RenewalWorks
Prayer for Discernment:
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with us as we consider the renewal and mission of our congregation. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us by your Holy Spirit to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it, and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Watch for news as the Spiritual Formation Committee develops plans for 2020 with your new Rector. These plans will build upon 2019 to include a Parish-wide observance of the 30-Hour Famine, a Parish Read for Lent, a monthly "Table Talk" discussion, and a Second Annual Bible Bowl, as we explore ways to deepen our spiritual friendships.
In thanksgiving for our ongoing journey,
The Spiritual Formation Committee
Liz Kilpatrick & Cathy Goodwin, co-Chairs; Linda and Ben Albinson, Paula Buonomo, George Gailor, Festus Konneh, Kelly MacGregor, Wendy Piscitelli, and Nancy Smith
Our goal is to have opportunities for fellowship, learning, and spiritual growth. Mark your calendars for these events:
DIOCESE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Bement/Waterfield Educational Grants
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE? The purpose of the Bement/Waterfield Educational Grants is to help young people who are active in the Episcopal Church to pursue their educational goals after secondary school.
WHERE GRANTS MAY BE USED? Grants may be used at accredited training and technical institutions as well as for undergraduate study at 2-and 4 year accredited colleges.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Young people who are active members of parishes and missions in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts are eligible to apply for grants. All applicants must have the approval and endorsement of their parish clergy, or in the case of no clergy, the parish warden.
HOW DOES ONE APPLY? Applicants may obtain forms from the Diocesan Website at www.diocesewma.org Click on Documents and Forms, and then on Grant Opportunities.
OR
by writing to the: B/W Educational Grants Committee Diocese of Western Mass 37 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA 01103
Please see the following brochures for more information:
Bement/Waterfield Educational Grants
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE? The purpose of the Bement/Waterfield Educational Grants is to help young people who are active in the Episcopal Church to pursue their educational goals after secondary school.
WHERE GRANTS MAY BE USED? Grants may be used at accredited training and technical institutions as well as for undergraduate study at 2-and 4 year accredited colleges.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Young people who are active members of parishes and missions in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts are eligible to apply for grants. All applicants must have the approval and endorsement of their parish clergy, or in the case of no clergy, the parish warden.
HOW DOES ONE APPLY? Applicants may obtain forms from the Diocesan Website at www.diocesewma.org Click on Documents and Forms, and then on Grant Opportunities.
OR
by writing to the: B/W Educational Grants Committee Diocese of Western Mass 37 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA 01103
Please see the following brochures for more information:
| bement_scholarship_announcements.january___february_2020.pdf |
| bement_scholarship_information_sheet.2020.pdf |
| bement_scholarship_brochure.2020.pdf |
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
First Annual St. Matthew’s Parish Bible Bowl
The St. Matthew’s First Annual Bible Bowl was a great success!
We laughed. We competed. We learned about the Gospel of Luke.
THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS to ALL our competitors:
1. Team Sprinkles: Rebecca Kasenge, Lauren Gingo, Kyrah Gingo, Anita Konneh (1st place)
2. Team 3 Men and the Lady Boss: Rob Ermanski, Millie Cummings, Bengt Albinson, Festus Konneh (2nd place)
3. Team Bible Busters: George Gailor, Stephen Smith, Paris Gailor, Jaiden Shekoni
4. Team of Grace: Emmanuel Ndebeh, Marsayde Berry, Esther Konneh.
THANK YOU to our Questioners: Fr. Edgar Freeman, Robin Chenarak, Liz Kilpatrick.
THANK YOU to Musu Konneh for preparing the salads for our lunch and to Pam Wilson and Linda Albinson for serving
THANK YOU to Nancy Smith for donating the crosses from the Holy Land
THANK YOU to the scorekeeper (Nancy) and Emcee (Cathy)
THANK YOU to the Planning Team: Cathy Goodwin, Liz Kilpatrick, Nancy Smith, George Gailor
THANK YOU to everyone who was able to stay and support our teams.
With gratitude and many blessings,
The Spiritual Formation Committee
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
First Annual St. Matthew’s Parish Bible Bowl
The St. Matthew’s First Annual Bible Bowl was a great success!
We laughed. We competed. We learned about the Gospel of Luke.
THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS to ALL our competitors:
1. Team Sprinkles: Rebecca Kasenge, Lauren Gingo, Kyrah Gingo, Anita Konneh (1st place)
2. Team 3 Men and the Lady Boss: Rob Ermanski, Millie Cummings, Bengt Albinson, Festus Konneh (2nd place)
3. Team Bible Busters: George Gailor, Stephen Smith, Paris Gailor, Jaiden Shekoni
4. Team of Grace: Emmanuel Ndebeh, Marsayde Berry, Esther Konneh.
THANK YOU to our Questioners: Fr. Edgar Freeman, Robin Chenarak, Liz Kilpatrick.
THANK YOU to Musu Konneh for preparing the salads for our lunch and to Pam Wilson and Linda Albinson for serving
THANK YOU to Nancy Smith for donating the crosses from the Holy Land
THANK YOU to the scorekeeper (Nancy) and Emcee (Cathy)
THANK YOU to the Planning Team: Cathy Goodwin, Liz Kilpatrick, Nancy Smith, George Gailor
THANK YOU to everyone who was able to stay and support our teams.
With gratitude and many blessings,
The Spiritual Formation Committee
Christian Education & Youth Group
About our Church School
Sunday School Superintendent: Karen Baldwin
Sunday School Superintendent: Karen Baldwin
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Important: SAINT MATTHEW’S CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM 2019-2020. Please complete at your earliest convenience.
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Our curriculum this year will be DonutForget Bible Lessons.
Teachers:
Grades Pre-k – 5 – Karen Baldwin and Kim Rossi
Grades 6-12 – Tim Rossi and Festus Konneh Jr.
Youth Group – Staci MacGregor & Kelly MacGregor
Mentors: Kelly & Steve MacGregor
Monthly Schedule:
1st Sunday Family Service – no classes
2nd Sunday Classes
3rd Sunday Classes with Children’s Chapel
4th Sunday Classes & during Coffee hour our children will decorate place cards for the Friendship Dinner to be held later that day.
Sunday SchoolIn January we will have regular classes only on January 19th at 9 am. Childcare will be provided during the Annual Parish Meeting that day. On January 12th our children will join the service to witness the Baptism of Ethan Emory Ndebeh, and on January 26th they will join the service for Mother Judith’s last Sunday.
Our Youth Group will begin preparing for the parish-wide 30-Hour Famine to be held on February 29-March 1st. Youth Group meetings are suspended until later in 2020.
Your Vestry has unanimously approved a Safe Church Policy for St. Matthew’s. We will share and discuss this policy at our Annual Parish Meeting on January 19th .
In preparation for Bishop Fisher’s Visitation on March 15th, Festus Konneh will teach a class on
Holy Communion for our children and their parents. Watch for more information.
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.
Teachers:
Grades Pre-k – 5 – Karen Baldwin and Kim Rossi
Grades 6-12 – Tim Rossi and Festus Konneh Jr.
Youth Group – Staci MacGregor & Kelly MacGregor
Mentors: Kelly & Steve MacGregor
Monthly Schedule:
1st Sunday Family Service – no classes
2nd Sunday Classes
3rd Sunday Classes with Children’s Chapel
4th Sunday Classes & during Coffee hour our children will decorate place cards for the Friendship Dinner to be held later that day.
Sunday SchoolIn January we will have regular classes only on January 19th at 9 am. Childcare will be provided during the Annual Parish Meeting that day. On January 12th our children will join the service to witness the Baptism of Ethan Emory Ndebeh, and on January 26th they will join the service for Mother Judith’s last Sunday.
Our Youth Group will begin preparing for the parish-wide 30-Hour Famine to be held on February 29-March 1st. Youth Group meetings are suspended until later in 2020.
Your Vestry has unanimously approved a Safe Church Policy for St. Matthew’s. We will share and discuss this policy at our Annual Parish Meeting on January 19th .
In preparation for Bishop Fisher’s Visitation on March 15th, Festus Konneh will teach a class on
Holy Communion for our children and their parents. Watch for more information.
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: Staci MacGregor and Kelly MacGregor
For all youth in grades 6-12.
Youth Group Schedule
December 22nd - Serving at the 4 Corners Friendship Dinner [2-6:30pm]
January 5th- Epiphany Family Service with the Christmas Pageant
February 29th - March 1 - 30-hour Famine & Parish Quiet Day
Advisors: Staci MacGregor and Kelly MacGregor
For all youth in grades 6-12.
Youth Group Schedule
December 22nd - Serving at the 4 Corners Friendship Dinner [2-6:30pm]
January 5th- Epiphany Family Service with the Christmas Pageant
February 29th - March 1 - 30-hour Famine & Parish Quiet Day
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