Hello dear friends,

I am grateful for the cooler weather, even as I drive through my neighborhood and see all the huge trees downed in last week’s storms. With the blessing of lower temperatures, a little rain must fall.😃

COVID is still moving like a snake through our community. I cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a mask if you have any immune system issues or take any medication that suppresses your immune system. WEAR A MASK. And everyone, please wash your hands often, take your vitamins, and stay home if you are sick. A case of mild COVID calls for 10 days of isolation after testing positive. Let’s keep each other safe.

My love to all. I look forward to spending time with you this fall. Mary

Lists. Making lists is a special talent of mine; completing my lists is another matter entirely. But I “press on toward the mark” as Paul would say, always hoping to experience the feeling of accomplishment. The author of Peter wrote a list for the persecuted Christians living in areas of Asia Minor. I learned today that Asia Minor, now Anatolia, is the part of Western Asia that touches Europe. Peter’s letters, and lists, were important to the new church. Keep these things in mind this week as you move forward in your relationship with God: Onto your faith, add virtue. And to your virtue add knowledge. To knowledge, self-control (good luck with this one). To self-control, add steadfastness or perseverance (NIV translation). To perseverance, godliness; to Godliness, mutual affection for each other. And finally, church, add love. I am grateful to be on this journey with you. Faithfully and as virtuously as I am able, Mary

Hello everyone! I pray you are well and happy. We had an unexpected visitor this past Sunday during our services. A tragedy walked right into our church. I want to first say, thank you to those who responded with me to this event. It took 3 of us to talk to her and keep everyone safe. This is a great lesson for us: always respond in 3’s. We worked with the FWPD, FWFD, and MedStar to get this lost soul the medical attention she needed. Her appearance in our building was not an accident and it exposes a dire need in our neighborhood: addiction recovery services. I am going to do some research about the requirements for hosting a recovery program at St. Matthew. We have a lot of space that is currently going unused during the week. Pray with me about adding this program. The appearance of this person on Sunday also made me realize how blessed we all are, including her. Blessed by the grace and mercy of our Lord, and given a new chance every day to live in that grace and mercy. My love to you all, Mary

Good Wednesday Saint Matthew,

I pray that you are enjoying a bit of time outside this week as cooler temperatures are gracing our lives. Unlike the eternal grace of God, however, these temperatures are only here for the week. We will be back into 3 digits by the end of this week and for all next week. Fall is coming; it just may not happen until November! I am closely watching the COVID numbers on the Tarrant County website, as well as monitoring our hospital census for a rise in COVID admissions. So far, only a slight rise in cases. I cannot stress enough, that if you have any kind of immunity issues, or any chronic illness (especially lung-related), please wear a mask in public, avoid large crowds, and wash your hands frequently. We will watch the numbers to determine if we need to make any adjustments at church and we are prepared with masks and hand sanitizer for any untoward events. May the peace of God flood your soul right now. As you read these lines remember I love you and I am praying for you.

Blessings, Mary

Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr. will be visiting districts within CTC and NTC throughout the fall.  We invite clergy and laity will to join together in a time of worship and fellowship at the East District Gathering with Bishop Saenz on Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 am.  The event will take place at New World UMC (2201 N Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012).   Childcare will be available.  To reserve childcare for this event, please contact Melissa Shamburger no later than October 9th by email at melissashamburger@ctcumc.org or call 817-945-6508.