Rector's Note

January 2012

The church is called to spread the Gospel to a world in need; in need of a Savior, in need of relationships, sometimes in need of the basic necessities of life. Not many churches are equipped to meet all the needs of the world. Churches are most effective by understanding what their role in the community is and meeting that role. Sometimes that means changing the way that the church does ministry; not changing the message of Jesus Christ, or even necessarily changing the liturgy, but changing what we do to meet the needs of our community.

That’s a lot of background for me to be able to say that I think we are ready for a change in emphasis at St. Matthew’s. Recently I heard Shawn Hime, our school superintendent, say that Enid is one of the fastest growing school districts in Oklahoma. I would never have guessed it. I hear people refer to us as an aging population. Both may be true, but there are obviously kids out there, and I don’t think they’re all in church on Sunday. I believe that St. Matthew’s can bring together the resources to begin doing significant work with kids and young people in our community.

Working with kids could be many different things. It could be a weekday after school program, maybe built around what’s going on here on Wednesdays already. It could be a program between services on Sunday morning. It could be us going to the schools to help meet needs there. I don’t know what it is, but I am compelled to do it. I believe that God is calling us to do it. There are some things I do know however. First, it will take more volunteers than kids to make it work, and that’s a lot of volunteers. I also know that not everyone is called to work with youth. Some of us will probably have great-grand kids the age of some we would be working with, and that’s hard work. It will also take a fair amount of resources, meaning money, though that’s not the most important thing.

We have a good group of kids in our church already, and parents and leaders have been very creative in offering high quality programs at St. Matthew’s, e.g. St. Nicholas Day, the recent trip to the museum to see the Chinese exhibit, the Advent play, and the wonderful thematic Epiphany party we have every year. A first step may be just to get the word out around town and start getting other area kids involved.

It could also mean working with middle school aged kids just a few blocks away at Emerson. We talked about an art studio at St. Matthew’s until Patty Bradley showed up with the same vision and the ability to make it happen. Maybe it’s time to talk about a music studio. I truly believe that God will raise up the talent if this work is of Him, and if it’s not then we’re none the worse for having tried.

Finally, the most important element is prayer. Please pray about this work and our place in making it happen in west downtown Enid. If all goes well and the vision catches on then we could be doing something by the beginning of the school year 2012. To try to do much any sooner would be to rush things too much. Please share your thoughts and concerns with me, and we’ll also discuss this at the annual meeting in February. Thanks and God bless you,


Blessings,
Fr. Steve +