An Update from the Rector and Wardens
Dear friends & members of St. Matt's,
What a wonderful celebration we had of our graduating Seniors this past Sunday! Thank you to staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make it so, and to the team who delivered balloons and packages to our Seniors! Special thanks to Sophie Sudano for her beautiful reflection and for reminding us to look for the bright spots. And congratulations to all of our graduates on their growth and achievements - may God bless you in the years ahead.
BRIGHT SPOTS
Even though this season of COVID-19 has been challenging, there have been many real bright spots.
- Worship Leaders: We have had so many participants in our virtual services, sometimes as many as 20 or 30 a Sunday. Thank you Dave Cristini, Sharon Pearson, Sam, Scott, Don and our dedicated Choir. If you are interested in reading or participating in worship going forward, please be in touch with Nancy, we would love to see you on screen!
- Many ways to Connect: Among them, Virtual Coffee Hour, Compline on Tuesdays, Morning Prayer on Wednesdays, many Adult Formation series, Youth Group Activities, Virtual Church School, Trivia nights, Bingo Night, Virtual Potluck, and more.
- Pastoral Care: The Pastoral Care Team continues to check in on many among us. Tom Carlson has been making special deliveries to some of our seniors. Thank you to the Pastoral Care Team and the Vestry who continue to reach out and check in on folks. If you need anything – groceries, prescription pick up, a virtual hug, you name it - please don’t hesitate to ask. We will love each other through this. Please be in touch with Pam Ely or with Marissa if you need anything at all.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
While our expenses have stayed relatively flat, we are missing our Sunday plate offerings. We have set up a digital offertory: https://www.
We have also set up the ability to make recurring pledge payments. You can visit https://www.
AUCTION UPDATE
As you know, we have had to rethink this year's auction because we cannot gather in person. This year we had budgeted $48,000 in income from the auction, which would be a big loss.
Our FUNrai$ing team (Brian and Jen Angerame, Colin and Jess Christ, Dodo Roberts, and Tim Jarvis) has been thinking creatively how we can make up for that. Our first two events, the Mother's Day Giveaway and Bingo Night raised over $5000. Thank you!
On Saturday, June 6th, we will be having our first ever virtual Evening of Giving. Please join us for a fun night with special surprises! If you would like to donate an item, give in advance, or have any questions, please contact Brian Angerame.
Stay tuned for more details on our limited number of silent auction items, and other ways you can give. We are asking those who are able, to give generously, because in times like this, it is reasonable to assume that some of us may not be able to. That’s one way we can love each other through this.
If you missed our Parish Update on May 3rd, please check it out here. In it, you will see again that our faith teaches us that God is not in the virus, God did not send us this season. And yet, God is very present with us and in our response to the virus, in the ways we love each other and our community. Thank you for the many ways that you are responding in love and for your support of St. Matt's. Thank you to the Vestry for their continued leadership. Thank you to all our staff and volunteers who are working so hard.
If there is anything we can do to support you, or if you would like to become more involved let us know. There are so many ways to connect and be involved. And you are so important to us and to our life together. Know that all of you are a bright spot for us and it is a privilege to serve God with you at St. Matthew’s.
Faithfully,
Jen, Brian, and Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector