News Archives - Page 3 of 8 - St. Matthews Episcopal Church

2019 Vestry Candidates

January 18, 2019

St. Matthew’s Annual Parish Meeting

9:00 a.m.: Coffee & donuts & Sign In

9:30 a.m.: Annual Meeting:

Election of four vestry members

Click here for candidate information

Parish business

Forum discussions

followed by one combined Service.

12:30 p.m (time approx.): Annual Brotherhood Fish Fry!

CANDIDATES FOR VESTRY 2019:

Elliot Griffiths

Elliot was “brought” (he didn’t have a choice at the time) to St. Matthew’s in the mid-late 80’s by his father Tom Griffiths. We quickly found this to be our church home and were very active until the early-mid 2000’s. He now attends with his own family: Jenny (wife), Ian (son age 11), and Ethan (son age 8), can be found at church most Sundays.

Elliot works as a Supervisor to the emergency services division of a restoration company which is why he always has one eye on the “bat phone” (yes even in church… sorry, Mtr Liz). He went to college for music and spent some time touring around the southeast in his younger(dumber) years.

He was heavily involved with the youth and the New Beginnings movement as a participant at weekend number….. drum roll………….1. He served on team and didn’t miss a single New Beginnings weekend for nearly 15 years. As a young adult he led music on the weekend and in general, helped set the stage for how the weekend currently stands…..which is awesome 😂….. Recently, since his return, he is more involved with the children’s ministry and education (having children in the program and also teaching J2A).

Elliot’s vision for St. Matthews is steady, smart growth. To continue the trend of the Episcopal Church in its methodology of accepting all no matter what, under GOD. We all have something to give to the church just like we all have something we can take away from the church in our own individual lives. He would like to also see further development within the youth programs. As a product of the church, he always had the feeling that he was really a part of something special. While he does not spend as much time in the youth today as he once did, he would like to become familiar enough to ensure that the feeling is still thriving. Our youth make up the future of our church (and world). Molding these lives with productivity, GOD and love are absolutely paramount in these times.

Bernard McGhee

Bernard was raised Roman Catholic but became an Episcopalian as an adult. He started going to St. Matthew’s about two years ago after moving to Gwinnett County from Atlanta, where he and his family went to St. Luke’s.

He grew up in the New Orleans area and majored in Mass Communication at Xavier University of Louisiana. After graduating from college, he started working for The Associated Press, where he spent time at AP bureaus in Seattle, Iowa and South Dakota, before coming to Atlanta in 2004. He currently works as an editor on the news agency’s South regional desk in downtown Atlanta.

Bernard is married to Elizabeth, who also attends St. Matthew’s, and they have a 7-year-old son named Maxwell. When not working, Bernard enjoys reading, writing fiction, listening to music and watching movies.

Becky Olbon

Becky was born in Boaz, Alabama but grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She has been married to Clay Olbon for 27 years and they have two adult children, Tara and Nate. Becky was baptized and confirmed at the Cathedral of St Phillips in 2002.

At St. Matthew’s, Becky is currently a member of the Outreach and Finance committees and serves as the 1C1P liaison with the Snellville PD. She also serves as a greeter and as a member of the Preschool executive board.

In the past she has served on the vestry as the Building and Grounds liaison and as the Youth liaison as well as Junior Warden,

Becky’s vision for St. Matthew’s is one in which we continue to grow our Inreach and Outreach ministries so that we are serving God and our community to the best of our abilities.

Sam Rotella

My choice to become a member of the Episcopal Church was an easy decision my wife Priscilla you either join or there’s no us. Both were 2 of my best life decisions.

My now 47 year career spans leadership, sales, business development, facilitation and working with clients to achieve their vision. As a business we look at our purpose is to” give back the gifts of our skills and learning with passion and commitment to make a difference for our clients”

At St. Matt’s I have chaired long range planning for 2 1/2 years, worked on a series of projects for Mother Liz and the Vestry as well as currently being involved in Christian formation.

It is not my job to determine the vision of St. Matt’s but rather to facilitate the achievement of an aligned parish vision.

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Epiphany Study — Paul’s Letters to the Romans

January 10, 2019

Adult Christian Education EPIPHANY STUDY

Explore Christ’s redeeming love by reading Paul’s letter to the Roman’s each day with tens of thousands of Episcopalians throughout the world.

during Epiphany

January 7^th to March 5^th

Readings for the Week!

Epiphany Weekly Readings- Week2

1/ 6, 13, 20; 2/ 3, 10, 17, 24;

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Counting Our Blessings

November 21, 2018

We at St. Matthew’s are abundantly blessed!

Our Consecration Sunday/Thanksgiving Feast was overflowing with joy, love, gratitude and delicious food!! To the many people who made the event happen, I give heartfelt thanks: the Fellowship Committee who gave their entire weekend to the luncheon, especially Nancy Drury, who organized her team while also serving on the Stewardship Committee; the Brotherhood who helped behind the scenes but especially with clean-up; the Stewardship Committee; and anyone else who was “volunteered” to help out.

I am also grateful for the people who were willing to go outside their comfort zones to share their personal stories about how the practice of stewardship has strengthened their faith and deepened their relationships with God. I pray that they are as blessed by their sharing as we are by hearing their stories.

If you are still prayerfully discerning what financial amount God is calling you to give to our parish, please complete your estimate of giving card and drop it in the lock box on the parish office door.

Should you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. And as always, should you feel called by the Holy Spirit to join our Stewardship Committee, we will welcome you with open arms and grateful hearts.

Terri Hurst, Stewardship Chair

Photos from Consecration Sunday / Thanksgiving Ingathering Feast can be found here:

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News From Annual Council & One Delegate’s Impressions of the Event

November 15, 2018

Archbishop Michael Curry spoke at the 112th Annual Council Convention this past week on November 9. The convention was held at Holy Innocents Episcopal School and Parish in Atlanta as parishes from all over the diocese gathered to meet and worship together. Archbishop Curry spoke during the council meeting on Friday, and celebrated Eucharist on Friday afternoon.

To hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-wwhVy0Yg&feature=youtu.be&t=3037

Present at the convention were our delegates Greg Andrews, Jay Jones, and Janis Williams, along with Mallard and Althea Benton, Sheila Ferrell and Richard Morris who all sang in the choir at Eucharist, and Jessie and Jacob Hurst who attended the youth lock-in held in conjunction with the event. In addition, attendees packed 15,000 meals for the hungry to be sent wherever they are needed in the world.

Impressions of a First Time Delegate to Diocesan Council

by Janis Williams

This adventure was amazing. I was a newbie, in rooms with a lot of white collars and quite a few black cassocks, and so proud to be among them. The first familiar face after finding Jay Jones and Greg Andrews, was Bishop Wright, welcoming me. I have only been a part of the Episcopal Church for 20 years, and was thrilled to be there and to find out more about our church on a broader, higher level. In spare moments, I visited the tables from different ministries to learn more about opportunities to serve and to share.

The purpose statement of the 112th Annual Council is Challenging Ourselves and the World to Love Like Jesus. The highlight of the weekend was the Eucharistic service Friday afternoon. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry gave the sermon with an engaging story of the Good Samaritan. Greg and I participated a little later in the service project, helping to make 15,000 food packages which will be sent all over the world when and where they are needed. Many of the young people participated in a Lock-in on Friday night, where six very tall posts were made, which will travel around the world to display and convey some of their concerns today. The final worship service Saturday morning was conducted entirely by the Youth with songs, a sermon, and prayers. If I have the opportunity to go again, I would love to!

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Musings From Mother Liz: Stewardship — Where Does It All Go?

November 9, 2018

As much as we stress the spiritual discipline of making a financial commitment to the church, there are practical aspects as well.

In 2018, the vestry approved an operating budget of $567,000. A little over 50% of this amount goes towards staff salaries and benefits: pension, medical and disability insurance, travel, continuing education and social security. The cost to maintain and repair the physical plant, categorized as Buildings and Grounds, is 20% of the budget. A little over 9%, or $53,600 goes back to the diocese to help fund the cost of their operations. The cost to run the office, including office machines, computers, phone, internet and equipment replacements, requires 8% of the budget, while ministries uses 7%. Outreach is allocated 3% of the budget.

The vestry and the finance committee work hard to be good stewards of the monies donated to the church. Ideally, an increase in donations allows us to increase funds for Outreach as well as accrue funds for Buildings and Grounds to cover unexpected repairs, and expected replacement of high-priced items like air conditioners and roofs.

As you pray and discern what your financial commitment to St. Matthew’s will be, I hope learning what it takes to operate the church will be helpful to you. If you have questions about any of this, please contact our Treasurer, Chuck Marsh, the chair of our Finance Committee Mark DiGiovanni, or Bret Hurst, vestry member and liaison to the Finance Committee.

In Peace,

Mother Liz+

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Acolyte Training Workshop November 17

November 9, 2018

The Acolyte Ministry will hold a training session from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, in the church fellowship hall to prepare for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

The workshop will be in two sessions: acolytes, ages 8-12, will train from 10 a.m. to 12 pm. Acolytes, ages 13 and up will train from 1 to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Acolytes play a vital role in our worship service. The workshop is a chance to sharpen acolyte skills and etiquette. The workshop will also be a time to measure for albs (robes) and update contact information.

Attendance is strongly encouraged as we plan for new processes and services during the Christmas season. Kindly RSVP by email to dockjones@gmail.com or by text or voice to 404-217-8172.

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Musings From Mother Liz

October 26, 2018

I don’t know about you, but I found this past week a difficult one to navigate. Saturday, Gwinnett police officer Antwan Toney was shot and killed while approaching a car parked near Shiloh Middle School. On Monday, the alleged shooter, Tafahree Maynard, was shot and killed by a Gwinnett officer as they sought to take him into custody. That same Monday, an eighth grade student at Trickum Middle School in Lilburn stabbed his language arts teacher in the chest with an 8 inch butcher knife he brought to school.

As a pastor, I mourn both lives lost, and I pray for the teacher who was wounded and for the student who would commit this act. And I pray for those who are impacted by these acts of violence – a ripple that goes far beyond these four people.

I have heard from people who are angry and afraid. I deeply wish I could offer wisdom, but that would be trying to explain the illogical with logic. So I offer compassion, and prayers, and a listening ear to anyone who might need to talk, whether about these events or anything else that is weighing you down. And please know that I am not the only one available if you need to talk. Susan Jung and our Stephen’s ministers would like to help, and you can ask for prayers from our Daughters of the King and St. Luke’s chapters. Father Doug is helping me right now with parish pastoral care when he is in town, and he’s a good listener.

I hope you realize that if you are struggling, you do not need to walk alone. Call me at St. Matthew’s – I now have an extension (109) and voicemail, so if you don’t reach me, you can leave a message. Or you can call my cell (770-820-9448). This is what being in community is all about. And I give thanks to God each day that he led me to St. Matthew’s.

In Peace, Liz+

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What A Weekend! Retreat Note and Photo Gallery

October 24, 2018

Dear Sisters and Brothers from Saint Matthew’s!

A few years ago, the parish provided feedback that an event like a weekend retreat was something the majority will welcome. After more than a year of planning, this past weekend that retreat was a reality; an effort that brought so many parishioners together in love, harmony, worship and fellowship to the glory of God.

The setting was the magnificent Stone Mountain Park campgrounds. The weekend activities provided opportunities to all present to get to know each other and work, have fun and worship together. It was a weekend where young and old mingled and learned from each other. The campfire provided a magical moment for all to keep warm and connect through stories and music.

The fellowship committee would like to express the utmost gratitude to all who attended and others that works so hard to make this retreat happen. Special thanks to Terri Ingalls, our professional story teller, that allowed her craft to teach us how, and the importance of, telling our stories; to Mindy Barringer for the gift of live music for the campfire and the worship service; to the parenting group that handled most of the meals; and to the countless volunteers that ensured this successful event.

Thank you and may the peace of the Lord be always with you!

Oscar

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Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd McGregor To Speak At St. Matthew’s

October 11, 2018

Sunday, October 14, St. Matthew’s welcomes the Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd McGregor as Guest Preacher at both the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd McGregor and the Rev. Dr. Patsy McGregor have been serving in the mission field since 1991 in church planting, health care, theological education, managing a retreat and conference center, building churches, schools and a Cathedral, providing educational scholarships and leadership development in both Kenya and Madagascar.

Currently, Todd and Patsy live in the coastal city of Toliara in southwestern Madagascar, where Todd serves as the first Anglican Bishop in the Diocese of Toliara and plays a significant role in the Province as the Chair of Mission and Evangelism for the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean. Patsy serves as a Diocesan priest, hosts pilgrimages and missionary teams to Madagascar, leads local ministries focusing on children’s education and empowering women’s development. She is the author of many books and has co-written a Christian musical, Miaraka: A Time to Dance which has been performed internationally and has also been translated and performed in Malagasy.

In conjunction with People Reaching People, Inc. (PRP), Patsy and Todd serve the people of the Diocese of Toliara through engaging partners in evangelism, education, and economic development. (PRP was formed by the McGregors and several of their supporters in 2007.) The Diocese of Toliara, is one of the poorest areas in one of the poorest countries in the world. Even though the population faces chronic poverty, famine, malnutrition and has limited infrastructure, health care and economic opportunity, the Diocese of Toliara experiences steady growth. In 2007, only 11 churches and 300 Anglican worshippers were in the area. Now there are over 80 churches and 8,000 parishioners in the Diocese. The work of the McGregors and PRP in the name of Christ provides transformation and hope, all to the Glory of God.

To learn more or to provide support for this work, please visit: http://www.peoplereaching.org/
https://www.facebook.com/People-Reaching-People-398417923648889

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Helping Hurricane Victims Through ERD

September 20, 2018

As we watch the news stories of those affected by Hurricane Florence, it may seem like it is a disaster so large that any small thing we may do to help will be a drop in the proverbial bucket. But, as with other disasters around the world, Episcopal Relief and Development is there, helping put lives back together in many ways.

Now is the time to help them help others. Here’s a letter sent out on Friday, September 15, 2018, as Hurricane Florence approached landfall on the Carolinas.

Dear Donors and Friends,

Even as we pray for those affected by Hurricane Florence and begin to provide assistance through our diocesan and church partners, I am reminded of the long-term nature of recovery from these storms.
My latest story from Texas on the first anniversary of Hurricane Harvey describes a ministry that has been serving one community since the early days of that recovery. Here is the link:
https://www.episcopalrelief.org/stories/two-women-and-a-truck-help-put-a-community-back-together
Thank you for supporting the work of Episcopal Relief & Development.