Author: Lealta Smith

St. Matthew’s Reformed Church
4575 Maiden Hwy.
Maiden, NC 28650
“A Faithful and Welcoming Congregation”
Church Phone: 828-428-9651
Church Email: stmatthewsoffice4575@gmail.com
Church Website: www.stmatthewsmaiden.org/
Reverend William M. Sowers
Phone: 336-687-3815
Email: wmsowers@yahoo.com
Music Director, Leigan Hoffman
Cindy Shrum, Office Assistant
Lealta Smith, Editor - Email: smithlea@charter.net

Volume 51 Issue 12

The Grapevine

DECEMBER 2025

Dear St. Matthew’s family,
The turning of the calendar often invites reflection. We look back on the year that has been and look forward to the year ahead, carrying with us both gratitude and uncertainty. January does not promise that everything will suddenly be new or easy, but it does offer us a moment to pause and remember who we are and whose we are.
As the church enters January, we remain in the season of Christmas, celebrating the astonishing truth that God chose to come near — to dwell among us in the ordinary rhythms of life. The light of Christ did not shine only on Christmas Eve; it continues to guide us into the days ahead, illuminating our path even when the way forward feels unclear.
In the weeks ahead, we will journey through the season of Epiphany, a time when we reflect on how God’s light is revealed to the world. Epiphany reminds us that faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves. The good news of Jesus Christ is shared in word and deed, in acts of love, mercy, and justice that reflect God’s grace at work among us.
As we begin this new year together at St. Matthew’s, I invite you to remain open to where God may be leading us—individually and as a congregation. May we listen carefully, love generously, and walk faithfully, trusting that the God who has been with us in the past will continue to go before us in the year to come.
Grace and peace.
Rev. William M. Sowers

Financial Information for NOVEMBER 2025
General Offering $ 18,356.91
Budget 22,511.90
Benevolence $ 1,590.00
Budget 5,663.40
Year to Date
General Offering $ 207,451.21
Budget 216,114.24
Benevolence $ 14,608.25
Budget 13,592.16
Special Offerings
Van Fund as of 11-30-25 $ 46,346.13
Thank Offering as of 11-30-25
..... $ 1,604.50

ALTAR FLOWERS
Please confirm any dates you have on the calendar as an Altar Flower Sponsor.
January 4, 2026 is the only date spoken for at this time.
Contact Lealta Smith
(428-8327) or email:
smithlea@charter.net
if interested in serving and signing up for a date.
Thank you.

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St. Matthew’s Reformed Church
Consistory Meeting minutes—-November 13, 2025
In attendance: LaDonna Goodson, Jerry Minteer, Jean Funderburk, Cindy Shrum, Robert Bost, Pat Barkley, Robin Caskey, Chris Carpenter, Walter Rice, Sonya Leonard, Pam Shrum, Rev. William Sowers, Wanda Snider
*Call to order, devotions, Psalm 100, by President LaDonna Goodson.
Adjustment and approval of agenda: Four items added to new business—motion to accept amended agenda by Chris Carpenter, second by Pat Barkley. Approved
Financial report: Report was emailed to Consistory members. Discussion about middle/senior youth endowment fund, how to grow it and make it useful. Motion made by Wanda Snider, second by Pat Barkley to invest a total of $10,000, as advised by financial advisor and to make this fund open to contributions, designated with a very clear name. (Owens’ Youth Endowment). Approved. Financial report was approved by motion of Jean Funderburk, second by Cindy Shrum.
Consistory minutes: Two corrections were made in October minutes (spelling of Jim and Beverly Page and a typographical error). Motion to accept the corrected minutes by Robin Caskey, second by Sonya Leonard. Approved
Pastor’s report: A variety of visits and appointments were attended as well as participation in many committee meetings and church outings. Reformation and All Saints Sunday services went well, with compliments on Veterans’ Service. Fall Bible Study concluded, with Zoom options being a positive addition. (Weak WIFI in fellowship hall is an issue). Possibly some short Bible studies in the spring. A draft of vision plan was shared.
Charles (Butch) and Phyllis Wilcox would like to join St. Matthew’s Church. Motion to accept them by Robin Caskey, second by Pat Barkley. Approved
Van trips are set for Catawba College Lessons and Carols and McAdenville lights.
Look into full campus internet service. Electrical box in arbor is turned off due to passers by using outlet. Motion to approve Pastor’s report by Jean Funderburk, second by Pat Barkley. Approved.
Committee reports
Finance: Responsibilities of Treasurer were presented. Name of treasurer will be retained and this individual will not be a check signer. (Changes made to recommendations). Motion to accept these responsibilities by Pam Shrum, second by Robin Caskey. Approved.
List of counters for 2026 was presented. Motion to accept this list by Sonya Leonard, second by Pat Barkley. Approved
Property: Attention to meditation garden will use Kyle Crafton for help with improvements and plantings. New sign is well on its way. Four weeks for tract installation—-Chris Carpenter will check with Lora Rice about putting weekly information on sign, since she had done the same on the previous sign. Motion made for Kyle Crafton to do landscaping around old and new signs by Pam Shrum, second by Walter Rice. Approved
BOCE: Discussed having joint lunch meetings with Youth/HIS Kids. Christmas Program, December 21 — Children/youth will have a single performance. 120 treat bags to be prepared. Still in need of Nursery teacher during Sunday School. Pastor Sowers to ask during announcements if anyone wants to be added to nursery attendant list before schedule is made.
Cemetery: Third quarter report was made available. Reminder of Consistory approved price increases for engraving. All cemetery records are up to date as of 9/30/25.
**Motion to accept committee reports, Jean Funderburk, second by Cindy Shrum. Approved
Old Business
Review of benevolence recipients to be added to Action Items. Pam Shrum provided information on several that have requested benevolence. Cindy Shrum will send letters stating that we are re-evaluating those considered for benevolence. Walter Rice shared information on a 2024 minibus ($99,000) that was located in TN. Chris Carpenter added information about transit vans—-he will meet with van/bus committee and discuss the benefits of this type of transport. Going back to congregation would be necessary for any change in what was approved by vote. Meeting with the financial advisor was a positive experience. Low risk investments were recommended, paying the advisor a 1% fee. Recommendation to incoming consistory that $50,000 be invested. Special Project Fund has been dropped at this time. Youth room TV, not yet purchased. Pastor Sowers has emailed The Corner Table to speak to church—pending. Question to be asked of Kyle Pound and company that are working on roof settlement—-do we fix roof and get reimbursed or wait for claim to be settled. A reminder that this claim is a lengthy process, but we do not want to be negligent in repairs.
New Business
Proposal by Rev. Sowers will be reviewed by Consistory members and discussed in December.
Youth Endowment Fund was discussed in Financial Report. Motion to accept the 2026 greeter list by Chris Carpenter, second by Wanda Snider. Approved. Motion to approve security/closer list made by Robin Caskey, second by Chris Carpenter. Approved
Lincoln County Prison Ministry asked for support to provide 230 meals on December 13. Motion made by Robin Caskey to donate $500 to this cause. Second by Pam Shrum. Approved.
Katie Barnes requested the fellowship hall for November 26th and 27th. Motion made to grant request by Wanda Snider, second by Chris Carpenter. Approved.
Life for Relief Development asked for donations to provide fresh water to Gaza. No motion was made to donate to this organization.
***Motion to adjourn by Robin Caskey, second, Walter Rice. Meeting ended with Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting: December 11, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Wanda Snider,
Consistory Secretary

Cont’d on page 3

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Cont’d from Page 2 - Consistory Minutes

WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS!
Phyllis and Charles (Butch)Wilcox. Phyllis was born and raised in Iron Station where she still lives. She retired from Wix Filtration, where she worked for 40 years and has been married to Butch since 12/27/1997. She has two sisters, Gail and Carla, who are 9 and 11 years younger than her. She can’t imagine her life without them.
Phyllis has a card ministry of many years, reaching out to Nursing Homes and shut-in’s. She loves to read and always has at least 10 books on her waiting list. She enjoys planning trips and adventures with Butch and loves pestering him about his long TO-DO list which he never seems to catch up!
Butch was born and raised in Boone, NC. He transferred with his company to Lincolnton in 1991 (Bosch Corp.) where he retired in 2008 after 42 years. He met Phyllis after both their spouses passed in 1995. Butch was drafted in the army and served one year stateside and one year in Vietnam. In his spare time of being retired, he listen to my wife’s long to-do list and the travel adventures she has planned—and plays golf whenever he can escape her long to-do list!
Join date: 12-14-2025

Sunday School Record / November 2025
Date	Attd. / 2025	Offg. / 2025	Attd. 2024	Offg. / 2024
11/02	37	25.00	55	52.00
11/09	40	32.50	52	49.00
11/16	40	28.00	43	34.00
11/23	29	30.00	48	38.00
11/30	32	21.00	—	—

Levi Barnes, Linda Hawn,
Jacquelyn Barger, Annabel Barger, Charlotte Sowers,
Sonya Leonard, Greg Barkley, Pam Shrum, LaDonna Goodson, Shirley McRee, Beth Carpenter,
Chris Barger, Burl Shrum,
Pat Barkley, and Jean Funderburk

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

YOUNG AT HEARTS
The Young at Hearts will meet at 10:30 A.M. on January 20th in the fellowship hall. Everyone is invited to come to a program on World Religions, followed by a Vegetable Beef Soup lunch.

— — — — —

IN APPRECIATION
The Women’s Fellowship extends a thank you to everyone who helped to decorate for the Senior Citizen’s Dinner, the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall during Advent.

God’s Calendar BY William A. Quale
“And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the nights;
and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” Genesis 1:14 (KJV)
Hours and minutes are man’s invention. Weeks and days and nights and the month and the year are God’s inventions. A seventh day for rest, God said: and the week was put in the calendar. One day light and one dark, and the day was created. One advent and exit of the silvery moon; and the month was included in its silvery circuit. The planet’s panting a journey around the sun; and the year became a terrestrial and celestial fact. Twelve comings and goings of the moon, with a few days excess thrown in for good measure, as is customary with God: and God’s calendar is an accomplished loveliness.
(Copied from 365 Daily Treasures of Wisdom from Favorite Christian Authors.… January 1)

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JANUARY

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday
4 Second Sunday after / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / 4:00 p.m. BOCE Meeting / Nursery: Katie Barnes & Annette Wray / Children’s Church Leader: Brittany Cook / ♦ Bud Michael	5	6 Epiphany / ♦ Andy Michael
11 Baptism of Christ / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / Nursery: Brittany Cook, Aubree McCrary / Children’s Church Leader: Katie Barnes / ♦ Beth Carpenter	12 / ♦ Candace Carpenter	13
18 Second Sunday after Epiphany / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / Nursery: Carla Goodson & Jessica Hawn / Children’s Church Leader: Autumn Arruza	19 / ♦ Ronnie Bumgarner	20 Martin Luther / King, Jr. Day / 10:30 a.m. / Young at Heart / Program: World Religions / Lunch: Vegetable Beef Soup / ♦ Sonya Leonard
25 Third Sunday after Epiphany / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / Nursery: Sonya Leonard & Cindy Minteer / Children’s Church Leader: Brittany Cook	26	27 / ♦ Phyllis Wilcox

Volunteers for JANUARY 2026
Acolytes Karlee Cook, Wells Carpenter, Keever Hawn, Cameron Goodson
Greeters Mike and Susan Stewart
Counters Mike and Susan Stewart
Closer/Security Chris Cerpenter
Ushers Michael and Susan Stewart, Libby Herman and Matt Painter
♦ Birthdays ♥ Wedding Anniversaries

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2026

Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
New Year’s Eve / .	1 New Years Day / Church Office Closed	2	3
7 / 11:00 a.m. / Women’s Fellowship / 6:00-7:00 p.m. / Choir Practice	8 / 6:30 p.m. / Consistory Meeting	9	10
14 / 6:00-7:00 p.m. / Choir Practice / ♦ Amelia Duncan	15 / ♦ Louise Shrum	16 / ♦ Wilson Sowers / Jane Lemmond / Doug Miller	17
21 Winter begins / 6:00-7:00 p.m. / Choir Practice / ♦ Michael Stewart	22	23	24
28 / 6:00-7:00 p.m. / Choir Practice	29	30 / ♥ M/M A.D. Shrum	31

Acolytes Meredith Lee, Emma Sims, Annabel Barger
Karlee Cook and Charlotte Sowers
Greeter Walter Rice
Counters Chris and Candace Carpenter
Closer/Security
Ushers Walter Rice, Chris & Candace Carpenter

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The Grapeine

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
The Shepherds had an angel
The wise men had a star
But what have I, a little child,
To guide me home from far,
Where glad stars sing together
And singing angels are.
Christ watches me, his little lamb,
Cares for me, day and night,
That I may be His own in heaven;
So angels clad in white
Shall sing their “Glory, glory,”
For my sake in the height.
Christina Rossetti
How important it is that we take time to help others see beyond the glitter of the Christmas season and teach them the true meaning of Christ’s birth. The most thrilling story ever known to man began in Bethlehem at Christmas.
Use this time to be with family. Read the scripture from various translations and discuss how you can share the joy with others.
The above was copied from the book, “Daily Treasures of Wisdom” by Kenneth W. Osbeck
.

VISION … To strengthen our ministry to youth, to provide fellowship opportunities, to grow in membership, to deepen in faith, and to expand the church’s outreach to the community.
VALUES …Strive to love and serve God, to love one another and keep relationships healthy, and to
welcome and befriend new-comers.
MISSION… To worship God, to provide training and support for discipleship growth, and to proclaim
the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.
Approved 05/04/2008

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WORD SEARCH

Volunteers for August
Acolytes Karlee Cook, Wells Carpenter, Keever Hawn, Cameron Goodson
Greeter Walter & Jan
Counters Chris & Candace Carpenter
Security/Closer
UshersChris & Candace Carpenter, Walter & Jan
♦ Birthdays ♥ Wedding Anniversaries