported to the Board of Stewards that all the work required by the fire marshal has been completed. In addition, the electrical audit resulted in a number of panels, lights, outlets, and alarms being upgraded. As the gas furnace was installed only a few years ago, the only work left to do on the mechanical side is an assessment of water pipes. The third focus of this work is the structural audit, which will be completed by the end of the summer. All work to date has been done within budget.
Do you like money?
Every Sunday two volunteers stay after church for about 30 minutes to count the offering, fill in a simple accounting sheet, and take the money to a bank on Spring Garden Road. The commitment is about 10 Sundays per year, working with a partner. We could use a few more helpers. If you are willing to become a counter, contact Jill Rafuse, rafusejill@gmail.com to join the schedule later this year. Training and an experienced partner will be provided.
Brunswick Street Mission update and a volunteer opportunity
Over the last two years the Board of the Brunswick Street Mission has undertaken strategic planning to determine how it can best respond to the needs of marginalized persons. Brunswick Street is not the locus of poverty that it once was, as its proximity to downtown and new development are gentrifying this area. High rents and the lack of employment in the core, however, are driving long-time residents away. Accordingly, the Board has been considering how to better support those in need when they may not live nearby.
It recently announced five new directions that will guide future activities of the mission, including: (1) enhancing a safe social space (2) increasing staff support to deliver programs rather than rely on volunteers (3) building capacity with an evolving governance structure (4) offering mobile services, such as a clothing bus, to take services to where those in need are living, and (5) income development.
Carol Smillie is retiring from her position as St. Matthew's representative on the Mission Board. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for anyone interested in helping the Mission achieve its new goals.
St. Matthew's Book Club
St. Matthews’ Book Club will meet on Tue. Feb. 19 at 2 pm at 1470 Summer Street, Apt. 703. Our book is The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. The author “gracefully explores the lengths we will go in order to protect our families and to keep the past from dictating the future”. For more information, contact Elaine Murray, edamur50@gmail.com
How you can help the Out of the Cold Shelter
The Out of the Cold Shelter is open nightly in the Sunday school area of St. Matthew's. The Shelter offers 15 beds for those who need a place to stay, and provides hot meals, sandwiches, and some necessities to guests and others who drop by.
Financial Support to St. Matthew's – St. Matthew`s provides space, heat, lights, washroom facilities, etc. for guests. Your donations help cover the operating costs that allow the shelter to stay open all winter long.
Sandwiches – Members of our congregation make sandwiches every Thursday for the Shelter. Jean Hattie, who coordinates the schedule, is available after church on Sundays to provide more information. Please consider whether you can assist with this initiative. Information about casseroles and other ways to support the Shelter will be forthcoming.
Requested items – OTCS lists current requirements on its website outofthecoldhalifax.org and on its Facebook page. Donations can be dropped off on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the lower level of the church between 8:30 am and 5 pm. OTCS is a peanut-free zone and cannot accept donations of mouthwash, aftershave, or hand sanitizer.
In the Community
Bereavement Support – Contact the Hospice Society of Greater Halifax at 902-446-0929.
St. Matthew’s Activities
REGULAR EVENTS
Sunday Free Breakfast – Sundays 8:30 am (If you are interested in joining a Breakfast Team, please email Carol Smillie at carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca)
Thursday Noon Bible Study in the Parlour (enter by glass doors) – ON HIATUS in January
Choir Practices – AcabellA handbells Thursday 6:15 pm; Sanctuary choir FRIDAY THIS WEEK at 7:30 pm
Lunch Bunch community choir – Fridays at noon
St. Matthew’s Book Club – Tue. Feb. 19
Potluck Church Mar. 5, Apr. 16 (Seder)
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Caritas Service – Second Sunday at 2:30 pm for Victoria Hall Residence for Senior Women, now at the Caritas Building, Mount St. Vincent
Melville Heights Service – Second Sunday at 2 pm at Melville Heights retirement lodge
MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2018/19
Congregational Meeting May 26
Session, Stewards, Board May 12
Executive Dec. 16, Feb. 24, Mar. 24, Apr. 28
Worship and Music Feb. 24