+ Gwen Kelts has served as our volunteer bookkeeper for the last year. Thank you for your time, dedication, faithfulness, and expertise, Gwen! You are a GIFT! Jill Larson has offered to step into the volunteer bookkeeper position. Thank you, Jill!
+ The St. Matthew’s Audit Team (Jodi Pickering, John Megow, and Eric Black) completed a thorough audit of our financial policies and procedures. Their full report and recommendations have been submitted to the St. Matthew’s Council for review and implementation. Thank you, Audit Team.
+ This summer, members of St. Matthew’s are invited to read the book, The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. Discussions will be on Tuesdays at 7 pm (July 25, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22) in the Comfy Couch Room at St, Matthew's. You can come to one discussion or go to them all! You do not have to keep up with the reading to attend. Many thanks to Amanda Bedsaul and Stephanie Kincaid for hosting the conversations. (Pick up your book at a favorite bookstore and join in the fun!)
+ Please hold our YOUTH in your prayers this summer! I am excited that we have students going on a retreat over Memorial Day Weekend, traveling to Idaho Servant Adventure at the end of June, and students and adults attending Leadership Lab in July. Please participate in the NO FUSS Fundraiser to support the faith formation of our students.
+ Summer Staff: Renee Connor-Sheen will join the St. Matthew’s staff for June, July, and August to lead with Vacation Bible School! Thank you, Renee! She will be looking for volunteers and resources for VBS in August. Please offer your support and marvel at the ways Renee works with our beloved kiddos! Also, Aide Gutierrez will be taking the lead with Summer Lunches for our neighborhood families. Aide is masterful at connecting with the community and offering a space of genuine welcome and care. Thank you, Aide! Aide will be leading summer lunches in June, July, and August.
+ This Spring, St. Matthew’s hosted two meaningful offerings. The first was a SLOW DOWN and RESET Retreat May 5-7, 2023. The sacred time together was filled with an abundance of food, conversation, rest, and space to breathe. We had 17 people enjoying the time away. A team is forming who hope to create another retreat in the Fall. We need more time to connect and share life. Also, I was able to lead a four-part workshop called “Spring Cleaning for the Soul.” We explored the uncharted waters of our younger selves, interrogating the messages we learned about God when we were young, our regrets, and who God is calling us to become in the future. It is hard to put into words the holiness of our time together. It was a gift to listen, share and receive the fullness of our unique stories. I will hopefully lead another workshop like this in the future.
There are some exciting dates/events this summer that you do not want to miss:
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Pentecost Sunday | May 28, 2023 - ONE WORSHIP 10 AM
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LGBTQ+ Community Lunch at Panera | Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 11:45 AM
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Summer Connections Bible Study | Thursdays 1 PM (2nd and 4th Thursdays)
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Baccalaureate Worship | Sunday, June 11, 2023, at 10 AM worship
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Juneteenth Worship | Sunday, June 18, 2023, at 10 AM worship
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Pride Sunday and Parade | Sunday, June 25, 2023
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Youth Idaho Servant Adventure | June 25 - July 30, 2023
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Leadership Lab | July 16 - 22
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Art of Gathering Discussion | Tuesday, July 27, 2023
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VBS | July 31 - August 4, 2023
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ONE Worship Service a Sunday during August | 10 AM
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All summer, you can serve at the Free Grocery Store on Mondays!
AND…
more opportunities are coming soon!
Make sure to read your weekly e-news.
I am also deeply grateful for our talented and gifted staff. Please shower them with your appreciation and support during these summer months. We are blessed to have Libby Lucier, Bobbi Cyr, Carter Torgeson, and TJ Johnston loving and serving in our community. Thank you, St. Matthew’s staff!
Beloved Community, I believe God has an enormous sense of humor. As I prepare to leave for Sabbatical, an exhaustive process, my mind is flooded with new ideas and possibilities for our future together. I have met with new people, and new partnerships are starting to emerge JUST AS I AM PREPARING TO STEP AWAY. Go figure; God is giggling, I am sure. It is as if the Holy Spirit gently reminds me that St. Matthew’s health and vibrancy do not revolve around me or my timeline. So, I am keeping a notebook handy for the stream of ideas and remembering God wants glorious things in the community and the St. Matthew’s community this summer.
The leadership and wisdom of Pastor Mary and Pastor Judy will bless you. There are also leaders within our community feeling a nudge to lead gatherings and opportunities for spiritual growth. I am excited to hear how the Spirit powerfully blows through our community this summer.
I will be sending one more digital letter before I depart. My final day in the office at St. Matthew’s will be May 26, 2023.
In God’s peace,
Pastor Kacey
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