Vol. XXVII, No. 11 Universal City, Texas November 2012

Matt’s MissiveMatt’s MissiveMatt’s MissiveMatt’s Missive

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Our Mission:

To be a strong community of faith rich in the Episcopal tradition serving Jesus Christ;

welcoming the seeker; providing a caring church family; effecting spiritual change;

reaching into the world with the love of Jesus.

www.stmattuc.org office@stmattuc.org

A Priest’s Point of View

By Fr. Tim Vellom

Sunday, November 4th

, kicks off a series of Harvest

Sunday celebrations for the area churches that support

RACAP, including St. Matthew’s. The arrival of the

Harvest Sunday bounties at RACAP marks the beginning of

holiday basket preparations.

Members of our youth group, along with a generous of-

fering of help from folks at Randolph AFB, will help pre-

pare and deliver the baskets on November 16th and deliver

them on November 19th. There is, however, a lot of work

that needs to be done prior to these dates.

We need volunteers to inventory and shelve the food items

received from the Harvest Sundays, to transport to RACAP

the boxes we have been storing at the church, and to label

the boxes. These tasks will tentatively take place the

Monday (and possibly the Wednesday) evenings fol-

lowing Harvest Sundays, in other words, on November 5th

and November 12th

, with other dates as determined

necessary. Then we need volunteers with trucks to do an

early morning pick-up of the turkeys and other perisha-

ble food items from the HEB on FM 3009 on the morn-

ing of November 19th

.

Be watching the December Matt’s Missive and weekly bul-

letins for information on dates for preparing the Christmas

meal baskets. If you are interested in helping in either

month, please contact Tish Barnhart at 659-1287.

On October 14, Felix Baumgartner jumped from a balloon-

borne gondola more than 24 miles above the earth’s surface,

broke the sound barrier en route to a top speed of 833 miles

per hour, and opened his parachute for a soft landing in the

New Mexico desert. His record-breaking feat would not have

been possible without the protection provided by the capsule

he rode in and the pressure suit he wore; both of these were

extensively tested at the Brooks City-Base laboratory where

Bill Ercoline, our Senior Warden, is the Operations Manager.

Among the many on whose efforts and expertise Baumgartner’s

survival and success depended, one man brought a unique

contribution; a few months ago, Bill arranged for me to meet

this gracious, down-to-earth man — Joe Kittinger (now 84),

who held the previous record for a high-altitude skydive,

having successfully jumped from an open gondola at

102,800 feet in 1960. None of the advanced techniques and

technology that sought to simulate what Baumgartner would

encounter on his jump could provide what Kittinger alone had

to offer: his experience as the one man who had “been there

and done that.”

Kittinger served as an advisor for this project, and his “voice

of experience” proved to be essential in an unexpected way.

Although Baumgartner had readily jumped off buildings and

bridges, and soared across the English Channel in a carbon-

fiber wing, he suffered debilitating panic attacks when he was

inside the pressurized suit and helmet he would use for this

jump. One of the ways he overcame his panic was by staying

occupied throughout the ascent, and it was Joe Kittinger’s

reassuring voice that guided him step-by-step through every

move he would make when it came time to leave the capsule.

As you and I face uncertainty or fear in our lives, we also

have such a reassuring voice of one who has gone before us.

Jesus was “tested in every way as we are,” led the way for us

through the great mystery of death, and promised to guide us

on that journey to a new and glorious life with Him.

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

Tim+

Thanksgiving Meal Basket Preparation Volunteers Needed

By Tish Barnhart

A special thank you to those people who

donated time, food, and/or help for two very special

events held this last month — the Afternoon Tea and

the Chili Cook-Off. Both turned out so well. This

month’s issue does not have enough space to give the

credit and publicity each of these events deserves. But

several pictures and more details are available in the

online version at www.stmattuc.org. We hope you’ll

check it out!

Nominations are now being received for three new Vestry

members to serve three-year terms beginning January 2013.

Those who are just completing a three-year term, or at least

18 months of an unexpired term, are not eligible for election

to the Vestry for one full year.

Hope Ince and Terry May, who complete their three-year

terms this year, are serving as our Nominating Committee. Please turn in any recommendations to one of these two Vestry members not later than Monday, November 19, 2012. Nominations will not be taken from the floor. A list of

the nominees will be available in the December Matt’s Missive.

A meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in Creasy Hall to elect three new Vestry members from the names

submitted by the Nominating Committee.

What kind of Person Should We Nominate to Serve on the Vestry?

The Canonical requirements for a person serving on the Vestry are that a person be a communicant in good standing of St. Matthew’s. A communicant in good standing is defined as a member of St. Matthew’s (either baptized or confirmed) who for the previous year “has been faithful in corporate worship,

unless for good cause prevented, and has been faithful in working, praying and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God". (Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church I.17.3)

Summary of Duties: The following are typical of a Vestry member’s duties and are not intended to be all-inclusive:

� Attends all scheduled or called meetings in order to further the mission of St. Matthew’s.

� Supports both the Rector and Senior Warden by frequent communication with Parish members, to ensure that pro-active positions are achieved.

� Is a visible leader by helping organize needed Church Projects, or is becoming an active participant in them, to help create an attitude of cheerful service for others to follow.

� Answers questions asked by parishioners, using factual

knowledge gained through Vestry activities, to ensure accurate

and timely communication to the membership.

Nominations for Delegates to Diocesan Council

Hope and Terry are also accepting nominations for one Delegate and three Alternates to Diocesan Council. We will continue

the pattern of electing our four delegates and three alternates to

staggered three-year terms by vote of the congregation at the

same time as new Vestry members, that is, on December 2nd

.

Those continuing their terms are: Diane Woods (Delegate, 1

year), Wilma Heberling (Delegate, 2 years) and John

Sampson (Delegate, 2 years). Those elected as Alternates

will serve as Delegates in the second and third years of their

terms.

The Canons provide that a Delegate or an Alternate to Council be 16 years of age or older and a communicant in good standing of St. Matthew’s (see above). Our Bishop has encouraged us to put forward our best leaders to represent us at Council. The Annual Council normally takes place in February and lasts

from Thursday through Saturday. Councils are held in different locations across the diocese each year; the 2013 Council will be held February 21-23 in Corpus Christi. Thus, those nominated should be able and willing to spend the time and bear the bulk of the financial cost (meals and lodging) of participating.

Those elected will also represent St. Matthew’s at any Special

Councils called during their term.

VESTRY & COUNCIL DELEGATE NOMINATIONS

Matt’s Missive The Rev. Tim Vellom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rector Margaret Palmer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-editor Hope Ince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-editor

MATT’S MISSIVE (USPS 0112718) is published once a month, 12 times a year, by

ST. MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

810 Kitty Hawk Road

Universal City, Texas 78148

210-658-5956

Periodical postage paid at Universal City, TX 78148 Postmaster: Please send all Forms 3579 to

Matt’s Missive,

P.O. Box 2337

Universal City, TX 78148

Porter Loring Family Care Services is once again offering the “Grief and the Holidays” workshops.

According to Porter Loring, “These workshops provide an overview of the grieving process, how the holidays can trigger grief, and strategies for

coping. They can also help participants discover how they might use this tender season to further their own healing and recover from their loss.”

We are hosting a free “Grief and the Holidays” workshop on Monday, November 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Creasy Hall. The workshop will be conducted

by Sister Mary Theresa, who is a specialist in the areas of death, dying, and bereavement. We encourage everyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one,

no matter how long ago, to attend. Even though you personally haven’t suffered a loss, you may have been affected by a friend’s loss and would benefit from the

workshop. Signup sheets will be in the Narthex.

“Grief and the Holidays” Workshop

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m.

on Sunday, November 4th. Fall Back!

Thursday, November 1: Lunch Bunch, 12:15 p.m. DST,

Creasy Hall.

Sunday, November 4: Daylight Savings Time ends.

Sunday, November 4: EMC Consecration Sunday.

St. Matthew’s Harvest Sunday and

Potluck Lunch, 12:15 p.m. Creasy

Hall.

Monday, November 12: Grief & the Holidays Workshop,

6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Library.

Friday, November 16: Game night, 6:30 p.m. Creasy Hall.

Sunday, November 18: EMC Celebration Sunday.

Thanksgiving Service with Christ

the King, Lutheran Church, 6:00

p.m. at St. Matthew’s.

Thursday, November 22: Thanksgiving Day; office closed.

Friday, November 23: Office Closed

Tuesday, November 27: Vestry Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the

Library.

**Please Note: Dining Out will resume in January

November Calendar

From the Senior Warden . . .

Lots of opportunities coming! Here’s a quick summary of

the more important issues in the works between now and the

end of the year. First, our EMC has begun; it’s probably the

most important event because of the impact it has on our

ability to set a budget and to maintain our programs. Next,

we need to replace three outgoing Vestry members, who

have ably served the mission and vision of St. Matthew’s

for the past three years.

Third, the Vestry is in the process now of reviewing all

ministry programs to determine how best to match talent

with program needs. As the year comes to an end, you

will be given lots of opportunities to share your talents

with the future of our church. Oh, and did I mention that

many of our ministries need help?! And finally, just to

make things more interesting, the tower continues to give

us headaches — but only when we have a heavy rain.

(Let’s stay positive.)

Please give serious consideration and prayer to your

pledge, and while doing that, think about getting more

involved with our many ministries. If you’re content with

not getting involved, that’s OK too, but I want you to

know there is a need at St. Matthew’s for volunteers. Let

one of the Vestry members know you’re interested. Don’t

postpone your willingness to help. Let someone know.

Let me close by borrowing a line from Seneca (3 BC to 65

AD): “While we are postponing, life speeds by.”

God bless you.

Bill Ercoline, Senior Warden

RACAP News By Kathy Ercoline

Please join us as we celebrate

Harvest Sunday November 4, 2012.

Bring non-perishable food items and paper goods to Creasy Hall. Collection will start at the 8:00 a.m. service and will continue through the potluck lunch after the 10:30 service. All the items donated will be delivered to RACAP to fill holiday baskets.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR HOLIDAY BASKETS

Donated money will be used for purchasing turkeys, fresh vegetables, breads, and pie shells.

“Thank you for helping us help others.”

Chicken Broth Flour Granulated sugar (4lb) Powdered Sugar (1lb) Canned Green Beans Canned Corn Cream of Mushroom Soup Fruit Pie Filling Yams Canned Fruits Macaroni and Cheese Evaporated Milk Canned Onion Rings

Boxed Potatoes/Rice Canned Pumpkin Fruit Cocktail Cranberry Sauce Fruit Juice Crisco (1 lb. can) Brown Sugar Pie Shells Canned Juices Apple Sauce Pasta and Sauce Stuffing Mix Cake Mixes

We kicked off our annual Every Member Canvass (EMC) or

“pledge drive” a couple of weeks ago. This occurs every

fall and is necessary for the running of St. Matthew’s.

Stewardship, however, is not just an annual funds drive:

Stewardship is year-round and it is about how we use our

time, our talents, and all our resources – not just our money.

As the Diocese of West Texas website says, “Stewardship is

what we do with all that God has given us, all the time.”

There are many ways in which we can give of our time and

talents at St. Matthew’s. Some of our ministries now need

volunteers in order to continue serving our parish family.

We ask you to consider how your gifts may be used.

As you prayerfully consider how God is calling you to

use your gifts, the following prayer may help: Almighty

God, you have blessed each of us with unique gifts, and

have called us into specific occupations, relationships,

and activities using those gifts. Enable us to use our talents

to witness to our faith in you and to communicate your

love to the people we meet each day. Empower us to be

ministers of reconciliation, love, hope, and justice. Keep

us steadfast in our commitment to serve actively in your

name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Occasional

Services, Augsburg, 1982, p. 148)

“Reach out and become a steward of all you have been given.” (www.dwtx.org)

Ministry Focus: Stewardship By Diane Woods and Terry May

A Pictorial Review of St. Matthew’s - October 2012

On October 26th, our Dining Out group gathered on the patio at La Hacienda for a relaxing evening of fellowship and good food.

. . . Suzi Hopkins, Kathy Ercoline, Wilma Heberling, and Pat DePasquale kept us supplied with tea and “sweets and savories” to enjoy as we listened to poetry and music.

Karen Moore and Kathy Ercoline created the “Roses & Lace” ambiance for our Afternoon Tea on October 20th — and Pat Mahran made all those lovely teacup favors . . .

To the background music by Joe Newgent, we made bids on the auction items and admired the “bargain” outfits

modeled by Nina Thomas . . .

A spirited auction of the remaining treasures wrapped up the afternoon – ticket and auction sales netted $1,800. Thanks go to the many folks who made this such a success.

. . . Wilma Heberling, Shawn Cooksey, Kathy Ercoline, Joan McClain, and Jan Bonner – all wearing beautiful styles found at three local thrift stores!

. . . while Derek Charette, David Ince, Ron Dunlap, and Vince Michel carefully tasted and compared the merits of each of the 12 batches.

And the Grand Prize Apron went to John Mauceri, with Derek Bartholomew and John Sampson coming in second and third — we enjoyed them all!

Fr. Tim, with his miter and staff, rounded up the youth group in Creasy Hall – all in eager anticipation of the Chili Cook-Off results . . .

. . . and seven of the cooks (John Sampson was off getting cheese at HEB) proudly displayed their bounteous pots of chili and waited . . .

On the 28th, Gratitude Sunday, Bill and Wayne reminded us that Together We Light the Way as they handed out our Pledge Cards for this year’s EMC.

That evening, our youngsters (disguised in a variety of cute and/or scary costumes) gathered for treats and games outdoors.

Postmaster: Send address changes to

MATT’S MISSIVE

P.O. Box 2337 Universal City, Texas 78148

SECOND CLASS PERIODICAL

November Ministry Schedule

Duty November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25

Altar Guild Terry May

Diane Woods

Kathy Mulligan

Diane Woods

John & Audrey Blumenthal David & Hope Ince

Cooks Gudrun Gustin

(continental)

Bill & Kathy Ercoline

Terry May & Diane Woods Greg & Kathy Coolidge,

Mendell Morgan, Don Carey John & Wilma Heberling

8 a.m. Servers & Readers

Barbara Duffield (S)

Doreen Armogida (R)

Wilma Heberling (S)

Jan Bonner (R)

Nina Thomas (S)

Suzi Hopkins (R)

Suzi Hopkins (S)

Susan Brown (R)

10:30 a.m. Servers Mendell Morgan

Kathy Mulligan

Vince Michel

Lisa Merrifield

Mendell Morgan

Hope Ince

Sean Keane-Dawes

David Ince

10:30 a.m. Readers Diane Woods

Hope Ince

Melissa Mudge

Mendell Morgan

David Ince Jr.

Susan Brown

Derek Charette

Lisa Merrifield

Acolytes Billy Baskin

Bud Erwin

Myia Mauceri

Madelaine Borrego

Tom Barnhart

Hope Ince

Devin Bradlaw

Rebecca Francis

Christopher Carter

Crystal Francis

Kimberley Erwin

Marley Bartholomew

Vince Michel

Ellen Barnhart

Myia Mauceri

Marcy Bartholomew

8 a.m. Hosts John & Mary Hamilton Frank & Pat DePasquale Ron & Jayne Dunlap Don Carey

10:30 a.m. Hosts Sean Keane-Dawes (A)

Mary Dunham (B)

Audrey Blumenthal (A)

John Blumenthal (B)

Diane Woods (D)

Terri Egbert (A)

Howie Egbert (B)

Derek Charette (D)

Francine Baskin (A)

Billy Baskin (B)

Tish Barnhart (D)

Prayers of the People Sean Keane-Dawes Hope Ince John Means Bonnie Bell

9 Bean Soup Ministry Terry May & Diane Woods Ann Vellom John & Barbara Means Terry May & Diane Woods

Home Communion Sean Keane-Dawes

Mendell Morgan

No Home Communion Tish Barnhart (8:00)

Pam Calvert

No Home Communion

8 a.m. Prayer Ministry

Joan McClain No Prayer Minister Don Carey No Prayer Minister

10:30 a.m. Prayer Ministry

Barbara Duffield

No Prayer Minister Bob Jones No Prayer Minister

Children’s Church Liz Sampson Mary Bartholomew Liz Sampson Mary Bartholomew

AudioVisual Jacob Mauceri Devin Bradlaw Ellen Barnhart Molly Baskin

Alysha Wyatt

Lockup/Security Tish Barnhart Terry May Jayne Dunlap Bill Ercoline