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Dear Friends,

In 2012 I had the opportunity to stand beside Bede's tomb located inside of Durham Cathedral at the heart of Durham in northeast England. Bede was an Anglo-Saxon monk who lived in Northumbria and died in the year 735. He is chiefly remembered as the author of "The Ecclesiastical History of the English People" — a wonderful account of the Church in England from the arrival of the Roman mission through to his own day.  He lived his entire life (from age 7 onwards!) in the monastery and was happy to do so.  He gave himself to historical study and the interpretation of the Scriptures and greatly influenced the entire Church through his riveting accounts of the past.

This quiet, happy monk became ill shortly after Easter in the year 735. Though in considerable physical pain, he kept his mind clear; and as he contemplated going to be with the Lord, his spirit became cheerful. He died on the eve of Ascension Day, May twenty-fifth, as he gently sang these words to himself: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be .... ”

He is one of my favorites.  At one of my previous parishes (St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, SK) we would celebrate our saint day by enacting a scene from Bede's book, 1300 years after he wrote it!  The work we do in delight and in service to God outlasts us and continues to mean much to the world!  

Parking

Though the outside of the parking lot looks full when you drive up on Sundays, you'll notice that our new tenants, Hope City Church, are leaving the middle parking spots, closest to the church for St. Matthew parishioners, so brave the gauntlet and drive on in!

Children's and Family Service on June 5th (Pentecost)

We are looking forward to this.  Trish and Dick Martin are heading this up but of course we need children to be present for this to work.  We hope to see our families out for this special event.  In addition, Trish would like to practice with the kids this Sunday (May 29th) in preparation so please consider bringing your children this Sunday as well.  It will be fun!  

Speaking of fun...

ACW Project
70 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign! In honour of this, please bring new baby clothes during the month of May and put them into our ACW basket. These items will go into Bales for the North. We'll celebrate when we achieve 70 items (onesies, especially) with tea and scones after our Sunday, May 29th service--with live entertainment by Lloyd Bates. Our ACW thank you for your generous sharing.

I hear rumours that a Corgi dog may be present! 

Council Meeting:

Your council continues to work hard on preparing our parish for future growth.  We have put together a brochure outlining the project which will see our present worship space renewed!  Please take a brochure when you come to the church or see the midweek update (May 18th) for an attached copy

We're working with a company that will help us "get the word out" in our wider community.  Look for more updates on this!  They'll help each of us engage our community so that those who would like to know who we are and what we're up to get that chance!  Let's pray that St. Matthew fulfills the purpose for which it exists!

The Church isn't "plans" it's each of us, using our gifts, talents and treasure in service of God, and as we do so we find ourselves ushered into the delight that Bede experienced in his life.  May it be so for each of us!

With Easter hope,

Allen+