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...

When you're Not Looking

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life . . ." - Sunday Collect

Why do we read the Scriptures on a daily basis? We read them to form our souls. This sort of formation happens while we're not paying attention or focusing on being formed. It just happens.

Will Willimon, United Methodist Church Bishop and former Chaplain at Duke University, tells a story of what I would call this sort of unintentional formation.

Willimon once received a phone call from a very irate father of a student. The father was upset because his daughter had intended to attend graduate school but decided instead (in the father's words) "to throw it all away and go and do mission work in Haiti with the Presbyterian church." The father screamed, "Isn't that absurd! She has a bachelor of science degree from Duke University, and she is going to dig ditches in Haiti! I hold you responsible for this!"

Willimon, not easily intimidated, asked him, "Why me?" The father replied, "You ingratiated yourself and filled her with all this religion stuff." Dr. Willimon was quick to reply, "Sir, weren't you the one who had her baptized?" "Well, well, well, yes," the father stumbled. "And didn't you take her to Sunday school when she was a little girl?" "Well, well, yes." "And didn't you allow your daughter to go on those youth group ski trips to Colorado when she was in high school?" "Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?" replied the father, becoming more and more aggravated. "Sir," Willimon concluded, "you are the reason she is throwing it all away. You introduced her to Jesus. Not me!" "But," said the father, "all we wanted was a Presbyterian." Willimon replied, "Well, sorry sir, you messed up. You've gone and made a disciple."

Neal+

First Step Class

9:35 - 10:15am

Garrett Parlor

Want to know more about the ministries at The Cathedral and how you can fit in? This class for Newcomers to the Cathedral will continue for the next several weeks at 9:35am in the Garrett Parlor. All Newcomers welcome.

Annual Memorial Concert Sunday, November 13th at 4:00pm

The Choir of St. Matthew's Cathedral will present the annual Memorial Concert on Sunday afternoon, November 13th at 4pm. Please plan to attend this beautiful offering this year entitled, Songs of Remembrance to honor our departed loved ones. Composers represented will include Walford-Davies, Parry, Harwood, Besly, Camidge, Boyce, Mendelssohn, and Harris. Admission to the concert is free. Memorial donation forms will be available on the tables at the front and back of the cathedral Sunday, October 30th. A reception will follow the concert in the Justus Sundermann Gallery. This year we are inviting families and individuals, if they wish, to bring a photo of their loved ones for a memorial table at the reception. We look forward to seeing you November 13th. Please invite guests to come with you.

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, November 13 Casting for Pageant

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

Sunday, November 20 Costume Fitting

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

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].


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]

This year's Thanksgiving turkey drive for the food pantry is on! Please drop off your donation of a frozen turkey in the Great Hall on Sunday, November 20th between 9 and noon or Monday the 21st through Wednesday the 23rd between noon and 3. Should you desire to make a monetary donation in lieu of a turkey, please see Ron Hackemack or Steve Sale during these times or note "turkeys '" on your check or envelope in the collection plate. Turkeys will be distributed on Thanksgiving day at our regular food pantry time. This always has a positive impact on our community.

ANGEL TREE!

We know it seems early, but this season of thankfulness is a perfect time to help children who are truly in need. This year St. Matthew's is partnering with the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. You'll be able to select an angel from our tree on Sunday, November 13th. See Janet Page at the tree for your angel and packet, or call her at 972-948-5534 for information. Angel Tree gifts are due back to St. Matthew's on November 27th.

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!

Pumpkin Patch Success!

The pumpkin patch raised $5,000 for the Peru Mission and Neighborhood Outreach ministries! We sold $15,000 worth of pumpkins and met hundreds of people. Thanks to all who supported us. A very special thanks goes to all the volunteers: Pumpkin queens, Betty, Carol, Kathryn, Belina, Donna and Beth- Pumpkin kings, Jim and Ashton. Many thanks to Mike and Helen, Merrill, Evelyn, Maricela, Durlin, Rita, Cara, Emily, Jennifer, Jackie, Logan and youth, Keeley, Sobrina and all who helped to unload the truck twice! See you next year.

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] .