Fall
Parish Letter 2011
Rector's Note:
The Fall is upon us... School has begun. The geese
are heading south. We seasonal creatures are transitioning into
a fall routine. For many that means regular Sunday morning
worship participation becomes possible. St.Matthew's is a very
special community and Sunday morning worship is a place to
refresh, renew, and re-connect with this unique circle of
Christians and with God ~ the Holy One of all mercy and
compassion in whom we live and move and have our being.
Every Sunday is special time at St.Matthew's, but
Sunday September 25th is particularly important in two ways. i)
It's the Feast of St.Matthew's and so we will celebrate the
parish and its mission: past and future. ii) It's "Back to
Church" Sunday across the country. The focus of this Sunday
is to invite either an old or new friend to join you for
worship. We've enclosed our parish book mark for you to share
with a neighbour or friend by way of introduction and invitation
to St.Matthew's.
There are several other special events here at
St.Matthew's that are noted on the next page. Please mark your
calendars and come to any or all!
Many Blessings in your journey in
faith this fall
Education for Ministry ~Gwen McAllister
Mid-September marks the beginning of a new year for
EFM students gathering weekly at St. Matthew’s. The Education
for Ministry program provides in depth training for the ministry
we all participate in in our daily lives. This past year our own
Lorna Howell, Sheryl Bennett and Lynne Corbin were students in
the program, along with students from four other parishes;
Fletcher Stewart and Gwen McAllister, also from St. Matthew’s,
facilitated as co-learners. Over the year, the EFM group grew
together in understanding Scripture and theology in relation to
our own lives and experience. We were challenged by one another
and touched by the Spirit moving among us and in one another’s
lives.
This year all of the same students are continuing
into their second year of the program, and we have four St.
Matthew’s people entering their first year: Pat Stewart and
Deanna Ng with the group meeting at St. Matthew’s, and Peggy
and Richard Abbott who will be meeting with the EFM group that
meets at St. Luke’s. We have to share our bounty!.
We look forward again to the blessings of
fellowship, reflection and study; may they spill over to our
church and beyond.
The WestEnd Commons
Although we had all imagined that we would be in
the midst of construction by this time, there have been several
causes to the delay in the beginning the bricks and mortar work
to create the WestEnd Commons. It took significant time to
address the structural issues raised by adding the residential
units to the upper floors. Then the actual construction budget
was significantly higher than we had expected and plans to
address the shortfall had to be developed. Thirdly, the City of
Winnipeg permitting process is quite onerous and time consuming.
We are hopeful that all these delays will in the end create a
better building with a stronger foundation not only physically
and financially, but in terms of community support. Certainly
this is not a quick or simple process, but it is faithful and so
we continue.
Several successes should be noted. The Board of
St.Matthews Non Profit Housing Inc. is well established. It has
three, and soon to be four, sub-committees: construction
oversight; fund development; financial oversight; and community
life. Mary Beth Taylor has joined the team as our fund
developer. You will be hearing from her shortly about ways you
can support this exciting project. Betty Young has joined as our
volunteer project accountant. This summer we received our
charitable organization status. Our new logo for the
multi-purpose complex that is coming to be at 641 St.Matthews
Avenue is:
You can follow the progress of the
project at St.Matthew's website and the soon to be launched: www.westendcommons.ca
Crossed Hands Refugee Committee ~ Gail Schnabl
The Refugee Committee continues to be very much
alive and actively pursuing the sponsorship of refugees. Over
the past several months we have submitted over a dozen
family-linked sponsorships, on behalf of relatives of refugees
who are residing in Winnipeg. The demand has increased for two
main reasons:
- Some other sponsoring organizations are not able to submit
sponsorships out of Nairobi, where the Visa Post manages
sponsorships from about 15 African countries. In order to
manage the immense backlog the government has put a limit on
the number of sponsorships that can be submitted; and
The dreadful famine and ongoing conflict in Somalia
has meant that relatives here are even more anxious to get their
family members out of danger.
The wait will still be long for all these people,
probably 4-5 years, but having an application in process at
least gives people some glimmer of hope in an otherwise brutally
degrading and depressing situation. On a brighter note, we
expect one of our full-sponsorship families to arrive within the
next couple of months; this single parent Somali family of four
will require many helping hands as the children are all quite
young but I know our community will respond to our call when
needed.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Lutheran Urban Ministries ~ Sandy Belisle
We are starting our second year here at
St.Matthew's and it continues to be a totally happy home for
gThe Urban.h One of the new developments for us the formation of
the Urban Worship Community Committee. It is made of 10
neighbourhood volunteers. They are making a real contribution to
building community, providing leadership, and increasing
community ownership of the program. We continue to have meal
teams from Lutheran congregations who provide the meals three
times a week. Their contribution makes the meals possible.
Rhonda Gates, a community member, and Leslie Poulin, a Lutheran
pastor have provided invaluable support to the program over the
summer. The Board is actively seeking the funding to be able to
hire additional part time staff to continue this support.
Looking forward to the fall we are hosting a Community Coffee
House this month and will be offering an 8 week building healthy
relationship short course for community members. Sandy will be
taking a beginning American Sign Language [ALS] course this fall
to better communicate with the hearing impaired members of the
program. The Urban continues to be a hopping place.
The West Central Community Program
Mark Titheridge
The West Central Community Program is celebrating its thirty
fifth anniversary providing after-school programming and other
services to children and families in the West Central Winnipeg
area! We provide after-school programs at three local elementary
schools ( John M.King, Wellington and Greenway) and work on
other community events or initiatives. Highlights from the past
summer include a three week summer day camp, 6 week Rotary Youth
Leadership project ( check out the autobins on McGee) and work
with the Sudanese group for more recreational programming. If
you would like more information, please check out our website at
www.westcentralcommunityprogram.com
or call us 772-9315.
Mosaic- EAL Program ~ Val Cavers
Mosaic - Newcomer Family Resource Network will be
continuing our English as an additional language programme for
newcomers and their pre-school aged children this year. Classes
start on September 12 and run on Monday - Thursday mornings from
9:15 - 11:15. All students must have a WELARC referral. Starting
this fall, Mosaic will also be offering parenting groups for
newcomer parents who want to meet other parents, share parenting
experiences, and gain an understanding of parenting norms in
Canada.
St.Matthew's Maryland Community Ministry ~ Juanita
MacKinnon
In this next year, the ministry is interested in
exploring further our commitment to capacity building and social
enterprise. Programs that assess, track and evaluate can be
successfully initiated to develop community membersf life
skills, education and/or employment possibilities. If 40 hours
of paid employment is the measure by which we, as a society,
determine success then the majority of people we serve may never
see themselves as successful. Through mentorship, education,
relationship building and positive affirmations, we seek to
assist community participants as well as prospective employers
to redefine esuccessf in a much broader prospective; including
increasing a personfs capacity to contribute to the community in
which s/he lives through volunteerism, higher levels of
education and/or longer sustained periods of employment.
To that end, we have applied for grants for g1st
Steps to Employmenth a new initiative wefre hoping to undertake
in the near future. 1st Steps in its beginning year will provide
opportunities for 20 people in the community to develop their
abilities in three areas: pre-employment, educational programs
or training programs. Program participants share with us their
desire for training and employment. As well, consultations with
participants, volunteers and community organizations indicate
there is a need for more training opportunities for job
preparation.
1st Steps will provide formalized basic skill
development for participants. The strengths and weaknesses of
each participant will be documented and a program developed
tailored to participantsf abilities. Each participant will
create a portfolio outlining their skills and may subsequently
be referred to other resources. This initiative will help
formalize the capacity building process by documenting the
strengths and skills gap of each participant and tailor a
program to each participant. Participants will develop an
action/learning plan which will be reviewed during and at the
end of the program. Volunteer opportunities will be available to
assist with integrating learning.
OUR FAITH PARTNERS
Grain of Wheat Church-Community ~ Roger Gateson,
Leadership Team Member
Grain of Wheat is celebrating its 30th Anniversary
this October. Somewhat coincidentally, we are at the same
time undertaking a renewal. Unlike the conversion project
underway here at St. Matthew's, this involves no poured
concrete, wood beams, or drywall! The leadership and
members have been thinking and praying about the purpose of our
church-community, and our vision for the future. Our goal
in this renewal is to rediscover the passion and dedication that
sometimes seems to be waning in the face of increasingly busy
lives. We had a refreshing time of reflection and sharing
last April, and we are now beginning the process of gathering
together to explore the deeper values that prompt us to be
members of Grain of Wheat. Having re-articulated our values, and
renewed our commitment, we want to enhance our worship, deepen
our relationships, strengthen our discipleship, and be more
active in God's mission in the world. We look forward to
enthusiastic partnership with St. Matthew's Anglican Church in
The WestEnd Commons. We have had 30 years of challenge and
blessing. We are so thankful to God for what has been and what
will be!
Emanuel Mission's 2011/12 Plan ~ the Reverend
Reuben Mayen Garang
"God's
purpose for bringing us here to North America is to be witness
to the suffering of
our people in [South] Sudan who have suffered
decades of persecution due to our faith." Rt.
Rev. Bishop Nhial of Awiel Diocese on his visit to Winnipeg
during Easter of 2011.
In the year 2011/12, Emanuel Mission's congregation
will continue to pray and be a witness for Jesus Christ's
message of salvation and hope for humankind. We will also keep
on in the spirit of thanksgiving and celebration for God's mercy
on South Sudan in bringing peace through the independence of
South Sudan on July 9th, 2011. We will share this good news with
our fellow Christians in the Diocese of Rupert's Land and all
the faithful in Canada and give thanks for their support and
prayers for peace in South Sudan.
To do that, Emanuel Mission will focus on:
1) Youth Mentorship Program
The congregation of Emanuel Mission is mostly made up of
children and young people. It is therefore our priority to bring
up these young people to be God fearing and with a sense of
purpose that will help them achieve their potential in education
and to be good, engaged citizens. This will be done through
programs such as after-school drop-in classes, a
mentorship program, and also involving parents in culturally
balanced, parenting programs. All of these are essential for the
growth of the community.
2) Making the Mission Self-Sustaining
Emanuel Mission is considering starting a long term plan to
bit-by-bit raise money for an endowment fund to support the
programs of the mission. This program would help the community
to meet its basic daily operational needs.
In addition: the community is looking forward to
organizing welcoming prayers in October for Mary Aluel Garang,
one of the well-known Dinka spiritual artists who happened to
compose most of the Dinka hymns. Mary, through the help of Dr
Jane Barter Moulaison of the Department of Theology at the
University of Winnipeg, is coming from South Sudan to spend a
week in Winnipeg. The University of Winnipeg is also in the
process of bringing the Reverend Stephan Mayuen Mou from the
Diocese of Aweil in South Sudan to study for a year. Both Rev
Stephan and Mary will be welcomed together in
September.
ST. MATTHEWfS FINANCIAL REPORT for
AUGUST 31. 2011
Bob Clarkson, Treasurer
Our envelope receipts to the end of March at
$45,735 are $4,265 under our budget for the 8 months to date.
Total Parish operating income to date is $7,000 under last
yearfs income. Parish operating expenses are within budget and
$2,000 less than last year. Building rental income is within
$400 of budget, however building expenses are $6,000 over last
year due to increased maintenance, caretaking and utilities
costs.
The budget for 2011 as approved at the Annual
Meeting estimated our 2011 deficit at $35,880, which includes an
expected deficit of $9,000 in our building operations. Delays in
the redevelopment of our building, to provide 25 apartments has
also resulted in some unexpected costs. This is not a pretty
picture and is certainly not sustainable. Over the next few
transition years we will need the support of the friends of the
parish. Once the WestEnd Commons' construction is complete, it
will more possible for St.Matthew's parish to bring it's
expenses in to balance with its income.
FALL PARISH LETTER 2009
Rector’s
Note:
The
fall season begins here at St. Matthew’s. School has begun. I
pray that summer refreshment has happened for you and your
families regardless of the weather. I pray that we will all be
touched by the beauty and renewed engagement that this season
offers us. I invite you to join in life of St. Matthew’s here in
the heart of the city in the heart of God.
- Our choir
has begun again. We are praying for more voices and
especially a soprano. Our choir supports congregational
singing and Suss invites you to join them any Sunday you can
at 9:30 before service. This fall we’re developing a
worship band. If you play an instrument and would like to
offer your gifts, please speak with Suss.
- Our Sunday
School has begun again under Karen Cook’s leadership
with the curriculum complied by the Mennonite Church of
Canada called: "Reaching Up to God our Creator."
In the fall we will focus on the 7 teaching from the
aboriginal tradition to understand their connection to
Christian teachings and to build a reinforcing bridge to
what our children are learning in their schools. In the
Spring we will focus on the life of Jesus. We will continue
with last year’s pattern of having the children be part of
worship the first Sunday of the month and the last Sunday of
the month Sunday School will focus on music and prayer.
Sunday School volunteers are always welcome.
- Our healing
prayer team continues its ministry on the first and
third Sundays of each month. The Reverend Honor Waithe will
also be coordinating a special evening healing prayer
service on November 8th at 6:30.
- Our weekday
bible study group will reconvene Wednesday September
23rd at noon in Cathy’s office. We study the lectionary
readings for the coming Sunday. All are welcome to our
free-wheeling discussions and prayer time together.
- Our centering
prayer circle continues every Wednesday at 5:00. If
contemplative prayer is new to you, you are welcome. If you
struggle to keep your prayer practice alive, the circle is a
great support. Come and experience the power and renewal of
silent prayer.
St.
Matthew’s has strong commitment to issues of justice and
building right relations in our neighbourhood and beyond. We
will have two "Circles of Understanding" after
service: October 18 and November 15. Jarem Sawatsky from
Canadian Mennonite University will lead the first one,
reflecting with us on Healing Justice, the topic of his most
recent book in which he drew on the experiences of Hollow Water
Manitoba, the Iona Community in Scotland and Plum Village in
France. John Hutton of the John Howard Society will lead our
second circle on "Restorative Justice." In addition on
December 6, we will celebrate 50 years of PWRDF work around the
world on behalf the Anglican Church of Canada.
The
full fall schedule for St. Matthew’s is outlined on the next
page. We invite you to deepen your journey of Christian
discipleship with us this fall.
Derry,
Community Minister, accepted full-time employment with the
Downtown Parent & Child Coalition. While we wish them all
the best as they journey forward, program participants, the
Board and remaining staff will miss Ingrid’s gentle quiet
presence and Isaac’s playful energy.
When
a door closes a window opens. Programming and staff changes
afforded the Board an opportunity to look at the work of the
ministry and envision some changes. I have accepted the now
full-time position of Community Minister effective Sept. 1st
and am very much looking forward to living into the
possibilities and potential during this time of transition. To
assist with the transition, a second contract position is being
created for a Volunteer Development Worker. Volunteers are key
to the quality of life and work at the ministry – without them
we could only offer a fraction of the programming and support we
do.
Ted
Dodd begins his official duties as new Chair of the Board in
September and we are pleased to welcome new Board members Ken
Thomas, Eric Sjoberg, Richard Abbott and Genny Funk-Unrau. We
are reminded again and again how deeply blessed we are to be in
relationship with so many caring and supportive parishes. We
wish to acknowledge how deeply grateful we are for the support
you continue to offer us throughout the year.
Mosaic
- Newcomer Family Resource Network
St.
Matthew’s Coordinator: Sheryl Bennett
The English
program at St. Matthews is continuing into the second year. We
are now called Mosaic - Newcomer Family Resource Network. The
program is funded by Manitoba Labour and Immigration. It is
especially designed for new Canadians who can not attend school
full time to learn English because they have young children.
Classes are held three mornings a week in the lower level of St.
Matthews. As well as learning to read write and speak English
the students learn about Canadian culture, shopping, banking,
nutrition and other subjects that will help them adjust to life
in Winnipeg. While the students are in class a child minding
program looks after their children. The child minders are local
women trained at the West Central Women's Resource Centre. The
students and their children enjoy their mornings out and are
eager to learn. Visitors are always welcome. Feel free to drop
in anytime to play with children or meet the students and help
them feel part of our community. Volunteer teacher helpers are
also needed. Please see Sheryl for more information if you are
interested in getting involved in our program.
Fall
Schedule for St. Matthew’s
Sept 13...
Welcome Home Sunday ~ pancakes, choir and church school
Sept 20...
St. Matthew’s day with healing prayers
Sept 27...
regular Sunday morning service with Baptisms
Friday
night and Saturday, Oct 2nd & 3rd
Diocesan "Faith Horizons with Alan Roxborough" -
welcome to all with registration
Oct 4...
Worship with the Grain of Wheat Community [with healing
prayers]
Oct 11...
Thanksgiving Sunday [with healing prayers]
Friday Oct
16 World Food Day Ecumenical Prayers @ St. Matthew’s at 6:
00 pm
Oct 18...
our first "Circle of Understanding: Healing
Justice" with Jarem Sawatsky; author of "The
Ethic of Traditional Communities and the Spirit of Healing
Justice: studies from Hollow Water, the Iona Community and
Plum Village."
Saturday,
Oct 24th: 6 – 9:00.
Crossed Hands Refugee Group fund raising supper [see below]
Oct 25...
regular Sunday morning service [with our worship band, if
possible]
Nov 1...
All Saints Sunday [with healing prayers]
Nov 8...
Remembrance and a special service for Healing in the evening
at 6:30 pm
Nov 15...
our second "Circle of Understanding: Restorative
Justice" with John Hutton of the John Howard Society
Nov 22...
Reign of Christ Sunday with a stewardship focus
Nov 29...
Advent 1 and follow up on our stewardship conversation
Dec 6....
Advent 2 Celebration of 50 years of PWRDF work [with healing
prayers]
Dec 13...
Advent 3 and at 5:00 pm our parish’s "Joy of
Christmas: in Song & Story, Prayers & Poems"
Saturday
Dec 19th:
workshop for our Pageant
Dec 20
... Advent 4 Our Sunday School Pageant [with healing
prayers]
Our
Wednesday bible study will continue at noon in Cathy’s office
and our centering prayer circle meets every Wednesday at 5:00
pm. In addition, St. Matthew’s leads worship at Lion’s
Personal Care Home first Friday’s of the month at 10:15 and
last Wednesdays of the month at Lion’s Place at 2:00 pm. If
you have an idea for a program that you would like to see at St.
Matthew’s or would like to be part of our Worship Committee,
Altar Guild or Ecojustice Committee, please speak to Cathy or
one of the wardens.
Crossed
Hands Refugee Committee
Chair:
Gail Schnabl
The Refugee
Committee continues to be active and is about to become even
more so. In recent months we committed ourselves to sponsor a
Somali woman with four children who has been stranded on her own
in Saudi Arabia. Her story was so compelling we felt despite our
other commitments we needed to respond to this. Shortly after,
we heard about the PWRDF project to sponsor 50 additional
refugees / refugee families to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of PWRDF’s existence. We decided to respond to
this by sponsoring a small family from Colombia. As a result we
must raise funds to support both these families for one year
after they arrive. Fortunately, PWRDF will contribute a portion
of the funds needed to support the Colombian family but we are
"on our own" for financial support for the Somali
family.
One of the
outcomes from our decisions is a dinner to be held on Saturday
October 24 at St. Matthew’s. A local Somali woman who
told us about the family in Saudi Arabia is helping us by
organizing a group of women to prepare food traditional to
Somalia and Ethiopia. We plan to augment the evening’s
entertainment with a performance by a Vietnamese dance group and
an auction. Tickets are $30 per person. See Gail Schnabl, Sheryl
Bennet or Mya Wiens for tickets or call the church.
It could be
quite some time for the Somali family to arrive in Winnipeg, but
the Colombian family is expected within the next month. We
encourage non-Committee members who might be interested to help
us welcome and introduce this family to their new lives in
Winnipeg.
St.
Matthews Maryland Community Ministry
Community
Minister: Juanita McKinnon-Smith
While
the ministry is certainly not immune to change, "too much
of a good thing" has added to the flurry of usual
excitement that seems to permeate the Lower Level of the church.
Community
life is always a mix of sad farewells and warm hellos. In May,
we were blessed to welcome Summer Program Coordinators, Janis
Dahl and Danielle Mondor and Urban Green Teamers , Michelle,
Lisa and Trey. Family Programming was the focus with
weekly field trips, family events and cooking nights filling the
days and evenings along with tending to the North McGee garden
– which looks fabulous – and consulting with the community
on the Agnes St. Green Space.
Due
to a reduction in funding, the Joint Inner City Ministries
Volunteer Project came to an end which precipitated a good-bye
to Volunteer Coordinator, Isaac Dyck. Also, Ingrid Peters
ST.
MATTHEW’S FINANCIAL REPORT
AUGUST
31, 2009
Our
envelope receipts to the end of August at $51,156 are $7,500
below our budget for the 8 months to date. Interest income is
$4,000 below budget due to the substantial decrease in interest
rates. Parish operating expenses are on within budget. Building
rental income is on target, however building expenses are $2,500
over budget due to increased heating costs because of the very
cold winter.
The
budget for 2009 as approved at the Annual Meeting estimated our
2009 deficit at $13,877. Indications at this time are that our
deficit will be approximately double this amount.
Please
take note of this. Ensure that your giving is up to date and if
possible consider providing a little extra in your envelopes for
the balance of the year. Thank you for your generosity to St.
Matthew’s.
St.
Matthew’s Mission Statement:
Within
the wider mission of the whole church, to provide a Christian
community of welcome, caring and prayer which will attract, support,
encourage and fulfil those people who seek spiritual growth,
effective teaching and preaching, are looking for opportunities for
service, and engagement in lay ministry of all kinds and are
concerned for the people and issues of the Core Area.
Fall
Parish Letter 2008
September 14 – Welcome Home ~ Fall Pancake
Brunch
We welcome back our choir and covenant with Dr.Chris
Holmes: our student ministry placement with us this year.
+September 21 – Circle of Understanding: Hunger in
Haiti
A group of Haitians in Canada as part of a Canadian
Foodgrains Bank public engagement program will be part of
our service and lead the circle.
September 28 – Intercessors Workshop after service
*+October 5 – our first intergenerational worship
service
October 12 – Our Thanksgiving Service with a play by
Gordon Jackson
+October 19 – Our second Circle of Understanding:
"The Healing and Reconciliation Process – Nationally
and Locally"
October 26 – Joint worship with Grain of Wheat
[upstairs]
*+November 2 – All Saints Celebration
November 9 – Remembrance Service
+November 16 - Stewardship Sunday & 5:00 Taize-like
Evening Prayer and supper
November 23 – Reign of Christ
Saturday November 29th Parish Advent Quiet Day
November 30 – Advent 1
*+December 7 – Advent 2
December 14 – Advent 3 [10:30am] and Parish
Christmas Carol Sing: 5:00pm
Saturday December 20 ~ Christmas Pageant workshop for
children and their families
+December 21 – Advent 4 Children’s Christmas Pageant
Our Christmas Celebrations
Tuesday
[23rd] our Neighbourhood Turkey Dinner with Grain of
Wheat;
services:
Wednesday [24th] 5:00pm & 10:30pm and Thursday
[25th] 10:30 am
--+--
* family centered service + healing prayers
Every Wednesday: bible study at noon & centering
prayer circle at 5:00 pm
Note 2 special Diocese of Rupert’s Land events:
1) Sunday September 21 ~ the Primate of the Anglican Church
of Canada: Fred Hiltz, will be at St.John’s Cathedral for
service at 4:30 and Diocesan Pig Roast at 6:00.
2) Thursday evening Friday and Saturday November 7,8 & 9:
our Diocesan Synod
Our Sunday School Program for 2008/9
The traditional Sunday School pattern faces many challenges
for St. Matthew’s. This year we would like to try a different
approach. There are 4 components to our idea:
- The first Sunday of each month the children will remain
with congregation and we will adapt our regular worship
service to be more child friendly and family focused. This
will give all of us a regular time to be all together.
- Week 2 and 3 of each month we will try the workshop
rotation method for Sunday School. Two teacher volunteers
will prepare a lesson around the same theme, but using
different approaches [drama, story telling, crafts, etc.].
The teachers use the same lesson twice: the first week for
the younger children and the second Sunday for the older
children.
- The 4th Sunday all the children will be
together to pray together and to learn new music. [If there
is a 5th Sunday – it will either be music or
all together in our regular worship service]
- In order to supplement this with some focused Christian
Education time, there will be 3 half day Saturday workshops
for our children: one to prepare for our Christmas pageant,
one in March and one in May.
We will still need volunteers to teach Sunday School but the
commitment will be much more focused: ie. for 2 classes one
particular month; and/or to lead music one Sunday of a
particular month. If you would like to be part of this
initiative, please speak to Cathy or see the schedule on the
back table. Our children are such gifts, let’s help them grow
in the faith.
St. Matthew’s Sponsorship of
Adult Language Training for new Canadians
St.Matthew’s will coordinate and offer two classes of adult
language training three times a week. This program is offered
with funding and supervision from Manitoba Labour and
Immigration. St.Matthew’s will receive funding for rent, a
part time coordiantor [9 hours/week], administration [2
hours/week], 3-4 childminders [depending on the number of
children], 2 teachers, transportation and supplies for the
program. We are delighted that Sheryl Bennett will be the
coordinator. Brenda McKenzie is prepared to increase her hours
to help with the program and Bob Clarkson will do the
accounting. This is an exciting new mission opportunity for our
parish with fits with the work we are already involved in.
St. Matthew’s Financial Situation
The financial report for August 31/08 shows an increase in
envelope giving of $4,000 compared to 2007. Open collection is
also up by $360. Rental receipts have increase by $4,300.
Expenses have increase by $2,000 with a net result that we show
a current deficit of $18,000 compared to a $29, 000 deficit for
the same period on 2007. We budgeted for an $11,000 deficit in
2008. Indications are that at the current rate of income and
expenses we will exceed this amount due to reductions in
interest rates on our investments and donations for our
"Friends of St. Matthew’s"
Please consider making a special Harvest
Thanksgiving Gift to St. Matthew’s
Also we have a Sudanese Education Fund to
support Sudanese children’s education. Your support for that
fund would be greatly valued.
St.
Matthew's Anglican Church - Parish Newsletter September 2007
Rector’s
Note
The Reverend Dr. Cathy Campbell
News of St.Matthew’s Parish:
The geese are flying south. The days are shortening. School is
about to begin. Fall is upon us. I hope that you’ve had a good
summer, that you are refreshed and that we are ready for what
God has in store for us.
St. Matthew’s was challenged and blessed to
host the closing worship of the General Synod of the Anglican
Church of Canada and the installation of our new primate: Bishop
Fred Hiltz. It was a delight to welcome over 1,000 people to St.
Matthew’s as well as the primates of the UK, USA and Canada.
It was a joyous evening. As a result of this event we now have a
new banner ["May the streets of our community be holy
ground beneath our feet"] and 4 new wall signs in the
colours of the 4 directions which read "Draw the circle
wide. Draw it wider still" in English, French, Cree and
Inuktitut. Thanks to Meagan Peasgood for these gifts.
This summer included a proposal for further
funding to test the feasibility of incorporating 22 units of
housing into St. Matthew’s. I also finished the draft of "Faith
as if Food Matters," a congregational study resource
and DVD on faith aspects of food and agriculture issues. This
fall, it will be published by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank of
which the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund [PWRDF]
of the Anglican Church of Canada is now a member. Many of this
summer’s activities here at 641 St. Matthews are reported in
other parts of the newsletter. I commend them to you. It has
been a full and rich time.
The fall also is shaping up to be full and
varied – see our Parish Calendar. I hope that you will be a
part of our parish life. Our faith grows and develops as we use
and stretch it. In addition to our regular worship, prayer and
study opportunities, we will have:
- two circles of understandings. In our first
circle, we will have the time to discuss our proposed
housing plans as a parish; and in our second circle we will
have the opportunity to learn and become more comfortable
with mental health issues. Each circle is held after service
over a light lunch.
- Also, the parish is hosting 7 experimental liturgies
called "Songs of Creation." These
liturgies were created by Norman Habel and the Earth Bible
Project in Australia to help us celebrate and heal our
connection with Earth and all our kin in Earth community.
- Our healing prayer team with the Reverend Honor Waithe is
planning a special Sunday evening Service for Healing,
September 23rd;
- We will have a Quiet Saturday Retreat Day to center and
prepare ourselves for Christmas; and
- We are delighted to welcome again our aboriginal brothers
and sisters from the Diocese of Keewatin in an Advent
weekend of prayer, song, food and healing in their "Sacred
Walk Gospel Jamboree."
- We will continue to raise money to support the educational
efforts our Sudanese brothers and sisters in Emmanuel
Mission are undertaking both here and in Africa. If you
would like to make a contribution to support them, please
mark your cheque: "Sudanese Educational
Fund."
- David Ball has offered to coordinate teen and young
adult activities for our parish again this year. We
are grateful for his ministry. He is looking forward to
meeting especially our teens after service on September 16th!
Our parish can be a stronger witness of God’s
love as we deepen our faith and grow together. We have a vibrant
community, let’s invite others to join us here in the heart of
God in the heart of the city.
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Fall Calendar
2007
September 9: Choir
Kick Off – after service @ Meagan and Dan’s: potluck lunch
September 16:
Homecoming Pancake Brunch after service & the start of
Sunday School
September 23:
Evening Healing Service @ 6:30 pm
September
30: First: Song of Creation Liturgy for Celebrating and
Healing Earth @ 5:00 pm followed by a potluck supper
October 7:
Thanksgiving Sunday
October 14: First
Circle of Understanding: "St. Matthew’s Housing
Project"
October 19 & 20:
Diocese of Rupert’s Land: Faith Horizons: "Building Vital
Churches Together"
October 28:
Second Creation Liturgy: "Song of Earth" @
5:00 pm followed by a potluck supper
November 4:
All Saints Celebration with Grain of Wheat
November 11:
Remembrance Sunday
November 18: Second
Circle of Understanding: "Mental Health Challenges &
Resources
November 25:
Reign of Christ @ 10:30 and Third Creation Liturgy:
"Song of Sky" @ 5:00 pm followed by a potluck
supper
December 1: Fall
Quiet Day: Birthing Hope
December 2: First Sunday of Advent
December 9: Welcoming Christmas in Song and Story @ 4:30 pm
December 14-16: Diocese of Keewatin sponsoring "Sacred
Walk Gospel Jamboree"
December 16: Advent 3: Sunday School Pageant
December 23: Advent 4: When Christmas Hurts
...Plans with Grain of Wheat for a Neighbourhood Christmas
Feast are still in process – stay tuned...
In addition: Wednesday Bible Study Group: every Wednesday @
noon
Centering Prayer Circle: every Wednesday @ 5:00 pm
Vestry Meetings: second Tuesday of the month @ 5:15 pm
Prayers for Healing~ first and third Sunday of each month
in our regular service
NOTE: changes to this schedule will be posted on our website:
www.st-matthews.ca
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Crossed Hands
Refugee Committee
By Gail Schnabl
The Refugee Committee continues to be very
active. Among other things, currently we are assisting our
newcomer family to move into larger housing. Soon they will have
been in Canada for two years!
We have also been helping many families
submit applications to sponsor relatives- so far 18 applications
have been submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada
involving more than 30 people. We are not financially
responsible for most of these potential newcomers because the
Winnipeg Assurance Program provides ‘insurance’ in the event
family are not able to support their relatives for the required
one year. However, the process of completing applications is
quite time consuming. Nevertheless, the requests are continuous
and we need to respond to as many as we feel we are able to
help. At the moment, most of the requests are in regard to
people who have fled Somalia.
In addition, we have submitted an application
for full sponsorship for an Eritrean family we heard about who
had to flee from Ethiopia to Uganda. Most of these people will
not arrive in Canada for 3 or 4 years from the time we submit
their applications so it is a very long wait for them and for
their families here.
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PARTNERS IN MINISTRY
St. Matthew’s –Maryland
Community Ministry
By Ingrid Peters-Derry
The summer at St. Matthew's-Maryland
Community Ministry has passed again in a flurry of summer
activities. We organized a strawberry picking party, maintained
our community gardens, ran a children's summer programme, had a
series of "Salad and Stories" in the garden, and took
a trip to the Assiniboine Zoo... all amidst regular programming
and summer vacations by Community Ministers.
Vivian Unger’s report on the community
gardens, Green Team and children’s program follows.
With the advent of fall we will be continuing
our regular programming and thinking through the implications of
program reviews the Board has been conducting. You can expect to
hear about upcoming Soup and Stories during Advent, the
Christmas Open House, and a games afternoon or two.
As always, we ask for your continued thoughts
and prayers for us in our (your!) work and welcome you to join
us for coffee or a game of scrabble. Volunteers are always
welcome. If you might have some expertise in technology - web
design, Power Point presentations, newsletter creation - talk to
us. We're hoping to have a new Volunteer Coordinator soon to
help organize our activities and see where the gaps lie.
Blessings in the upcoming months as we move
into the rhythm of fall with its planning and activities.
News from the Community Gardens:
Vivian Unger ~ Community Garden Coordinator
From a giant pumpkin to oodles of cherry
tomatoes, the two community gardens on McGee Street have thrived
this summer. In the spring, with the help of the Green Team and
numerous neighbourhood kids, we planted lots of seeds in the
good earth and waited impatiently for them to grow. Several
local community members cared for their own personal plots as
well. We were well-rewarded for our efforts. The zucchini made
its way into peach-zucchini jam and relish created by the
Preserves and Catering group. Some of the tomatoes and basil
surfaced in a pasta salad for Salad & Stories in the garden.
Eager kids cleaned out the peas, beans and carrots.
The North McGee Garden saw huge
transformations over the course of the summer. We built a
chain-link fence around the property and created a gravel path
through the lot. We also dug up a circular garden and planted it
with native perennial prairie grasses and wildflowers. Next
summer we hope to continue the development, adding shrubs,
benches and more flower beds, as well as exploring a partnership
with John M. King School to connect children to the garden.
On August 22, St. Matthew’s, West Broadway
and the Spence Neighbourhood Association partnered to host an
Inner City Community Garden Bus and Bike Tour. Approximately 50
people participated in the tour, visiting 13 local community
gardens, sampling herbal teas, watching a cooking demonstration
and feasting on garden soup and bannock at the end.
This summer would have been a dismal affair
without the enthusiasm and energy of the Green Team. From May
through August, four young women brought their gifts to the
community: Meghan Menzies, Charity Jandrew, Kusela Capulong and
November Perchak. In addition to working in the gardens, they
organized the SEEDS Children’s Program two afternoons each
week. The kids kept the Green Team on their toes through a
whirlwind of field trips, activities, games, crafts and snacks.
They covered a wide range of experiences together: cheering on
the Goldeyes at a baseball game, baking bannock, participating
in a cultural day at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata, visiting the Children’s
Museum, swimming at the Sherbrook Pool, touring the Legislative
Building and much, much more.
Thank you to those who have made the
community garden program flourish this summer, from volunteer
community gardeners to donations of seedlings. Your support and
participation is warmly welcomed!
Community Development & Community Garden
Preserving Group
Jacob Carson
The Neighbourhood Community and Economic
Development Project has been around for over ten years. The
project addresses systemic issues of unemployment, poor health,
illiteracy, and neighbourhood decline through creative programs
in community gardening, events, and economic development. Apart
from community events and gardening the community development
project devotes most of its time to a community economic
development initiative called the Community Garden Preserves and
Catering project (CGP & C).
In the spring of 2003 six inner-city
residents formed a collaborative gardening and preserving group,
the CGP & C. Together they plan and plant one of the
community gardens, based on the kinds of preserves they want to
produce. They then decide on the roles and processes that would
allow them to tend the garden as a group. The group then
harvests and preserves the produce from the garden, and sells
the preserves at various craft and bake sales in the fall.
Recently however we have expanded into the catering business
with great success. What began as simply making cookies for
community events has blossomed into a project that caters
everything from small lunches for Manitoba Hydro to weddings for
150 people.
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Healthy Living
Program
By Gerry Pearson
All of the cooking programs are continuing.
Participants are getting good healthy meals as well as some
valuable social connections.
The highlights of the fall have mainly been in the physical
activity area, which is a treat because this has been somewhat
neglected. We offered a free Gym and Swim program for adults
including childcare; we took a bus load of people to a corn
maze just outside of the city; we held a "Dry Dance"
at a school one Friday evening in December; we did a Snow Day
one Saturday in January with a few other organizations; we are
coordinating an exercise program offered by VON for seniors
or people with physical limits; and we are offering Personal
Exercise Plan for adults attending the West Central Family Nights
this month.
We are also hosting a Smoking Cessation Program for low-income
women. This is the second phase of a research project out of
University of Alberta in partnership with Women's Health Clinic.
Participation has been very good.
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West Central
Community Program
By Mark Titheridge
2007 is the 30th year of operation
for the West Central Community Program. It started as a joint
summer project of the Community Ministry and the St. Matthews
Child Care. In addition to celebrating its anniversary and our
regular after-school programming at Greenway, Wellington and
John M. King elementary schools, this year we expanded our
programming to include a five day a week program at Wellington
School. This fall our expansion continues with the addition of a
four day a week program at John M. King with the seconded staff
from Winnipeg Parks and Recreation. Homework clubs, physical
skill building and art are all regular aspects of our expanded
programming. We also have a grant from Manitoba In Motion
and it is our intent to have additional programming that helps
children and their families be more active. Finally, please take
a look at the tot lot on Simcoe and St.Matthews and note the
fine paint work completed by our Rotary Leadership youth. If you
would like more information about the West Central Community
Program, please contact us at 772-9315 or email
west_cent@mts.net.
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Manitoba Food
Charter
By Kreesta Doucette ~ Coodinator
The Manitoba Food Charter is happy to be
approaching our one year anniversary as part of the 641 St
Matthews community. As tenants on the second floor we are always
happy to see our building neighbors. There are four staff and
contract workers with the Food Charter including Kelly Janz,
Office Manager, Paul Chorney, Community Liaison, Jennifer
Heinrichs, Communications Coordinator, and Kreesta Doucette,
Organizational Coordinator. Over the past year we are pleased to
welcome the Diocese of Rupert’s Land along with over 30
organizations as signatories to the Food Charter. We work with
signatories to identify action steps they can take towards a
more just and sustainable food system in Manitoba. We hold
special events around food to develop public education and
awareness and work with groups across the province to create
networks and partnerships.
To contact us call 943-0822 or email Kelly at info@mbfoodcharter.ca;
Our Website www.manitobafoodsecurity.ca
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Grain of Wheat
Christian Community
By Craig Terlson of the Servant Leader Team
It's amazing how time zips by – this August
marked our first year worshipping in our new space. It was a
year of firsts, such as our first Christmas program in the new
space, our first common meal with the new kitchen, (this is a
potluck gathering that is part our tradition), and our first
joint worship service downstairs. We are continually blessed as
we share this wonderful building with all the people that call
St. Matt's home. This fall we look forward to more opportunities
to worship and serve together – thank you for your warm and
inviting spirits.
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Student Christian Movement
David Ball, National Co-Coordinator
The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) has opened a
national office at St. Matthew's, and we're excited to share the
building with so many other justice-minded groups. SCM Canada was
founded in 1921 as an ecumenical (or inter-denominational) movement of
students who were passionate about changing their society for the
better. Today, we have groups at almost a dozen Canadian universities,
and are part of the world-wide World Student Christian Federation.
Today, SCM members are active in human rights, the environment,
aboriginal issues and challenging our churches to advocate for the
poor and oppressed. Talk to David Ball, Gwen McAllister or Catherine
Johannsen if you want to know more, or drop by our 3rd floor office!
Parish Finances -
to July 2007
Bob Clarkson, Treasurer
Operating receipts to the end of July have totaled
$57,433: compared to $62,925 in 2006. Building receipts have totaled
$27,182 compared to $15,711 in 2006. Parish operating expenditures
have totaled $53,775 compared to $53,003 in 2006 and building
expenditures have totaled $61,410 compared to $55,004 in 2006. The net
result has been a deficit to July 31 of $30,571 compared to a deficit
of $29,371 for the same period in 2005.
Our reduction in operating receipts has been due to
two major factors – the death of a parishioner who was a substantial
giver and the serious illness of a donor as a friend of St. Matthew’s.
While building receipts have increased by $11,471 building expenses
have increased due to increased janitorial expenses and an increase in
insurance costs.
We have received this year several substantial
bequests that will enable us to continue our investigation into the
redevelopment of our worship space to ensure the continuation of St.
Matthew’s presence and mission in the west central area of Winnipeg.
Pre-Authorized Monthly Contributions
The introduction of facilities for pre-authorized
monthly contributions to St. Matthew’s has been quite successful.
Participants have indicated that they are pleased with the
arrangements. If you are interested in pursuing this matter, or would
like more information about it, please contact Bob Clarkson at
489-0848
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