December 2018

[Pages:8]December 2018

Blue Christmas: It's Not Just an Elvis Presley Song

Are the holidays a hard time for you? In the midst of all the wonder, joy, and celebration of Christmas, with its carols, parties, decorating, baking, gift giving, and family time, it is easy to forget that, for some of us, the holidays are filled with mixed and complex emotions and memories. SomeFr. Frank Impicciche times, these emotions stem from grief over the loss of a loved one, or a trauma associated at this time of the year, or other events like illness, caring for a loved one, job loss, financial strain, divorce, or strained family relationships. When it feels like life has been turned upside down, the last thing you might feel like doing is singing Joy to the World! For you, it may not be "the most wonderful time of the year."

The constant reminders on the radio, television, on billboards, and in shopping malls about the happiness of the season and about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost. The pressure to "feel happy" during the holidays can be intense. If we don't have the space to acknowledge our pain and loss or force ourselves into all the festivities of the season, then it is like our grief is invisible, like it isn't real, or that the tension we feel goes unnoticed.

In recognition that, for many, holidays don't feel so wonderful anymore, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church will offer a Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service on Friday, December 21 at 7:00pm.

A Blue Christmas service is often referred to as a "Longest Night Service" because it is held on the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, just a few days before Christmas. It also recognizes that the private night hours are often the most difficult.

This service, open to anyone and everyone, is an opportunity acknowledge that, in a more poignant way this season can be trying and difficult. By making use of silence and candlelight and music, this service will provide a gentle, warm gathering space to acknowledge our sadness, to know that we are not alone, and to encourage each other to live the days ahead of us. Grieving with others is healing because, together, we can experience empathy, comfort, and prayer, while giving voice to the hope that comes from God's promises, even in the midst of our hurt.

I hope you will join us.

Page 2 Reports: Vestry/Outreach Page 3 Outreach cont./Christian Ed. /Announcements Page 4 Announcements cont. /Ministry Schedule

Page 5 Happenings Page 6 Happenings cont./Coming Events Page 7 Coming Events cont.

Reports

VESTRY

Vestry meeting summary for November

Vestry Members Present: Steve Albrecht, Natalie Palmer, Celeste Sheets-Eaton, Greg Staab, Linda Sykes. Priest-in-Charge Frank Impicciche, Vestry Clerk Dale Caldwell were also present.

Greg Staab

Sowders

Vestry Members Absent: Jeff Weir, Phil

2019 Budget Formulation

The only item of business discussed at this meeting was the 2019 Operating Budget. Natalie Weir, Treasurer, had proposed several items for discussion, and these were reviewed in detail.

Among the budget line items which drew detailed discussion were:

Rectory Income/Expense - projected expenditures on the Rectory in both 2018 and 2019

Diocesan Support (which will be the same as 2018)

Building Rental Income, including discussion specific to long-term renters

Discretionary Fund ? folding it into the operating budget

Possible use of a special Children's Fund for 2019 expenses and projects

Mission & Outreach ? provide concrete budgets for specials projects including Community Day.

Diocesan Convention ? provide realistic budget for those attending

Fr. Frank and the Parish Administrator were requested to review a couple of the current service providers and see what savings might be realized.

The annual Individual Contributions income for 2018 was projected based on income received through the end of October and assumed fulfilled outstanding pledges. This figure, used as the basis for 2019 Individual Contribution income, along with a 10% increase in the Disbursements portion of the budget, and with no projected Rectory income resulted in a deficit budget that is LESS than the deficit budget that was approved for 2018. The results of the Stewardship Campaign (In-Gathering on November 25) will ultimately determine the 2019 budget. A much clearer picture will be seen by the December Vestry meeting.

November Financial Review

According toTreasurer Natalie Weir, as we have been anticipating, we have a deficit for November which results in a deficit for the year and is actually understated because expenses do not include any rectory repairs nor reimbursable expenses for Frank for the month and for Dale for the year. In addition, individual contributions are down in November as compared to the monthly average for the year.

Summary:

Total Receipts Total Disbursements Surplus/Deficit

Actual $176,838 $181,810 ($4,972)

Budget $159,966 $178,066 ($18,100)

OUTREACH

E-Team has November meeting

The E-Team met on November 13. The group is still going through the lists of ideas written on the survey cards. They will still accept more ideas, just see one of the embers. Better yet, attend the next meeting. Guests, new

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members, and ideas are always welcome. The next meeting is December 11 at 7 pm in the boardroom at the church.

Cultivating our desire for God this Advent

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

This past Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, the members of St. Matthew's took a remarkable step toward

Adult Forum Schedule

bringing our neighbors and community a tangible experi- The Adult Forum begins each Sunday at 9:00 am in the Narthex

ence of God's loving presence.

"Cozy Corner."

Topics:

In this season of giving, every member of the parish was given November 4--December 23, The Episcopal Church Today: Its

$10

Organization, Holy Orders, Lay Formation, Operations, Out-

To go out and make a difference in someone's world. reach, and Charitable Efforts

January 6--February 17, Anyone Can Pray: An Exercise in Dif-

... $10 is not very much in our present day economy. But, I ferent Forms of Prayer

believe there are countless ways that it can be more than March 3--April 14, The Ten Commandments

enough to make a lasting difference. I heard it said once:

Announcements Never underestimate the widespread impact you can have even in tiny ways.

Each person will first pray and ask god to help them dis-

cern the best use for their $10.

Fr. Frank

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Please remember to support our outreach. December 5 Tom Higbie

December 5 Gary Wyne

As you are able, please consider giving to ICAN. ICAN Assistance center is a non-profit, tax deductible organization serving neighbors in the east side Irvington community with potential financial assistance, clothing an/or referrals to other programs which may meet the need.

December 6 Joan Porter December 7 Doris Wilkinson December 14 Suzanne Kissling December 15 Scott Matthews December 15 Denyse Palmer December 22 Nancy McFarland December 25 Jacob Cooper

You can mail personal checks made out to ICAN C/O IAM and December 26 Donna Humphreys

mail to ICAN, c/o Emerson Ave. Baptist Church, 308 N. Emer- December 27 Emily Albrecht

son Ave. Indianapolis, IN46219 or you can give on line at:

December 31 Therese Cooper

.

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

The Main office is at Irvington United Methodist Church, 30 N. Audubon. It is open Mon./Tues./Thurs. 9:30-11:30 a.m.

December 21 Joe and Esther Weaver

The Clothing Closet is located at Emerson Ave. Baptist Church,

The ICAN Food Pantry is located at the Downey Avenue Christian Church. Pantry hours are each Thursday (except Holidays) 1:00-3:00 PM. Enter at Hibben Street.

Please continue to help St. Matt's to help stock several neighborhood shelters and pantries on the far east side with toilet paper and other toiletries. Thank you all for helping.

The Community Outreach Ministry, Eastside (COME) is designed to assist with utility bills, rent and mortgage payments, referrals to other agencies, and, of course, food.

Remember: Please sign up for Coffee Hour. Bring

some of your favorite pastry and fix the coffee.

The next Wednesday Pitch-In will be on Wednesday, December 19 following the 10 am service. Come join the fun. Bring whatever; there's no set menu.

Friday, December 28 is the deadline for sending in any events, meeting dates and times, articles, etc. for the January MATTerings.

St. Matthew's contributed $830 to the Crop Walk. Thank you for your generosity.

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Book, Yarn, and Prayer will meet on Monday, December 10 at 7 pm at St. Matt's. This date change will permit those who wish to go to Trinity to attend Monday, December 3 "Shining a Light: an interfaith service for those impacted by sexual violence.

We plan to finish our sewing project of the pillowcase dresses for Africa snd other hand crafts. Roscio has promised to find a book for us to discuss during the discussion part to begin in January. All are welcome.

Remember: St. Matt's has an 8am service each Sunday. It is

Rite ll, spoken, quiet, and reflective that allows time for introspection and meditation to refresh the soul and enliven the spirit.

Lessons & Carols readers for December 16

Thank you for volunteering to be Readers for Sunday, December 16 Lessons and Carols service at 10 am. 1. Mark Carpenter 2. Fr. Steve Giovangelo 3. Vicki Mansfield 4. Suzanne Kissling 5. Missy Ellis 6. Allan Wallace 7. Crystal Black 8. Melissa Kleine 9. Joe Weaver

I am available as a last minute substitute, if needed. Alice

Sunday Ministry Schedule December 2018

Ministry Schedule

Lectors

Intercessor Chalice Crucifer/ Ushers

Oblations Counters

December 2

10:00 AM Advent 1

December 9

10:00 AM Advent 2

Mark Carpenter

Natalie Weir

Suzanne Kissling Vicki Mansfield

Missy Ellis Andy Wilkinson

Andy Wilkinson Joe Weaver

December

16

10:00 AM

Advent 3

1 Mark Carpenter 2 Steve Giovangelo

3 Vicki Mansfield 4 Suzanne Kissling

5 Missy Ellis

6 Allan Wallace 7 Crystal Black 8 Melissa Kleine 9 Joe Weaver

none

Bonnie Godfrey

December 23

10:00 AM Advent 4

Joe Hauptmann

Joan Porter

Suzanne Kissling Elaine Mattson

December 30

10:00 AM Christmas 1

Joe Weaver

Alice Moody

Elaine Mattson Allan Wallace

January 6

10:00 AM Epiphany

Jennifer Albrecht

Allan Wallace

Joan Porter Suzanne Kissling

Cody Lock

Brayton Leswing

Devon Teague

Allan Wallace Bonnie Godfrey

Joe Weaver

Natalie Palmer

Missy Ellis

Denyse Palmer

Greg Staab

Vicki Mansfield Melissa Kleine

Albrecht family

Greg Staab

Julie Hauptmann

Angie Wilkinson Jennifer Albrecht

Jeff Weir

Natalie Weir Missy Ellis Greg Staab Joe Hauptmann Zella Rosene

Andy Wilkinson

Angie Wilkinson

Joe Weaver Kaye Palmer

Natalie Palmer

Missy Ellis

Randy Davenport

Joe Weaver

Natalie Palmer Denyse Palmer Celeste Sheets-

Eaton Jon Robbins

Kaye Palmer

Jeff Higbie Natalie Weir

Jeff Weir Andy Wilkinson

Linda Sykes

Altar Guild

Team 1

Team 2

Team 3

Team 4

Team 5

Team 1

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If you are unable to serve, please find a substitute and advise the Parish Office. Thank you.

Happenings

In-Gathering Sunday

THANK YOU to Ron and Brenda Iaccoca for providing a wonderful In-Gathering meal. Also THANK YOU to Joan Porter and Kaye Palmer for serving as the as the Stewardship Planning Committee.

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ARPO and St. Matthew's Pet Pictures with Santa and Pancake Breakfast

Setting up for Advent

Coming Events

Join us for a St. Matthew's Outing Wednesday, December 12 after the 10 am service

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Celebrating Fr. Frank's birthday with Pie Sunday

We will see the beautiful exhibit and enjoy a lunch together at the Indiana Historical Society.

We will also have $2 off coupons to the Indiana experience.

For those who can't make December 12, there will be a signup sheet in the Narthex with information about group rates for the event. If you have questions, see Natalie Palmer.

Advent Events

Lessons & Carols

St. Matthew's will delve deeply into the themes of Advent in a service of Lessons & Carols, Sunday morning, December 17, led by the singing and hand bell choirs.

celebrate again at Christmas the gift of grace in Christ's coming as a baby. We also pray that, at His second coming, "Thy Kingdom come" will be finally

Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service

The service will begin Friday, December 21 at 7:00 pm.

The four Sundays of Advent are penitential in nature Greening of the Church All are welcome to help

and are marked by watching and waiting for the

in the greening of the church after the 10 am service on

coming of God's Kingdom. The service traces the

December 23.

human journey, beginning with the fall of humanity

in the garden of Eden, and proceeding through God's Christmas Eve Service The prelude with

promises and the prophecies of Christ's coming. Our special music and carols for all will begin at 9:30 pm.

anticipation grows through this season until we can The service will follow at 10:00 pm.

H

I

A

Christmas Decorations are provided through your generous donations

Each Christmas beautiful flowers and decorations in our church are provided by our parishioners. These are offered in memory of departed loved ones, to celebrate blessings, or simply to rejoice in the Glory of God!

Your donation will help provide beautiful Christmas decorations within the parish. Please complete this form including your donation and place in the offertory plate or mail to the parish office. Your

memorial contribution will be listed in the weekly bulletin.

In Thanksgiving for / In Memory of / In Celebration of:

By

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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St. Matthew's

Episcopal Church

Come Grow with Us!

Est.1916

8320E. 10th street * Indianapolis, IN *

All Are Welcome

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church 8320 East 10th Street Indianapolis, IN 46219-5399

Phone (317) 898-7807 FAX: (317) 898-1443 Parish E-mail office@ Priest-in-Charge E-mail frfrank@

December 2018

Formatting and editing: Esther Weaver, Photos by: Kaye Palmer and Alex Picillo St. Matthew's clergy and staff:

The Revd Frank Impicciche, Priest Dale Caldwell, Parish Administrator Crystal Black, Hand Bell Choir Director Dale Caldwell, Organist/Choirmaster

Services

? Sundays:

Holy Eucharist Rite II 8:00am and 10:00am

? Wednesdays : Holy Eucharist 10:00am

Nursery available on Sundays starting at 9:45 Parish Office Hours: Mon. & Thurs. 8am-1pm, Wed. 8am-2pm

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St. Matthew's Mission Statement

The mission of St. Matthew's is "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." We do this through worship of God, education of ourselves and our children, care for each other and outreach to others, sharing faith stores with others, and caring for all our resources (our time, treasure, and talents). Smatterings is published monthly except in the summer. The deadline is the 15th of the month for the following month's publication.

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