In August 2023, our Vestry approved a plan for a Church Landscaping and Beautification Project. The vestry then tasked a committee to sort through the various designs and quotes offered to us by various Landscaping Contractors. This committee then chose Chizmar Landscaping Co. and will continue to oversee the approved general design and the scope of work. In addition, the committee has multiple specific decisions left to make regarding placement, materials, and costs related to our final design. In the end, this final design will then be presented to the Vestry for approval. The project will focus on the entrances and the front of our structures facing Oakland Ave. We expect to see this work begin in the spring or early summer.
While we have attempted to get input and generate interest in the project, we want to make sure that we (Priest and Vestry) are communicating what it is we are trying to accomplish and why. In the coming weeks, I will be presenting several different articles related to The Landscape and Beautification Project, and how it fits into the bigger picture of our mission to the greater Bloomington-Normal Area and beyond.
In preparation for these articles, I would ask you to read the below link to a section of our church website. This information will give you the flow and direction of our outreach since I have been here as a Priest, as well as exposing you to some of the updates to our website.
To Serve: Preparing for Mission
See you Sunday!
Fr. Tom
Upcoming Schedule
Adult Christian Ed Class Sunday, 9 AM.
Choir Meet/Practice
Wednesdays, 4:30 PM, in the choir/organ loft
Home Sweet Home Project
Saturday, March 23, fundraising dinner
NEW OUTREACH PROJECT
During these cold winter months, let’s donate to Home Sweet Home Ministries’ programs to house and care for the homeless. The Rapid Rehousing Program helps people in need get into housing quickly by allowing a property owner to lease a unit to HSH, which then vets participants and attempts to alleviate issues that may arise.
The Mission has also been offering shelter, warmth, and food to homeless people living in tents nearby. St. Matthews has been collecting blankets for this effort. We can also collect the following items.
- bottled water
- pop-top cans of soup
- paper towels
- toilet paper
- toothpaste
- deodorant and body wash for men and women
- new bath towels (full-sized)
Please put whatever you choose to donate on our stone counter adjacent to the fireplace. Thank you for helping! The Outreach Committee
PROJECT HOME SWEET HOME
The Outreach Committee is sponsoring a dinner and fundraiser on March 23rd, Saturday, before Holy Week, to support Home Sweet Home’s “Rapid Rehousing Program”, A verifiably successful program that addresses homelessness. Please mark your calendar and consider inviting friends to join you. Much more information will follow in the weeks ahead. Note The initial meeting of this event’s planning committee will take place this Monday, February, 19th at 7:00 p.m. If you are moved to join, simply show up Linda T. – Outreach