Discipleship
DISCIPLINESHIP TEAM REPORT
Adult Education: Tim Ridolfi
The curriculum for the months of July and August was prepared by Jill Rich for the inter-generational Sunday School class on the subject of “Worship”. The committee also approved the study of “The Message of Daniel” by Ronald S. Wallace for the fall. The theme of this book is “the Lord is King, even in Babylon”; a timely lesson in our present age. This study began in September and is scheduled to conclude on December 7 th. Chuck and Scottie began a series on relationships for young couples in September as well. The committee said goodbye to Donald Sutherland as he and his family moved to St. Louis. We are appreciative of his contributions as a committee member and chair and wish him Godspeed. Beyond the “nuts and bolts” of planning and scheduling the committee is prayerfully looking at how it can encourage the members of the church to participate in the Adult Christian Education ministry. We are aware of the need to reach the members between the ages of 18 – 35 and are examining ways to minister to this vital age group. In planning for next year, our emphasis during Epiphany will be on “The Church as a Community” and we will be examining passages from the Epistles of Paul to see how we can glorify God as a community of believers.
Children's Christian Education: Jill Rich - Director of Christian Education (DCE)
The fall season is full of celebration. We have harvest festivals, pumpkin festivals, apple festivals, Thanksgiving and finally, Christmas. This fall is no different for Children’s Christian Education. We are thankful for so much and have much to celebrate. This school year, we will utilize over 100 adult volunteers! Almost a third do not have children in the infant to 5 th grade program and over half of our Sunday School teachers are men. Eight of our twenty Sunday School teachers are also new to Children’s ministry. Supervisors keep Sunday School running smoothly each morning. So many have humbly and kindly answered the plea to lend a hand and for that, the Children’s Christian Education committee is grateful. We have so many reasons to rejoice. As we look around to our last quarter of 2008, we are filled with delightful anticipation. We have begun a playgroup for infants and toddlers. All parents and kids are welcome to join us every other Friday morning at 9:00 to 11:00 in the Infant Nursery starting October 10th. This is a great time for moms to enjoy each others’ company and for the children to play. The Sunday School children and their parents will be making Advent wreaths on November 16th during the Sunday School hour in the Parish Hall. Last year we had a lot of fun and the family wreath is a beautiful way to count down to Christmas. The year will culminate with our Christmas Pageant on December 21st during the 10:30 Worship Service. This is a great time for the children to contemplate Jesus’ story while they learn the importance of sharing His story. Thank you all for your continued prayers for the children of St. Matthew’s and the volunteers.
Youth Ministry: Anne Randolph Tab
See the October Presentation to the Vestry
Christian Men's Fellowship (CMF): Boyd Brown
No report
Small Groups: Lee Pemberton
No report
Cursillo: Sarah Pemberton
During September and October, the Cursillo group read and discussed weekly Philip Yancey’s book: “Prayer”. During November and December, we will be participating in a Bible study on The Book of Daniel.
Library: Sandra Holland
No report
Altar Guild: Mary-Meade Lee
The Altar Guild Steering Committee decided not to have a Fall meeting. Instead a memo was sent with a list of important notes and reminders. This memo was sent out by email for the first time. A mailed copy was sent to those members without email. Lynda Jenkins will continue training new members as well as offering a renewal for current members. Amy Trehune joined us this Spring and we are very grateful to have her. We are still looking for new members and it was suggested that guild members reach out and ask new members. A new wafer box was purchased and the old one was refurbished. We now have 2 boxes that can be used on Sundays when there is Communion at the 10:30 service.
Usher's Guild: Mal Kerley and Sam Kirby
There are no outstanding issues for the Usher’s Guild at this time.
LayLiturgical Leaders: Mario Gonzales
Nothing new to report at this time.
Audio Guild: Norm Hyde
The Audio Guild has stayed busy this year recording sermons and posting them on the new web site. The new digital recorder is working well, and has really made our recording efforts much easier. We recorded Johnny Kurcina’s talks at Shrine Mont digitally! We also installed a hearing assistance system in the sanctuary which has been popular with some parishioners, including members of the choir. We dropped down to only four members last summer but two new volunteers have been trained and will join us in the rotation shortly. We hope to recruit a former member back into our group. As always, more members would be welcomed. One of our new members is a seasoned citizen, so it’s not that technical a job. If you would like to learn more about serving the Lord and our congregation this way, contact Norm Hyde at 346 3116. Thank you for your support throughout this year.
Acolytes: Susan Custer
Currently twenty-five of St Matthew’s younger congregants serve as acolytes. I have found them uniformly to be willing and responsible servers. Due to my illness we missed a September training day for a few who were changing functions, but they taught each other and worked with the ministers to ensure full coverage. Please let me know if there is anything the vestry would like to have me do differently.
Music Ministry: B. J. Barlow
See the October presentation to the Vestry.