First Communion, Sunday, Feb. 7
First Communion for 5th graders took place Sunday, Feb. 7 during an afternoon service. The First Communion Retreat to prepare for their special day was held on Sunday, Jan. 24. We rejoice with our 5th graders as they receive this sacrament.

We welcome the following young people and their families as they celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time. We pray that the gift of Holy Communion will be a blessing to you throughout your lives.

Photos of the First Communion service Feb. 7 are online [here].

Confirmation Ministry
7th and 8th grade confirmation classes have ended for the school year. Students are expected to attend
Wednesday evening Lenten services, and, if applicable, work on their mentor packets. Our 9th graders made their Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation) on Nov. 8 [more].

Confirmation Camp coming June 13-18
Plans are being made for a fantastic week at Confirmation Camp this Summer. We'll be attending the Confirmation Camp week at the Pine Lake, Sunday-Friday, June 13-18.

The Confirmation Camp Registration form is [here]. The form should be returned to Pastor Chris by Sunday, March 1.

A link to the Pine Lake Camp website is [here].

Photos of the 2009 Confirmation Camp are online [here].

Confirmation class service event at Hunger Task Force
Eighth graders sorted food at the Hunger Task Force on Jan. 20. Confirmation students worked at the Hunger Task Force for a three hour shift as part of the service component of their Confirmation class. Photos of the service event are [here].

Photos 9th grade Confirmation Class special event [here]

Youth Forum information and photos online [here]

Congratulations, Confirmands!
We rejoice with the twenty-five 9th graders and their families who made an Affirmation of their Baptism (Confirmation) on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Pastor Gary, Gretchen Haugse and Pastor Margaret worked with the group. Please keep these young people and their families in your prayers, as they continue on their faith journeys and move toward more roles in the church family and our community.

Photos of special pre-Confirmation event

A special pre-confirmation event was held for 9th graders and families on “The Faith that Connects Us” Saturday, Nov. 7 with Marilyn Miller, a race relations expert. Photos below are from that event. Included is a photo of the Confirmation Class at rehearsal. (Click image to enlarge.)

Youth Forum

Sr. High Youth Forum has begun! Meet with us Sundays, 9:45 a.m. Our goal in forum is to look at the world around us and discuss what the Gospel calls us to do in that world, and we would love to add your voice to the conversation! We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming our new freshmen to the group. Come and join us for highs and lows, interesting conversation, and, occasionally, food! See photos below. (Click image to enlarge.)

Vacation Bible School 2009

A new and exciting VBS program was held in August 2009 with over 350 children from St. Matthew's and the community attending. A volunteer staff helped to produce a fine week-long program. Photos of our 2009 VBS are online [here].

Special thanks to Tom Gill of Unity Enterprises in Wauwatosa for his work on this year’s VBS T-shirts. Tom is a member of St. Matthew’s and has helped for a number of years with St. Matthew’s various T-shirt needs. This year Tom donated all of his labor costs on the VBS T-shirts to St. Matthew’s. Thank you, Tom!