The Perfect Mother’s Day Picnic

The Lord provided an absolutely beautiful day at West Point Lake for the St. Matthews family and friends 4th annual “Mother’s Day at the Lake” celebration.

After our service led by Canon Dan Hale from Christ the King (Sharpsburg Ga.), we packed up the food, grill, bathing suits, fishing poles and other implements of fun and took the fifteen minute drive from our mission church in Hogansville to the lake for what turned out to be the perfect picnic experience … there was football flinging, guitar strumming, flute playing, singing, and even a song for Tracy Pikes (fifty-ish) birthday.

Father Ron’s wife Nancy was heard to say that overall “This was a Stellar Day” in the life of the St. Matthews family.

Sy. Matthews Representitives Attend Dance Workshop

A liturgical dance workshop was held recently at The Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, GA.  The Fellowship of Living Praise Dance Ministry Team, Clermont, GA, served as the instructors for the day-long event. In the 1990’s the Living Praise dance members were trained by a CEC priest that most knew as “Father David” who danced at the 2000 ICCEC International Convocation in California. The objective was to encourage the workshop participants to “dance for an audience of ONE and to bring him glory…” and to “dance prophetically with fire and passion.” This workshop was interactive and included “feet on” participation and a time of prayer and spiritual impartation. The workshop was sponsored by the Division of Diocesan Ministry Development of which Dr. Judy Massey is the Director. The Church of the Holy Cross (Canon Paul Massey, Vicar) in Fayetteville, GA provided funds for the workshop that were not covered by participant fees. Workshop participants came from St. Matthew’s Church, Hogansville; St. Michael’s Church, Thomaston; St. Luke’s Church, Manchester, GA; and Christ the King, Sharpsburg.

In photo: (left to right)
Seated: Linda Fitzpatrick, Pawlette Fowler, Judy Garner, Tara Aquirre, Nancy Mas, and Chanda Bourgeois, all of Clermont
2nd row: Heidi Kampras, Hogansville, Dawn Clark, Dede Ellison; Manchester; Katherine Kampras, Hogansville; Sharon Wills, Manchester; Rainee L. Head, Sharpsburg; and Dr Judy Massey, Peachtree City
Back row: Taylor Alfred, Hogansville; Penny Phillips, Manchester; Anna Bunn, April Bunn, Annie Hoffman, Patty Roethel, Thomaston; and Christi Thompson, Newnan.

Conformation Celebration

It’s always an amazing time and a wonderful experience when we celebrate the Holy Sacraments of  God in our services at St. Matthews and this was  a “Stellar Day” in the kingdom of God.

Bishop David laid hands on and confirmed four of our young members into the “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.” Our time together was further enhanced as Canon Dan Hale and Deacon Tony McGee made the trip with our bishop and participated in the service. Bishop David prayed for each of those being confirmed and encouraged them to step out in their ministry gifts to the world around them.

Pictured standing next to Father Ron in the photo at right are Natasha Kampras, Canon Dan, Brandon Sersey, Bishop David, Taylor Alfred, Deacon Tony, and Jordan Dorrough.

After the service we all gathered in the parish hall for a grand reception.

“A Great Thanksgiving Feast”

We had a great Thanksgiving day at St. Matthews as the parish hall filled up with family and friends.  We were expecting about fifty people and sure enough we served at least that many. There was 35 pounds of turkey and 20 pounds of ham along with all the traditional side dishes.

 

 

It was wonderful to see all the different families that came together to share with us and we were truly blessed when Canon Bob Wills and his wife Sharon came in to join us.  No one went home hungry and many carried food home with them for those that were unable to be with us.  “We praise God for His bountiful provision”.

Early Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Matthews

This Sunday Fr. Ron stepped into the pulpit for the first time in the seven weeks since his surgery to remove a tumor from his esophagus. Although his treatment will continue for several more weeks, the Lord has strengthened him so that he was able to lead the service at St. Matthews and with God’s continued grace Fr. Ron hopes to continue to lead our services during the healing process that is still before him.

Father Ron said “It was a very emotional moment for me when I lifted the consecrated bread and wine, and pronounced ‘These are the gifts of God for the people of God’ … and I thank the Lord for His strength that enabled me to be our celebrant once again.”

After the service we all moved back into the parish hall for baked ham and turkey (prepared by Yolanda Alfred) and the many delicious side dishes brought by so many others.

This was truly a “Great Thanksgiving Day” at our mission.

“The Baptism of Jordan”

One of our favorite things to do at St. Matthew’s is the sacrament of Holy Baptism and on Sunday July 12th we had a truly memorable time of it.  Father Ron baptized 16 year old Jordan Dorrough and Aaron Greggor (9 yrs.).

Following the liturgy of the sacred vows Fr. Ron sprinkled the entire congregation with Holy Water and when it came to the administering of the Oil of Sacred Chrism he invited all in the congregation that had been baptized but never sealed as “Christ’s own Forever” in a sacramental service, to come up and join with Jordan and Aaron.

All in all two were baptized and fourteen were sealed as Christ’s own.

Thousands March in Pro-Life Rally

July 6, 2009 – 9:39 am

Editors note: Father Terry Gensemer and a team from CEC for Life participated in this rally, working with Youth Defence. Cassandra Donatelli, Church of Christ Jesus Victor in Portland Maine, is seen in the photo below at the far right. The story and photo were provided to us by Precious Life – see preciouslife.com for more information.

Gardai put the figure at around 3,000, organizers believe it was more like 4,000-5,000 participants, but no matter what the attendance at Saturday’s All-Ireland Pro-life Rally the message was made very clear: the people of this island want Ireland to remain abortion free.

The rally heard speakers from such anti-abortion groups as Youth Defence, Precious Life and Coir.

Bernie Smyth of Precious Life told the marchers of the threats to life in the north of Ireland: “we’re dealing with an attempt by the Department of Health in the north to introduce abortion on broad grounds by attempting to introduce new so-called abortion guidelines”.

Niamh Uí Bhriain, chairperson of the Rally Committee, pointed to the current dangers to Ireland’s pro-life ethos in the south. She mentioned the push for embryo research in University College Cork; the abortion case being sponsored by the Irish Family Planning Association before the European Court of Justice; and the HSE’s recent comments regarding abortion and disabled children, as serious matters of concern. “The majority of people in this country are pro-life,” she affirmed. “But we need to make sure our voices are heard for the unborn, since together we are the voice for the voiceless.”

St. Matthews Begins Jubilee Celebration

Father Ron and Nancy Clemmer invited all St. Matthew’s Parishoners and friends to come to their “Memorial Day” backyard barbecue. Today we Thank God  and remember all the men and women who have given their lives to procure and preserve the freedoms we have in our country and we pray for all those who are currently serving America, especially those in harms way.

For our mission here in Hogansville Georgia this also kicks off the celebration of our seventh year anniversary. On “Pentecost Sunday” 2002  St. Matthews Charismatic Episcopal Church offically began in an “Upper Room” in downtown Hogansville.

Youth Night at St. Matthews

On Friday night (May 15th) St. Matthews held a special evening of “Praise and Worship” that was open to the community. Our worship band for the event was “Mosaic” from Fayette County. This group has a unique way of letting the Holy Spirt lead, and for the concert they set up a microphone for any of the young worshipers to come up and give a song, read a scripture, or deliver a “Word from God” .

“Mother’s Day at the Lake”

St. Matthew’s held it’s 2nd annual “Mother’s Day Picnic” after our service this past Sunday.

After the proclamation “Go forth to the lake rejoicing in the power of the Spirit” we all headed to West Point Lake.  Brat’s, Burger’s and Dogs grilled to perfection by Glen and Yolanda Alfred … and of course all the side dishes would hardly fit on the picnic table. The biggest eater award went to Susan Burnette’s son Tyler (a defensive lineman at Troy St. University) … He put away at least four hot dogs and five hamburger’s (He didn’t know we were counting).

We finished up the meal with a “Happy Birthday” Song (slightly off key) and plenty of cake as we celebrated Tracy Pike’s birthday.

For the rest of the day it was all about throwing the football, fishing, swimming, swapping stories and all the things that go along with a day at the lake.

It was a “Happy Mother’s Day”