Rector’s Desk, June 2025 

Having just celebrated the great feast of Pentecost, we will complete the season with Trinity Sunday and then continue in what the church calls ordinary time for the next few months. This gives us time to reflect and pray during the slower pace of summer. I invite you during this time to be open to the Spirit of God which, as we were reminded on Pentecost Sunday, dwells in us and will be with us as we discern the path ahead for St. Matthias. 

We have an opportunity to consider a future shared with the community of St. Phillip. [* See the next part of the newsletter for a note from the wardens and clergy of both St. Matthias and St. Phillip.] It may be possible that the two faith communities can find common ground, but it is important that we begin with open hearts and open minds as we consider together what this would involve. The community of St. Phillip will be doing the same. In the meantime, we plan to get to know each other better and with this in mind, St. Phillip parish have invited us to join them for their parish picnic on Sunday, June 22^nd on their parish grounds. I encourage you to participate in this if you can as part of the “getting to know you” process. If anyone needs a ride or would like to carpool, please let me or one of the wardens know. We will proceed to St. Phillip after our Sunday liturgy and there will be no coffee served at St. Matthias that day. 

June is Pride month as well as Indigenous History month and while we consider ourselves to be an inclusive and welcoming parish, it is something that we always need to be aware of, because we can always do better in these areas. Part of doing better is to be willing to learn more about what we don’t understand, and to be aware of how much we don’t know. 

A  reminder that during these summer months I am aways available for conversation with any of you, just let me know and I’ll be glad to make an appointment with you.  A reminder too that if you are unable to come to Sunday worship, I am happy to bring communion to you and pray with you, but again, you need to request it. 

Blessings 

Rev. Colleen 

St. Matthias and St. Philip are two loving and worshipping communities that share deeply-held values of welcome and hospitality to all. Each community is vibrant and has its own culture and unique way of living these values. However, we recognize that the community of St Philip gathers in an inaccessible building that increasingly limits the expression of its vision.  In contrast, the community of St Matthias maintains a large, accessible church building and hall with a congregation becoming increasingly less energetic. 

Bishop Anna, who has developed a good sense of our respective congregational cultures, has recognized that the strengths of St. Philip and St. Matthias might complement one another. 

As people of faith, it is our calling and our deep desire to share the Good News to the world through our individual and corporate gifts and talents.  As leadership at St. Matthias and St. Philip, we value and respect one another’s cultures, and we recognize our mutual desire to more effectively engage with the wider community. Therefore, we propose engaging in conversations to explore the possibility that our two cultures might align, find common ground and, perhaps, move ahead in ministry as one community. 

[editorial note:  St. Philip's has a labyrinth too!!]

St. Matthias loves the arts!  We especially love it when members of our community are involved.  Our vibrant community may remember a few years ago when Peter Gatt directed "Jesus Christ Superstar" at St. Matthias.  Well ... he's still working his magic.  Enough said:  take a look at the poster!!