This Week at the Cathedral!

Greetings,

We hope you will enjoy this issue of our weekly e-newsletter. Each week we'll keep you informed on what's happening here at St. Matthew's Cathedral - news from the week, what's coming up, and how you can be a part of it. This should reach your inbox by Friday giving you a heads up for the upcoming week. We hope this helps you plan your week, and maybe even provides a little inspiration to get you through it! Be sure to "Like" us on Facebook to stay in the know between emails.

A Message from the Dean...

Spiritual Nourishment is not what you Think it Is

After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.-Luke 4:1

What an amazing beginning to the ministry of Jesus! Luke has set the stage for us. He tells of the birth of Jesus, the boy Jesus in the Temple, John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, and then the genealogy of Jesus which goes all the way through Adam. Luke wants us to see Jesus at the center of all things: from the announcement of his birth all the way through to his ascension into heaven. And this Jesus who is inaugurating a kingdom, the Kingdom of God on this earth, is the quintessential Son of Man.

How does Jesus begin his public ministry? Not with a bang and a flash of a miraculous healing or two. No, he heads off into the desert alone where he fasts for forty days and then faces temptation by the devil. Jesus begins his public ministry by mov- ing inward, by coming face-to-face with his own human frailty. It is commonly said about fasting: "Starve the body to feed the soul." Jesus' forty days of fasting drove home into the depths of his soul his own dependence upon his heavenly Father.

Lent with its fasting, then, is a time for us to get back in touch with that deeper part of our soul, our brokenness, our need of a Savior. In fasting we remind ourselves that we are needy, desperate for God. We find that the things we gather around us to distract us from our need for God are insufficient to bring real healing and wholeness. Fasting unmasks our self-deception of self-sufficiency. Just as Jesus was in need-as a man-of a spiritual source of nourishment deeper than himself, so we also need spiritual nourishment beyond ourselves.

Blessings,

Neal+

Christian Formation

Adult Christian Education - Stage End of the Great Hall Sunday from 9:30 - 10:15am

"How did Prudence, Justice, Courage, & Temperance become the four 'Cardinal Virtues?'" - Fr. David Miller- Sunday, February 14

February 21- Dr. Elaine Heath "What is Prudence and why do we need it?"

February 28 - Dr. Elaine Heath "What is Justice and why do we need it?"

March 6 - Dr. Elaine Heath "What is Courage and why do we need it?"

March 13 - Fr. David Miller "What is Temperance and why do we need it?"

Adult Christian Education - Garrett Hall Parlor

9:30 - 10:15am

How to Speak Episcopalian - Sunday, February 14

For those interested in being confirmed, or received, or simply wanting to know more about the Apostolic faith and order.

Children and Youth Sunday School

9:30am - 10:15am

There is something for all ages! Come and join us, in Garrett Hall, Sunday mornings from
9:30-10:15am. We have a GREAT line up of trained, experienced teachers this year, ready to show the love of Christ to our Children and Youth.

Ages 2-3 Years - Nursery
PreK-1st Grade - Room 212

2nd-3rd Grade - Room 207

4th-5th Grade - Room 210

6th-12th Grade - Room 208

Lenten Series-Wednesday Nights Starting February 17

How Did We Get Here? The Roots of the Church and its Culture Today

6:00 pm - Stations of the Cross, Cathedral

6:30 pm - Light supper, Great Hall

7:00 pm - Lenten Series Speaker, Great Hall

Feb. 17 - Bishop George Sumner- Where did modern theology come from?

Feb. 24 - Archbishop Ian Ernest- Where did the communion come from?

March 2 - The Rev. Jeremy Bergstrom - Where did Rite II come from?

March 9 - Mr. Logan Hurst - Where did contemporary young adult culture come from?

March 16 - Matthew Lockard, Ph.D. - Where did postmodern society come from?

Moms Connect

Saturday, February 20 from 3pm - 5pm

We will meet in the Cathedral nursery with a time of Godly Play together with our kids, ages 5 and under. Then the Moms will have a topical lesson on parenting. Each session is stand-alone, so you don't need to have come before to get something out of it. For more information, contact Keeley Chorn at [email protected] or 917.568.8587.

Choral Evensong

Sunday, February 28 at 4pm

Join us for Choral Evensong Sunday, February 28th, 4pm St. Matthew's Cathedral Arts Camerata, Michie Akin conductor, Keith Franks organist. Mostly unchanged since the first English Prayer Book of 1549, Evensong continues to be one of the most treasured liturgies of the Anglican tradition. Bring a friend!

	Support Groups at the Cathedral
Breakfast Casseroles Needed Our ministry to the Food Pantry patrons is expanding with an offering of hot breakfast and conversation each week on Thursday at 9am. Please contact Varita at [email protected] to sign up to bring and/or serve a breakfast casserole once a month.	Alcoholics Anonymous - Every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. we have an open meeting. For more information contact Jerry T. - (972)743-4014. Narcotics Anonymous - Every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Garrett Parlor starting January 19, 2016. Overeaters Anonymous - Every Monday at 12 noon in the Garrett Parlor.