As you've heard from Rev. Colleen, we've chosen to undertake a direct outreach activity: sponsoring and serving a meal at Our Place.  Please send an email directly to Rev. Colleen if you're able to participate.  Or, leave a note in the "mail slot" on her office door on Sunday.  Rachel Hesketh is the Community Relations and Events Coordinator at Our Place ... we'll let her "speak" directly about what you can expect.  

Time commitment? Wednesday, February 5, from 11:45 am to about 1:45 pm.  

• Rachel will provide orientation prior and a short tour after your meal. 
• From start to finish, serving a sponsored meal takes approximately 90 minutes
• The St. Matthias group will be fully supported by Our Place kitchen staff, helping to plate the meal and hand it to people from behind the serving hatch
• They can accommodate up to five people in the kitchen (an extra couple people can help clear dishes and provide water to our family members)
• They will provide aprons and a safe space to store belongings
• [If you plan on bringing children, please let Rev. Colleen know ASAP.]
• Parking is limited directly outside,  Rachel recommends parking further up the street (There is paid parking outside of 1027 Pandora Ave. and free parking further up on the 1100 block across from Urgent Care).  Car pooling sounds like a good option!

Did you know that Bishop Anna regularly visits each parish in this wonderful Diocese of Islands and Inlets?  It's a very good thing she commutes on bicycle to keep herself healthy and fit!  As it happens, St. Matthias is right on her way, so we're very much present in her loving and prayerful heart.  

Most specially, it's "our turn" for her pastoral visit, Sunday, February 9.  She'll celebrate the Eucharist and preach.  We think she'll also stay for coffee!

In case you're wondering, pastoral visits are simply that:  she's the chief pastor of all the parishes in the diocese.  In that role, she likes to see for herself how we're doing (besides just cycling past and noting the buildings and gardens are still here).  So, come and enjoy her lovely presence.  [editor's note:  I don't know how to do this artistically, but we're happy to credit the photo attached to this note to Kevin Light / Diocese of Islands and Inlets.]

Get ready, get set, get excited!!! 

We're planning our Vestry Meeting, and it will be (as it usually is) on the last Sunday of February -- this year, Sunday, February 23rd.  This is a formal notice of our upcoming meeting and a request for your attendance.

You may remember (or, for those who are relatively new to the congregation), this is the most formal part of our local Anglican governance work.  It marks our collective and collaborative approach to supporting our community, which is a special hallmark of the Anglican tradition:  a partnership between clergy and lay (non-clergy!) folk.  

Like most "societies" or non-governmental organizations, we provide clear notice of this important meeting.  Our formal purposes include:  reviewing the annual budget, and electing wardens, parish council members, and lay delegates to synod.  In addition, we'll review the 2024 financial results, review and acknowledge reports from the many groups who have chosen to share the work that goes into our shared life together (e.g., Buildings and Grounds Committee, Hospitality / Kitchen Group, Healing Prayer Ministry).  

Speaking of parish council, etc.:  if you feel like it's time for you to join the collaborative leadership team, please speak to Rev. Colleen, Joan Wilson, or Cory Herrera.  (It's not a big call on meeting time: it's our practice to meet every two months.)

Speaking of reports:  you'll be receiving a cheery reminder very soon if you've been identified as a report-preparation person.  Our goal is to get all reports assembled so that the final document can be prepared in time to allow everyone to read and review in advance.  So ... the sooner the better, but perhaps if you could aim to send in your report (they're very brief, remember) by February 10, it would be a gift and a delight!

You're considered an elector (especially thinking of those "newer to us" folk) if you've been attending worship regularly for 3 months.  And, the canons do NOT specify a minimum (or maximum) age for being an elector!

It's all so very exciting!  OK, maybe not exciting, but such a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the incredible devotion, teamwork and care that keep our beloved community such a vibrant, welcoming house of God.  And, once again, this is a warm invitation to consider joining the team!