I am so very grateful for the message we received Sunday morning from Rev. Beverly Tye. What a blessing to hear her story and to listen as she shared her faith journey with us. We are blessed to have several retired UMC ministers in our congregation and I enjoy getting to come to church and get “fed” on such great gospel messages. Max is back in the pulpit this week and I am positive he will have some great vacation stories for us.

I got my COVID and influenza vaccines on Monday. Other than a sore right arm (flu shot) I have not had any problems with the vaccines. Please, please make an appointment at your local pharmacy or physician’s office to get these vaccines and any others you may qualify to receive. The RSV vaccine and shingles vaccine are two other important immune system boosters that may be offered to you. You know your body well enough to know how many vaccines you can handle at once. My only suggestion to you is to drink plenty of water before and immediately following your vaccines. Eat a hearty, healthy meal and get plenty of rest. Taking care of your immune system with good food, water and sleep, is the first step to successfully avoiding illness. If you need help obtaining any of these three things, please reach out to me. Another vital part of a strong immune system is having a powerful sense of belonging. This is where our congregation excels. We shower each other with love and joy. We work very hard to welcome everyone and to get to know each other. The fellowship we enjoy makes us healthier and happier. Keep up the good work! My love to all of you. Get outside this week in the sunshine and beautiful weather. Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday! Mary

God bless you as you read this newsletter from Saint Matthew. Have you made your list yet? Is the list with all the good things about you someplace where you can see it every day? Did you have difficulty creating your list? Do you have someone in your life with whom you can share your list? If I am being completely transparent with you, I have to answer no it isn’t made and therefore not available. I am having great difficulty creating my list. I have someone to share with. If you are reading this email, I can give you some help for the first thing to put on your list: I am faithful. Just the fact that you are engaged enough to read the newsletter means that you are faithful to the gospel ministry of Saint Matthew. I am very grateful to all of you for your faithfulness. You give me strength and encouragement to keep moving forward in my ordination process. Whatever I do in my life in the service of God is made better because I have been at St. Matthew.

COVID numbers are slowly climbing. Remember to maintain good self-care: adequate sleep, good nutrition, sunshine when you can and ALWAYS wash your hands. Also, stay away from sick folks and stay to yourself if you are sick.

Love and blessings to all, Mary

Dearest St. Matthew friends and family,

What an exciting week for us! Our 8-year playground project was started and Phase 1 completed in less than 3 days. The equipment looks amazing and I cannot wait to complete Phase 2: Retaining wall with fencing and brick paver pathway.

Another bit of exciting news is that you will all be able to purchase engraved brick pavers or sections of fencing in memory of or in honor of someone.

This is, of course, just a fancy way of raising money toward the project. It is also a great way to let the world know how important that person was or is to you.

I will have pricing soon for the brick pavers and sections of fencing. I am so very grateful to all of you for your spiritual and financial support.

Phase 3 of the project includes the addition of a walking path around the property. We need to begin as soon as possible getting the fence up to keep folks safe. More to come this Sunday!

I am preaching again from Step 4. This week we will talk about “The Good Things.” Making a searching and fearless moral inventory is not only about the things we wish were different about ourselves. Making a list of the good things is also included in this step and I encourage you to begin making your list now.

My love to you all, Mary

Peace and blessings to all,

THE PLAYGROUND IS COMING! Construction plans have been moved up to WEDNESDAY September 27th. We will have a ground-breaking and a prayer at 12:30. Join us if you can; we will video the event and post it to our website. I am so very excited to see the beginning of this year’s long project. I am also so very grateful to everyone for their prayers and their contributions to the project. It is exciting to think about the way this is all coming together.

I wonder if you have considered this week how very loved we are and how precious we are to God. We spend so much time feeling so many emotions, but have you spent any time this week feeling loved? God does not hold resentment toward us or make lists of our shortcomings. God is not sitting at a chalkboard tallying our sins. We are loved and we are forgiven.

Thanks to all of the folks who helped make the St. Matthew Women United luncheon so much fun. I am grateful for your commitment to the fellowship of our family.

Join us Sunday.

My love to all, Mary

PLAYGROUND GROUNDBREAKING NOW 9/27 at 12:30!

Construction has been moved up to tomorrow!

Dedication prayer and groundbreaking at 12:30.

Lunch will be served by the McCosky’s. Hot dogs, beans, etc…

Bring your own drink and desert.