Glad Tidings St.
Matthew UCC/ (504) 861-8196
The Newsletter of Central St. Matthew UCC
Church: You’re Amazing
Excerpt from Revelation 2:12-29
“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your
service and perseverance, and that you are
now doing more than you did at first.”
Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson
These aren’t easy times to be the church, are
they? The financial bottom-line is nipping at
your heels. Some group in the congregation is
complaining of this or that. And you have to
contend with headline-grabbers who attach the
name of Christ and the church to their sorry,
stupid schemes.
So here’s a word of encouragement and
appreciation for you and your church. ―I know
your deeds, your love and faith, your service
and perseverance . . .‖ God is watching and
God sees that you are amazing. Really.
I get to work with all sorts of congregations all
across the country. I am regularly stunned.
Stunned at their incredible faithfulness, at the
love I see, at the acts of service and the
amazing perseverance of the church and
people of the church. The media are blind to
this. Worse, we too are often blind to the
goodness and faithfulness unfolding week by
week in our own congregation.
But in every congregation I visit I see love and
faith, service and perseverance. I see the poor
fed, the children taught, adults seeking deeper
lives, strangers welcomed, love lived and God
praised. Church, you’re amazing.
Prayer
Lord, give us eyes to see the faithfulness and
goodness right in our midst, and to praise You
for it. Amen
Taken from the Daily Devotional
October, 2010
Where we are in the process…
If you happen to have your March newsletter
lying around or on your computer, reread the
article on the Pastoral Search Committee and
the tasks it has to complete. There is an
extensive list.
Let it be known that this committee, though
very diverse, is prayerful and comes to a
consensus on all matters and candidates.
We have poured through and read many
profiles, but have not yet closed the door on
receiving more. We have sorted through the
ones we have and believe we have come up
with a top three or four. We have selected
interview questions and are checking
references, but anything can happen at this
point. We have had two candidates that we
liked, take another call. So don’t get too
excited yet.
Initially, the committee met weekly, but as life
happens, we have found it more difficult to
hold meetings where everyone can be
present. It is imperative at this point that
everyone be present.
As we continue to narrow the field, we pray
for God’s guidance and we ask that we sense
the spirit of discernment and truth in our
process.
We ask for your patience and prayers.
Your Pastoral Search Committee

East Vincent church gives out $36K to area groups!
By Dennis J. Wright
By Dennis J. Wright Journal Register News Service
Journal Register News Service
EAST VINCENT — St. Vincent's United Church of
Christ presented $36,000 to six local community
groups during church services Sunday morning.
Church representatives Bob Hepler and Jen Epps
invited each organization to stand before the
congregation to accept its check and to give an
overview of how the money will be used.
Hepler said the money comes from the church's
mission efforts, and is excited to see how the
organizations will benefit from their donation.
"We are taking a small pebble, and throwing it into
the river," Hepler said. "We are anxious to see the
ripple effect."
First to receive a check was April Harley of the
Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Center.
Harley said the funds will go toward satellite radio
programming for the seniors.
"It's geared to the 20s to the 60s," Harley said. "It'll
be soothing music for those with dementia. Thank
you from all of the veterans and the southeastern
veterans center."
Dr. Lorna Stuart of The Clinic, a Phoenixville
facility for the uninsured, said the gift from the
church will go toward two full exam rooms.
"We are having our eighth birthday soon," Stuart
said. "We've seen people from 108 countries, and
one out of seven people don't have health
insurance. Every single patient of ours is treated
with compassion. Your gift is going toward a lot of
things. We are running out of space so it'll go
toward that. This money could fill two full exam
rooms."
Helping people get back on their feet — either with
food or help with utility bills — is where the money
given to Carol Berger and Phoenixville Area
Community Services will go towards.
Page 2 of 8
"This means an enormous amount to us," Berger
said. "Your gift will touch a lot of lives. We've
helped feed the hungry and those who are without
heat and utilities. We are excited about lifting
people up and getting them back on their feet."
Mike Lenhart of Mensch Mill Conference and
Retreat Center said the funds will go to
scholarships for their summer camps.
"This gifts shows you believe in what we do there,"
Lenhart said. "We try to help folks from all
denominations find God through our ministries.
This gift is going to scholarships for our summer
camp. It will help kids connect with nature, their
spirituality and other children."
Representing Project Outreach was Alan Collins,
who thanked the congregation for the "gift of
kindness."
"We provide for over 160 families a week," Collins
said. "We have over 200 volunteers assisting us in
our programs."
The final recipient, Sandy Todt from Phoenixville
Area Positive Alternatives, said her organization
serves about 600 kids in the community.
"We are all about the children," Todt said. "We are
helping children with our programs so it will have a
ripple effect."
The recipients were invited to meet with the
congregation following services and partake in
refreshments.
Page 3 of 8

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer Spotlight: Second Harvest Food Bank

For nearly 28 years, Second Harvest Food Bank has been feeding hope in south
Louisiana. Central St. Matthew has been collecting food to donate to Second Harvest for
some time now but we can also help with our time and talents. There are many different
ways to volunteer. You can help Second Harvest by volunteering to assist with:

Sorting, boxing and repackaging donated food for distribution to food pantries
Special events
Special projects
Warehouse assistance
Administrative work
Mobile pantry outreach

Volunteer shifts for sorting and packaging food are available year-round:
Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

Get involved today. Contact the Volunteer Services Department, at 504-729-2849 to

learn about available volunteer opportunities.

Anyone who has an interest in the planning and beginning of a community garden at
the Bienville campus please call or email Marie Weatherspoon
(mswspoon12@yahoo.com 251-9079) or Arlean Fermanis (afermanis@sprynet.com
866-8908). It is an exciting idea for the community and we need your help in getting the
idea off the ground.
 Page 4 of 8

Vital Signs
Financial Update: Our revised 2010 budget calls for us to collect an average of $22,575 per
month to meet our expense and outreach obligations.

As of the end of September, this would amount to about $203,175. Between our tithes, offerings and
rental income, we have collected $191,859.65 for the nine months ending September, 2010. Please
check to see if your pledge is up to date.

Thank you for your generous gifts, tithes and offerings in support of our church’s ministry and
outreach. By the way, please make all checks payable to Central St. Matthew UCC. Envelope
numbers are no longer necessary. Credit for cash donations will be given when money is in any
envelope, identified, and designated. Envelopes are provided on the Welcome Table and/or from the
ushers.

Should you require a check, please submit your voucher to the office by Wednesday morning for
Sunday availability. Our new procedures do not allow for checks on a same day basis.

If you have any questions, please see Carol or Dale.

Prayer List

Please continue to pray for:

- Wilfred J. Lodrig
- Lydia Duplessis
- Curry Miller
- Winston Gifford
- Rudolph Garrison
- Ethel Creel
- Melvin Chaix
- Eddie Gebhardt
- Ben Johnson and family
- Ricky Lyn Myers
- Doris Kerner
- Verna Sileci
- Rhonda Smith
- Eleanor Laurer
- and the family of Gloria Simmons.
Page 5 of 8

Things We Can Do
Od! For He has crafted me and He has blown

THE GREEN CORNER by Marsha

The goals are reduce, REUSE, and recycle! Here are some tips for reusing common items:
* EMPTY PAPER TOWEL ROLLS can be flattened and used as sheaths to protect serrated
knives
* OLD SHOWER CURTAINS can be used as 'drop cloths' in the car trunk. Stash one there for
carting potentially messy gear like paints, or food that might leak or spill
* USED COFFEE GROUNDS should be spread over flower beds of plants that crave acid,
such as azaleas and rhododendrons.
* FOAM PACKING PEANUTS can be used to line the base of a flower pot in order to prevent
leakage
* PLASTIC MESH PRODUCE BAGS are perfect for creating your own clean up sponge! Just
roll up the bag and use it as a scouring pad.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

So far this year, we have donated approximately 744 lbs. of food to Second Harvest! Can we reach
1000 lbs.? Our commodities for the rest of the year are as follows:

OCTOBER Dried and canned beans

NOVEMBER Canned fruit (including pumpkin)
DECEMBER Cereals (whole grain, low sugar)

Justice and Witness Ministries

As October nears we enter the final, frenetic stretch of the 2010 midterm election campaign. Midterm
elections typically show a drop-off in voter participation, but the stakes in terms of issue advocacy are as high
th
as ever. The members of the 112 Congress elected in November will wrestle with the challenges of
widespread unemployment and economic recovery, developing a sustainable energy plan, immigration reform
and the struggle for a just peace in Iraq, Afghanistan and regions around the world, to name but a few.
Divisive, inflammatory debate on the issues of the day can cause people to turn away from the polling booth
out of cynicism, disappointment and resignation. As people of faith, we can play a unique and needed
nonpartisan role in this election cycle by encouraging civil, respectful dialogue that builds community and a
hopeful vision of the future.
We invite you to use the resources posted on the 2010 UCC Our Faith Our Vote website and the interfaith
Faithful Democracy website to find voter registration requirements, to provide forums for respectful dialogue
on the important issues of the day, to organize get out the vote efforts on November 2 and to protect the right
of every person to cast their vote.

Learn more. Engage in the elections using these easy steps!

http://www.ucc.org/ourfaithourvote/join-the-movement.html
 Page 6 of 8

Test Your Savvy on Religion

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Published: October 9, 2010

Time for a pop quiz.

The New York Times reported recently on a Pew Research Center poll in which religious people turned out to
be remarkably uninformed about religion. Almost half of Catholics didn’t understand Communion. Most
Protestants didn’t know that Martin Luther started the Reformation. Almost half of Jews didn’t realize
Maimonides was Jewish. And atheists were among the best informed about religion.
So let me give everybody another chance. And given the uproar about Islam, I’ll focus on extremism and
fundamentalism — and, as you’ll see, there’s a larger point to this quiz. Note that some questions have more
than one correct choice; answers are at the end.

1. Which holy book stipulates that a girl who does not bleed on her wedding night should be stoned to death?
a. Koran
b. Old Testament
c. (Hindu) Upanishads

2. Which holy text declares: ―Let there be no compulsion in religion‖?

a. Koran
b. Gospel of Matthew
c. Letter of Paul to the Romans

3. The terrorists who pioneered the suicide vest in modern times, and the use of women in terror attacks, were
affiliated with which major religion?
a. Islam
b. Christianity
c. Hinduism

4. "Every child is touched by the devil as soon as he is born and this contact makes him cry. Excepted are Mary
and her Son.‖ This verse is from:
a. Letters of Paul to the Corinthians
b. The Book of Revelation
c. An Islamic hadith, or religious tale

5. Which holy text is sympathetic to slavery?

a. Old Testament
b. New Testament
c. Koran

6. In the New Testament, Jesus’ views of homosexuality are:

a. strongly condemnatory
b. forgiving
c. never mentioned

7. Which holy text urges responding to evil with kindness, saying: ―repel the evil deed with one which is better.‖
a. Gospel of Luke
b. Book of Isaiah
c. Koran

8. Which religious figure preaches tolerance by suggesting that God looks after all peoples and leads them all to
their promised lands?
a. Muhammad
b. Amos
c. Jesus
Page 7 of 8

Test Your Savvy on Religion (cont’d)

9. Which of these religious leaders was a polygamist?

a. Jacob
b. King David
c. Muhammad

10. What characterizes Muhammad’s behavior toward the Jews of his time?
a. He killed them.
b. He married one.
c. He praised them as a chosen people
.
11. Which holy scripture urges that the "little ones" of the enemy be dashed against the stones?
a. Book of Psalms
b. Koran
c. Leviticus

12. Which holy scripture suggests beating wives who misbehave?

a. Koran
b. Letters of Paul to the Corinthians
c. Book of Judges

13. Which religious leader is quoted as commanding women to be silent during services?
a. The first Dalai Lama
b. St. Paul
c. Muhammad

Answers:
1. b. Deuteronomy 22:21.
2. a. Koran, 2:256. But other sections of the Koran do describe coercion.
3. c. Most early suicide bombings were by Tamil Hindus (some secular) in Sri Lanka and India.
4. c. Hadith. Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet to be revered.
5. All of the above.
6. c. Other parts of the New and Old Testaments object to homosexuality, but there’s no indication of Jesus’
views.
7. c. Koran, 41:34. Jesus says much the same thing in different words.
8. b. Amos 9:7
9. all of them
10. all of these. Muhammad’s Jewish wife was seized in battle, which undermines the spirit of the gesture. By
some accounts he had a second Jewish wife as well.
11. a. Psalm 137
12. a. Koran 4:34
13. b. St. Paul, both in 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2, but many scholars believe that neither section was
actually written by Paul.

And yes, the point of this little quiz is that religion is more complicated than it
sometimes seems, and that we should be wary of rushing to inflammatory
conclusions about any faith, especially based on cherry-picking texts. The most
crucial element is perhaps not what is in our scriptures, but what is in our hearts.
 Central St. Matthew UCC Page 8 of 8

Mailing Address: CALENDAR

1333 S. Carrollton Ave. October/November
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: Tuesday, Oct 26 Governing Council Meeting
(504) 861-8196
Thursday, Oct 28 Praisercize
Fax:
(504)861-8197 Saturday, Oct 30, 10:00 Diaconate Meeting
E-Mail:
Sunday, Oct 31 Youth Sunday Worship
office@centralstmatthew.com
Office Hours: Thursday, Nov 4 Praisercize

Church Secretary: Sunday, Nov 7 Art Auction/Potluck

Mrs. Brandy Perez
Mon., Wed., and Friday Thursday, Nov 11 Praisercize
9 am to 2 pm
Saturday, Nov 13 Diaconate Meeting
Interim Pastor:
Rev. Cheryl Q. W. Cramer Tuesday, Nov 16 Board of Trustees Meeting
504-288-2607 Board of Christian Ed Meeting
504-920-1035
cqwcramer@bellsouth.net Thursday, Nov 18 Praisercize

Friday, Nov 19 Church Women United Meeting

We’re on the Web! Tuesday, Nov 23 Governing Council Meeting

See us at:
www.centralstmatthewucc.org

CENTRAL ST. MATTHEW UCC

1333 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118

COMPANY NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, 00000