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...

You Can't Tell a book by looking at the cover

"Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist,

and his food was locusts and wild honey." -Matthew 3:4

I have always enjoyed wrapping presents in a way that the gift inside is not obvious to the inquiring recipient. It comes, I am sure, from all the Christmas presents that I shook trying to figure out what was inside. As a child I was quite good at unwrapping and re-wrapping gifts so I would know ahead of time what I was going to receive.

However, as I grew older I realized that to prolong the mystery was part of the fun. I once playfully asked our daughter, Anna, what the family had gotten me for Christmas. Obediently, she told me.

When I protested and asked her why she had told me what I was going to receive, she rejoined, "But, you asked!"

As a parent, I would put bricks in boxes of clothing, place jewelry in largely oversized boxes, even put rocks in the boxes of solid items so there would be a deceiving rattle when the present was shaken. I wanted my children to be caught up in surprise.

John the Baptist was like that. He dressed as a wild man. His appearance, I am sure, scared some people. But he was actually the herald of really good news. You wouldn't know that to look at him. He was a surprise.

During this season of Advent, take some time to look around you. Maybe notice a person or people who aren't like you, who are not the people you normally hang out with. Imagine what presuppositions you might have toward that person. Then try to imagine that person through God's eyes. Imagine how God might see them. Let God surprise you in what you might perceive about that person. Then ask God how he might want to surprise you.

Neal+


Kevin Dodge-Greed is Good? November 27th, 9:35-10:15am Stage End of Great Hall Kevin Dodge, author of several books on spiritual life, will give us a biblical perspective of money. Kevin holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a ThM with Highest Honors from Dallas Theological Seminary. You don't want to miss this!	Adult Christian Formation December 4th & 11th, 9:35-10:15am Pivotal Players of the Christian Faith Stage End of the Great Hall A multi-part film series that illumines a handful of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of civilization. December 4 - Catherine of Sienna December 11 - Michael Angelo

Christmas Pageant 2016

Calling all youth and children! It is that time of year again. It is time to start casting and rehearsing for our Christmas Pageant. Please see all dates below:

Sunday, December 4 Pageant Walk Through

Room 208 in Garrett Building 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 11 Pageant Walk Through

Room 208 in Garrett Building 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 18 Pageant Walk Through

In the Cathedral 9:00 a.m.

Saturday, December 24 Pageant Walk Through

In the Cathedral 3:15 p.m.

Saturday, December 24 Christmas Pageant

In the Cathedral 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, or if your child or youth cannot make one of the rehearsals, please let Logan Hurst know at [email protected].


Parish Wide Farewell Lunch Sunday, December 18 at 11:30 am Come and enjoy a time of food and fellowship! We will be having food catered by Lucy Creech as we bid farewell to Father Tony and the 12:30 congregation. Join us as we celebrate over 30 years together!	A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 18 at 4:30 pm The Cathedral Arts Choral Artists and selected readers unfold the Christmas narrative with familiar choral settings and scriptural accounts, according to a beloved pattern established in 1918 by King's College Chapel, Cambridge. The service includes music of Cleobury, Caracciolo, Ledger, Warlock, Gardner, Davies, Mathias, and Howells. Please join us!	Sunday, December 18 10:00 am Holy Eucharist 1:00 pm Misa en Espa ño l Sunday, December 24 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist and Christmas Pageant 10:00 pm Carol Service 10:30 pm Candlelight Service Sunday, December 25 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Sunday, January 1 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Holy Eucharist

Young Adult Christmas Party

We are having our fifth annual White Elephant Christmas Party on Friday, December 9, from 6-8 pm at 4814 Sycamore St. 75204. White elephant gift of $10 or less in value. Bring your favorite Christmas dish to share with the other young adults. Hope to see you there. RSVP to Father David - [email protected].


Goodie Bag Items Needed Gift items needed for the food pantry Christmas Dinner goodie bags. Please place any items in the box in the foyer. ITEMS: gloves, knit hats, socks, hygiene items, treats, etc. Please include a Christmas card signed with a Christmas blessing or the recipient! Items must be received by Dec. 4th. Thanks for sharing the joy of Christmas with our neighbors.	Volunteers Needed for Food Pantry Christmas Dinner Volunteers needed to cook, serve and help with the Christmas Dinner for our neighbors, Sat. Dec. 10th at 1:00. If you would like to volunteer, please contact [email protected]

A Garden of Delight: The Golden Age of Iznik Tiles of Turkey

September 23 - December 31

Photographic Exhibition by Carolyn Brown

In collaboration with The Crow Collection of Asian Art and the University of Texas at Dallas. Justus Sundermann Gallery.

Pledging Made Easy

If you would like to submit your pledge card electronically please click here. The form provided is on secure site and all information is sent directly to the church office. For any questions please call us at 214.823.8134. If you are more comfortable with a traditional pledge card, they will be mailed out to you in the next week. Thank you for your continued support of God's work here at St. Matthew's Cathedral!

A Letter From Bishop Sumner...

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in Christ. As you know, Deacon Pam Dunbar will be retiring December 31, 2016. Deacon Pam has served the youth in this diocese for many years faithfully.

We have had many inquiries about a "Purse" for her and how one might contribute to that purse. If you, your congregation, or a member of your congregation would like to make such a gift simply send your check made out to the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas designated for "Pam's Purse". Mark your envelope "Pam's Purse". Deadline is November 30. If you would like, you may send a gift directly to her.

We look forward to an opportunity to thank her on December 6, with a reception from 4:00-6:00 at the Diocesan Office. Please RSVP Kim LaNore at [email protected] or 214-826-8310 by November 30 if you are attending reception.

Gifts for the "Purse" are not tax deductible. We will present to Deacon Pam at her reception on December 6. If you have any questions please call, 214-826-8310.

Peace,

+George

Bishop of Dallas

Breakfast Casseroles needed for Food Pantry Outreach

Many thanks to those who faithfully make breakfast casseroles for our food pantry neighbors. This is an ongoing ministry! Please, click here, to go to signup genius to sign up to bring casseroles. Pans and recipe are in the foyer. For more information contact [email protected] .

Angel Tree Thank You!!!!!!

A huge thank you to all who participated in the Angel Tree initiative this year! We had a wonderful response, and sixty Salvation Army Angel Children will now have a very special Christmas because of your generosity.


Support Peru Mission Trip! St. Matthew's is preparing to send a mission team to northern Peru this December! The team will evangelize children, youth and mothers in three missions near Chiclayo, Peru. Please make your gift in the mission envelopes to help send the team. Your prayers are needed for the team and all the preparations. Vaya con Dios!	Thanksgiving Generosity Thanks to all those who responded so generously to our pantry drive for thanksgiving turkeys. We received and distributed 56 turkeys on Thanksgiving day. We were also able to serve a turkey dinner with all the sides on Saturday, November 26th, to 20 additional persons of need from our Garrett Park neighborhood.