The Way
The Newsletter of St. Matthew’s
Episcopal Church
___________________________________________
St. Matthew’s Church December 2010-January 2011
695 Southbridge St.
Worcester, MA 01610
The Seasons of Advent,
(508) 755-4433, office Christmas and Epiphany
(508) 755-8319, fax
(508) 757-8833, rectory Dear Friends in Christ:
The Rev. Nancy Baillie Strong “ „Tis the season…”
Rector
Indeed, it is! Winter is about to press in upon
Kirsten Ireland us, the beginning of the New Church Year is
Secretary to the Rector here, with the civil calendar‟s change just
around the corner, and in a few short weeks, the
Donald Irving Twelve Days of Christmas will be over. I find
Organist/Choir Director myself asking this year more frequently than I
have ever done before, “Where did the time
Chet Ireland go?”
Publisher
There are two kinds of time in Scripture: kairos
Kirsten Ireland
and chronos. Chronos is the kind of time that
Editor
we mark by calendars and clocks, counting off
the days and hours of our lives, celebrating
Worship: birthdays, anniversaries and events of moment.
Kairos is…well, it‟s what I like to call “God‟s
Wednesday 10:00am time.” When we read in Scripture that time has
(followed by coffee hour) been “fulfilled,” or that “today is the day of
Saturday 5:00 pm
salvation,” we‟re not reading about the marking
off of squares on a calendar, or the passage of
Sunday 8:00 am numbered years. Rather we are reading about
10:00 am the “fullness of time,” the moment in which
God acts in some visible and decisive manner in
Church School 9:45 am
the midst of human history (chronos).
Nursery 10:00 am
When you and I think about the history of our
Our email address is: parish, we locate its beginning in 1871 as a
stmatthew5@aol.com Sunday School mission of the Women of All
Saints Church. Was that a moment of kairos as ultimately, the place of the enfleshment of the
well? Is it possible that there may be another Word of God.
“kairotic” moment for Saint Matthew‟s in the
future? What we can say with certainty is an So – as we come together in this new Church
echo of the words of Saint Paul, “Today is the Year, this Advent, Christmastide and the Season
day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). of Epiphany, may we open our eyes and our
hearts to see the moments of grace and God‟s
And so it is that we come once again to the action multiplied in us and in the world around
celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus us. Perhaps as we gaze upon the Holy Child in
Christ. The Incarnation (“enfleshment”) of the the manger, and then lift our eyes to see Jesus
Word of God is accomplished when “time is on the Cross, and then recall the Mystery of
fulfilled,” and the birth, life, death and Faith proclaiming Christ‟s Resurrection, these
resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth helps us to holy days of our lives might become more and
locate that moment of kairos in a chronology of more “days of salvation”! What joy…what
history. However, each of us, by virtue of our wonder and awe…!
Baptisms, made one with Christ, are also urged
to become “places” of incarnation (“temples of In the joy of the Lord,
the Holy Spirit”). When the Great Amen at the
end of the Eucharistic Prayer at every Mass is The Reverend Nancy Baillie Strong
sung or said by us all, as well as when we say Rector
“Amen” in response to receiving the Body and
Blood of Christ, we are, in the words of Saint A Note about the Rector’s schedule: Mother
Augustine of Hippo, affirming that we are Strong will be on retreat from November 30th
joined with Christ‟s Body, in every time and through December 3rd at Saint Margaret’s
place, and that we now recognize the mystery of House, Boston. In the event of a pastoral
our humanity is caught up in the mystery of the emergency, please call one of the Parish
Incarnation of our Lord, and with that Wardens or the Parish Office (508-755-4433),
recognition, the possibility that all the days of and priestly ministry will be arranged for you or
each of our lives could be “kairotic,” too. your household. Thank you!
Every moment of your life, my life, the lives of
our children, our neighbors, our friends might PARISH OFFICE HOURS DURING THE
well be a moment in which God chooses to act- HOLIDAYS: Please note that the Parish Office
reconciling, saving, healing, liberating-and not will be closed from December 24, 2010 through
just a day or time on the calendar or in our January 1, 2011.
planner.
When we think of various events in the life of
Jesus of Nazareth, we might think that his birth,
Service Schedule for Christmas Eve
his death and his resurrection are the most & Christmas Day
important, the most sacred moments. I want to
suggest that we begin to think about ALL the Christmas Eve
days of Jesus as holy and filled with the Friday, December 24th 5:00pm
presence and activity of God, and that if that is
so, then we need to think about our lives in
Friday, December 24th 11:00pm
Christ a bit differently. “Church time,”
workdays, family time, and the infamous “me CHRISTMAS DAY
time,” are artificial distinctions that you and I Saturday, December 25th -
draw to try to sort through our daily living. 9:00am
ALL of our time, all of our bodies, all of our
lives are holy, made in God‟s Image, and All are welcome!
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From the Parish Registers: DID YOU KNOW…?
Received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism: That Sherman & Betsey Wetherbee have
David-Rafael Joaquin Borja, been involved for years with Sheltie
November 14, 2010 Rescue, and have a new dog named
Penny? Blessings on you both as you
“We receive you into the Household of God…” care for “creatures great and small”!
That Rita-Marie Borja (and other
Received by Bishop Scruton as a member of the members of the Sally McDermott School
Episcopal Church: of Dance) is opening for the Rockettes at
Ellen Keohane, November 7, 2010 Wang Theater this Christmas? Best
Reaffirmed Christian commitment: wishes to you as you kick up your
Ernestine Notice, November 14, 2010 heels!
That Saint Matthew‟s Parish collected
“Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly 266 shoebox gifts for Operation
hand ever be over these your servants…” Christmas Child? Thank you all for
your extraordinary generosity – and
Buried with the prayers of the Church: thank you to friends of Saint Matthew‟s
Howard F. Martin, November 16, 2010 who helped out, too!
John K. Royal, November 18, 2010 That Saint Matthew‟s “milk jug
collection” for Rachel‟s Table
“Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord…” Children‟s Milk fund has raised almost
$4000 in just over 10 years? Thank you
one and all for all of the “loose change”!
IT‟S TIME TO WARM-UP SOUTH We know that there‟s EVEN MORE good news
WORCESTER! “First Friday Knitters” out there! If you‟d like to share it with the
meet on Friday, December 3rd, 6:30 PM parish family, send us a note or e-mail us with
the information (stmatthew5@aol.com) so that
We‟ll be counting more than stitches at the we can include your good news in our next issue
“First Friday Knitters” gathering on December -- thanks!
3rd, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM! It‟s time to count all of
the hats, scarves and mittens that have been
created or donated for the children served by the
South Worcester Neighborhood Center – and ADVENT QUIET
there seem to be lots of knitted items! The “An Advent Conspiracy”
collection of warm winter accessories will be Thursday, December 9th, 7:30 PM
presented as part of the “Gifts for Saint
Nicholas” ingathering on Sunday, December 5th, Come for an evening of reflection, meditation
and then delivered to the South Worcester and quiet prayer – and some thought-provoking
Neighborhood Center in plenty of time for questions about what has happened to this
Christmas. season of expectation and the celebration of
Christmas is our culture! We will be invited to
Knitting lessons and supplies are always consider faithful alternatives to the hustle and
available: if you‟d like to learn or refresh your bustle, the crowds of consumers, and the
skills, or have a friend who would like to learn stresses of the holidays.
to knit, feel free to join us! For more
information, please speak with Robin Chenarak. Plan to attend, invite a friend to join you, and
PLEASE NOTE: “First Friday Knitters” will take some time this Advent to “conspire” -- to
NOT meet in January 2011; the NEXT meeting love God and our neighbors, and to receive
in the New Year will be on February 4th! God‟s love for us in Christ!
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ADVENT FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON: 2011 Epiphany Dinner
Wednesday, December 8th, 12 Noon at Saint Matthew‟s
ALL WELCOME!
Sunday, January 30th!
A tradition of gathering for a festive meal in
December is returning! A pot-luck Fellowship This year‟s Epiphany Dinner for the
Luncheon “with all the trimmings” will be held on Neighborhood, jointly hosted by Saint
Wednesday, December 8th at 12 Noon (some Matthew‟s Parish and Sacred Heart Saint
come to the 10 AM Mass, and stay on through the Catherine of Sweden Parish, will be held at
luncheon). Invite a friend to join you, and come Saint Matthew‟s Sunday afternoon, January 30
for a time of fellowship with friends we don‟t at 3:00PM! We need 3 people to cook turkeys
always have a chance to see! Be sure to sign-up and help with set-up, clean-up, food prep,
on the Parish Hall Bulletin Board – so we know serving or anything else. Look for more
how many places to set! information in the Sunday bulletin or check with
Millie Cummings! Thanks!
BISHOPS VISIT WORCESTER!
First, the Right Reverend Gordon P. Scruton, SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM:
Bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, NEXT DATES – Easter Season 2011
visited Saint Matthew‟s on All Saints Sunday,
November 7th! The Bishop led us in renewing our If you are interested in bringing a child (or
Baptismal Promises as he received Ellen Keohane children) to the waters of Holy Baptism, please
as a member of the Episcopal Church, and be advised that Saint Matthew‟s generally
witnessed the reaffirmation of Christian observes the Baptismal Sundays identified in the
commitment of Ernestine Notice. Most memorable 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The next such
was the Children‟s Sermon that our Bishop shared Sunday is January 9, 2011, the Feast of the
with the children of Saint Matthew‟s – we were all Baptism of Our Lord, but as there is likely
so proud of our kids! The Bishop also blessed the insufficient time for preparation, the NEXT
266 shoebox gifts collected for Operation Christmas available dates will be offered in Easter Season
Child, and had an opportunity to see some of the 2011, beginning with the Great Vigil of Easter,
generous outreach efforts of Saint Matthew‟s Saturday, April 23rd. Please speak with the
people. It was a wonderful day for all! Rector for more information as soon as possible.
Then, the Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts-Schori, Baptismal preparation for older children and
the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, adults will begin in Epiphany Season (January-
visited All Saints Church, Worcester, on November February) if requested; preparation for infants
20th, for a celebration of the Episcopal Church‟s and very young children will be in March.
presence in Worcester County for 187 years, If there is pastoral need or emergency, please
beginning with the establishment of Christ Church, speak with the Rector to make other
Rochdale, in 1823. Audrey Brown sang in the mass arrangements for Baptism. Thank you!
choir for the service, our wardens carried the
Consecration Document for the original Saint HOLD THESE DATES, PLEASE!
Matthew‟s Church, dated 1880, and Wendy Coming Events at Saint Matthew’s
Piscitelli processed with our parish banner. Some
thirteen members of Saint Matthew‟s attended a Saturday, February 5th
service featuring glorious music, fine preaching, MID-WINTER YARD SALE!
and wonderful liturgy! Our Presiding Bishop had Sunday, February 13th
challenging words to share with us reflecting on Women of Saint Matthew‟s “Cookie Walk”
both the Church‟s history, as well as looking Sunday, March 27th
towards the future. It was a splendid celebration! “Hope for Housing” Film & Fundraiser
(The Worcester Telegram & Gazette ran TWO
news articles about the Presiding Bishop‟s visit: Watch Sunday service leaflets for more details!
look out for them!)
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NEWS FROM SAINT MATTHEW‟S ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
CHURCH SCHOOL & YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES!
GROUP! Epiphany Season Book Study begins January 6th!
A six-session study (reading and discussion) of
The children and youth of the parish are preparing Diana Butler Bass‟s book Christianity for the
their annual Christmas Pageant, which will be Rest of Us will begin Thursday evening January
presented on the Second Sunday after Christmas, 6th, and run through February (with breaks for
January 2, 2011, at the 10 AM Mass. (Rehearsals the Women of Saint Matthew‟s meetings). To
will be held on TWO Sundays, December 19th and order a copy of the book, please sign up on the
26th, following the 10 AM Mass.) “People, Look sheet posted on the Parish Hall Bulletin Board
East” was presented in 2007, and we know that ASAP! You may also order the book on your
several parishioners have been waiting to see this own; Amazon.com has used copies quite
pageant again – as well as the children looking reasonably priced! For more information,
forward to presenting it! The pageant “wraps please speak with Mother Strong.
around” the entire Holy Eucharist, telling the
sacred story of God‟s love for the world from
„TIS THE SEASON…
Creation through the Book of Revelation. Plan to
attend, and be a part of “telling the old, old Story” for Giving and Sharing!
once again! (PARENTS: notices of rehearsal “Gifts for Saint Nicholas” Ingathering:
schedules and other details will be sent home with Sunday, December 5th
children – watch for this info!) Saint Matthew‟s continues its support of the
work of the South Worcester Neighborhood
During Epiphany Season, which begins on Center with our annual collection of
January 6th, the Church School will be working on UNWRAPPED gifts (toys, games, puzzles,
an overview of events in the Life of Christ, from books, etc.) for children served by the Center.
the Flight into Egypt up to Palm Sunday. This year‟s Ingathering will be on December 5th,
Children will be learning about Jesus‟ teachings, when the gifts will be part of the Offertory
healings and miracles, and his disciples. procession, and then blessed and sent on their
Saint Matthew‟s Youth Group provided child care way! The Neighborhood Centre Executive
service for a “Parents‟ Nite Out” on November Director, Ron Charette, has reported that this
19th. A Thanksgiving craft, lots of snacks and the year Christmas may be a little “lean,” so
viewing of “Toy Story 3” filled out the evening whatever we can do to help bring a little joy will
for children from some of the church families. help! Ron hopes that the “Packing Party” will
The Youth Group is looking forward to offering be held on December 22nd or 23rd – please call
the annual “Breakfast with Saint Nicholas” on the Neighborhood Center (508-757-8344) if you
Saturday, December 4th. Please see the flyer want to help or want more information!
elsewhere in this newsletter, and be sure to sign
up on the Parish Hall Bulletin Board! A delicious Altar Guild Quiet Day Expands to
French Toast breakfast, a visit with Saint Include the Churches of the Worcester
Nicholas, holiday crafts and photo ops with the Corridor! - Saturday, January 8th
Saint himself fill out a memorable event for
children and the “young-at-heart”! The annual Altar Guild Quiet Day on
“Forgiveness” will be held on Saturday, January
Saint Matthew‟s Youth are also planning a 8th, 9 AM-2 PM, at Saint Matthew‟s. Members
Christmas Party to be held jointly with youth from and friends of Episcopal parishes in all of
Saint Thomas Church, Auburn, on Saturday, Worcester County are being invited to attend!
December 18th, 6:30-9:30 PM. For more Our Quiet Day leader is the Reverend Kathryn
information about Youth Group activities, please White, Interim Pastor of Saint John‟s Church,
see our Youth Group advisors, Steve and Kelly Sutton, and spiritual director. For more
MacGregor. Thanks! information, please speak with Charlotte
Townsend or Mother Strong.
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Women of Saint Matthew‟s FOOD OFFERINGS & “Hope for Housing”
Supermarket Cards
We want to thank everyone who helped make
The number of families needing assistance with
our Breakfast a big success…we raised $256 for
emergency food supplies has more than doubled
outreach! We would also like to thank everyone
in our neighborhood, while food supplies at the
who helped make Thanksgiving a little better
Worcester County Food Bank have experienced
for one of our parishioners and some of the
some shortages. Saint Matthew‟s weekly food
families through the South Worcester
collection makes a difference! When you are
Neighborhood Center.
shopping, consider adding one extra non-
perishable food item to your basket, and bring it
On December 16th, we will have our pre-
to church. Nancy LaFlash and others faithfully
Christmas get together, beginning with a
deliver each week‟s food collection to the
potluck supper at 6:30PM in the Parlor. All
Neighborhood Center (both at Camp Street and
women are invited. Please let Millie
Green Island), where it is much appreciated!
Cummings, Linda Albinson or Pam Wilson
know you are coming. We play a game with a
Another way to help hungry neighbors is to
$2 wrapped “grab” gift.
purchase a “Hope for Housing” supermarket
card – and then donate it! Several parishioners
On January 20th, weather-permitting, we will
did this at Thanksgiving, and we were able to
meet and have our annual “Penny Social” at
give $295 worth of supermarket cards to the
7:00PM. Please join us!
Neighborhood Center for their Thanksgiving
Basket program (the Women of Saint Matthew‟s
also gave additional gifts, bring the total given
Parish Restoration & Renewal Fund Gifts to $395). Thank you for your generosity!
Buying the “Hope for Housing” cards also
“Cat‟s Meows” (architectural figurines benefits the Central Mass. Housing Alliance
depicting Saint Matthew‟s Church) make great which works to help prevent family
Christmas remembrances, and are available by homelessness, through such programs as the
pre-paid order. They sell for $15.00 per item; Village at Cambridge Street.
half of the purchase price goes to the Parish
Restoration and Renewal Fund to continue the Speaking of “giving”…perhaps you have a
capital campaign building projects. Please friend or family member who either has
contact Paula Buonomo for more information. “everything,” or who needs a “little help.”
“Hope for Housing” supermarket cards make
2010 Christmas Cards are also available for great gifts and stocking stuffers – so think about
purchase. The Angel Altar Mosaic is featured doing some Christmas “shopping” at Saint
this year. Each card (with envelope) sells for Matthew‟s – and lend a helping hand!
$2.00, and half of the purchase price goes to the
Parish Restoration and Renewal Fund. For
more information, please contact the Parish
Office, or look for them at Coffee hour! MID-WINTER YARD SALE
Saturday, January 30th!
Gifts in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved
one may be made at any time to the Parish We will be holding our indoor yard sale on
Restoration and Renewal Fund, but at Saturday, February 5th from 9:00am-
Christmas, we‟ll send a Christmas card 2:00pm. Tables will be $20 and are
acknowledging the gift to your honoree! Please available to anyone. See Millie Cummings
see the insert in this newsletter for more if you‟re interested.
information! Thanks!
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SAINT MATTHEW‟S ANNUAL A CAUSE FOR REJOICING!
MEETING
In late-October, an anonymous donor stepped
Sunday, January 16th, 9 AM forward to make a gift to the Parish Restoration
(Snow date: January 23rd) and Renewal Fund, designated for the Organ
Fund, to permit the purchase of a Rodgers
The Annual Meeting of Saint Matthew‟s Parish, Trillium Masterpiece Organ, a digital and pipe
Worcester, will be held on Sunday morning, January hybrid, to replace our moribund instrument that
16, 2011, in the Parish House, immediately following has not been playable since June! A special
a SINGLE SERVICE at 9 AM. At this meeting, opportunity arose to purchase this particular
Wardens, Officers, and Vestry members are to be instrument, but even that did not seem doable
elected, and reports for the good of the parish until this unexpected gift was made. The Vestry
received. All baptized members of the parish, having voted to accept the gift, and the terms under
attended the parish for the 12 months since the last which it was given, and the organ has been
Annual Meeting, and having attained the age of 16 purchased. Installation has begun, with final
years, are entitled to vote. completion hoped for Christmas!
Please see the insert in this newsletter for nominations
for Vestry service. Child care will be provided for the Gifts may still be made to the Parish Restoration
meeting. Announcement of the recipients of this and Renewal Fund designated for the Organ.
year‟s Meritorious Service Award will be made as Any gifts received beyond December 5, 2010,
well. IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT will be used to begin a restricted Organ Fund, so
SNOWFALL, the Annual Meeting will be postponed that there will be a fund available for the future
ONE week to Sunday, January 23, 2011. when necessary. If you have questions, or
would like to make a gift, feel free to speak with
AN APPEAL FROM THE PARISH the Rector.
SECRETARY: ANYONE responsible for
submitting reports to be included in the Annual DEO GRATIAS: THANKS BE TO GOD!
Meeting booklet (you know who you are!) please file
these reports in the Parish Office (to Kirsten‟s
attention) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, and NO
LATER THAN January 5th. If you are able to file COFFEE HOUR
the report via e-mail, please do so! Thank you for
your cooperation. SCHEDULE
December 5 Sunday School
NOTE: 2011 Stewardship Pledge Envelopes
will be available for pick-up in the Common December 12 Youth & Acolytes
Room after December 1st. Please help Saint
Matthew‟s save some postage! December 19 Women
December 26 Everybody
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
MATERIALS AVAILABLE! January 2 Everybody
Advent calendars (large format this year!), daily January 9 Men
reading and prayer booklets, pamphlets and
bookmarks for the use of your household as you January 16 Vestry
keep this season of holy expectation are available Annual Meeting
on the table in the Common Room. Please take
what you want to use – they are FREE! (If you January 23 Women
want to make a donation to help defray the costs,
January 30 No Coffee Hour
mark your gift “Advent Materials” – thanks!)
Have a blessed Advent! Epiphany Dinner
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