Ressurexit

Sisters & Brothers, I write to you surrounded by boxes - - boxes in my church office, boxes in every room of my home. Once again, I have entered a time of transition - - leaving you all in a time of transition as well. My last Sunday with you as your pastor will be July 29, 2012. We will be joined by our Conference Minister, Rev. Douglas Anders, who will lead us in a liturgy for ending an authorized ministry. Just a few short months ago, you all installed me as your pastor, and now it is time to uninstall me in much the same way. My brief time here at Central St. Matthew - - just shy of 18 months - - has been filled with blessings and challenges alike. This is a unique congregation in a unique city, and I was well aware of that when I accepted the call. I have welcomed these challenges and have felt renewed by the blessings. My prayer is that you have felt well served by my time here. In my concluding sermon on July 29th, I will share with you some of those blessings and some of those challenges, along with my hopes and prayers for Central St. Matthew as our paths lead us in separate directions. My heart aches at the thought of moving on from this congregation. It has been an incredible and transformative time for me here. Among my many hopes, I aim to continue my support of Central St. Matthew and New Orleans through the coming years and throughout my ministry. Though my adherence to clergy ethics will prevent me from being in personal contact or having personal involvement with the congregation over the next year, you will all remain in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers. I know this for certain: I will eagerly be awaiting an invitation to the opening and dedication of the rebuilt Bienville properties! As for my life beyond Central St. Matthew, I am patiently and prayerfully awaiting my next steps. My ministry profile (resume) is circulating, and I will be seeking a pastorate within the area to which we are relocating. We will be leaving New Orleans on Tuesday, July 31st, aiming to be at our new apartment in Northampton, MA on Friday, August 3rd. I ask for your continued prayers, and thank you all for your kind words and support during this time of transition. May Central St. Matthew continue to be blessed!

Blessings & Peace, Rev. Chris Mereschuk Service of Transition: Our Conference Minister, Rev. Douglas Anders, will be worshiping with us at Central St. Matthew on Sunday, July 29, 2012 and will lead us in a Liturgy of Farewell for Pastor Chris Mereschuks last Sunday with at CSM.

Who Will Preach? The Board of Deacons has arranged for worship leadership and the preaching of the Word during August and September. On August 5, 2012, Joshua Lazard, M. Div., Interim Director of Vision Quest at Dillard University will preach and Rev. Cheryl Cramer will serve pew communion. Rev. Shari Prestemon, Director of Back Bay Mission will deliver the Word on August 12, 2012. Rev Al Eickelmann will preach on Sunday, August 19, 2012 and serve altar communion. Rev. John Pecoul will preach on Sunday, August 26, 2012. Deacons also have ministers signed up to preach for four of the five Sundays in September.

Rebuilding & Renewing

Page 2 of 4

Imagine Whats Possible: Rebuilding & Renewing to Serve All of Gods People!
The Social Justice, Finance, Property, and Internal Consulting Teams will meet for a joint working session on Saturday, July 21st to evaluate our collective progress and address our next steps. Finance Team: Assembling care packages to send to 40+ recovery groups that have stayed at CSM, inviting them to host a New Orleans themed fundraiser with proceeds to benefit our capital campaign. We are pushing for 100% pledge participation from the congregation. With our goal as 75 pledges, we are now at 35. Social Justice Team: Research is continuing into needed services in the Bienville neighborhood, with a survey of current area non-profits. A marketing plan is being developed to present to prospective tenants. Property Team: The re-subdivisioning process is continuing, which will list all of our Bienville and North Tonti properties as one lot. We have had a couple of offers on our sale properties, and are in negotiations with a potential buyer. Internal Consulting: Team members continue their individual contributions through assistance with the re-subdivisioning process and other projects. Marie Weatherspoon, our Council President, has joined the Steering Committee. If you have not done so already, please consider making a pledge, stretched over 5 years, to the capital campaign. Thank you!

Vital Signs Financial Update:

Thank you for your generous gifts, tithes and offerings in support of our churchs ministry and outreach. When giving by check, please make them payable to Central St. Matthew UCC. Credit for cash donations will be given when money is in an envelope, identified, and designated. Envelopes are provided on the Welcome Table and/or from the ushers. If you have any questions, please see Carol Etter or Dale bonds, our Co-Treasurers.

Mission Giving Plan (Budget) 2012 Our budget for 2012 was approved at our January 29, 2012 Annual Meeting. The approved budget is $290,450. However, our projected income (known and estimated pledges, offerings, rentals) is only $242,040 leaving us with a projected deficit of $48,410. As of the end of May 2012 (Latest available numbers): Income = $102,261.50 (budget) VS $86,218.37 (actual) Note: As of report, rental income outstanding; Tithes & Offerings are short by $1,500+. Expenses = $145,041.55 (budget) VS $132,202.76 (actual)
Did You Know? It costs us $807 per day to operate Central St. Matthew UCC. Our tenant partners contribute $256 per day. As members and friends of this congregation, we must contribute $551 per day. At our current giving level, we fall short by $144 per day!

Thank you for your contibutions toward the mission and ministry of Central St. Matthew United Church of Christ!

For the Flock

Page 3 of 4

Mens Fellowship Breakfast @ Dillard. Next session: Friday, May 25th @ 8:00 am (Kearny Hall West, Dillard University). All men of Central St. Matthew are invited for this time of table fellowship and conversation. Invite a friend! Come for any portion of the time. $6.50 per person. We will reconvene in the fall, meeting Saturday mornings at 1333 South Carrollton. Look for more information coming soon!
Rebuilding & Renewing Campaign Committee Gathering: Saturday, July 21 @ 9:00 am 12:00 Noon. All members and friends who are serving on a committee of the Rebuilding & Renewing campaign are requested to gather on Saturday, July 21st for a joint working session. We will share reports on our progress in all areas and, most importantly, discern what our next steps are to ensure the success of this campaign. A light breakfast will be served at 9:00 am, with the working session 9:30 am. This is also an opportunity to involve yourself in the process if you would like to be an active part of one of the teams - - Finance, Social Justice, or Property. Please make this a priority on your calendar. Vacation Bible School Returns! July 30-August 3 @ St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church, 9:00am-12 Noon. Children ages 4-12 are invited to join us for a fun filled week of fellowship, food, and faith formation at our Summer Vacation Bible School! Once again this year, we will be joining with St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church, Carrollton United Methodist and Metairie United Methodist to explore the theme, Love Thy Neighbor. Registration is now open. Forms are available on our website and at the church. Everyone is invited to the closing program on Friday evening. To volunteer, donate food items for the mission project, or to donate funds, contact Nancy Marks.

Second Harvest Food Collection July = Canned Tomatoes, Tomato Juice August = Peanut Butter
HELP! Second Harvest Food Bank is reporting that their donations are down 40% from last year. For May, we are collecting canned meats (tuna, chicken, Spam, etc.). Truly, any donations you can spare will help.

All unopened, unexpired food items are welcome!

For Your Prayers

Guy Ethel Becky Marsha Sloan Stephanie Lavera Verna Eddie Danny Dick Melvin Frieda Fred Tom Douglas Cheryl Alice Julie Norma Karen Maureen Chuck

For the people of New Orleans, our sisters and brothers who live in violent places, for the groups that continue to come to New Orleans to help us rebuild, and for those impacted by recent storms. For the families of Wilfred Lodrig, Jr., Berkes Plummer, Rev. Gary Arndt, Telfrey Thompson, and all saints who have gone home to glory.

Central St. Matthew United Church of Christ Office & Worship: 1333 S. Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA Phone: (504) 861-8196 Fax: (504) 861-8197 office@centralstmatthewucc.com www.centralstmatthewucc.com Rev. Chris Mereschuk, Senior Pastor pastor@centralstmatthewucc.com Cell Phone: (860) 966-8055 Dr. Lucian Zidaru, Music Director Mike Duplessis, Custodian Chris Engelbracht, Maintenance Marie Weatherspoon, President Curry Miller, Vice President Find Us on Facebook & iTunes!

July & August 2012

Saturday, July 21st AA Meeting 8:30am 10:15am Rebuilding & Renewing 9:00am-12:00pm Joint Team Session Choir Rehearsal 9:00am Worship 10:00am Governing Council 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00-8:30pm Mens Breakfast 8:00am AA Meeting 8:30am 10:15am Choir Rehearsal 9:00am Worship 10:00am Farewell Gathering for Pastor Chris Vacation Bible School Choir Rehearsal 7:00-8:30pm AA Meeting 8:30am 10:15am Choir Rehearsal 9:00am Worship 10:00am (Lazard & Cramer) Library Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary Library Sanctuary Kearny West/Dillard Library Sanctuary Sanctuary St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church Sanctuary Library Sanctuary Sanctuary

Sunday, July 22nd Tuesday, July 24th Wednesday, July 25th Friday, July 27th Saturday, July 28th Sunday, July 29th

Monday, July 30th Friday, August 3rd Wednesday, August 1st Saturday, August 4th Sunday, August 5th

Central St. Matthew United Church of Christ 1333 South Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118