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...

"I Haven't Got Time for the Pain"

"What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?"

-Genesis 37:26

Biblical principles are a thorn in the side for the average American of today. We are always looking for the quick fix. Immediate gratification. Years ago, Nuprin (an over the counter pain reliever containing Ibuprofen) heralded this attitude with a commercial using the Carly Simon song as its theme: "I Haven't Got Time for the Pain."

We are simply impatient. We want our solution NOW. I think that is what is behind the phenomenon of "binge Netflix watching." The average Netflix viewer will finish a whole series in one week, spending an average of two hours per day in front of the screen. We all want to know what happens right away. We are all tempted to take a sneak peek at the back of the book to see if the hero or heroine is still alive.

I think that is also behind our opioid crisis. What began as a way of medicating to alleviate pain caused by the physical trauma of the operation has turned into a growing addiction of gigantic proportions.

As Ecclesiastes tells us, "There is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We have been reading of Esau's impatience in selling his birthright for a bowl of red beans, and Jacob's impatience at grasping the birthright instead of waiting and trusting in God's providence. And in our reading from Genesis we see the impatience of Joseph's brothers at wanting to rid themselves of their smart alecky brother and selling him as a slave to get a little bit of money out of their scheming against their brother.

Again and again God wants us to wait patiently. The journey, not the destination, is the key thing here. It took Moses eighty years to be formed in such a way that he could capably lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. It took the people of Israel forty years to be formed in such a way that they could take the Promised Land. God will not be denied. He cares more for our character than for our comfort.

C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain tells us, "Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." May God help us to live into the formation that comes from avoiding the quick fix.

Neal+

August-September

Being People of Hope in a World of Chaos: The Apostles Creed for Today

August 13	Canon George Luck	"I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord..." (Deity)
August 20	Deacon Ryan Pollock	"I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord..." (Resurrection)
August 27	Dean Neal Michell	"I believe in the Holy Spirit ..."
September 3	Dean Neal Michell	"I believe in the holy catholic Church ..."
September 10	Canon George Luck	"I believe in the communion of saints ..."
September 17	Deacon Ryan Pollock	"I believe in the forgiveness of sins ..."
September 24	Dean Neal Michell	"I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting ..."

Sunday School Open House Cultivating Connections to Christ in Community with Compassion Sunday, August 27th, 9:30 am in the Great Hall

We kick off another year of discipleship with a parish-wide open house. This will be an opportunity to meet our ordained and lay leaders offering classes on Sundays this fall. Our open house begins after breakfast at 9:30 am in the Great Hall where you will be introduced to our class leaders and learning opportunities. Afterward, you are invited to visit with the class leaders and ask questions. Adult groups meet in the Great Hall. Children and youth classes meet on the second floor of Garrett Hall. Join us for the formation, fun and fellowship! For more information, please contact:

Jeanne Webber at [email protected].

All Sunday School classes begin on Sunday, September 10 at 9:30am.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, August 27th

10:30 service

After our open house, on August 27th, we will commission our educators and have a blessing of the backpacks during the 10:30 am service. Don't forget to bring your backpacks!

Adult Christian Formation

The New York Times and the Bible Sundays, 9:35-10:15am

What does the Bible have to say about contemporary issues that are in the weekly news? In this summer discussion series led by various lay leaders and St. Matthew's clergy, we'll explore this question together. Each week, we'll look at an article from the New York Times on a current event or topic in the news, as well as pertinent passages from Scripture. A lay leader or St. Matthew's clergy member will facilitate group discussion on what the Bible tells us about the news event in the article. Please join us as we seek new insight on current news events by looking through the lens of Scripture.

Evangelism Course

Stanton Center

Class Starts August 12

Introduction to Christian Life

Stanton Center

Class starts August 12

Our own Father George Luck will be teaching Introduction to Christian Life/Spiritual Theology Center this Fall. This course is an introduction to the basic elements of Christian spirituality, emphasizing the nature of the spirituality of Christian Scripture, and an analysis of Christian experience in light of Biblical revelation and Christian tradition. Classes start August 12th. Contact Janet Page to register or for more information at [email protected]

What if sharing your faith with others didn't

didn't give you a minor anxiety attack?

The Evangelism Course at the Stanton Center is here to help! This course explores the basics of the Gospel and the mission of the Church. You will be empowered with practical training to share the good news in your everyday life. Taught by Carrie Headington, a world-renowned evangelist and a Canon Missioner for Evangelism in our diocese. Class begins August 12th. Contact Deacon Ryan for more information.


Pumpkin Patch Coordinator Opportunity Last year's Pumpkin Patch brought in $5,000 in profits for our neighborhood outreach ministries and missions program. The pumpkins are available for the month of October. If you are interested in coordinating this project, please contact Dean Michell at [email protected]. Training will be provided.	Bishop's Camp Update The Bishop's Camp program of faith, enrichment, education and growth had a fabulous 23rd year. We were able to serve 120 youth from the ages of 6 to 13 and offer leadership opportunities to high school students. Thank you to all who were able to volunteer and/ or donate to this program.

Coffee Hour after 10:30 Service

Please join us each week as food, drink and fellowship will be offered in the Gallery section of the Great Hall after the 10:30 service.

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!