Announcements

Parish Fundraiser Dinner and Auction

Save the date! An Evening in Oz, Saturday June 7th. More details coming soon.

Summer Bible Camp for Grades 1-6

Wizards and Wonders - A Hero's Journey with Harry Potter

Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church 2008 Summer Camp, Wizards and Wonders, is an incredibly fun and thought provoking experience for students Grades 1 through 6, using the Harry Potter books and movies as a way to help children connect with Biblical themes.

So why use Harry Potter to help students connect with the Bible? The Harry Potter books and movies have captured the imagination of old and young alike. The stories are ones of wizards, magic spells, and a young boy on a journey to find out just exactly who he is. They are popular because J. Rowling uses objects and experiences, that while seemingly fantastical, are ones people can relate to and understand.

This is not unlike two thousand years ago when Jesus taught the public through parable, metaphor, and simile. He was trying to help simple people grasp vast and impossible ideas such as God, heaven, and grace. He did so by relating them to things and experiences people understood. God delights in any path that leads people to him, even if it is tales of lonely but courageous orphan boys, silly spells, school friendships and loyalties, magic and evil wizards.

At first glance, Harry Potter seems an unlikely hero. But all through the Bible we see God calling the most seemingly unqualified candidates to do His work. Like Harry Potter, for example, Moses does not know his origins, but although reluctant at first, both accept the call to transformation for themselves and their community.

July 28-August 1

9am-2pm

$325 register by May 1

$350 register after May 1

Morning & aftercare available at extra cost of $18 per hour

Candle Light Taize Service

All St. Matthew parishioners, family members and friends are warmly invited to attend a candlelight service of prayer and chant. Taize Services are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Chapel of the Church of St. Matthew.

Taize is an ecumenical monastic community in France dedicated to spreading the message of peace and reconciliation among all people of the world. St. Matthew Chapter of Daughters of the King will sponsor this service as a way of carrying this Gospel message into our neighborhood. Everyone is invited to attend....this would be a beautiful way to introduce your friends to our church community.

Lectionary Circles

Please join us for a discussion centered on the appointed readings each Sunday in the Rector's Office.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Altar Guild Needs You!

If you attended any of the church services, you surely must have enjoyed the majestic beauty of the church as well as the beautiful music and services. The Altar Guild is responsible for all the flower arrangements and the changing of the vestments and Altar decor. The Festival Se, which is used only during Christmas and Easter services, is one of the many items under the care of the Altar Guild.

Special talented people are responsible for the beautiful flower arrangements. The flowers are donated by parishioners as memorials, or as thoughtful gifts for the beauty of the church. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Altar Guild needs your help. The number of members has dwindled considerably over the years due to people moving out of the area. Won't you consider volunteering your special talents to this particular ministry? For more information, please email Sonia Warfield, Directress, at rwarfield@ssfusd.k12.ca.us.

Calling All Angels

St. Matthews has started a new outreach program called "Angel Network". We are a group of angels that reach out to our parishioners that have immediate and important needs and do not have a way to expedite those needs. For example: you need a ride to a doctor appointment or grocery shopping. Check out this month's Tau Cross for more details if you would like to be an angel, please call Darlia Clerico.

eMail Sign Up or Update Information

Information Update Form

Please fill out this form to update your email address or to make any changes to your mailing information. We ask that you sign up to receive the Tau Cross by email. You will receive your Newsletter faster this way, and help also to keep costs down. Your email address will be used solely for emailing church announcements and news.

Picture Gallery

We've added a new feature to the website: a Picture Gallery containing images of St. Matthew's - including old historic photographs of the church built in 1865, images of capturing the beauty of the church today, and snapshots from church events. Come check it out!

Help raise money for our Sunday School by registering with eScrip. You simply register your Safeway Club Card and/or credit cards with eScrip at 1-800-592-0942 or online at www.escrip.com.

Our Group ID is 137107192. Each time you shop using these cards, our Sunday School receives a percentage of your purchases.

If you have already registered with eScrip, please add St. Matthews to your list of supported organizations. You can support up to three organizations with your eScrip account.

NOTICE TO THOSE eSCRIP MEMBERS WITH SAFEWAY CARDS: Safeway is requiring all eScrip supporters to renew their commitment to Safeway on an annual basis by registering your club card number or phone number by November 1st. call 1-800-801-4973 and you will be asked for your Safeway Club Card Number.

Visit www.escrip.com and click on the "Yes Renew" check box. this is a better alternative if you don't have your club card number as you can provide your phone number instead.

If you have any questions about eScrip, please contact Church Operations Manager.