St. Matthew’s United Church eBulletin Sept. 15, 2019
News
What's coming up at St. Matthew's
Tue. Sept. 17 Book Club, 2 pm (see notice)
Sun. Sept. 22 Worship service 10:30 am with Rev. Betsy Hogan
Wed. Oct. 9 Brunswick Street Mission breakfast, 7:30 am
Please keep in your prayers …
Book Club meets today
The first fall meeting of St. Matthew’s Book Club will be on Tue. Sept. 17 at 2 pm, at 5662 Roberts St. We will be discussing “The Boston Girl” by Anita Diamond, “... a moving portrait of one woman’s complicated life in twentieth century America, and a fascinating look at a generation of women finding their places in a changing world. “ For more information, please contact Elaine Murray at edamur50@gmail.com or Janet Copeland, 902-445-5906.
Sermon series
Rev. Betsy Hogan has begun a 6-week sermon series looking at the specific ways in which Jesus – not just his words, but his actions toward those around him – matters as revealing what God is like and what God is passionate about. The series will consider what we learn from Jesus’ words and actions about such things as forgiveness, compassion, priorities, advocacy, non-violence, strength, and more. The first of the series was delivered on Sept. 8 and copies are available in the sanctuary.
Interfaith GatherIng and Climate Action Rally Sept. 20
On Fri. Sept. 20 at noon, on Halifax's Grand Parade, come out and show your solidarity with faith leaders and climate activists. Bring a sign or a flower and an open heart. This event kicks off a week of activities in Halifax culminating in a global climate strike on Fri. Sept. 27 to bring attention to the climate crisis and demand action NOW! For more information on the events in Halifax and around the world, visit globalclimatestrike.net
13th Annual Mission Breakfast Oct. 9
The 13th annual Brunswick Street Mission breakfast will be held on Wed. Oct. 9 at Pier 21 at 7:30 am. Tickets are $100 each or tables of 10 for $1,000. This year's special guest is Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire. Call 902-423-4506 or purchase online at www.brunswickstreetmission.org Generally a group from St. Matthew's attends this fundraiser, which is the primary support for an important downtown ministry affiliated with many United Churches on the peninsula.
Welcome back to Sunday School, on Sundays at 10:30 am
Our Sunday School (pre-Primary to Junior High) meets weekly, but is intentionally shaped for dropping in: we’re happy to see you when you’re here.
Led by parents and teens of the congregation, Sunday School introduces Bible teachings with a spirit of inquiry, with crafts, games, and activities. Also, there are cookies.
LOOKING AHEAD: Back to School, Back to Church
Here’s what goes on at St. Matt’s every week during the school year. If something interests you, just be in touch or turn up! You are very welcome.
But these are just the weekly activities. There’s also Potluck Church Suppers, Book Studies, other Learning Groups, the Earth-Spirit-Action Climate Group, Women’s Breakfasts… the list goes on. If you’d like to stay on top of what’s happening, just email stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca and ask to be put on the “ebulletin list” – a once-a-week email with all the current info.
Sunday Choir: Thursday Rehearsals, 7:30-9 pm
Our Sunday Choir is conducted by Wayne Rogers, Minister of Music, and sings a wide variety of classic and contemporary SATB choral works.
AcabellA Handbell Choir: Thursday Rehearsals, 6:15-7:15 pm
Entranced by Handbells? Wayne Rogers harnesses the ringing of three octaves of beginner to experienced ringers. And we have chimes too!
For choirs, email Wayne Rogers at humber@ns.sympatico.ca
Sunday Free Breakfast: Five Teams in Rotation, Sundays 7:30-9:30 am
For nearly thirty years, St. Matt’s has served a free breakfast on Sunday mornings to anyone who’s hungry. Volunteers are organized into teams on a five-week rotation. If you’d like to join a Breakfast Team, email Carol Smillie at carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca
Lunchtime Bible Study: Weekly, day-of-choice TBA, Noon-1pm
Bring your bag lunch and muse over the meaning of a Bible Story, led by the minister with intentional openness to all questions, wonderings, and wrestlings with these ancient words meant to inform our spirituality and faith. Great collective wisdom and laughter too
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
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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
Ushering – Click this link to open the sign-up page
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169
Meeting Schedule 2019-20
Congregational Meeting Nov. 3, 2019 (AGM); May 3, 2020 (budget)
Session, Stewards, Board Oct. 27, 2019; Jan. 12, Mar. 8, Apr. 26, 2020
Worship and Music TBA
Regular Activities
Sunday Free Breakfast – Sundays 8:30 am
Thursday Noon Bible Study – TBA
Choir Practices – Thursdays – Handbells 6:15 pm, Sanctuary choir 7:30 pm
Lunch Bunch community choir – Fridays at 12:15 pm
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
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