Quiet Day:  Saturday, November 15th 10AM - 2PM

Linnae Peterson's home: 26 First Ave, Goffstown 

Presenters: Winnie Skeates, MTS, Linnae Peterson, MDiv, Jill Desrochers, Joan Alayne Stevens

A Quiet Day affords participants a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of daily life to strengthen your soul in the company of other seekers.  It is free & lunch is provided. Space is limited, please register by calling 497-2003 or emailing office@stmattsepiscopal.org

Everyday Pastoral Care: Practicing Compassion Inside & Out has to do with living kindness as Christ would do. Learn how to take care of yourself so you can be aware of and respond to the needs of others.

10AM Empathy: Jesus practiced everyday pastoral care with everyone. Story after story Jesus is scolded for spending time with so called sinners and tax collectors. He devoted time with them to listen and understand their experiences. What was it like to be labeled as a "sinner" in Jesus' time? Who are the people that challenge us today? What assumptions do you make about another person? Can we try and understand the other persons experience? We will explore how we can empathize with those with whom we struggle - both from Jesus' time and modern day through guided meditations.

11AM Re- Energize: Empathy is hard work! Did you ever notice how Jesus is always wandering off to pray? It is draining to really commit to listening and understanding another person. Even Jesus needed a break to recharge himself in order to be a continuing presence of a God's love to all he encountered. We will hear stories of how Jesus recharged himself and share our own methods for caring for ourselves.

11:30 AM Gentle Yoga stretches - wear comfortable clothing

12:15PM Lunch

1:15PM It Takes A Village! Often understanding ourselves is even harder than understanding others. The Quakers recognized that each of us has an inner teacher, a voice of truth, that offers the guidance and power we need to deal with our problems. But that inner voice is often garbled by various kinds of inward and outward interference. We will be introduced to how Quakers encourage each other to hear their own inner voices through listening circles.

2 PM Adjourn: Go forth in peace 

Could you help 4-5 Sundays during the school year greeting at Sunday School? It's easy and fun. Arrive at 9:45 to greet parents and children and get them signed in. Stay in the hallway to be available in case the teachers need help with a child or a project. Shepherd the children back to the undercroft by 10:50 in time for communion with their families. Safe Church training is required. Please see Jill Desrochers or Joan Alayne Stevens if interested. Thanks - it's a great way to meet our wonderful young families!

I recently heard about a book that was being banned from schools because it dealt with the topic of mortality.  It's odd how some folks seem to think that if we don't talk about death it will somehow disappear. Much like the characters in the Harry Potter books fear to say the name of the evil wizard Voldemort, for fear that it will bring him closer to them, our culture fears to name death. Yet for the residents of Hogwarts it is only when they are able to name Voldemort that they can face their fear and eventually defeat their foe. Not naming death, not facing the reality of it, just increases our fear. As much as we want to protect our children, we do better to help them cope with death. Here are a couple of ideas to help your child if they are coping with the death a pet or of someone they know.

Young children: Help them say good-bye, make a card or drawing, tell a story about the person, and find a way to remember them, go to a special place to remember that person (in earlier times folks would take a picnic to the cemetery once a year, often on Memorial day).

Older children: Death often sparks the fear of losing a parent. Talk about the fear, and especially listen. Include in the conversation your guardianship arrangements. Do not promise that you will not die. No one knows the future.

Teens: While everyone grieves in their own way, teens need to see how to grieve. Talk to them about how you have experienced grieving-what helped, and what didn't. Give them space and revisit the topic from time to time.

This is a difficult journey. Be sure to ask for help and the wisdom of those who have walked this path before you.

"Lord help us to be grateful for your whole creation, that we may

honor thee with our substance and be faithful stewards

of thy bounty."  (BCP pg. 329)

"The Earth is the Lord's and all that dwells therein." (1 Corinthinian)

 Anniversary? Birthday? Thanksgiving?  Offerings for special occasions may be made by providing for worship in the following manner:

Give Thanks To God Always

IN GOD'S PRESENCE IS JOY

IN GOD'S SERVICE IS PERFECT FREEDOM

The Rev. William E. Exner+, Rector
Administrative Asst. Kelly Kennerson
St. Matthew's Church   7 N. Mast   Goffstown, NH 03045
phone: 603-497-2003 
email:   office@stmattsepiscopal.org
 

Office Hours: Tues 9:30-12:30, Wed 9:30-1:30pm & Thurs 9:30-12:30