Announcements

St. Matthews Welcomes Bishop William E. Swing and Announces New Speaker Series Ministry

We are very pleased to announce and kick-off a new Speakers' Series Ministry featuring Bishop William E. Swing, the Seventh Bishop of the Diocese of California of the Episcopal Church, as our first speaker.

Please join us on Sunday, September 14th at 9:00 a.m. in JBH to hear Bishop Swing address our congregation and talk about The United Religions Initiative, an organization he founded in 1996. Bishop Swing will discuss how the idea of a “united religions” came into being in 1993; how and where URI is impacting the world, and whether or not religiously-motivated violence on a grand scale is inevitable in the future.

The United Religions Initiative (URI) was inspired to bring people of diverse faith into cooperation for peace exemplified by the work of nations of the world through United Nations. The founding of URI in 1996 culminated in the signing of the United Religions Initiative Charter in 2000. According to Bishop Swing, the purpose of the URI is to promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously-motivated violence, and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

The Speaker Series Ministry is a new forum in which invited speakers will share their insights and areas of interest and expertise for the dual purposes of nourishing as well as growing our parish.

We look forward to seeing you on September 14th and stay tuned for information and details regarding additional speakers this year.

Parish Picnic

The Hospitality Committee, with the help of the Vestry and many other St. Matthews' parishioners, will host the parish picnic on September 14, 2008 after the 10:15 am service. Adults $12 - Children under 12 $6 - Family price $35 includes 2 adults and 2 or more children. Guaranteed fun for all members of the family! There will be a jumping tent, bingo, games and more. Tickets will be sold at the end of each service so mark your calendars now and be sure to attend.

Candle Light Taize Service

All St. Matthew parishioners, family members and friends are warmly invited to attend a candlelight service of prayer and chant. Taize Services are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Chapel of the Church of St. Matthew.

Taize is an ecumenical monastic community in France dedicated to spreading the message of peace and reconciliation among all people of the world. St. Matthew Chapter of Daughters of the King has arranged this service as a way of carrying this Gospel message into our neighborhood. Everyone is invited to attend....this would be a beautiful way to introduce your friends to our church community.

Lectionary Circles

Please join us for a discussion centered on the appointed readings each Sunday in the Rector's Office.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Altar Guild Needs You!

If you attended any of the church services, you surely must have enjoyed the majestic beauty of the church as well as the beautiful music and services. The Altar Guild is responsible for all the flower arrangements and the changing of the vestments and Altar decor. The Festival Se, which is used only during Christmas and Easter services, is one of the many items under the care of the Altar Guild.

Special talented people are responsible for the beautiful flower arrangements. The flowers are donated by parishioners as memorials, or as thoughtful gifts for the beauty of the church. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Altar Guild needs your help. The number of members has dwindled considerably over the years due to people moving out of the area. Won't you consider volunteering your special talents to this particular ministry? For more information, please email Sonia Warfield, Directress, at Altar Guild.

Calling All Angels

St. Matthews has started a new outreach program called "Angel Network". We are a group of angels that reach out to our parishioners that have immediate and important needs and do not have a way to expedite those needs. For example: you need a ride to a doctor appointment or grocery shopping. Check out this month's Tau Cross for more details if you would like to be an angel, please call Darlia Clerico.

eMail Sign Up or Update Information

Information Update Form

Please fill out this form to update your email address or to make any changes to your mailing information. We ask that you sign up to receive the Tau Cross by email. You will receive your Newsletter faster this way, and help also to keep costs down. Your email address will be used solely for emailing church announcements and news.

Picture Gallery

We've added a new feature to the website: a Picture Gallery containing images of St. Matthew's - including old historic photographs of the church built in 1865, images of capturing the beauty of the church today, and snapshots from church events. Come check it out!

Help raise money for our Sunday School by registering with eScrip. You simply register your Safeway Club Card and/or credit cards with eScrip at 1-800-592-0942 or online at www.escrip.com.

Our Group ID is 137107192. Each time you shop using these cards, our Sunday School receives a percentage of your purchases.

If you have already registered with eScrip, please add St. Matthews to your list of supported organizations. You can support up to three organizations with your eScrip account.

NOTICE TO THOSE eSCRIP MEMBERS WITH SAFEWAY CARDS: Safeway is requiring all eScrip supporters to renew their commitment to Safeway on an annual basis by registering your club card number or phone number by November 1st. call 1-800-801-4973 and you will be asked for your Safeway Club Card Number.

Visit www.escrip.com and click on the "Yes Renew" check box. this is a better alternative if you don't have your club card number as you can provide your phone number instead.

If you have any questions about eScrip, please contact Church Operations Manager.