“Destiny’s Calling, We Must Answer”

St. Mathew’s will host a benefit concert on Saturday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m. titled “Destiny’s Calling, We Must Answer” featuring Walter “Dewall” Richards, an accomplished Liberian singer and song writer along with other performers. The proceeds will help build a “Kindergarten” addition to St. Matthew’s School in Logan Town, Liberia.

For over 15 years, the entire infrastructure of Liberia was non-existent due to the civil wars, hence the “Lost Boys and Girls” of this country had no education. Through the efforts of “Operation Classroom” this is now changing as schools are re-opening and scholarships enable the children to receive the precious gift of an education. Now it is time to get young children off the streets and into school and you can help. We invite you to attend the concert and/or donate funds to help build the school one brick at a time.

Suggested donation is $20, but any donation would be greatly appreciated. Make your check payable to St. Matthew’s  with “OC Benefit Concert Fund #205” in the memo line or go to our church website www.stmatthews-bowie.org and click on the banner “OC Benefit Concert” to donate on-line.  Any questions, contact concert coordinators, Peter Saderholm or Bill Schneider.  

“When we educate the children of war torn countries we help to re-build a nation.”

Fourth Annual Feast for the Soul

“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.  To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all."

        —1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Join us on Sunday, September 12, following the 11:00 service for the Feast for the Soul and discover what opportunities are available for you to use your gifts. 

Ricky J will be back with his famous pulled pork and barbecue chicken plus all the extras. There be children's activities. Reps from various church organizations will be there to explain the many opportunities to use your gifts and talents.  Tickets are $10; children under 12 are admitted free.

What are some of these gifts? 

·   The gift of Prophecy — witness quietly in private conversations.

·   The church always needs Teachers —lecturers, small group discussion leaders for children, youth, and adults.

·   The Miracle Worker—help mobilize others to action in service to God.

·   The Healer—Healing or reconciliation between persons or groups

·   The Administrator—gifted people are necessary to organize and administer.

·   The Helper—Helping makes church life active, abundant, and joyous.

·   The Gift of your Love—Your face of God’s light may be the only one seen by some or many!

Be sure to also invite a friend and proclaim:  HERE I AM, LORD!

“Save the Children” Training Seminar

On Monday, September 27, Save the Children will present a free seminar on its Child-Friendly Spaces Program at 1:00pm and 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.  The 1:00pm seminar lasts about 3 hours, and is important for our church Sunday school teachers, EEC teachers and staff, parents, grandparents, DRT shelter volunteers, and others who work with children.

The program is about providing children with a safe, designated area where they can play, socialize, and express themselves under the supervision of trained adults in an emergency.  The seminar provides participants with the resources and knowledge to best protect children and keep them safe in the immediate stages of a disaster.  It will provide tools and information to be ready to operate Child-Friendly Spaces programs. 

The 7:00 p.m. seminar, a condensed version of the 1:00 p.m. session, will be offered to our congregation, the Bowie interfaith group, and all others who may want to attend. No pre-registration is required.  For further information, call Dan Blades.

Rev. Ginger’s Pastoral Ponderings

Time is a funny thing.  While it has only been a matter of weeks that I’ve been among you here at St. Matthew’s, the time has been so full and rich that my experience of the time passed feels much longer.  Anthony and I have enjoyed the “Meet and Greet” gatherings and so deeply appreciate all the hosts and those who have taken time out of busy summer schedules to attend.  I have shared one-on-one conversations with many of you and will continue to make time for this over the next several months.  There is much excitement around some new ideas for coordinating our ministries and for getting the word out about the great things God is doing in and through St. Matthew’s.  There has already been lots of laughter, food, and prayer.  It feels like kairos time…full of God’s presence.

As I’ve been in conversation with many of you, it has become clear that there are some common questions buzzing around.  Therefore, I’ve put together a list of “Frequently Asked Questions.”

Where are you and Anthony from?
I grew up in Kiefer, Oklahoma, a town of 950 people about 20 miles southwest of Tulsa.  Anthony grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut.  His family is still all in CT—parents and extended family in the Waterbury area and his brother’s family in Fairfield.  My parents now live 9 months out of the year in my mother’s native Texas and the summer months they spend in Arkansas, my dad’s home.  My sister and her family life in Nixa, Missouri and my brother and his two children live in Tulsa, OK.

Where did you meet Anthony?
Anthony and I met at Yale Divinity School.  I was two years into my Master of Divinity when he arrived on the scene to get a Master of Arts in Religion.  We graduated together from Yale in 1996.

How did you get to this area?
In 1998, only two months after we got married in Tulsa, Anthony and I moved to Silver Spring, MD for Anthony to begin his Ph.D. program at The Catholic University of America.  I was later ordained here in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and served churches in Rockville, MD and Washington, DC.

Where are you living?
We are renting a house on Capitol Hill in DC near Union Station. 

What is Anthony’s vocation?
He is a professor of systematic theology at St. John’s University in New York City.  [Yes, Anthony is really Catholic.  And, yes, we have many interesting conversations over dinner!]

Are you and Anthony maintaining two households?
Nope.  Anthony is commuting to NYC and back to teach.

How will Anthony manage the commute?
The same day I received the call appointing me to St. Matthew’s, Anthony learned that St. John’s was moving to a 2 day/week teaching schedule as opposed to 3 days/week.  His classes are scheduled such that he can take Amtrak to MetroPark, NJ, and then drive (his car will be garaged at the station during the semester) to school.  He teaches on the Staten Island campus of St. John’s.  In the event that he needs to stay overnight, we’ve got friends and family near the school with whom Anthony can stay.  The upshot of this is that he will make the almost 3 hour commute (one-way) on Tuesdays and Fridays—but will almost always sleep in his own bed.

Will your sermons be online and available in the narthex?  Yep.

What should we call you?
Ginger works for me—or Reverend Ginger if a title is desired…

What do you do in your downtime?
I spend time with Anthony and with other friends, cook, practice yoga, ride my bike, watch movies, catch up on the few television shows I record, wander down to the National Mall and spend time in the National Gallery of Art,  putter around the house…

How old are you??
I turned the big 4-0 last November.

How do you walk in those shoes?
Years of practice.  After all, some say I had some big shoes to fill at St. Matthew’s (and they are right!)—so I figure it can’t hurt to walk in my “powerful-platform-peep-toe-pumps.”

I hope this clears up some of your questions.  And, just for the record, if you are wondering something don’t hesitate to ask me!  Thanks again, for the amazing welcome you have offered Anthony and me.  We are blessed beyond words to be in your midst.

Peace,
Ginger+

UMW Meetings and Upcoming Events

The UMW is kicking off a new program year!  ALL women (current members as well as not-yet-members) are invited to attend our Fellowship Tea between services in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, September 19. 

If you completed the UMW Reading Program, please contact Pattie Klein so you can receive the appropriate credit. Participants should have completed their books by August 31 to receive credit for this year. You must read at least one book from each of the four categories. We need two members to complete the program to receive Mission Today Unit credit.

An invitation to attend any of the circle meetings is extended to all women.  For specific information, please call the leader of the circle in which you are interested or Christin Vare.

EXECUTIVE Board:  Sunday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m. at the church in the parlor.

AGAPE Circle:  Thursday, September 9, at 9:30 a.m. (note change in date) at the home of Margie Dague.  We will have a “welcome back” social meeting.  (Jane Anderson is the circle leader.)   

FRIENDSHIP Circle:  Thursday, September 9, luncheon at 12:00 p.m. in a local restaurant—check with Mickey.  (Mickey Fisher is the circle leader.) 

MARTHA Circle:  Friday, September 10, at 9:30 a.m. at the church in the parlor. We will discuss Chapter 7 of our study book, Living Above Worry and Stress.  (Linda Harbaugh and Pam Waterworth are the circle leaders.)  Please email Linda at if you need a book or will need babysitting.  Babysitting is available during this circle. 

EVENING Circle:  Monday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the church in the parlor.  We will discuss Chapter 6 of our short story series Listening for God.  (JoEllen Thompson is the circle leader.) 

SUSANNA WESLEY Circle:  Wednesday, September 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Pat Bond (circle leader).  We will continue our study of What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey.

KOINONIA Circle:  Monday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the church parlor (Room 102).  We will begin a new study book, Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs.  (The circle leaders are Mary McClurg and Debbie Pierson.)  Babysitting is available during this circle. 

Youth News                                                                                  
                                                          —Jen McClurg, Youth Director

We have some exciting new changes to Youth Ministry and we invite all 6^th-12^th graders to join us and be a part of things!

Sunday School classes will resume on September 12 with Middle School meeting in Room 222 and High School in Room 226.

UMYF will continue to meet from 6:30-8:15 on Sunday evenings, but we will begin with a brief worship service in the Sanctuary before continuing on to that night’s activities. Parents are invited to join us on the first Sunday of the month for the worship service. (Please note: On days that we do not meet at the church, we will not have our worship service.)

Music News and Notes
                                                         —Isaac Borocz, Music Director

Music groups resume rehearsals in September.  All are welcome!

Chancel Choir:
THURSDAY evening 7:00-8:30 p.m. (beginning September 9)

Children’s Choir:
SUNDAY during 11:00 a.m. worship (beginning September 19)

Gloria Ringers:
MONDAY evening 6:45-8:00 p.m. (beginning September 13)

SpiritMove:
THURSDAY evening 8:30-9:30 p.m. (beginning August 26 at 7:00 p.m.)

All these groups meet in the Choir Room in the Wesley Wing. 

Watch the bulletin for information about Youth Choir.

Also, after five years of faithful service, Lori Robertson feels the need for a break. We area urgently looking for an accompanist for the Chancel Choir. If you are so inclined, or know someone who might be interested, please let me know.

Enrichment Classes for Adults

Has the summer left you a little stale about your faith development?  Did Christ get relegated to the small back burner too many times?  To ignite that flame again or to understand what the Bible is saying to you, plan to join one of our adult classes which will meet on Sundays, from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., beginning September 12. Come to the sanctuary that day to hear brief presentations about the various courses and then pick a class that fits your interests.

Adult topics to be offered are:

·      Study of Paul’s Letter to the Romans;

·      The Shift: Taking Your Life from Ambition to Meaning;

·      How Archeology Helps Us Understand the Bible; and tentatively,

·      The Jesus I Never Knew.

Starting September 12, we will resume Children’s Church, with a few exciting changes. As a reminder, Children’s Church is for children ages 7—5^th grade who don’t always understand what is going on in our worship service. After the Gospel reading, we invite those children to gather in front of the altar, at which point they will follow the Light to Children’s Church.

In Children’s Church, we will again hear the Scripture and we will try to base our sermon on Rev. Ginger’s sermon for the day so that families have an opportunity to go home together and talk about what they learned. We will also have our own time for sharing Joys and Concerns and recite the Lord’s Prayer together.  Children’s Church will be every Sunday except Communion Sunday, which we encourage families to partake in together. Please pick up your
child(ren) in Room 126 at the end of the service.

If you would like to volunteer to help out once every few months, please contact Jen McClurg at 301-262-1408.  (It’s not necessary to have a child in the program to volunteer!) All volunteers need to fill out the required Safe Sanctuaries paperwork before they can help, so please let us know ASAP.

Stay Connected with Church School

How do you connect with God and stay connected?  A good place to explore that connection is in our church school classes which will resume Sunday, September 12., at 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.  Classes will be held for children, youth and adults.  Children will learn about Old Testament people who trusted God and answered God’s call to do God’s work. Middle school youth will investigate different pictures of God, and high school kids will study the Psalms.  Adults may select an elective to help them in their faith development.

Children need to be three by December 31 and potty-trained to enroll in our youngest class.  No one is too old for one of our adult classes.  A nursery will be available for infants and toddlers.

All students need to be registered (or re-registered) to secure up-to-date information.  Parents need to register their child so we have e-mail addresses and pickup plans for each child.   At 9:30 a.m. on September 12, plan to register your child and then go to the sanctuary for a quick review of what the adult classes will explore this fall.  New adult opportunities will begin around 10:05 a.m. in the various classrooms.

Women’s Meet & Greet Tea, Sept 19

The United Methodist Women invite all women of St. Matthew's to attend a Meet and Greet Tea in Fellowship Hall on September 19 between worship services (9:30 to 10:45).  During the tea, our current UMW activities will be emphasized.  Rev. Ginger will not only get to meet all the fantastic women of St. Matthew’s, but learn about our UMW activities as well.

Please note:  this year’s tea has been revamped—come and be part of the fun as we greet each other; discuss the programs, activities, and missions of the UMW; and enjoy fellowship with other women in the church.

This year’s tea is aimed at welcoming new women as well as nurturing our existing membership—all will receive a special gift.   We would also love to hear your ideas for new events. 

St. Matthew’s Goes Greener!

As you may have noticed, we have a new green and yellow paper recycling dumpster in our parking lot. This is a project that was spearheaded by our youth as a way to help us all to live into our calling in Genesis 1 to be stewards of our earth.

As a bonus, this recycling project also serves as a fundraiser for our youth program - as the dumpster is filled, we will receive a financial contribution based on how much paper we collect. This is an easy way for you to help us take care of the great gift God has given us and help our youth fundraise for ASP.

Please consider bringing your magazines, catalogs and newspapers here to be recycled to help us reach our goal of filling the dumpster at least once a month. Also accepted: junk mail, white or colored paper, construction paper, and wrapping paper.  NO CARDBOARD PLEASE!

If you have any questions, please contact Jen McClurg.

CROP Hunger Walk is Sunday, Oct. 10

Mark your calendars! St. Matthew's, along with other churches and local organizations, will take a stand against hunger in our own community and in the world by hosting the CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 10.  The Bowie Food Pantry will receive 25% of the total raised as well as any canned goods that are collected on Walk Day.  Of course we need plenty of walkers, but if you would like to help make the walk a success, there are many ways to participate without breaking a sweat!  Please consider:

·      sponsoring a walker,

·      donating refreshments,

·      volunteering on Walk Day to register the walkers or man the water stations, or

·      become a “virtual” walker and raise money through the Church World Services website. 

Please contact Lori Robertson to help make the day "walk" smoothly. Contact Lori to volunteer or register for the walk.  Also watch for sign-up opportunities following Sunday worship services in September. 

Fall Camping Trip is October 8-11

The hot days of summer are starting to change, and now is the time to start thinking about the cool days of fall, the chilly nights, and the fall camping trip to Camp Harmison.  The Apple Butter Festival in Berkeley Springs takes place on this weekend.  The camp has provisions for tents and for RVs, and there is a playground for the kids. Camp Harmison is near Berkeley Springs, WV, and it takes about 2.5 hours to get there from Bowie.  Mark your calendar and watch for additional details in the October newsletter or call Bill Haddock.

Shirley’s Reflections— What Is God’s Game Plan for My Life?

One summer when our four children were growing up our family planned a “big deal” trip to visit relatives in Arizona and then to Los Angeles to be wowed by its popular attractions.  Our kids were so excited because we usually had spent our vacations visiting family in Ohio and Illinois.  In addition this was the first time all six of us had ever flown anywhere together.  What an adventure and a shock to our budget!

Well, my sister and her husband took us to see Mount Lemon and the other tourist sites, but one of our family members became ill.  Oh well, he’ll get better, certainly.  So we excitedly boarded the plane in Tucson for LA.  We walked around the LA airport and realized we could not continue with our plan.  One of us was very ill.  We looked longingly out of the airport windows wondering what it would’ve been like if we could’ve fulfilled our plans.  Now we were just passing time waiting to catch a plane back to Maryland.  Oh yes, we bought one of our kids a blue “California” t-shirt to suggest he’d been to California.   I kept that memento for years.

Was that vacation a disaster?  Not really.  I wouldn’t want to repeat the disappointment or the suffering part, but some good things happened.   We were able to realize part of our purpose in going on this adventure.  You and I know that when the unexpected or when sickness tries to dominate our lives, we can carry on with courage and accomplish lesser goals—being together, supporting one another, seeing the humorous and the good in a painful or disappointing situation.  If we turn to our Maker, God will provide a reason for continuing in the midst of whatever unanticipated event threatens to thwart our thoughts and efforts.

The trip reminds me that it’s very important we have a game plan for our lives.  We can’t just let life happen without our plan for today and tomorrow.  When our vision of what life should be doesn’t seem to be working out, we need to try with more diligence to find the next step God has visualized for us.  God knew each of us while we were still in our mother’s womb.  In Psalm 139 the Psalmist declares that God knows the number of our days before any of them existed.  It’s left to us to seek God’s input as we make a plan for our lives.  When our plan seems to fall apart, it’s then that we turn to God again seeking new courage, insight and wisdom for the day.

—Shirley Klotz Bickel, © 2010

Note: I borrowed from former Redskins coach, Joe Gibbs, the phrase “game plan for life.” 

This is NOT Your Mother’s COM!

Efforts are underway to create a new version of a Council on Ministries with a focus on Communication, Coordination, and Clarity.  This new council will involve not only the various ministry/program committee chairs, but the members of the committees and age-level ministry councils as well. 

Please save the date of Wednesday, October 6, for the inaugural meeting of the yet-to-be-named council.  It will begin with a light dinner at 6:30 and end by 9:00.  Childcare will be provided.  Stay tuned!!!!!!

HUB Yard Sale on Sat, October 2

St. Mathew’s HUB is asking for donations of crafts, baked goods and
re-saleable items for “Market and Ministry Day”  on Saturday, October 2, at Mission Central in Mechanicsburg, PA. We will collect the items Sunday, September 26 through Thursday, September 30, for transport to Mission Central.   Baked good should be delivered to the church on Thursday, September 30, to ensure freshness. Cookies, brownies, and easy to transport, non-refrigerated items would be the best.

This is a huge event held each year to help the 19 HUB’s earn funds to operate and purchase items needed for their outreach HUB. All are welcome to attend the event on October 2; it will be a day of fun, food, education, live entertainment and a huge yard sale. 

We will need help in our booth that day so if you are interested, sign up to help or attend on the sheet in the narthex Tower of Opportunity. We will have car pools available. Youth are welcome. Information sheets are on the narthex alcove.

Life Changes

Deaths:

Rodney Waterworth, brother of Howard;
Sarah Ashford, sister of Courtney Birckhead;
Lil Willis, mother of Karen Sim;
Anderson Duck,  father of Jane Greene;
William T. Reynolds, father of Peggy Price;
Tom Swauger, finance of Maureen Wade;
Thelma Crayton, mother of Beverly Stephenson.

Births:

Ryan Daniel Griffeth, son of Tom and Tonya, born on June 16, 2010.

Changes:

We said good-bye to Reverend Richard (Dick) E. Stetler after 14+ years of service to St. Matthew’s on June 27, 2010 and welcomed our new minister, Reverend Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli, to St. Matthew’s on July 7, 2010.

Hurricane Season is Here—Are You Ready?

Are you ready if a hurricane causes damage to your home or to surrounding areas in Bowie?  What does it mean to be “ready?”

Being READY means Prepare, Plan, and Be Informed. 

PREPARE:  Make sure your trees are trimmed away from power lines.  Trim them away from yours' and your neighbors' roofs.  Clean your gutters and downspouts.  Make sure important documents are in a safe, dry, fireproof place.  Prepare a disaster kit that includes: a 3-day supply of food and fresh water available for EVERY member of your family and don't forget about your pets (!), medical supplies (including prescription meds), battery-powered radio (NOAA weather radio if possible), batteries, flashlights, blankets and other items that you might need to exist for 3 days.  Keep your vehicle gas tanks filled and have some cash available. 

PLAN:  The word “plan” means to do things ahead of time—not when the emergency is in your face.  Make a family disaster plan that includes out-of-town contacts, determine a meeting place in case everyone gets separated, and be sure everyone knows all family members’ home and cell phone numbers, and how to call
9-1-1.  Each member of the family should have their own identification on them.  Put the above-mentioned kit together and make sure everyone in the family knows where it is. 

BE INFORMED:  Prior to the disaster go to websites for more information about what to do in an emergency such as www.fema.gov, www.redcross.org, or www.noaa.gov.  The Red Cross website has a one-page document that is very easy to read and understand.  During the disaster, use the battery-powered radio for updates.  Go to www.stmatthews-bowie.org/DRT to learn what the St. Matthew's DRP (Disaster Response Program) is about, how it functions during a disaster, and what role you can play in helping your church family in emergencies – individual or community.  From downed trees to a flooded basement to a lengthy time without electricity, the DRT is here to help—just call your neighbor-to-neighbor contact or the church office.

—The Disaster Response Team

Scarves for Foster Grandparents

The Knit Wits are making scarves for the mentors of the FG of Maryland. The mentors volunteer to work with a student for the school year and encourage the student as they pursue their education.   Scarves can be knit in colorful yarn (no wool), finished size 6 inches wide by 50 inches long.53 of the mentors are female, 2 are male. If you have yarn you've been saving for that unknown project, this may be the opportunity to use it. Yarn is also available. If you like to knit but have no interest in becoming a member of the Knit Wits, here's a chance to share your talent with a worthy program.

Scarves should be left in the coatroom, preferably by Friday, October 1.  To learn more about the project, contact Beverly Landymore.

“First Place” Plans Fall Session

First Place is a Christ-centered health program for men and women of all ages.  Using a support system that incorporates Bible study, prayer, and balanced eating and exercise plans, First Place provides the opportunity to change and improve your life, not only physically but spiritually, mentally,  and emotionally—by putting God first in our lives.

The group will hold a short Q&A and planning meeting on Wednesday, September 8, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 127.  We will discuss our study book options and select one for the fall session.  The 13-week session will begin Wednesday, September 22, at 10:15 a.m. in Room 127.

For further information, please contact Lorri Meadows or Jody Kelley Rudd.

Ad Board Meets on Weds, October 20

St. Matthew’s Administrative Board will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20, in Room 222.  All of St. Matthew’s is welcome to attend.

Dates for January and April 2011 will be announced at a later time.

Thanks from St. Matthew’s EEC

The EEC would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of the trustees who helped us this summer.

Barry Schuliger spear-headed the carpet campaign and the result is tremendous!

Howard Waterworth, Bruce Thoman, and Dan Blades helped prepare the building for our next fire inspection.

Clyde Draughn has done so much we have lost count of his projects, but they were all done to perfection!

Thanks again!
The EEC Staff

Thanks from Caroll Messerli

Heads Up!!! To all of my wonderful caring friends at St. Matthews who showered me with your prayers, cards, visits, muffins and phone calls. Its no wonder my new left hip healed and improved so fast.Here is the biggest "Thank You" you've ever seen!

—Caroll Messerli

What Happened to the Calendar?

St. Matthew’s has a new on-line calendar.  It can be accessed from our website (www.stmatthews-bowie.org) by clicking on the green CALENDAR box near the top of the home page.  Paper copies of the calendar will continue to be placed in the Literature Rack in the narthex.

Thank You from Dick and Lois Stetler

There are times when saying, “Thank You” is not enough.  In fact, on some occasions it does not even come close to communicating the gratitude that people experience.  Lois and I are within that group.  Nevertheless, thank you for your generosity of spirit.  Everything from cards, presentations and gifts, to the dedication of the Wesley Wing has impacted both of us in a way that nothing else has in our past. Listening to everyone’s kind words on June 27^th will be cherished for the rest of our lives.

Those of you who are retirees know the freedom that we are experiencing.  Choosing my schedule rather than having it created for me by issues over which I seldom had control is a remarkable source of peace.  The immediate stressor has been attempting to integrate my “man cave” office at the church into the much smaller office space in our home.   This occasion has given us the opportunity to downsize in all areas of our home, particularly the attic!

I understand what retired people mean when they say, “I am so busy now that I have no idea where I found time to work.”  What makes that statement nice is that people can be as busy as they choose to be.  Again, thank you for the universe of kindnesses not only on June 27 but also those that came to us throughout our fourteen years of ministry together.  

Blessings on all of you!

—Dick and Lois Stetler

Did You Know????

How much did our Sanctuary cost to build?  What year was it completed?

Our Sanctuary cost $350,000 to build.  It was consecrated on Sunday, September 9, 1973.  The church took a loan from the American Security & Trust Corporation of Washington for 25 years at 7% interest rate.    On January 11, 1998, a Mortgage Burning Celebration was held at St. Matthew’s.  The pastor that spearheaded the construction of our Sanctuary, Rev. Thomas Starnes, was able to be present at this event.

—Church Historian

Verify Kits, Make Cards, and UMVIM Event

St. Matthew’s HUB card-making group will meet on Monday, September 6, at
9:30 a.m. to verify the UMCOR Birthing and Layette Kits we have received from UM churches in the area.  Please contact Jane Dodd if you can join her group. These kits are bound for Haiti through Mission Central.

Support Our Troops (SUPPOURT) will make cards on Sunday, September 12,  for returning soldiers in Fellowship Hall after each service. See Beverly Landymore for details.

If you are interested in learning more about Volunteers in Mission trips, plan to attend the UMVIM Leadership Training & Celebration at the BW Conference Center on Saturday, September 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Representatives from our church will have an information table there detailing the efforts of Mission Central and our St. Matthew’s Disaster/Outreach HUB.