St. Matthew’s United Church eBulletin July 22, 2019

 News

  • What's coming up
  • St. Matthew's at Halifax Pride parade
  • Summer pick-up Choir meets Sundays at 9:45 am
  • Thanks to …
  • Ushering help welcome
  • Summer hours at St. Matthew's
  • Summer concerts on Tuesdays at noon
  • Thinking about God's Green Earth
  • St. Matthew's activities

 

What's coming up at St. Matthew's

Tuesdays             SummerSounds@Barrington concert, 12:15 pm (see schedule below)

Sun. July 28        Worship service 10:30 am, Rev. Margaret Sagar presiding

 

Pride Parade

Last Saturday – on the hottest day of summer 2019 to date, and during the Pride Parade – not only did a large group of United Church (largest ever!) folk gather to march, but St. Matthew's doors were open to more than 100 people and 22 dogs for glasses/bowls of cold water to stay hydrated. We are now known not just as "the church whose steeple fell down". 

 Facebook users can search for St. Matthew's United Church to see some great photos of the parade and our pride in being an affirming and welcoming congregation. Remember to LIKE us to follow church activities, photos, and other posts all year long.

 Summer Pick-up Choir meets Sundays at 9:45 am

If you are interested in singing with the sanctuary choir this summer, just turn up on Sunday morning at 9:45 am for a brief rehearsal. Over the years we have welcomed lots of guests to our Summer Pick-Up Choir – no gowns, nothing too difficult, and no pressure – so if you have always wanted to try out the choir, have visitors who like to sing, or just feel moved by the spirit to come early for church, you will be welcome.

Thanks to …

Molly Austen and Amber Gareau for preaching and presiding this morning, John Wallace for reading and Stephen Mercer for leading the Prayers of the People, as well as this morning's ushers, fellowship hosts, counters, and breakfast servers.

 Ushering help welcome

There are still some spots left for volunteer ushers during July and August. If you know you will be in church on a particular Sunday and can help out, just click this link to open the sign-up page : https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169

 

Summer hours at St. Matthew's

Summer Church Office hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 8 am to noon.

Sanctuary open: Daily Tuesday-Saturday. St. Matthew’s welcomes tourists and visitors not only on Sunday mornings, but also daily Tuesdays to Saturdays, thanks to our Church Guide, Matthew Fraser, who is pleased to share the long history (270 years) of our congregation in  Halifax. When not guiding, Matthew will be practising the organ so feel welcome to drop in and listen to him play.

Pastoral Care: Rev. Betsy Hogan is on holiday and study leave until August 5. In case of pastoral emergencies, please call the church office at (902) 423-9209.

 

Summer concerts at St. Matthew's

St. Matthew's hosts lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays in the summer. Concerts run 12:15 to 1 pm with admission by donation ($5 suggested).

 July 16             Sandy Schwoebel, flute; Dean Bradshaw, piano

July 23             Triptych Ensemble, voice/cello/piano

July 30             Margaret, Rick, and Scott, mezzo/baritone/piano

Aug 6               Ann Bradley, soprano; Shawn Whynot, piano/organ

Aug 13             Margaret Fay, bassoon; Graham Mackenzie, oboe

Aug 20             Nicholas Higgs, baritone; Tara Scott, piano

Aug 27             Matthew Fraser, organ/piano

Sep 3               Thistle Scottish Country Dancers

Sep 10             Second Chances Jazz Showband

 

Think about God's green earth this week

Members of the congregation are sharing information about the little things they do to help care for the planet and respond to the climate emergency. On Sundays there is a jar at the door of the sanctuary where we can leave slips of paper that record our climate actions. You do not need to include your name – just the action you took.

 Earth Spirit Action Team: Anne Fay, Anne Marie Dalton, Deborah Baker, Elaine Murray, Emma Toohey, Jocelyn Covert, Kathy Woods, Paul Bowlby, Sandra McCulloch, Stephen Mercer

 

St. Matthew’s Activities

Sunday Free Breakfast  – Sundays 8:30 am

Thursday Noon Bible Study – On hiatus for the summer

Choir Practices – Sanctuary choir and Handbell rehearsals resume in September

Lunch Bunch community choir – On holiday until September

St. Matthew’s Book Club  – Third Tuesday

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

Potluck Church  -- Fall

 

Ushering – Click this link to open the sign-up page

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169

 

Breakfast Teams – Interested in helping with Sunday breakfast? Contact Carol Smillie, carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca

 

Meeting Schedule 2019

Congregational Meeting      November

Session, Stewards, Board    Fall

Worship and Music               Sept. 14, East Pennant

 

Administrative Stuff

Church office: (902) 423-9209, stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca  

Pastoral care: Rev. Betsy Hogan, (902) 423-9209, stmatts.betsy@ns.sympatico.ca

Sunday Worship: 10:30 am

Minister of Music: Wayne Rogers, (902) 429-1680, humber@ns.sympatico.ca

Student Organist: Matthew Fraser

On the web: www.stmatts.ns.ca

 

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