St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, 
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  
and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1: 78-79

Musings from Mother Liz

Dear Beloved, Advent is upon us! What is known in the world as the Christmas Shopping Season has an almost opposite meaning in the Church. Rather than the busyness that inevitably comes with this month before Christmas, Advent invites us to slow down and reflect on the miracle that gave us the reason for Christmas: God chose to become incarnate and dwell with us in the Person of his Son Jesus Christ. Last Sunday, we finished Year B with acknowledgement of Christ as King. This Sunday, we begin the story again, but told through the voice of St Luke.
It is my favorite season, and I think I put more emphasis on the first Sunday of Advent than January 1st as the start of a new year. That’s because this time in the church calendar invites us into a season of hope – hope that counters the encroaching darkness of winter; hope that tells us that as difficult as things may be, the resiliency and persistence of God in Christ to bring light into that darkness perdures (endures).
I mark time using an Advent wreath at home that I light as I begin evening prayers. There is something about the light of those candles as the day goes dark and cold that is meaningful to me. I keep the wreath lit through the reciting of the Phos hilaron (BCP 118), so that the candles might last the whole season of Advent. The lighting of the wreath and the praying of the Evening Office settles my heart and mind for the evening. All the stress of the day fades as I consider the miracle of God’s love in the gift of his Son.
Last year, I put together a list of readings materials that are good to mark the season. If you would like a copy of the list, send me an email and I will send it to you. This year, I would like to share a couple of websites that will have Advent meditations on line. The first is from my seminary in Austin, the Seminary of the Southwest. The link can be found here: https://ssw.edu/blog/advent-meditation-sunday-december
If you click on the link, on the right side you will see a place where you can enter your email to sign up.
The other link is from Virginia Theological Seminary. The link can be found here:
There may be other places on-line, but these are two good ones with which to start.
I pray that you are able to set a side time for prayer, or reflection, or just time to be quiet, so that you are able to prepare your heart for God’s gift to us at Christmas: Emmanuel, God with us.
Advent Blessings,
Liz+



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The Advent Wreath: A Home Tradition

The season of expectation, called Advent, is upon us.  Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas and marks the start of a new liturgical year.  This new year, which we begin on this Sunday, is noted as Year C, and our gospel focus moves from the Gospel of Mark (Year B), to the Gospel of Luke.

The four Sundays of Advent are also commemorated by the lighting of the Advent Wreath.  According to information provided on Wikipedia[i], the concept of the Advent Wreath originated with the Lutherans during the 16th century. It was a way to mark time from the first Sunday of Advent to Christmas.  The original Advent wreath had 20 small red and four large white candles.  A small candle was lit successively on weekdays and Saturdays and on Sunday a large white candle was lit.  The use of the wreath changed to marking only the four Sundays in Advent, and some churches added a fifth white candle in the center, which was lit on Christmas.  The Roman Catholic Church in Germany adopted the custom in the 1920’s and it spread to the United States sometime in the 1930’s.

Today, many denominations use an Advent wreath during Advent.  The wreath is circular, representing eternity.  Four or five candles are arranged on the wreath, depending on whether a center candle for Christmas is used.  Set on the outer wreath are four candles: three are either blue or purple, and one is rose.  One candle on the outer ring is lit each Sunday.  Whether the wreath uses four or five candles, the idea is that the wreath, and the lighting of the candles successively each Sunday, represents the light of Christ coming into the world.

The first blue or purple candle that is lit is called the “Prophecy Candle”, reminding us of the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah. This first candle represents HOPE.  The second purple or blue candle that is lit represents LOVE.  Some traditions have named this candle the “Bethlehem Candle”, representing Christ’s manger.  On the third Sunday, the rose candle is lit.  This candle is called the “Shepherd’s Candle” and it represents JOY.  The fourth candle is often referred to as the “Angel’s Candle”, and it represents PEACE.  On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit.  This candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents Christ coming into the world[ii].

Using an Advent Wreath at home is a wonderful way to mark the season.  You can find advent wreaths in many craft shops, in Christian Bookstores, and on-line.  There are also some available at the Cathedral Bookstore at St. Philips in Atlanta.  The candles are often sold as a four pack, with three blue or purple and one pink or rose in the box.  You can set the wreath on a plate or a charger, and then decorate the wreath with Christmas greenery.  The candles can be lit in the same way we light them on Sunday.  On Sunday evening, perhaps before dinner, light one or more of the candles, depending on which Sunday it is, and share a prayer of either thanksgiving (how has God blessed me this week), or a prayer of hope (what does it mean to you that Christ comes into the world?).

The Advent wreath is a home tradition that I adopted many years ago.  It has infused an added level of spirituality and reflection in what would otherwise be a very hectic season.  I highly recommend it!

Advent Blessings, Mother Liz+

[i] Wikipedia, “The Advent Wreath”, found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_wreath, accessed 11-30-18.

[ii] “The Advent Wreath”, Terra Sancta Guild.



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Counting Our Blessings

We at St. Matthew’s are abundantly blessed!

Our Consecration Sunday/Thanksgiving Feast was overflowing with joy, love, gratitude and delicious food!! To the many people who made the event happen, I give heartfelt thanks: the Fellowship Committee who gave their entire weekend to the luncheon, especially Nancy Drury, who organized her team while also serving on the Stewardship Committee; the Brotherhood who helped behind the scenes but especially with clean-up; the Stewardship Committee; and anyone else who was “volunteered” to help out.

I am also grateful for the people who were willing to go outside their comfort zones to share their personal stories about how the practice of stewardship has strengthened their faith and deepened their relationships with God. I pray that they are as blessed by their sharing as we are by hearing their stories.

If you are still prayerfully discerning what financial amount God is calling you to give to our parish, please complete your estimate of giving card and drop it in the lock box on the parish office door.

Should you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. And as always, should you feel called by the Holy Spirit to join our Stewardship Committee, we will welcome you with open arms and grateful hearts.

Terri Hurst, Stewardship Chair

Photos from Consecration Sunday / Thanksgiving Ingathering Feast can be found here:



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News From Annual Council & One Delegate’s Impressions of the Event

Archbishop Michael Curry spoke at the 112th Annual Council Convention this past week on November 9. The convention was held at Holy Innocents Episcopal School and Parish in Atlanta as parishes from all over the diocese gathered to meet and worship together. Archbishop Curry spoke during the council meeting on Friday, and celebrated Eucharist on Friday afternoon.

To hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-wwhVy0Yg&feature=youtu.be&t=3037

Present at the convention were our delegates Greg Andrews, Jay Jones, and Janis Williams, along with Mallard and Althea Benton, Sheila Ferrell and Richard Morris who all sang in the choir at Eucharist, and Jessie and Jacob Hurst who attended the youth lock-in held in conjunction with the event. In addition, attendees packed  15,000 meals for the hungry to be sent wherever they are needed in the world.

Impressions of a First Time Delegate to Diocesan Council

by Janis Williams

This adventure was amazing. I was a newbie, in rooms with a lot of white collars and quite a few black cassocks, and so proud to be among them. The first familiar face after finding Jay Jones and Greg Andrews, was Bishop Wright, welcoming me. I have only been a part of the Episcopal Church for 20 years, and was thrilled to be there and to find out more about our church on a broader, higher level. In spare moments, I visited the tables from different ministries to learn more about opportunities to serve and to share.

The purpose statement of the 112th Annual Council is Challenging Ourselves and the World to Love Like Jesus. The highlight of the weekend was the Eucharistic service Friday afternoon. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry gave the sermon with an engaging story of the Good Samaritan. Greg and I participated a little later in the service project, helping to make 15,000 food packages which will be sent all over the world when and where they are needed. Many of the young people participated in a Lock-in on Friday night, where six very tall posts were made, which will travel around the world to display and convey some of their concerns today. The final worship service Saturday morning was conducted entirely by the Youth with songs, a sermon, and prayers. If I have the opportunity to go again, I would love to!

 



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Ingathering : Consecration Sunday is November 18

SINGLE COMBINED SERVICE

AT 9:30 a.m.

followed by a

THANKSGIVING  POTLUCK FEAST

Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share. You can sign up to bring a dish on the poster on the bulletin board in the main hallway.

Meats and beverages will be provided.

Please plan to attend this special service and dinner.

You may complete a Consecration Sunday Reservation Card (found in the narthex) to let us know you will attend worship and the luncheon,



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Musings From Mother Liz: Stewardship — Where Does It All Go?

As much as we stress the spiritual discipline of making a financial commitment to the church, there are practical aspects as well.
In 2018, the vestry approved an operating budget of $567,000. A little over 50% of this amount goes towards staff salaries and benefits: pension, medical and disability insurance, travel, continuing education and social security. The cost to maintain and repair the physical plant, categorized as Buildings and Grounds, is 20% of the budget. A little over 9%, or $53,600 goes back to the diocese to help fund the cost of their operations. The cost to run the office, including office machines, computers, phone, internet and equipment replacements, requires 8% of the budget, while ministries uses 7%. Outreach is allocated 3% of the budget.
The vestry and the finance committee work hard to be good stewards of the monies donated to the church. Ideally, an increase in donations allows us to increase funds for Outreach as well as accrue funds for Buildings and Grounds to cover unexpected repairs, and expected replacement of high-priced items like air conditioners and roofs.
As you pray and discern what your financial commitment to St. Matthew’s will be, I hope learning what it takes to operate the church will be helpful to you. If you have questions about any of this, please contact our Treasurer, Chuck Marsh, the chair of our Finance Committee Mark DiGiovanni, or Bret Hurst, vestry member and liaison to the Finance Committee.
In Peace,
Mother Liz+



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Musings From Mother Liz

I don’t know about you, but I found this past week a difficult one to navigate. Saturday, Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney was shot and killed while approaching a car parked near Shiloh Middle School. On Monday, the alleged shooter, Tafahree Maynard, was shot and killed by a Gwinnett officer as they sought to take him into custody. That same Monday, an eighth grade student at Trickum Middle School in Lilburn stabbed his language arts teacher in the chest with an 8 inch butcher knife he brought to school.
As a pastor, I mourn both lives lost, and I pray for the teacher who was wounded and for the student who would commit this act. And I pray for those who are impacted by these acts of violence – a ripple that goes far beyond these four people.
I have heard from people who are angry and afraid. I deeply wish I could offer wisdom, but that would be trying to explain the illogical with logic. So I offer compassion, and prayers, and a listening ear to anyone who might need to talk, whether about these events or anything else that is weighing you down. And please know that I am not the only one available if you need to talk. Susan Jung and our Stephen’s ministers would like to help, and you can ask for prayers from our Daughters of the King and St. Luke’s chapters. Father Doug is helping me right now with parish pastoral care when he is in town, and he’s a good listener.
I hope you realize that if you are struggling, you do not need to walk alone. Call me at St. Matthew’s – I now have an extension (109) and voicemail, so if you don’t reach me, you can leave a message. Or you can call my cell (770-820-9448). This is what being in community is all about. And I give thanks to God each day that he led me to St. Matthew’s.
In Peace, Liz+



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What A Weekend! Retreat Note and Photo Gallery

Dear Sisters and Brothers from Saint Matthew’s!

A few years ago, the parish provided feedback that an event like a weekend retreat was something the majority will welcome.  After more than a year of planning, this past weekend that retreat was a reality;  an effort that brought so many parishioners together in love, harmony, worship and fellowship to the glory of God.

The setting was the magnificent Stone Mountain Park campgrounds. The weekend activities provided opportunities to all present to get to know each other and work, have fun and worship together.  It was a weekend where young and old mingled and learned from each other. The campfire provided a magical moment for all to keep warm and connect through stories and music.

The fellowship committee would like to express the utmost gratitude to all who attended and others that works so hard to make this retreat happen. Special thanks to Terri Ingalls, our professional story teller, that allowed her craft to teach us how, and the importance of, telling our stories;  to Mindy Barringer for the gift of live music for the campfire and the worship service; to the parenting group that handled most of the meals; and to the countless volunteers that ensured this successful event.

Thank you and may the peace of the Lord be always with you!

Oscar

 



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New This Season!! Christmas Pageant At St. Matthew’s!

Our seminarian, Karen Anderson, is leading the plan to offer a Christmas pageant at St. Matt’s for the Family Service on Christmas Eve (at 4:00 p.m this year).
To do that, we are looking for children ages 6-12 who want to be involved in some fashion in helping us tell the story of the birth of Jesus. We have parts for kids who want to practice their theater skills and share some lines from memory with us, and we have roles for those who would prefer to simply be part of the fun! Rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons in November and December.
An information meeting will be held Sunday October 28th at 2: 00 p.m. in the parish hall.
We are also looking for parents, older youth and other adults who would commit to being part of the team to make this a success, including costumes, lighting, sound, etc, and assistants to the director. We would really like this to be a parish-wide effort to tell the story of the birth of our Savior!
Contact Karen Anderson for more information on getting involved:
(770) 979-4210, ext 200



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New Beginnings

SEVERAL ST. MATT’S YOUTH attended the Diocese of Atlanta’s New Beginnings last weekend either as participants or serving on the high school team. Adult sponsors Holly Bond, Levi Livermont and Mallard Benton accompanied the group, and . Mallory Bateman served as Junior Weekend Advisor for the Weekend.. Congratulations to all participants, and thank you to all who made this weekend possible.



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At St. Matthew’s, our MISSION is to continue the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, by serving the greater community through loving its children, caring for the unfortunate and witnessing to the healing power of God’s love.