Glad Tidings St.
Matthew UCC/ (504) 861-8196
The Newsletter of Central St. Matthew UCC
“From New (England) to New (Orleans)”
To My Sisters and Brothers of Central St. Matthew
UCC,
“I wish you would bear with me in a little
foolishness. Do bear with me!”
~Paul to the Corinthian Church, II Corinthians
11:1
Several weeks ago, as I was packing my old
office and preparing for our relocation to New Orleans, I
was interviewed for the Connecticut Conference UCC
news. I have lived all but a handful of my days in either
Connecticut or Massachusetts, and have long been
involved in the Connecticut Conference. With this
departure from my comfortable home turf, there were
the usual questions about the new call I was answering,
my hopes and dreams for the congregation, reflections
on my time in Connecticut, and my mindset concerning
the big move south. As I was describing my emotions to
the interviewer, I commented that I was experiencing
“all emotions at once” - - joy, fear, sadness, elation. The
gravity of the whole endeavor finally began to hit me as
I was speaking. Maybe it was the break from the
seemingly endless packing of the office and our home,
maybe it was the ever-encroaching last day at the church
and the move date, but something gave me pause and
this moment of insight. Without giving it much thought,
I summed up the whole enterprise this way: “It is
absolute foolishness!”
With that odd proclamation, this line from
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church came to
mind: “…bear with me in a little foolishness.” As Paul
wrote it in Greek (“aphrosyne”), it is meant as the
opposite of “moderation” or “sober-mindedness.” It has
the implication of one being a “madman.” Yikes! Is this
the word that best described my answering of this new
call?
To say this move to New Orleans is a huge
cultural change for me (and the family I drag along) is
an understatement. Nearly everything is different, from
the food to the politics, from the architecture to the
weather. Regardless, I had fallen in love with New
Orleans - - and we all know that love leads you to do
foolish things. When I began to search for a new call, I
put my name in for a variety of congregations, suburban
and urban, north, south, and west (I couldn’t go any
farther east). Many of them were not unlike the
May, 2011
congregations I had been serving or the communities I
knew and grew up in. And there is nothing wrong with
that - - it was a moderate and sober-minded decision.
But in a moment of holy foolishness, I set my sights on
Central St. Matthew.
Yet, this foolishness is not a bad thing. If we
stay safe and comfortable our whole lives then we
limit our opportunities to explore and grow. If we
think only with our moderate and sober minds, then we
cannot dream of the wild and prophetic possibilities
that lie beyond our everyday experiences and cultural
embeddedness. I am grateful for my family back in
New England, that they have borne my foolishness for
years, and that they continue to do so through the
burden of this separation now. I am grateful to my
wife, Lila, and our daughter, Izzy, who have enabled
me to pursue this holy foolishness all the way to the
Big Easy. I am grateful to my sisters and brothers here
at Central St. Matthew UCC who have embraced the
foolishness of uniting and surviving despite great odds,
and who have further indulged this foolishness by
calling this outsider, this rookie, this idealist as their
first settled pastor - - a pastor who’s foolishness led
him to begin the new call during Holy Week!
Though as Paul remarked to the Corinthians,
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not
know God through wisdom, God decided, through the
foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who
believe. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human
wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human
strength (I Corinthians 1:20b-21, 25).”
It is a foolish thing that we proclaim during
this Easter season, that the one who was shamefully
crucified as a criminal is indeed the Son of God sent
for our salvation. Our holy foolishness turns the
established order upside down. Yet, in our foolishness
for God lies God’s wisdom and strength. Let us, as
Easter People, as proclaimers of the resurrection,
embrace and bear with one another through all of this
wonderful holy foolishness.
Peace & Blessings,
 Page 2 of 8

Did you know …?

Welcome Jermaine Smith!
We are happy to announce that we have hired a new office administrator! Jermaine began his time with
us on April 26, and will be in the office on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am to 2pm.
Jermaine comes to us from a non-profit fundraising and management background in New Orleans.
Originally from Brooklyn by way of Atlanta, he has lived here in New Orleans with his fiancée, Megan, for
the last three years. He is excited to bring his experience in outreach, office management and fundraising
to help the church expand and grow in the coming years. Please give Jermaine a warm welcome!

Where y@? We are currently in the process of updating our directory. You can help us do this by signing
the new worship attendance logs in the pews! Please print legibly and fill out the form completely and
pass the sheets along to your pew mates. Even if you think we have your mailing and email address,
please complete this form again. Thank you for your help in strengthening our communication!

Publication Deadlines
*Bulletin Deadline Change: Please note that submissions for the Sunday bulletin are now due by
Thursday morning. This change allows us sufficient time to edit and publish the bulletin. Please send any
announcements, prayers, etc. to Jermaine at office@centralstmatthewucc.com.

*Our Newsletter is published monthly, with submissions due on the last Monday of each month. Please
send your submissions to Jermaine via email at office@centralstmatthewucc.com.

Many Thanks! We wish to thank Vanessa Etter for handling our front office work over the past several
weeks. Thank you for all that you did!

Central St. Matthew Sermons-to-Go!

Announcing the CSM Sermon Podcasts!
Listen to the Good News from Central St. Matthew UCC on your iPod, mp3 Player, or on your computer!
Announcing the launch of the CSM Sermon Podcast Series - - a new way to listen to and share words of
inspiration and mediation from our Sunday services.

What is a Podcast? Podcasts are free, downloadable audio recordings. New “episodes” will be
published (“posted”) weekly. Presently, we are Podcasting our sermons, but future episodes could include
special musical selections, bible studies, or other events.

How Do I Listen? The Podcast episode can be downloaded to a portable mp3 player (such as an iPod),
or you can listen to it on your computer from the websites below.

Where can I find the CSM Podcast? To find our Podcasts, you can go to
http://centralstmatthewuccnola.podbean.com/ or listen on our website:
centralstmatthewucc.com.

If you use Apple’s iTunes music management program, open up the iTunes store and enter “central st
matthew ucc” in the search field. To download the iTunes program for free, visit:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/. You can then “subscribe” to our Podcast, and new episodes will be
downloaded automatically as they are posted!

Questions? Contact Chris Mereschuk for more information!

Page 3 of 8

From the Pastor…

New Office Hours
Starting the week of May 1, 2011

Monday-Friday, 9am – 2pm

Saturdays Closed
Sunday Worship @ 10am

What this means:

Either Pastor Chris Mereschuk or Office Manager Jermaine Smith will be present to answer phone calls
and assist you as best as possible.

Contacting Pastor Chris

Want to get in touch with Pastor Chris? Here’s how!

New Email: pastor@centralstmatthewucc.com

Office Phone: (504) 861-8196
Office Hours:
Chris will typically hold office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am – 2pm.
However, he might be out on visits or in meetings during this time. If you’d like to schedule a
time to meet with Chris, please call him at the church office.
Chris will typically take Wednesdays off and holds Saturdays as a day to spend with his family.

For all routine matters (church business, scheduling meeting, questions, etc.) please contact
Chris by phone at the church office or via email. Chris will return all calls and emails as soon as
possible.
For pastoral emergencies or urgent matters (hospitalizations, pastoral crisis, etc.) OR to
leave a confidential message, you may call Chris on his cell phone: (860) 966-8055.

Many, Many Thanks!

Whenever you set out to thank people by name, you run the risk of leaving someone off the list!
My apologies in advance if I missed you, yet I want to express my gratitude to the following
folks for their help in recent months:
Rev. Cheryl Cramer, Rev. Gil Wilson, Ms. Marsha McFadden Quick, Rev. Al Eickelmann, and
Rev. John Pecoul for leading worship.
Vanessa Etter, Carol Etter, Dale Bonds, Ellen Pecoul and others who oversaw the office tasks.
Those who donated new furniture to my office.
The April office cleaning crew who cleared out our office space.
The Women’s Guild (for setting up the May 1st worship) and the worship committee for helping
our services to continue.
Mike Duplessis, Chris Engelbracht, and Ellen Bentz for keeping the place clean and welcoming!
Thanks so much!
Peace,
 Page 4 of 8

Vital Signs

Financial Update: We were blessed to end the 2010 year with a slight surplus. The budget
passed for the year 2011 is $272,777 and therefore calls for us to collect an average of $22,731 per
month to meet our expense and outreach obligations.

As of the end of April, this would amount to about $90,924. Between our tithes, offerings and rental
income, we have collected approximately $87,746 for the four months ending April 30, 2011.

Thank you for your generous gifts, tithes and offerings in support of our church’s ministry and
outreach. By the way, please make all checks 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.

Should you require a check, please submit your voucher to the office by Wednesday morning for
Sunday availability. Our new procedures do not allow for checks on a same day basis.

If you have any questions, please see Carol or Dale.

Prayer List

Please continue to pray for:

-Gary and Karen Arndt -Lavera Kelly

-Dorothea Boldt -Amy Miller
-Kyle Carter - Catherine Reigert
-Melvin Chaix -Verna Sileci
-Ethel Creel -Peter Saunders
-Nellie Crump - Ernest & Mathilde Smith
-Dr. Joseph W. Davis
-Michael Englebracht
-Eddie Gebhardt
-Mary Graves
-Cristi Grigoras (brother of Aurelia Zidaru)

-The families of Ingrid Schleh, Joseph Beslin, Jamie Adams, Warren

Green, Wilfred J. Lodrig, Sr., Julia
Pantermuehl, and Winnie Schumacher
Page 5 of 8

Things We Can Do!

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK COMMODITY FOR MAY IS CANNED TUNA
FISH OR CHICKEN

Juvenile and Criminal Justice Conference -

Join us for a Spiritual Service followed by Advocacy Workshops

May 9th, 2011 - Spiritual Service and Workshops; May 10th, 2011 - Legislative Action Day

Hosted by: Louisiana Interchurch Conference; Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana(JJPL) / Citizens
for Second Chances(CFSC); Families & Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC);
Office of Prison Ministries-Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge; and Louisiana CURE.
PLEASE send registration info to:
Louisiana Interchurch Conference
at: 527 North Blvd., 4th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802; Fax: 225/344-0142
or Email to: Lainterchurch@aol.com; For more information, please contact the L.I.C. at: Phone:
225/344-0134. Deadline for registration May 7.

You should receive an acknowledgement of your registration, via email or phone, within one week
of receipt.

Location: Shiloh Baptist Church

Education Center
185 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING

Hotel Registration: Registration to get the $89.00 per night room rate is May 3. Clear Lake Hilton Hotel.
Questions: contact Tim Marquez at: office@sccucc.org

Display Tables: You have until May 15 to reserve space for a display table. Contact Rick Ashley at:
TXAGBQ76@comcast.net

Friday Night Talent Show: Contact Rick Ashley if you wish to share your talent with the Conference. Friday
night after the Opening Worship Service. Contact Rick Ashley at: TXAGB76@comcast.net

Silent Auction: To benefit Eden Hill Communities Wellness Center. Bring your items to the meeting with
you. Questions: contact Diane Roders at: dianerog@juno.com

Mission Kits: Deadline to turn in mission kits is Saturday morning 11:00 A.M. in the Explorer Room.
Questions: contact Jasmine Quinerly at: quinerly@sbcglobal.net
 Page 6 of 8

More from the Flock …

worship services on sun This began what has

An Essay by Rachel Ricks
become a most uplifting and exciting
relationship between their church family and St.
My husband Philip and I were both long-time
Matthew's church family. The two
members of St. Matthew UCC in New Orleans,
congregations formed a "covenant" at first, each
LA. It was one of only a handful of UCC churches
maintaining ownership of its own finances and
in the New Orleans Area of the South Central
property. This was a tense time - like the first
Conference. Originally known as the "Rooster
date in a relationship. Central-Saint
Church", its German E&R heritage was very
Matthew/Saint Matthew-Central...would one
prevalent. But times changed from the depression
dominate over the other? St. Matthew's
era through the 50's and 60's. The very large
facility began hosting Disaster Recovery groups
congregation was split when it's pastor stood fast
(including St. Philip's St. Louis youth group
and hard against racism and would not allow the
with Philip and I serving as chaperons) which I
new educational wing to serve as a school
believe helped form some important bonds
"protecting" white children. (could have my facts
among congregants, and amazingly the church
slightly askew there)
discovered a reason to work again. Eyes were
I was on the council in 2003 and the church was
opened to the fact that yes, people of different
struggling, but members were steadfast in
backgrounds can come together to help the
stewardship and local mission work. Areas of the
community and make a difference.
building that weren't being used were rented out to
During this period the lingering question was,
different organizations...Infancy to Independence,
would this covenant between two churches be
and the Anthony Bean Community Theater. And
ethnic dress, and soul food. I personally have
just before Katrina, Central UCC, a fellow
felt more uplifted after seeing so many new
congregation, historically Congregational
faces and new folks. My church does not feel
Christian/African American, came to borrow St.
like it's dying anymore. Central has breathed
Matthew’s facilities for a separate worship service
new life in to St. Matthew in every way
Sunday morning, while termite damage to their
possible, and I think we have done the same for
worship space was being repaired.
them. Philip and I both look forward to re-
But there did not seem to be a spirit of growth or
declaring ourselves official members.
excitement there. I'm sure someone from Central
It is, however, that "us" verses "them"
may have been able to attest to the same feelings in
mentality that needs to be overcome. There are
their church body. But Philip and I were gone
still obstacles that will have to be worked
then. His mother passed away at the end of 2003,
through, and this may take a week, or they may
and he was called as a student to Eden Seminary,
take several years. But the point is, the feat has
following in his grandfathers footsteps as a
been accomplished. The faith was kept, the
minister, and his father’s lay ministry. So we
imagination was there, and possibility became a
moved to Saint Louis, MO where there was a UCC
reality. Central St. Matthew UCC is now ONE
in practically every neighborhood. We visited five
body, ONE church functioning as a whole and
before we found one that "fit". St. Philip's UCC in
striving to maintain the same Christian
South County was a good temporary church home
principles. We have a wonderful Music
for us. We had relatives stay with us post-Katrina,
Director now, Dr. Lucien Zidaru, originally
and... we stayed in touch with our New Orleans
from Budapest! And the pastoral search
church family.
committee and congregation have just called
Central UCC's church buildings were lost in
Central St. Matthew's FIRST permanent pastor
Katrina. It did not make sense for the two
from Glastonbury, CT, Rev. Chris Mereschuk.
congregations of the same denomination (although
He brings with him a beautiful wife Lila and
different backgrounds) to continue separate
two year old daughter, Izzy. (cont’d)
Page 7 of 8
More from the Flock cont’d …
This could not be a more thrilling time for the UCC.
As a product of imagination and will, the UCC has
produced a "poster child" church, prototypical of the
"God is Still Speaking" campaign, and many forward
thinking UCC beliefs while honoring and respecting
the E&R and Congregational Christian legacies of its
past. And as a "new" UCC church Central St.
Matthew looks forward to growing into the future.
…Thanks to Rachel
Asking for Changes in U.S. Foreign Aid Policies
When an emergency hits another country
and there is an immediate need for supplies, we are
proud to see the United States sending these supplies
to help alleviate some of the suffering. However,
instead of just focusing mainly on emergency
supplies, many organizations are suggesting that the
United States change its policies for U.S. Foreign
Assistance.
This Spring Bread for the World is
suggesting that we begin to make our voices heard in
Congress by joining them in an “Offering of
Letters”. The changes Bread for the World is
seeking have four objectives:
1. 1- A stronger U.S. government focus on reducing
poverty.
2. 2- Clearer accountability for how aid dollars are
spent and their results.
3. 3- A transformed U.S. development agency
4. 4- U.S. aid that meets the needs and wants of local
people.
Our Social Action and Mission Committee
decided that we would organize a time for members
to join this offering of letters by having materials
available for letter writing during the coffee hour on
Sundays, May 15 and 22.
Bread for the World is following the offering
of letters with visits to members of Congress on June
11-14 at a National Gathering.
The UCC Church is following with a
similar focus in November with their Mission:1
Campaign. More information will be available
about this in the future.
… The Social Action Committee
“Sitting alone in the pew” no route to
satisfaction
Close friendships among congregants, rather than
theology, seem to be the key to happiness among
religious people, according to a new study. One-
third of Americans who attend religious services
weekly and have three to five close friends in the
congregation said they are “extremely satisfied”
with their lives. In comparison, only one in five
Americans who attend services weekly but have
no close friends in the congregation say they are
extremely satisfied.
“In short, 'sitting alone in the pew' does not
enhance one's life satisfaction,” conclude authors
Chaeyoon Lim of the University of Wisconsin-
Madison and Robert Putnam of Harvard
University in a December article in the American
Sociological Review. “Only when one forms
social networks in a congregation does religious
service attendance lead to a higher level of life
satisfaction.”
__From staff and wire reports
(This article appeared in a recent issue of the
Times-Picayune. It just further reinforces how
important it is for all of us at Central St Matthew
to continue our practice of being a friendly and
welcoming church to our visitors and new
members.)
… The ‘E‘Team
 Central St. Matthew UCC
Page 8 of 8
Mailing Address: CALENDAR
1333 S. Carrollton Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118 Saturday, May 7th AA Meeting, 8:30 am
Phone:
Sunday, May 8st Rehearsal, 9:00 am
(504) 861-8196 Bible Study, 11:30 am
Fax:
(504)861-8197 Wednesday, May 11th Bible Study, 1:00 pm Hume Center
Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 pm
E-Mail:
office@centralstmatthewucc.com Saturday, May 14st AA Meeting, 8:30 am
Deacons Meeting, 10:00 am

Sunday, May 15th Choir Rehearsal, 9:00 am

Office Hours:
Bible Study, 11:30 am
Church Office Manager: Wednesday, May 18th Bible Study, 1:00 pm Hume Center
Jermaine Smith Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 pm

Monday - Friday Saturday, May 21st AA Meeting, 8:30 am

9 am to 2 pm
Pastor:
Rev. Christopher Mereschuk
pastor@centralstmatthewucc.com
Sunday, May 22nd Choir Rehearsal, 9:00 am
Bible Study, 11:30 am
Wednesday, May 25th Bible Study, 1:00 pm Hume Center
Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 28th AA Meeting, 8:30 am

We’re on the Web!
Sunday, May 29th Choir Rehearsal, 9:00 am
See us at: Bible Study, 11:30 am
www.centralstmatthewucc.org
and on Monday, May 30th June Newsletter Submission Deadline
Facebook

CENTRAL ST. MATTHEW UCC

1333 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118