As the weather continues to cool and we move deeper into this beautiful autumn season, we have so much to celebrate and look forward to in our parish life and community.

Third Annual Fall Bazaar – This Saturday!
Join us this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the church’s front parking lot for our Third Annual Fall Bazaar! It will be a wonderful time of fellowship, fun, and community. Please bring your friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy the festivities and support our vendors and ministries. We can’t wait to see you there!

Prayers for the Annual Diocesan Council
This weekend, representatives from our church will attend the annual diocesan council at St. Philip’s Cathedral. Please keep our St. Matthew’s delegates—Eric Stokely, Karen Whitehead, Chris Rouse, Debbie Lott, Caroline Bowen, and me—in your prayers as we represent our parish and participate in the governance, vision, and fellowship of our wider diocesan community.

Special Blessings at the 10:30 a.m. Service
During this Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. worship service, we will share in two special moments of prayer and dedication: one for the Altar Guild and another for the New Beginnings Team and Participants. We will bless and commission our dedicated Altar Guild. Their faithful work prepares our sanctuary for worship each week, and we are deeply grateful for their beautiful behind-the-scenes ministry. We will also offer a special blessing for the team and participants heading to the New Beginnings retreat next weekend. Please pray that they have a joyful, safe, and spiritually enriching weekend at Camp Mikell.

2027 Stewardship & Pledges
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted their 2027 pledges last week! Your faithful generosity enables St. Matthew’s to plan with confidence for a vibrant year of ministry, worship, and community outreach. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to submit your pledge, we kindly ask that you do so. You can place your pledge card in the offering plate this Sunday, mail it to the church office, or submit it securely online. Every pledge makes a vital difference, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support of our shared mission.

Gratitude for the All Saints’ Crosses
Finally, I want to express my deepest thanks to the congregation for the beautiful All Saints’ crosses on display during last week’s worship services. The visual reminder of the saints who have gone before and who live among us was deeply moving, bringing reverence and beauty to our space as we celebrated the feast day together. If you would like to keep your cross, please pick it up when you come to worship on Sunday.

I look forward to another weekend filled with hospitality, community, gratitude, fellowship, and blessings within our parish community!

Faithfully,

Father Tim

Share this on your social network:

If you looked up in church on Sunday, you may have noticed an absence of cranes! They have been carefully removed by Greg Andrews and his magic magnet crane-remover. They will be carefully stored as Pam Kohler-Camp coordinates their safe “migration” to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for display at the Children’s Peace Monument. We will miss them! Learn more about the Children’s Peace Monument in the Peace Park Hiroshima Japan!

Share this on your social network:

As the Vestry Liaison to Inreach, I have a major focus on Pastoral Care as
an essential part of the Inreach ministry. Pastoral Care is important
because it helps people feel seen, supported, and connected as they
navigate life and faith. Through listening, prayer, guidance, practical help
and shared community, our church supports people in grief, illness, conflict,
doubt and major life changes.

It also strengthens the whole congregation as people build trust, care for
one another, and grow in compassion and faith. Pastoral Care does not
replace professional assistance when someone needs it; it can offer
spiritual and community support along with it.

Here at St Matthews, we are blessed with strong pastoral leadership and a
dedicated group of parishioners who support this effort. They take this care
directly to heart. I am confident that this effort will continue as we pursue
Jesus’ call for love and support for our neighbor.

Share this on your social network: