eBulletin - Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018

  • Calendar and Events
  • Next Sunday: Pancake Lunch
  • Cooking on site Feb. 15 for the Shelter
  • Newsletter for shut-ins
  • Thanks to…
  • With sadness …
  • St. Matthew’s Book Club: The Underground Railroad
  • United Church Observer 2018
  • Donate Loblaw grocery cards to St. Matthew’s
  • In the Community

St. Matthew’s Calendar and Events

  • Sun. Feb. 11 After church, Pancake Lunch
  • Thu. Feb. 15 6-7 pm, Cooking for the Out of the Cold Shelter, church kitchen
  • Sun. Feb. 18 Voting on Remit 6: One Order of Ministry
  • Thursdays 12 noon, Bible study in the parlour

Next Sunday: Pancake Lunch

A newish St. Matthew’s tradition is observing the beginning of Lent with a Pancake Luncheon on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday. On Sun. Feb. 11, after church, there will be a delicious luncheon of pancakes and fruit for the congregation, prepared by members and friends of the Board of Stewards All are welcome. No cost, but donations are welcome.

Cooking on site Feb. 15 for Out of the Cold Shelter

St. Matthew’s is providing a hot meal for the Out of the Cold Shelter on Thursdays. We alternate cooking on site (Thursday from 6-7 pm) with providing casseroles cooked at home from provided recipes. The next date to cook on site is Thu. Feb. 15.

  • Cook on site –Meet in the church kitchen from 6-7 pm to prepare the hot supper, which we will leave it baking/warming in the kitchen for Shelter volunteers to serve.
  • Make at home – On alternate Thursdays (Feb. 8 & 22, Mar. 8 & 22), volunteers are making an assigned casserole (recipe provided) at home, and bringing it to the church. Jean Hattie is coordinating this initiative.

Newsletter for shut-ins

Jill Rafuse, eBulletin writer/editor, has produced a newsletter for shut-ins who do not have access to email. This was sent via Canada Post last week to several people who are on our pastoral care list, in an effort to maintain the connection with St. Matthew’s. If you receive the weekly eBulletin, you will already have read the material that is being disseminated. However, if you can suggest names of others who might enjoy receiving church news by mail every 4-6 weeks, please let Betsy know.

Thanks to …

  • Carole Smille, for arranging training sessions in how to use the defibrillator (upstairs landing) and the naloxone kit (main kitchen). Always call 911 first!

With sadness …

Earle Edwards, a regular at the Breakfast program for many years, died a few weeks ago and was remembered at a graveside service at St. John’s Cemetery. Although he had been living at Melville Gardens in recent years, the St. Matthew’s pastoral care team kept some contact with him. Earle was remembered online for his baseball and skating skill in his younger years, and for working at the Ardmore Tea Room. Many will have fond memories of his dedicated attendance and help with the Sunday breakfasts.

St. Matthew’s Book Club: The Underground Railroad

The Book Club meets Tue. Feb. 20 at 2 pm at Suite 310, 76 Prestwick Close. As February is African Heritage Month, we will be discussing ‘The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead. For more information contact Elaine Murray, gordonelaine2018@gmail.com, or Janet Copeland, j.copeland@ns.sympatico.ca, or (902) 445-5906.

United Church Observer 2018

The Observer keeps members and friends of the United Church of Canada aware of activities in the church regionally, nationally, and globally. It is published 11 times a year and delivered to your home or office. It consistently wins awards for the quality of the writing, layout, and photography. In order to control costs and reduce irritation, St. Matthew’s asks everyone to complete the following form and return it to the church office.

  • I wish to begin or continue a subscription
  • I wish to cancel my current subscription.

Please include your NAME, ADDRESS, POSTAL CODE, and PHONE NUMBER.

If you are able, we ask you to enclose a contribution of $25 to cover your subscription. Cheques should be made payable to St. Matthew’s United Church and marked “Observer”.

Donate Loblaw grocery cards to St. Matt’s

If you have applied (or are eligible to apply) for the Loblaw’s $25 grocery card, please consider donating it to St. Matthew’s. Here is the link: https://www.loblawcard.ca/

These cards will buy food for Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter and our Sunday Breakfast, and can also be given directly to those who come to the church in urgent need of food. This will make a HUGE difference in the number of people that we’re able to help, particularly during this winter season. All our food purchases for emergency and benevolent programs happens via our established relationship with the Barrington Street Superstore.

If we can anticipate receiving these donated cards, we can also better meet the needs. When your card arrives, bring it to the church office any weekday morning or leave it in the collection plate. Tell your friends. Challenge your co-workers. Help us to accumulate as many grocery cards as we can to feed our neighbors most in need.

In the Community

UN World Interfaith Harmony Week Feb. 1–7 – Exploring Similarities, Celebrating Diversity. On Tue. Feb. 6 at 2 pm, the session is an Indigenous Talking Circle on Reconciliation that takes place at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2158 Gottingen St. On Wed. Feb. 7 at 6 pm, join others at the Shambhala Centre, 1084 Tower Rd., for a taste of Shambhala. For information visit www.ihhalifax.ca

Seven Deadly Sins – Envy – Wed. Feb. 28 at 7 pm, Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library. A panel of experts will examine the role of social media in depression, loneliness, and anxiety. Te speaker is Dr. Stan Kuchner, professor of psychiatry at Dalhousie University. Free admission or watch online at www.ccepa.ca The Seven Deadly Sins isa seven-part series exploring the personaland collective consequences of our thoughts and actions as we continue to grapple with age-old temptations.

Bereavement Support – Bereavement counselling is offered every Saturday from 10–11:30 a.m. at the temporary offices of Halifax Hospice, 1471 Carlton St, near the Just Us! Coffee location on Spring Garden Road. Anyone is welcome on a drop-in basis; there is no need to sign up. Sessions are peer-led, with counsellors present to help guide discussion as the participants desire. If you are interested in a bereavement support group but cannot attend on Saturday mornings, call the Hospice Society of Greater Halifax at 902-446-0929.


St. Matthew’s Activities

REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

  • Sunday Free Breakfast – Sundays 8 am (If you are interested in joining a Breakfast Team, please email Carol Smillie at carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca)
  • Caritas Service – Second Sunday at 2 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
  • Choirs Practice on Thursdays – Handbells at 6:15 pm, Church Choir 7:30 pm
  • Daytime Bible Study – Thursdays at noon, church parlour
  • St. Matthew’s Book Club – Second Tuesday in the afternoon, private homes
  • Lunch Bunch Choir – Fridays at noon
  • Potluck Church – Thu. Mar 29, 2018 (Seder)

2018 MEETING SCHEDULE

All meetings are held after the Sunday service. Bring a lunch! Clerk of Session Dr. Dora Stinson encourages everyone involved in these quarterly meetings to note the dates in their calendars.

Kirk Session/Stewards/Official Board Mar. 18, June 3

Executive of Official Board Feb. 18, Apr. 22, May 20

Worship and Music Committee

Congregational Meeting (budget) June 10

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

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