St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Fairbanks, Alaska

Whats New

*NEW*

9-3-10 updated
Video added

7-24-10
Booyah

9-3-10 updated
photos added

8-1-2010
Baptism (Deion Erhart)

9-2-10

8-28-2010
Edwin-Merculief Wedding

8-30-10

7-24-10
Booyah

8-26-10

6-19-10
Picnic Garage Sale

8-26-10

2-25-10

Baptism of Dax Campbell
8-26-10

1-13-10
Leah Wilson Baptism

Prayers of Intercession
Morning & Evening
Prayer Requests

Sunday Service Audio files
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Monthly Liturgical Schedule
Time and Talent Tithe
2007-2009 Newsletter Archives
2008 Sermons Audio Archive
2009 Sermons Audio Archive
2009 Bulletins
Ministries overview

Annual Meeting Reports

Altar Guild 2009 Annual Report

by Mary Johnston, co-chair

Altar guild is a ministry with responsibility to prepare the Church for all services. Members work to assist Fr Scott and enhance worship at St Matthew’s. Weekly duties include setting the altar for each service, cleaning up after services, tending candles and flowers, posting hymns, ensuring proper color of hangings, checking supplies, and caring for linens. As many members as possible meet monthly on a Saturday morning to clean brass, polish sliver, and oil wood. Altar guild also helps to decorate the Church for Easter and Christmas.

Altar guild at St Matthew’s works in three teams to cover the weekly duties and services. The teams rotate weeks, so altar guild members generally work one out of three weeks. Members also serve as chair of their group 2-3 times each year. This seems to be an effective way to share duties without overburdening any one member. We are flexible to accommodate members who travel or are unable to work for periods of time.

We welcomed two new members in 2009: Lucy Millington and Marlin Collins. Our other active members include Lori Gorsline, Pauline Wilson, Karen Kiss, Helen Burrell, Holly King, Cathy Giacomazzi, Dee Daniels, Laura Bender, Betsy Sharp, Marty Thomas, Marie Reid, Julia Cockerille, Maggie Castellini, Betsy Smith, Ann Fleenor, Diana Childs, Pat Sackinger and Mary Johnston. Two members resigned during the past year: Teresa Moore and Linda Mullen. Thank you to each of you for sharing your gifts and for your service to the Church.

Altar guild has room for new members and we invite you to join us. Please contact Mary Johnston, telephone 907-455-7245, or Cathy Giacomazzi, telephone 907-479-7736, for more information.

Church Education: 2009 Annual Report
by Patty Meritt, Director

Sunday School, since fall we have had about 15-20 different children involved in kids church. There are three regular participants. Interestingly, those 3 would have all had regular attendance at the 9:15 service as well. Those three tell me they are happy with the format, which is based on units of study and themes, rather than just following a newspaper/newsletter from a church curriculum packet.

Typically we leave the sanctuary after the collect in the 11:15 service, then do an active movement or game to get the wiggles out. Then we sing a song or two. We have our lesson, which is often in the form of stories. The children like to act them out and often re-create the story multiple times portraying different characters. Depending on the children, we either do the birthday prayer and offering before or after the lessons. We usually end with crafts and snacks. Typically we have 2-3 craft activities and the children often participate in all of them.

There have been two regular teachers and others who have helped with songs, snacks, cleaning and assisting with teaching. Although we have had a few people say they are interested in providing transportation, we have not had any families who have requested this. We have been posting monthly newsletters, sometimes with photos, on the wall going upstairs. You can see the names of the children who have attended, the people who have helped and some of the songs, activities and lessons we are learning. I can tell the lessons are interesting and fun because the children want to keep coming back and I see they are meaningful when the children show how they understand and are living the Word and lessons. It is so rewarding! Thanks to all who make it happen.

There is also a “wish list” for Sunday School needs. If you can help with any of those things, we would be happy to give you the details of what is needed. In March I will be out of town a bit and would definitely like an assistant or substitute teacher. Also, sometimes it seems like there are only 1-3 children, but many come after we leave church. Last week I left church with three and had 9 come. It is my belief we should always have a 2^nd teacher, so there may be days when you are asked to volunteer on the spur of the moment.

The Christmas pageant was such a wonderful experience, I wonder what you think of an Easter pageant, during the season, with the whole congregation? Not on Easter Sunday! I am sure the kids would enjoy this.

Thanks to the generous gifts by many people for snacks and supplies (blanket purchases!) we have not requested funds this fall for Kids Church. I do not anticipate a need for reimbursement or distribution of funds in the spring either. We will need more help and possibly funds if we have Vacation Bible School. Since we hope to have kids church year round, we will definitely need more teachers.

Other Church education this year has included the Lenten study on anti-Semitism, with Montie and Lynn Slusher. Another Lenten study is currently being proposed for 2010. Some of St. Matthew’s women also participate in Bible Study Fellowship (an 8 year course of study) and the local group would love to support a similar group for men, if there are those who are interested in exploring this avenue. Education for Ministry also continues with a dedicated group of about 10 on a 4 year program to study and apply the teachings.

A Youth group has been intermittently active and there are some families and parishioners who have been trying a variety of approaches to keep the teens and pre-teens connected to the church through music, games, movies and other activities. Again, thanks to all!

January 2010 Annual Meeting

Our Prayer Shawl Ministryby Bonnie J. Marsh

Sabbath Time

It matters not

Where or when

Together or alone

With gently whispering needles

And softly flowing yarn

Composing prayers from hearts to hands,

We find God’s love

And gladly pass it on.

2009 Prayer Shawl Ministry Annual Report

by Bonnie J. Marsh

Members of our Prayer Shawl Ministry enjoy creating a warm gift for others. Our meetings are usually held the fourth Sunday of each month after the 11:15 service in the Library. This year we have given 61 shawls and we have 21 completed shawls on hand.

Many of our members faithfully knit and/or crochet at home, during meetings, while traveling, or whenever their hands are free. St. Matthew’s members and the Fairbanks community have been extremely generous with donations of yarn. Our stash is astonishing! If you’re interested in joining us we have crochet hooks, knitting needles, patterns, yarn and encouraging teachers available. We welcome anyone who would like to share in this worthwhile ministry to join us.

There is a table of unfinished projects in the parish hall that were donated for others to complete. Please help yourself. We have yarn to complete them and can provide assistance to get started.

Completed shawls are kept in the Health Ministry office. They are available to anyone who needs extra prayers of comfort, compassion, support, healing, friendship, or celebration. If you know anyone who needs a shawl please ask us.

Ann Fleenor and Bonnie Marsh are Co-coordinators. We can be reached at:

Bonnie - 458-0223 Ann - 458-8143

Or you can talk to Hilary at the church office - 456-5235

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY

2009 Report from Roxy Wright

Information about EFM

Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EFM) program provides people from all walks of life with the education “to be” Christians and to carry out their ministry. It is helpful for us as Christians to have an education which supports our faith and which prepares us to express that faith in day-to-day events.

EFM is a worldwide program developed by the School of Theology of The University of the South. It holds before us that the foundation for bringing Christ to the world lies in a church empowered by an active, theologically articulate laity.

Thousands of persons have completed this four-year program. Students enroll one year at a time, can transfer almost anywhere in the USA and in many foreign countries, and can obtain 18 Continuing Education Units per year by participating.

For more information, including a prospectus or brochure, contact Tom Marsh at 458-0223 or Roxy Wright at 455-9300. You can also fill out the attached form and turn it into the church office.

___________________________________________

Our EFM group

Our EFM group meets once a week from September through May at the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska office on Denali Way. Tom Marsh, who finished the 4 year EFM program last May, joined me as a Co-mentor in September. Becky Snow, who had been mentoring, stepped down last spring due to other commitments.

Current participants are: Year One- Beverly Joseph, Cindy Stragier, Allen Todd, and Irene Nicholia-Todd; Year Three – Bella Jean Savino; Year Four – Bruce Gadwah, Bonnie Marsh, Kathy Mackey and Pauline Wilson.

On December 4, 2009 we were saddened by the death of Marjorie Kowalski-
Cole, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Marjorie had completed Year One of EFM and withdrew in November 2008 from Year Two. Though Marjorie is no longer with us, her strength and love live on in those whose lives she touched.

Health Ministry 2009 Report

by Ann Fleenor

Health Ministry encourages wellness, health promotion and disease prevention. It focuses on body, mind and spirit for the health and healing of the church community.

St. Matthew’s Health Ministry has tried to work toward promoting health and disease prevention in the following ways this past year.

Monthly there has been an informational display on some aspect of health or chronic disease in the Health Ministry cabinet. The cabinet is in the Parish Hall and the display has been left out during the week to be available for groups using the Parish Hall during the week. A Thank You goes to Louise Smith and Pat Sackinger for the displays.

The Health Ministry library is available most Sunday mornings. The library has books on spirituality, grief, disease prevention, chronic illness and healthy food recipes. These books can be signed out for use and returned when done with them. A Thank You to Lucy Millington, Marlin Collins and Louise Smith for making sure the library is available on Sundays.

Monthly blood pressure screening has been offered after the 8:00 service and between the 9:15 and 11:00 service. This usually occurs the last Sunday of the month.

Health Ministry has started printing Healing Prayers on cards with a picture of St. Matthew’s on one side and the prayer on the other side. These are placed by the weekly bulletin at the front pew of the church. They are for people to take and use as they wish in their prayer life. The prayer changes on a monthly basis. The prayer is also in the weekly bulletin under Health Ministry.

Healthy soups and desserts are prepared by Health Ministry members and offered between Sunday services during Nutrition and Diabetes month. Recipes for the food are available for people to take them home.

A presentation on the Medicare D Prescription Drug Program was presented by Cindy Stragier the last Sunday in October and the 1^St Sunday in November. This program was to assist people on Medicare to navigate the system and get financial assistance with prescribed medications. The attendance was minimal, but Cindy reports several people have come to her after services and ask questions.

At the start of flu season a brief presentation was done at the services to educate people on prevention precautions to avoid flu and encourage flu shots.

Pat Sackinger wrote the following report on the JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM 2009.

Among the many Health Ministry activities this past year was St. Matthews participation in the Journey to Bethlehem 2009. This program is sponsored by Providence Health and Social Services Alaska, using state and federal grants to both increase health and minimize chronic diseases. The principals involved decrease the incidence of type II diabetes, heart and lung disease, and generally promote healthier functioning. The program emphasizes eating healthier food, increasing activity, and reducing stress through prayer and meditation so that individuals are good stewards of their bodies and able to engage in God’s work on earth. We did accrue the greater than 5,774 miles to successfully complete this journey to Bethlehem again this year.

Grief packets were sent to church members who lost a Loved One during the church calendar year. Thank you to Mary Margaret Davis for doing this project.

A certified course on Parish Nursing/Health Ministry was presented in Fairbanks by Providence Hospital, Anchorage. Pat Sackinger, Cindy Stragier and Ann Fleenor completed the course. The hope is to implement some of the knowledge learned to better serve the community of St. Matthew’s

Health Ministry meets once a month on the last Monday of the month at 5pm in the Parish Library. Health Ministry is not just for people in allied health professions. Everyone is welcome to join us; and we need ideas and concerns from all the Church community.

Respectfully Submitted:

Ann Fleenor

January 2010

St. Matthew’s Choir 2009 Annual Report

by Barbara Hameister, Choir Director

The St. Matthew's choir continues in its ministry to provide an anthem for the 11:15 a.m. Sunday services from mid-September through Pentecost. We would love to have additional members! Even if you can't commit to an entire year, if you're at all interested please talk to Barb Hameister, choir director (455-7397, duet@alaska.net), or to any choir member. We love what we do, and have a lot of fun doing it. Please consider singing with us!

Liturgical Schedule Ministry Annual Report 2009

by Charlotte Perotti

THANK YOU to all the parishioners who so FAITHFULLY serve as lectors, chalice bearers, acolytes, crucifers, ushers and coffee hour hosts. THANK YOU TO ALL who keep me informed on your various schedules making my service lighter and easier.

The schedule is done on a 6 week basis and schedules the lectors or readers, chalice bearers, acolytes, crucifers, ushers and coffee hour hosts for all 3 services. Training is available for anyone who feels led to read lessons, psalms and prayers as well as serve as acolytes, crucifers, chalice bearers and ushers.

Coffee hour is offered after every service. At present, no one is signed up to host after the 9:15 service. There are only SIX VERY FAITHFUL persons that serve as coffee hour hosts at the 11:15 service. There is also training available for this ministry.

Come and join us! Especially needed are acolytes, crucifers, coffee hour hosts, chalice bearers, lectors and ushers. There is ONLY ONE usher now at 11:15 service.

Anyone interested in joining any of these ministries should sign up on the Time and Talent sheet. You will be contacted.

Thank you again to the lectors, chalice bearers, acolytes, crucifers, ushers and coffee hour hosts that have served so faithfully this year.

ECUMENICAL MISSION FOR SHELTER

2009 Report by Thomas Marsh

For as long a I can remember (which isn’t as long as it used to be) the St. Matthew’s Parish Hall has been open during the weekdays, when the office was open, to provide a de facto day room for homeless people who need a safe, warm and dry place during the day.

Two years ago a group from St. Matthew’s started meeting to come up with a plan to relieve the church office staff time in supervising the day room users. Soon we became more concerned with trying to address the need for an emergency shelter to reduce exposure deaths among the homeless population and formed the Ecumenical Mission for Shelter, EMS. Presently EMS has board members from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and First Presbyterian Church.

Our mission, initially, is to open a damp shelter, a nightly shelter for homeless adults who, for one reason or another are not welcome at the Rescue Mission or with other family members. A high percentage of the homeless are affected by substance addictions and/or mental health problems. Also a damp shelter will help free up police and emergency room time and resources, saving the community several hundred thousand dollars.

We will provide basic shelter – sleeping mats and access to toilets – for homeless and those persons who have been drinking. Staff with medically trained volunteers will monitor alcohol levels of inebriated guests and refer them to other, appropriate facilities as needed (hospital, detox unit). Volunteers may be recruited from community medical personnel (including Fort Wainwright) and the university, for training and humanitarian purposes. Shelter not meant to be long-term housing or treatment center. The minimum estimated number of beds needed is 60.

Our long term plan is to create a transitional facility for those who are moving from homelessness to self-sufficiency. We are looking at Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage as a model. Recently there has been a lot of excitement in the community with the Housing First model demonstrating that the cost to communities can be much less by providing the stability of basic housing first before medical treatment and other social services are provided. EMS is participating is bringing a Housing First project to Fairbanks.

To date we have not been successful in locating a facility for a shelter. EMS is a state non-profit corporation and we have filed with the IRS for 501(c)(3) status.

Submitted by:

Thomas Marsh, President

Ecumenical Mission for Shelter

818 26th Avenue; Fairbanks AK 99701

378-2730 or 458-0223

Annual Meeting Reports Document file you may save and print from your computer

Altar Guild 2009 Annual Report

Church Education: 2009 Annual Report

Report from The REV. DEACON BELLA JEAN SAVINO

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY

ECUMENICAL MISSION FOR SHELTER

2009 Prayer Shawl Ministry Annual Report

St. Matthew’s Choir & Liturgical Schedule Ministry 2009 Annual Report

Health Ministry 2009 Report

Report from The REV. DEACON BELLA JEAN SAVINO

I am submitting my report for the annual meeting of St. Matthew. It seems like the year of 2009 has gone by so fast and praise GOD for a new year and all the warm blissful memories of the past year.

First, I would like to wish everyone a “Happy New Year”!! May this year be filled with loving memories to cherish and treasure in your heart through the good and hard times, just remember that GOD is always there with you and remember to talk to him when you need to do so.

Year of 2009 started out pretty good especially in getting 4 DOK - Daughters of the King - admission into the order after about three months of preparation by completing the National Study Guide, answer the questions in the study guide, and this is a period of discernment, discovery and preparation before the admission. The Admission of New Members was on January 18, 2009 at St Matthews at 11 AM Service by Scott and the new members are Julia Cockerille, Audrey Jones, Lisa Linnell-Olsen, and Helen M. Howard. It was a happy and spirit-filled event for everyone involved!

On April 26^th, 3 more New Members were admission in the Order after 3 months of Study and they are Mary Johnston, Lori Gorsline and Linda L. Luke. Another Happy and Spirit-filled Event! All these members are powerful prayer warriors and are indeed blessings to the church and to the Order. That also includes the other member, Shirley Gordon who I honor and blessing indeed to the Order, the Church and others around her. I, myself have been a Member of the Order since 1993 and I never regretted making that decision back then. In fact It made me stronger in my faith and in my discernment process to be ordained deacon and eventually to be ordained a priest. Being a Daughter of the King is a commitment, to love Jesus is real and true when we love our neighbors which is others around us, we pray to him regularly which is life time of prayer and we serve Jesus every day in and through the Holy Church by doing the work he wants us to do for him, Through all this we touch other lives for Jesus and bring others to him. If you are interested in learning more about DOK , or becoming a member, come see me after the church service or call me at home 456-1503 or leave a message with Hilary during the week at 456-5235.

I have been teaching the Athabascan dancing sometimes with help from others on Saturdays through the Dancing with the Spirit with Pete Peter, Bill Stevens and others who play the music for the dance and this is for the kids and adults are invited to join. This is Saturdays from 2 to 3 pm and 3 to 4 pm Pete, Bill and others teach the kids and adults to play guitars and fiddle and this open to everyone who wants to learn, you just have to commit yourself and be there every Saturday until this program ends.

I have been getting together with the Youth Group at St. Matthews on Saturdays at noon. I am making time to do this because I really believe in my heart that we need to do something with them. Doing something positive, fun, getting together and play games and I want ideas and input from the youth themselves. Parents, grandparents I need your help by bringing the children at noon and picking them up at 2PM. At the present time I have put everything on Hold. Let me know if you think having a Church Youth Group is important for your kids or grandkids, I meant kids 11 years old and older. You can contact me at 456-1503 or 799-3732 if you have questions or let me know what your ideas or concerns are in regards to the youth group.

I attended the Interior Deanery Meeting which was held at St Matthew on March 5^th thru March 7^th 2009 as Delegate and Member-at-Large on the Deans Committee. Irene Todd was the other delegate and she was elected to be member-at-Large for the Deans at that meeting.

Bernice Aragon and I take Eucharist to Denali Center twice a month and we probably see 5 to 10 each time. This is done after the 11 am Service. If anyone is interested in doing this blissful and worthwhile work as servant of God, that would be wonderful and we do need lots of help both men and women. Thank you to Bernice for her help, a blessing.

I try to help Scott as much as I can and sometimes, it seems I need to do more. I help with the funerals when I am able to do so, I have done house blessings, I also visit the sick at the hospital and at home and I take Home Communion to those who are sick at home and visit them.

This year I am in my third year of EFM , we meet on Mondays at the Diocese Office. At first, I was not sure about doing this but now that I am , I am actually enjoying the class and learning more about myself, my classmates “Friends” and church history and so forth.

I may not have written everything I have done this past year, I guess that is part of getting older. Ha,ha,ha

Keeping you all in my prayers and my heart with Love.

The Rev. Bella Jean Savino