Renewal Works at Saint Matthew's
Spiritual Life Inventory...Renewal Works...Spiritual Journey...
Spiritual Life Inventory...Renewal Works...Spiritual Journey...
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We have completed our spiritual growth catalyst presentations for the season and have compiled the data. Specifically, we met with the Vestry, the Youth Group, the Sconeheads Book Group, and two coffee hour groups and collected information about which spiritual growth catalysts these groups have found most impactful in the past and which ones people are most interested in exploring to ignite future spiritual growth.
When looking at the data from all of the groups combined, the highest ranking catalysts that have most shaped the participants’ past spiritual growth include (with 5 practices tied for third place):
The highest ranking catalysts that participants are interested in learning more about or beginning to practice include:
In the upcoming months, the Spiritual Formation Committee will continue to analyze all of the spiritual growth catalyst data that have been collected. Using these data, we plan to organize parish-wide activities that will focus on the catalysts in which the parish has the most interest. A parish-wide Bible Quiz Challenge with inter-generational teams will be held in early Fall (date to be determined). Further opportunities to develop an all-parish prayer, and an all-parish read during Advent will be discussed and planned by the Spiritual Formation Committee. Stay tuned for more details! We are very excited about these upcoming events.
Blessings,
Cathy Goodwin
Liz Kilpatrick
Co-chairs, Spiritual Formation Committee
When looking at the data from all of the groups combined, the highest ranking catalysts that have most shaped the participants’ past spiritual growth include (with 5 practices tied for third place):
- Helping those in need
- Serving in church ministry
- Developing an active prayer life
- Learning about and participating in the Holy Eucharist
- Devoting time to meditation and spending time in solitude
- Taking on a leadership role at church
- Actively appreciating and caring for creation
The highest ranking catalysts that participants are interested in learning more about or beginning to practice include:
- Devoting time to meditation and spending time in solitude
- Regularly reading and reflecting upon the Bible
- Seeking and developing spiritual friendships
- Actively working for justice, peace, and respect for the dignity of every human being
- Developing an active prayer life
In the upcoming months, the Spiritual Formation Committee will continue to analyze all of the spiritual growth catalyst data that have been collected. Using these data, we plan to organize parish-wide activities that will focus on the catalysts in which the parish has the most interest. A parish-wide Bible Quiz Challenge with inter-generational teams will be held in early Fall (date to be determined). Further opportunities to develop an all-parish prayer, and an all-parish read during Advent will be discussed and planned by the Spiritual Formation Committee. Stay tuned for more details! We are very excited about these upcoming events.
Blessings,
Cathy Goodwin
Liz Kilpatrick
Co-chairs, Spiritual Formation Committee
Bible Study & Christian Formation
We offer several opportunities for Bible Study and Christian Formation for Adults.
We have Bible Study after our service of Holy Communion at 10 am on Wednesdays.
The Episcopal Church offers an online study group that includes study questions, the Sunday lessons and opportunity to post and read comments and participate. www.episcopalchurch.org/107902_116094_ENG_HTM.htm
Parish Bible Study Contest
Watch for more information!
Start forming your team!
On a Sunday in October (date to be announced) we will hold a Bible Quiz Contest during Coffee Hour, with intergenerational teams competing. Your Spiritual Formation Team will announce the details in July. Meanwhile, during July and August we will post a weekly Study Guide to the Gospel of Luke on our website. We will have fun, build spiritual friendships, and learn together.
We offer several opportunities for Bible Study and Christian Formation for Adults.
We have Bible Study after our service of Holy Communion at 10 am on Wednesdays.
The Episcopal Church offers an online study group that includes study questions, the Sunday lessons and opportunity to post and read comments and participate. www.episcopalchurch.org/107902_116094_ENG_HTM.htm
Parish Bible Study Contest
Watch for more information!
Start forming your team!
On a Sunday in October (date to be announced) we will hold a Bible Quiz Contest during Coffee Hour, with intergenerational teams competing. Your Spiritual Formation Team will announce the details in July. Meanwhile, during July and August we will post a weekly Study Guide to the Gospel of Luke on our website. We will have fun, build spiritual friendships, and learn together.
Christian Education & Youth Group
About our Church School
Sunday School Superintendent: Karen Baldwin
Sunday School Superintendent: Karen Baldwin
Summer Sunday School will meet on 5 Sundays this summer:
July 14, July 28, August 18, August 25, and September 8
Our summer curriculum will be based on Hometown Nazareth. On these five Sundays we will talk about what life was like for Jesus growing up in Nazareth:
1. Jesus had a family- we do too
2. Jesus had a name – we do too
3. Jesus had a home – we do too
4. Jesus went to church – we do too
5. Jesus served others – we do too
We will share our thoughts, do crafts, and play games, and have fun together.
On August 4th we will hold our Family Service "Mass on the Grass" and our music will be Songs we learned in Sunday School.
July 14, July 28, August 18, August 25, and September 8
Our summer curriculum will be based on Hometown Nazareth. On these five Sundays we will talk about what life was like for Jesus growing up in Nazareth:
1. Jesus had a family- we do too
2. Jesus had a name – we do too
3. Jesus had a home – we do too
4. Jesus went to church – we do too
5. Jesus served others – we do too
We will share our thoughts, do crafts, and play games, and have fun together.
On August 4th we will hold our Family Service "Mass on the Grass" and our music will be Songs we learned in Sunday School.
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Important: SAINT MATTHEW’S CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM 2019-2020. Please complete at your earliest convenience.
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The Worcester African Ministries sponsored to important events this spring: the Bible Quiz Contest and the Essay Contest.
BIBLE QUIZ CONTEST
This year the Worcester African Community Ministry (WAC) 2019 Bible Quiz Context on May 5 included non-Episcopal Churches, as well as other Episcopal Churches from Worcester. The Bible Quiz Contest involved grades 6-12. The Bible Quiz Contest was intended to motivate students to learn and understand the Bible. This year, we read the entire Gospel of Luke from which questions were drawn. Congratulations to our 2019 winters: Jaiden Shekoni and Lauren Gingo.
ESSAY CONTEST
The Essay contest includes presently enrolled college students ages 18-24. The topic for 2019 was “Imagine a church where you and your friends grow spiritually. Describe the program and worship of that church.” Congratulations to our 2019 winners: Amanda Baldwin, Nicholas Baldwin, Alisa Gailor, and Emmnanuel Freeman.
Youth Group completes the 30-hour famine to END WORLD HUNGER!!
The Last Supper presented by the Senior Sunday School Class.
Since the beginning of the new year, an all church school communion instruction has been offered for all classes. Church school students are learning about Passover, about Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, and about the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and the Breaking of the Bread that we share in Jesus’ name. Please speak with Mother Judith regarding preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.
Since the beginning of the new year, an all church school communion instruction has been offered for all classes. Church school students are learning about Passover, about Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, and about the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and the Breaking of the Bread that we share in Jesus’ name. Please speak with Mother Judith regarding preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.
Classes are offered for children ages five through high school. Nursery care available for younger children.
"First Sunday" Family Services are held on the first Sunday of the month (with few exceptions) and the "extended day" programming on the third Sunday of each month (children stay in church school for the entire morning, receiving Communion in the Chapel at the close of the worship service, and rejoining their families in the Parish Hall). If you have a child you would like to enroll in Saint Matthew’s Church School, please speak with Karen Baldwin, Church School Superintendent.
A note to parents: ALL of our Church School Staff are required to attend “Safe Church” Training, and to encourage “Safe Church” practices, to help keep ALL of Saint Matthew’s children safe. If you would like to know more about the “Safe Church” training and policies, please speak with the Rector.
"First Sunday" Family Services are held on the first Sunday of the month (with few exceptions) and the "extended day" programming on the third Sunday of each month (children stay in church school for the entire morning, receiving Communion in the Chapel at the close of the worship service, and rejoining their families in the Parish Hall). If you have a child you would like to enroll in Saint Matthew’s Church School, please speak with Karen Baldwin, Church School Superintendent.
A note to parents: ALL of our Church School Staff are required to attend “Safe Church” Training, and to encourage “Safe Church” practices, to help keep ALL of Saint Matthew’s children safe. If you would like to know more about the “Safe Church” training and policies, please speak with the Rector.
Youth Group
Advisors: Stacey MacGregor
For all youth in grades 6-12.
Advisors: Stacey MacGregor
For all youth in grades 6-12.
We hosted the 2017 CROP Walk in Worcester and raised over $10,000 to help end hunger both around the world and in our neighborhood. It was a great day!
We held another successful Breakfast with Saint Nicholas and the children and grandchildren of the Parish enjoyed visiting with Saint Nicholas, crafts and delicious breakfast! We had the largest crowd ever and everyone had a blast!!
We held another successful Breakfast with Saint Nicholas and the children and grandchildren of the Parish enjoyed visiting with Saint Nicholas, crafts and delicious breakfast! We had the largest crowd ever and everyone had a blast!!
JOIN THE FUN...JOIN THE YOUTH GROUP!!!
Photos from 2017
