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January 2014

The Annual meetings for both Calvary and St.

Matthews Church will be held in January.

St. Matthews Annual Meeting will be held

Sunday, January 12, following the morning

worship. A potluck dinner will proceed the

meeting. Meat, rolls, and beverages will be

provided.

Calvary Hyannis’ Annual Meeting will be held

following the morning worship on Sunday,

January 19th

. There will be a potluck lunch

prior to the meeting.

Please submit any reports as soon as possible so

the report may be included in the meeting

booklet.

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS

This year, we are planning on publishing

our own Lenten Devotional Booklet and are

requesting that members of both parishes submit

one or more devotionals to be used in our Lenten

Devotional Booklets. We are asking members to

submit personally written devotionals or to submit

devotionals that have been meaningful to them.

Ash Wednesday is March 5th

so the booklets will

need to be available prior to that date. The date

for submitting your devotionals will be Monday,

February 24th

. Over the past few years we have

had studies which have deepened our faith and

now is the opportunity to share with others what

we have discovered. Remember the devotionals

need to be submitted by February 24th

.

From Father Coke’s Study—

In the church calendar, the season that

begins after the Twelve Days of Christmas is

Epiphany. I have been impressed that in past

years, St. Matt’s parish marked January 6th

with an

Epiphany Pageant. In future years, I hope to plan

similar events that will recapture the importance

of the message that Christ came to save all

people—including non-Hebrew folks like the

three Magi!

It’s important to remember that the Church

is not merely organized for the convenience of a

few people. Christ’s manifestation is to the entire

world—hence, we remember at Epiphany that the

Gentile wise men from the East came to the

Bethlehem manger. The three magi came to see

and to hear and to experience as fully as possible

this promised anointed one of God, the Messiah.

How does this story have anything to with

our lives? It is obvious that Christ has come for

all the nations—are there not Christian churches

throughout the world? It is obvious that just as the

three magi were migrants—as Christians we

support and respect people who are migrants and

other people whose lives are in transition.

There’s not much more to say unless we

are willing to evaluate our lives in light of the

Gospel of Jesus Christ that is so radically inclusive

that even the Three Wise Men came to pay

homage to Jesus.

I believe our churches need to be guided

by how Christ has ministered to the entire world—

both Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and

female…

---No longer can we continue to be

perceived as primarily an institution—

we must be experienced as a community

that cares about and helps human beings.

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---No longer can we continue to be

perceived as an exclusive religious club—

we need to work even harder at making

people feel welcome and affirmed and help

them discover their gifts for ministry.

---We need to understand ourselves as

Christ’s Church—as the visible

representation of the Word become flesh

(Gospel of John, Chapter 1) that makes the

difference for people here and now.

---We need to see ourselves as “the

ambassadors of Christ” working

as Christ worked—healing the pain and

the brokenness, embracing people,

affirming them and encouraging them to

grow spiritually and to cultivate

responsible values.

Thank God for the excellent previous work

of church leaders in organizing and promoting the

Mission Store and, now more recently, the

Bulldog Backpack Program. This commitment in

becoming a more missional church has done much

to help our parish grow spiritually. Clearly, God’s

spirit is moving in our midst because of this

commitment to local mission!

But there’s more to do be done!

We need to be conservative in

remembering the ancient stories and thus always

be a biblical church that reads the scriptures,

interprets them and seeks to nurture relationships

guided by the stories of old.

We need also to be liberal with all people

in affirming them and helping them. We

strengthen the Body of Christ whenever we reach

out to others who need a helping hand. We help

Christ come now into this broken and troubled

world when we serve as Christ’s “ambassadors of

reconciling love.”

Happy New Year and see you in church!

Father Coke McClure

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR POSITION

Suzi Lore, parish administrator for the past

two years, has resigned effective March 31, 2014.

Anyone interested in the position should send a

letter of interest and a personal resume in care of

the vestry to the church before February 10th

. The

applications will be reviewed at the vestry meeting

on February 11th

with interviews during the

following week. A job description will be

available after the January 7th

vestry meeting.

SERVICE SCHEDULE

FOR ST. MATTHEWS

JANUARY 5: 10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST

CELEBRANT: FR. COKE MCCLURE

LEADERS: KRISTY DEANS AND PAT ZOBEL

MUSICIAN: SUE DIMMITT

ACOLYTE: KATHY GRAHAM

JANUARY 12: 10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST

CELEBRANT: FR. COKE MCCLURE

LEADERS: DOUG DIETRICH AND KATHY GRAHAM

MUSICIAN: CYNTHIA HORN

ACOLYTE: JAKE MCCAFFREY

JANUARY 19: 10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST

CELEBRANT: DEACON CHERYL HARRIS

LEADERS: KATHY WORLEY AND BILL RENO

MUSICIAN: SUE DIMMITT

ACOLYTE: ANNE ADAM

JANUARY 26: 10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST

CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY

JOINT SERVICE CALVARY AND ST. MATTHEWS

CELEBRANT: BISHOP SCOTT BARKER

LEADERS: TBA

MUSICIAN: SUE DIMMITT

ACOLYTE: PAT ZOBEL

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Calvary

3 – Vicki Boldt

4 – Gary Boldt

12 – Crystal Cover

14 – Chris Cover

15 – Ruth Burgess

16 – Marisa Benson

25 – Joy Boyer

25 – Leslie Roseberry

28 – Peg Fosdick

St. Matthews

1 – Todd Harris

4 – Mark Cover

4 – Jack Feddersen

5 – Marisol (Maudi) Reza

6 – Lori Watson

7 – Cindy Mracek

8 – Susan Dyer

8 - Shirley Curtis

10 – Morgan Dietrich Wimmer

10 – David Feddersen

14 – Mike Mittlestadt

15 – Bonnie Dietrich

27 – Doug Dietrich

27 – Suzi Lore

28 – Sherrie Feddersen

29 – Jim Dickenson

29 – Ted & Kaye Hempel

ST. MATTHEWS ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2014 FOLLOWING

MORNING WORSHIP. ALL ORGANIZATIONS ARE

ASKED TO HAVE THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS INTO

THE CHURCH OFFICE NO LATER THAN JANUARY

8TH AT NOON TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL

REPORT BOOKLET.

Juice for January

The January food item for the Backpack program

is juice. The individually wrapped juice boxes

work well.

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

I can’t thank my St. Matthew’s family enough for

all the support you give the Bulldog Backpack

Program all year long. You touch the lives of

many children with your monthly monetary and

food donations. Sometimes I know who brings

things but most of the time I just find little bags of

groceries and know you care. You are awesome!!

Cheryl

Christmas Food Baskets

The Parish Hall was a lively place during

the packing of the Christmas boxes on Dec. 22.

“Organized chaos” were the words that come to

mind. Everyone was busy wrapping the boxes in

Christmas wrapping paper and choosing foods to

put in the boxes. Heartfelt thanks to those who

donated the hams, potatoes and grocery items and

to those who contributed monetarily. We had no

shortage of volunteers to deliver the boxes –

thanks, also, to those who delivered. From the

comments I heard, I believe that we’ll be

participating again next year. What a blessing that

we who have so much can share with those who

aren’t as fortunate.

Happy New Year!

Cheryl

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CALVARY SERVICE

SCHEDULE

JANUARY 5: 4:00 PM HOLY EUCHARIST

CELEBRANT: FR. COKE MCCLURE

LECTOR: MARINA GARNER

JANUARY 12: 10:00 AM MORNING PRAYER

LECTOR: JOY BOYER

JANUARY 14: 6:00 PM VESTRY MEETS

JANUARY 19: 10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST

ANNUAL MEETING

CELEBRANT: FR. COKE MCCLURE

LECTOR: LESLIE ROSEBERRY

GREET & TREAT: POTLUCK LUNCH FOLLOWED

BY THE ANNUAL MEETING

JANUARY 26: 10:00 AM JOINT CELEBRATION OF NEW

MINISTRY AT ST. MATTHEWS

CELEBRANT: BISHOP SCOTT BARKER

LEADERS: TBA

REMEMBER TO STOP BY THE NEW LIBRARIES

AT BOTH CALVARY AND ST. MATTHEWS.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED

BOOKS AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED

ORGANIZE THE BOOKS!

A Celebration of New Ministry will

be held during our regular morning worship service Sunday, January 26.

The Rite Reverend Scott Barker, Bishop of the Diocese of Nebraska, will serve

as Celebrant. This is a joint service with Calvary Hyannis. Following the

service a parish dinner will be held.

Meat, rolls, dessert and beverages will be provided by St. Matthew’s Guild and

the Vestry. Parish members are asked to bring a vegetable or salad side dish.

All are invited to participate in this special day in the life of St. Matthews

and Calvary parishes.

SPIRITUALITY 101

MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE

DISCUSSION GROUP EACH SUNDAY MORNING AT

9:00 AM. THE GROUP HAS CHOSEN THE BOOK

“THE POWER OF PAUSE: BECOMING MORE BY

DOING LESS” BY TERRY HERSHEY.

“Slowing down in a fast-forward world. Terry

Hershey, an ordained minister and popular speaker,

understands that slowing down is difficult when life

is busy and getting busier. However, he also knows

from personal experience that there is always a

price to pay if we don t regularly take time simply

to pause to cease activity, to treasure quiet time,

and to discern the deep meaning of life s little

moments.”

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ST. MATTHEW’S VESTRY MINUTES Tuesday, December 10, 2013 Father Coke called the Vestry meeting to order at 6:05 PM. Father Coke shared a prayer from Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton. Monthly Treasurer’s Report: The Vestry reviewed the cash activity report for November and the treasurer’s report for January of 2013 through November of 2013. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: It was moved to approve the November 2013 minutes as read. The motion carried. Finance Committee Report: Mark stated that Kristy Dietrich, treasurer, would direct the Vestry in putting together the budget for 2014. Parish Administrator’s Report: In Suzi Lore’s absence the Vestry reviewed the report she submitted. The Parish Administrator’s report was approved. After much thought, Suzi felt it was time for St. Matthews to hire a new parish administrator. She has submitted her resignation effective April 1, 2014. Suzi would like someone in place by March 1 or sooner so she may train the new person. She will work on the job description for her position. It was moved to accept Suzi’s resignation. The motion carried. Buildings and Grounds Committee: A security light in the main parking lot is out. Dean will ask Mike to contact Bob Hill. Rector’s Report: Father Coke shared that Kate Baxley from the Diocesan staff would be leaving. It will be a great loss.

Old Business Result of Consecration Sunday Campaign: Kristy will work with Suzi to send out a letter to those parish members who were not able to attend Consecration Sunday. The letter will ask them for their participation in the financial support of St. Matthew’s during the coming year. Samaritan’s Purse Donations: Father Coke reported that St. Matthew’s parish had filled 32 Christmas shoeboxes for children in need through Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief program. Pictorial Directory: Father Coke stated the pictorial directory is almost finished. Deb Cover and Tamara McClure and others serving on this ad hoc committee are putting the finishing touches on the activity pages. Annual Meeting: There will be a potluck for the Annual Meeting on January 12. Mark will ask John Adam to cook the meat. The Vestry discussed paying John for the meat, but John prefers it to be a donation. The Vestry would still like to do something special for him. Melba will set up for the potluck. Celebration of New Ministry: Father Coke reported his Celebration of New Ministry would be held on January 26th. Bishop Barker will preside at the Sunday service. A potluck will follow. After discussion, the Vestry decided to provide fried chicken and ham. Melba will order the chicken. Father Coke will have Tamara call Melba about the ham. Melba will set up for the potluck. Recruiting Three Cantors for Leading Liturgical Singing: Father Coke stated it is still in process. New Business Budget Building Discussion: Kristy went through the budget development and analysis

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report with the Vestry. Adjustments were made as needed to build the church budget for 2014. At the January meeting the Vestry will finalize the budget. A copy of the church budget will be presented at the Annual Meeting. Father Coke received St. Matthew’s Church Faith Asking for 2014 from the Diocese of Nebraska. It decreased from $17,391.00 in 2013 to $15,703.00 in 2014. It was moved to accept the Church Faith Asking for 2014. The motion carried. Payments will be made quarterly. Election of Vestry Members for 2014: Mark Cover’s term as Senior Warden will end. Mike Dietrich will be nominated for Senior Warden and Dean Huckfeldt as Junior Warden. Adjournment: The Vestry meeting was adjourned at 8:54 PM. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 14, at 6:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melba Dickenson Clerk of the Vestry