St. Matthew’s United Church eBulletin March 3, 2019

 News

  • The days and weeks ahead
  • An invitation to usher
  • Thanks to …
  • Changes to The Observer, but you can (and should) still subscribe
  • Please hold in your prayers ...
  • St. Matthew's Book Club
  • How you can help the Out of the Cold Shelter
  • In the Community
  • St. Matthew's activities

 

The days and weeks ahead

Thu. Mar. 7        Bible study at noon, in the parlour 

Sun. Mar. 10      First Sunday of Lent

 

An Invitation to Usher

Ushering is an important ministry of hospitality that is integral to the Sunday experience.  All that is required of the volunteers who welcome visitors and members of the congregation is a willingness to say hello and ensure that folks are seated  and comfortable.

The few practical tasks include distributing bulletins, escorting some to seats, inviting all to coffee, collecting the offering, and counting the congregation. 

Please consider giving your time to this important ministry. If you have not ushered before, experienced ushers are willing to pair with newcomers and/or to answer any questions. Contact Anne Marie Dalton & Carol Lee for more information. Try the online sign-up system, since you know best when you are available. Click this link to open the sign-up page:

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

 

Thanks to …

  • Jocelyn Covert and Jolene Pattison, and to members of the Worship and Music Committee, for leading the worship service on Sunday. This support enabled Betsy to fully participate in a weekend conference about immigration and migration at Dalhousie Department of History.
  • Members and Friends of the Board of Stewards for a successful pancake lunch on March 3. There was a good turnout in spite of the weather, and more than $200 was donated for expenses and the work of the church. Thanks to all who contributed time and food.

 

Changes ahead for The Observer magazine, but you can (and should) still subscribe

The award-winning magazine United Church Observer publishes articles on ethical living, justice issues, and faith. It also keeps members and friends of the United Church of Canada aware of activities in the church regionally, nationally, and globally. But there are changes coming.

 This month it will relaunch as Broadview. As editor Jocelyn Bell wrote, the name United Church Observer served the publication well for 80 years, but market research showed that potential subscribers who are not churchgoers either didn't know about the publication, or were turned off by the United Church moniker. And the publication needs more subscribers in order to survive.  "The Observer" name was already owned by another entity, and so the new title Broadview was selected. Although “United Church” will no longer be on the cover, the inside pages will contain the same amount of denominational news and perspectives. Bell says the magazine remains committed to top-quality journalism through a progressive Christian lens.

 If you wish to renew or start your subscription to The Observer / Broadview, provide the office with your name, address, postal code and phone number. If you are able, please also contribute $25 to cover the subscription (group rate). Cheques should be made payable to St. Matthew's United Church and marked "Observer" – leave in the collection plate or at the office.

 Please hold in your prayers ...

  • Marg Arklie, recovering at home
  • Karla Bruce, healing a broken ankle after surgery and setting

 St. Matthew's Book Club

The Book Club will be discussing Dear Life: Stories by Alice Munro on Tue. Mar. 19 at 2 pm at the home of Anne Marie Dalton on Roberts Street. 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.

 Requested items – OTCS recently appealed for deodorant -- $5 gift cards – bus tickets – waterproof gloves – socks – underwear – face wash and soap – shaving cream and razors – face cloths and hand towels – reusable bags and backpacks – and gently used and clean sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, winter coats, and waterproof boots.

 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.

 Sandwiches – There are Thursdays in March and April open when St. Matthew's folk are encouraged to provide sandwiches to OTCS. See Jean Hattie to schedule your turn.

 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)

Choir Practices – AcabellA handbells Thursday 6:15 pm; Sanctuary choir Thursday at 7:30 pm

Lunch Bunch community choir – Fridays at noon

St. Matthew’s Book Club  – Mar. 19

Potluck Church  Tue. Apr. 2; Thu. Apr. 18 (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                                 Mar. 24, Apr. 28

Worship and Music               May 5

 

Administrative Stuff

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

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

 

Enjoy St. Matthew’s United Church weekly bulletin. Contact the office to add

your email or to unsubscribe: stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca or (902) 423-9209