St. Matthew’s United Church eBulletin August 25, 2019
News
What's coming up at St. Matthew's
Tuesdays SummerSounds@Barrington lunchtime concerts, 12:15-1 pm.
Admission by donation ($5 suggested).
Aug 27 Matthew Fraser, organ/piano
Sep 3 Thistle Scottish Country Dancers
Sep 10 Second Chances Jazz Showband
Sun. Sept. 1 Worship service 10:30 am with Rev. Betsy Hogan
Sat. Sept. 14 Worship and Music Committee meeting, East Pennant
"Pipe Dreams" documentary screening and Q&A on Aug. 28
On Wed, Aug. 28 at 7 pm, come to St. Matthew's for a screening of the documentary "Pipe Dreams."
"Pipe Dreams" offers an inside look into the weird and wonderful world of competitive organ playing, which has turned into a mainstream cultural phenomenon the world over. From the quietest tinkling of a bell to the rumble of a locomotive ... you will hear the organ like you’ve never heard it before. Join us for an exclusive screening in advance of the theatrical release. Immediately following the film will be a question-and-answer period with the director and one of the stars of the film, and a short performance by the artist on St. Matthew's Casavant organ. Come and discover our phenomenal instrument up close! Tickets are $15/$20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Order tickets online at http://bit.ly/PipeDreamsHalifax
View the trailer here: http://pipedreamsdoc.ca/index.php/videos/
Ushering assistance needed
Can you help with the Sunday ushering? Volunteers are needed throughout the fall to undertake the ushering duties – welcoming and seating folks, handing out bulletins, taking up collection, assisting those with mobility challenges, and generally being a presence at the entrance to the sanctuary. Click this link to open the sign-up page
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169
LOOKING AHEAD: Back to School, Back to Church
Here’s what goes on at St. Matt’s every week during the school year. If something interests you, just be in touch or turn up. You are very welcome. But these are just the weekly activities. There’s also Potluck Church suppers, Book Club and Bible study, other learning groups, the Earth-Spirit-Action Climate Group, Women’s Breakfasts … the list goes on. If you’d like to stay on top of what’s happening, just email stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca and ask to be put on the “ebulletin list” – a once-a-week email with all the current info.
............Choirs
Sunday Choir: Thursday rehearsals, 7:30-9 pm
Our Sunday Choir is conducted by Wayne Rogers, Minister of Music, and sings a wide variety of classic and contemporary SATB choral works.
AcabellA Handbell Choir: Thursday rehearsals, 6:15-7:15 pm.
Entranced by handbells? Wayne Rogers harnesses the ringing of three octaves of beginner to experienced ringers. And we have chimes too!
For music information contact Wayne Rogers at humber@ns.sympatico.ca
............Outreach
Sunday Free Breakfast: Five teams in rotation, Sundays 7:30-9:30 am
For nearly 30 years St. Matt’s has served a free breakfast on Sunday mornings to anyone who is hungry. Volunteers are organized into teams on a five-week rotation. If you’d like to join a Breakfast Team, email Carol Smillie at carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca.
...........Learning opportunities
Lunchtime Bible Study: Weekly, day-of-choice TBA, 12 noon-1pm
Bring your bag lunch and muse over the meaning of a Bible Story, led by the minister with intentional openness to all questions, wonderings, and wrestlings with these ancient words meant to inform our spirituality and faith. Great collective wisdom and laughter too.
Sunday School: Sunday mornings, starts in church at 10:30 am
Our Sunday School (pre-Primary to Junior High) meets weekly, but is intentionally shaped for drop-ins: we’re happy to see you when you’re here. Led by parents and teens of the congregation, Sunday School introduces Bible teachings with a spirit of inquiry, with crafts, games, and activities. Also, there are cookies.
Thanks to …
Matthew Fraser, our student organist, for his musical leadership on Sunday morning. Thanks also to reader, Dora Stinson, the ushers, counters, choir, and fellowship hosts.
Summer Pick-up Choir meets Sundays at 9:45 am
If you are interested in singing with the sanctuary choir this summer, just turn up on Sunday morning at 9:45 am for a brief rehearsal. Over the years we have welcomed many guests to our Summer Pick-Up Choir – no gowns, nothing too difficult, and no pressure – so if you have always wanted to try out the choir, have visitors who like to sing, or just feel moved by the spirit to come early for church, you will be welcome.
Thinking about …
Helga and Bob Mills and their family, as they both recover in the Infirmary
Summer hours at St. Matthew's
Summer Church Office hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 8 am to noon.
Sanctuary open: Daily Tuesday-Saturday. St. Matthew’s welcomes tourists and visitors not only on Sunday mornings, but also daily Tuesdays to Saturdays, thanks to our Church Guide, Matthew Fraser, who is pleased to share the long history (270 years) of our congregation in Halifax. When not guiding, Matthew will be practising the organ so feel welcome to drop in and listen to him play.
Pastoral Care: Rev. Betsy Hogan. In case of pastoral emergencies, please call the church office at (902) 423-9209.
Think about God's green earth this week
Members of the congregation are sharing information about the little things they do to help care for the planet and respond to the climate emergency. On Sundays there is a jar at the door of the sanctuary where we can leave slips of paper that record our climate actions. You do not need to include your name – just the action you took.
Here are some recent actions we’ve taken:
-- switched to soy milk for my coffee
-- sold my old car and bought bus tickets
-- the Earth is very important to all of us: Walk, run and enjoy it very much
-- Sunday breakfast guests now take home sandwiches wrapped in waxed paper instead of plastic bags
Earth Spirit Action Team: Anne Fay, Anne Marie Dalton, Deborah Baker, Elaine Murray, Emma Toohey, Jocelyn Covert, Kathy Woods, Paul Bowlby, Sandra McCulloch, Stephen Mercer
St. Matthew’s Activities
Sunday Free Breakfast – Sundays 8:30 am
Thursday Noon Bible Study – On hiatus for the summer
Choir Practices – Sanctuary choir and Handbell rehearsals resume in September
Lunch Bunch community choir – On holiday until September
St. Matthew’s Book Club – Third Tuesday
Caritas Service – Second Sunday at 2:30 pm for Victoria Hall Residence for Senior Women, now at the Caritas Building, Mount St. Vincent
Melville Heights Service – Second Sunday at 2 pm at Melville Heights retirement lodge
Potluck Church -- Fall
Ushering – Click this link to open the sign-up page
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169
Breakfast Teams – Interested in helping with Sunday breakfast? Contact Carol Smillie, carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca
Meeting Schedule 2019
Congregational Meeting November
Session, Stewards, Board Fall
Worship and Music Sept. 14, East Pennant
Administrative Stuff
Church office: (902) 423-9209, stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca
Pastoral care: Rev. Betsy Hogan, (902) 423-9209, stmatts.betsy@ns.sympatico.ca
Sunday Worship: 10:30 am
Minister of Music: Wayne Rogers, (902) 429-1680, humber@ns.sympatico.ca
Student Organist: Matthew Fraser
On the web: www.stmatts.ns.ca
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