St. Matthews Church

Mabel & Frank Duprey, Jan Barton, Father Robert Willing, Cheryl, Donna Berg, Paula Popham, Pam Wilson, Velva Spencer, Allyn Krom, Alice Ploysungwan, Rob Chidester, Be Mills, Ben Cooper, Bethany MacGregor, Phil Carpenter, Brad Murphy, Katie & Matt, Paul Bryand, Mary & Roger, Mark Weatherbee, Tatiana Roodkowsky.

In the military: Jason Nagy, Aaron Doyle, Samuel Crumbaugh, Nathan Lusignan, Russell Shepard, Peter Gemma, Herbie Morris, Robert Strong, Elizabeth Black, Derek Piscitelli, Nathan Chenarak, Chaplain Frank Wismer, Stephen Hassink, Andrew Moisan.

We continue praying for peace, stability and justice in Liberia. For peace in Iraq and the Middle East, the Sudan and Somalia. We pray for the coming election of a new bishop for Liberia. We pray for the continuing efforts to end the enslavement of our fellow human beings around the world. We pray for outreach programs in our neighborhood, especially at the Village at Cambridge Street, Salvation Army, Jeremiah's Inn, and the South Worcester Neighborhood Center.

The next opportunity for Baptism will be on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday, May 11, 2008, at the 10 AM service (yes, it’s Mother’s Day, too!). If you wish to bring a child for the Sacrament of Baptism on Easter Eve, please speak with the Rector as soon as possible. Minimum requirements for parents bringing infants and very young children for Baptism are regular attendance at worship, and consultation with the Rector. For older children and adults, a period of preparation is required. For more information, please see Mother Strong!

Baptized into New Life in Christ:

Olivia Jean Martocci, Daniel Antonio Perez, Justine Marie Perez, Adrianna Marie Perez & Jason Manuel Perez, on the Second Sunday of Easter, March 30, 2008 ....“We receive you into the Household of God…”

Buried with the prayers of the Church:

Ann Marie Wintzel, on February 22, 2008

Orall Eugene Peabody, on March 7, 2008

Joseph Circo, on April 12, 2008

“Let light perpetual shine upon them…”

Those who serve in this ministry include Ken Berg, Phil Carpenter, Paul Bryand, Millie Cummings, Chris Konneh, Steve MacGregor, David Saydee and Withfield Felix. Children serve as ushers during the monthly Children's Service collecting change (and some bills too) for Rachel's Table.

Chair: Karen Beaudoin. Robin Chenarak, Judy Chilton, Dartulah Gailor, Musu Konneh, Kelly MacGregor, Kim Rossi, Charlotte Townsend, Betsy Weatherbee, and Pam Wilson.

Anyone interested in learning about the Altar Guild's essential ministry at St. Matthew's, please contact either Karen Beaudoin or Charlotte Townsend for more information. Members meet four times a year. Two of these days are used for cleaning for Christmas and Easter. One Saturday in January is used as a Quiet Day with time for prayer, reflection and sharing a meal. Our evening meeting is in late August and includes bible study, prayers and a light evening meal. Our ministry involves preparing the church for weekly services and special occasions.

The Altar Guild sponsored “The Imagination of Their Hearts,” a Quiet Day on Worship, on Saturday, January 12th. Quiet Day meditations were led by the Reverend Sister Jean Campbell, OSH, a life-professed member of the Order of Saint Helena, an Anglican women’s religious order. Sister Jean is also a Rector of Trinity Church, Fishkill, NY, and has served on the Standing Liturgical Commission of The Episcopal Church. She is well-known throughout the church as a thoughtful and creative liturgist. Over 14 attended this opportunity to reflect on “what we do and why we do it” when we worship!

“Come away for a space…and refresh yourselves…” (Jesus, to his disciples, in the Gospels).

Contact the church office if you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for our many blessings towards altar flowers.

Flowers are generally placed on the Altar at Saint Matthew’s every Sunday of the year with the EXCEPTION of most of the Sundays in Lent. You may not have given much thought to how they get there, or how to offer to sponsor the flowers on a particular Sunday, especially if you are relatively new to Saint Matthew’s. Here’s what you need to know:

The total cost for flowers each Sunday is $ 25.00 (two arrangements). The cost may be divided between two persons wishing to place flowers on a given Sunday, or may be paid in full by one person making a flower offering.

In order to place flowers, either in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving, please call Pamela Wilson (508-987-0396). She can tell you what dates are available to place flowers.

To sponsor the Aumbry Light, please call Pamela Wilson. The cost per candle is $3.50. Each Aumbry Light burns for 7 days before requiring replacement.

The Vestry has decided that there will not be flowers placed on the Altar in June, July and August UNLESS they are sponsored by parishioners. In the past, we have absorbed the cost, but there is no budget line for Altar Flowers, and therefore, this represents an “unfunded” item, unless people give designated gifts. The Altar Guild has indicated that it is willing to accept cut flowers from home gardens if there are members of Saint Matthew’s who would like to bring bouquets to church during the summer. Please speak with Karen Beaudoin if you would like to do this.

Choir rehearses every Sunday morning at 9 am. Add your voice in songs of praise! See Don for more information.