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...

Why Were They Filled with Rage?

There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha,

and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.- Luke 4:27-28

I love our Cathedral. The building, I mean. I have the privilege of going into the Cathedral and praying when no one else is around. I love the Great Hall, and I love Garrett Hall, too. I like older things. Things with character. I love the brass and older woodwork and the red pine floors and the hexagonal (six-sided) tile in the restrooms. One of the reasons that I have put so much emphasis on repairs to the Cathedral is that we have such classic buildings that deserve care for their own sake.

At the same time, one of the things that I am most proud of is that in the three years that I have been here, when we have placed so much emphasis on cleaning, fixing-up, and painting our Cathedral, we have also increased our reaching out to the people in our surrounding neighborhood. We have seen more of our immediate neighbors coming into our Cathedral. We have spent more time working with people and their needs. We have also reached out to Woodrow Wilson High School, Booker T. Washington, the arts through our Justus Sundermann Gallery, hosting the Bach Choral Society, Evensongs, and Lessons and Carols, tutoring and volunteering at Cesar Chavez Learning Center, John F. Kennedy School, and various neighborhood associations.

In other words, as we have reached inward, we have also reached outward.

In our Gospel reading today, why do you think the people in the synagogue were filled with rage? It was because they had been so impressed with him ("all. . . were amazed at his gracious words"), and they were expecting him to do great deeds for them as well. When Jesus reached out to those outside the Jewish community, they were filled with rage. They wanted Jesus exclusively to themselves. Jesus came to reach out to others.

Yes, we have a beautiful Cathedral. Yes, we have a building to be proud of. And, yes, we are here, not for our beautiful building but so that we can be empowered through what happens in our beautiful building in order to reach out beyond ourselves and help draw other people into a beautiful relationship with the God that first reached out to us.

Blessings,

Neal+

Christian Formation

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

Priest, Profit King - Sunday, January 31

The better we understand Jesus, the better we understand ourselves. But who was Jesus, this itinerant preacher whom many called the Messiah? In Priest, Prophet, King, we'll discover Jesus as the Anointed One-the ultimate priest, prophet, and king foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. Using biblical insights and engaging stories, we'll learn that we see Jesus most clearly through the lens of priest, prophet, and king.

Adult Christian Education - Garrett Hall Parlor

9:30 - 10:15am

How to Speak Episcopalian - Sunday, January 31

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

Mardi Gras Party
and Costume Competition

Friday, Feb 5th, 7:00-10:00pm

Join us for Dinner, Dancing, and a Costume

competition! This Young Adult Fundraiser

includes great New Orleans style music and

dancing at the stage end of the Great Hall

along with a dinner of jambalaya, salad, a

glass of wine (more available with donation)

and King cake for dessert.

$30 per person/$55 per couple.

Silent Auction item-

Dinner with Bishop Sumner and his wife.

Click here to purchase your tickets online.


Free Family Concert Sunday, January 31 from 4-5pm Join us for a free family concert by the Dallas Bach Society in the Cathedral. Reception following in the Justus Sundermann Gallery - 5-6pm Wine and Hors D'oeuvres to be served. Complimentary Admission Click here for more info	Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, Feb 9th, 6:00pm The Cathedral will be hosting our annual Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 9th. Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Coffee, and Orange Juice! Proceeds to benefit the Youth Group's Mission Trip to San Antonio in July! $5 per person/$20 a family Buy tickets ahead or pay at the door!

Lenten Series-Wednesday Nights Starting February 17

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

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

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

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

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

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

	Support Groups Here 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.