Contents
St. Matthew’s Calendar and Events
Naloxone Kit and Defibrillator information sessions Jan. 31 and Feb. 3
St. Matthew’s has a defibrillator and become a participant in the NS Department of Health’s “Take Home Naloxone” program. https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20170920002
If you would like more information on these health-giving initiatives, please join an information sessions offered by paramedic Gordon Richardson of Priority First Aid Training in consultation with Amanda Hudson (NSHealth). Dates are Wed. Jan. 31 from 6:30-8:30 pm or Sat. Feb. 3 from 9:30–11:30 am in the sanctuary. Training does not obligate you at any time to use these aids.
Partipants are asked to register. Provide your name and contact information to the church office, (902) 423-9209, or to Carol Smillie at (carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca). A voluntary donation of $10 will cover expenses.
Women’s Breakfast Sat. Feb. 3
There will be a Women’s Breakfast on Sat. Feb. 3 at 8:30 am at Smitty’s on Spring Garden Road, corner of Cathedral Lane. This is a great way to get to know other women in the congregation in an informal setting, over a breakfast made by SOMEONE ELSE.
Cooking on site Feb. 1 for Out of the Cold Shelter
St. Matthew’s is providing a hot meal for the Out of the Cold Shelter on Thursdays. We are alternating cooking on site (Thursday from 6-7 pm) and providing casseroles cooked at home from provided recipes. The next day for cooking on site is Thu. Feb. 1.
Thanks to …
Dora McGrath, Wayne Lynch, and all group leaders and shelter staff who managed and survived the complicated front-entrance process so that the work of the church could continue while the roof was repaired. All is back to normal.
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.
Calendars, Offering envelopes
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.
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
You will have heard on the news that Loblaws (Atlantic Superstore) is making $25 grocery cards available as reparation for alleged complicity in price-fixing of certain common brands of bread.
Canadians who purchased the listed brands of bread between 2002–2015 can register online to receive a $25 grocery card. This does not preclude participation in a class-action lawsuit, though any award would be decreased by $25. It does require providing an accurate name, address, date-of-birth, and email address, but Loblaws asserts that these will not be reused or resold.
Registration opened last week. Some of us registered immediately, and it was a very quick and straightforward process. Our gift cards will be mailed in 6-12 weeks.
If you are planning to apply for this gift card, you are invited to donate the card to St. Matthew’s. 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.
So if you purchased one of these common brands of bread noted, please consider applying for a card. Here is the link: https://www.loblawcard.ca/
When it arrives, bring it to church, bring it to the church office any weekday morning. 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.
Minute for St. Matthew’s Mission: Fellowship and ushering
Many in the congregation will receive an email from Betsy this week proposing a schedule for sharing the ushering and taking-up-collection tasks in the coming Sundays. Please respond with enthusiasm at the opportunity to take on a small task that will benefit many!
In the Community
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. 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
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 Sun. Feb. 4
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