Stewardship Archives - St. Matthews Episcopal Church

A Word From Mother Pat: Seek and Serve, Baptismal Promise #4

October 14, 2021

Week 4 Baptismal Promise – Seek and Serve

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you, Jesus asks us again this week.

If we look closely at scripture we see that there is a lot of going & coming, sending and being sent. Some of the classics are Abram and Sarai being sent by God into the desert to find a new home; Moses and the Hebrew people going on a journey with God to a land of milk and honey, escaping Pharaoh, and finding a way to live as God’s holy people; Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and from there taking a long journey into Egypt and then back to Nazareth, all guided by God’s plan.

Then we start to encounter Jesus traveling with his disciples back and forth across the sea of Galilee and into Gentile towns. Next thing we know, Jesus is sending the disciples out two by two on mission trips to spread the good news. And of course, the story of Paul who, while persecuting the early Christians, encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus–and we know how that turned out. Paul, blinded by the presence of the risen Christ, is led to a home where he hears the truth about God’s love for all people; and he learns that he is called to seek and serve Christ in all the people, even those that he once considered worthless sinners. Paul’s call to discipleship sends him to seek and serve Christ in the pagan gentile world of his time. Paul finds out that it is only when he can see Christ in himself that he can see Christ in others.

It is likely that we will not have such a profound encounter with the risen Christ, but we are still called to seek and serve Christ in ourselves and in all persons, expressing the love of God to everyone.

This week we are invited to see ourselves as God’s beloved and to show the love of Christ to all persons. What ministries might God be asking you to undertake in this coming year which express God’s love to your neighbor and to yourself.? What spiritual disciplines might help you find joy and wonder in God’s glorious creation?

Again this week, Jesus asks us through the power of the Holy Spirit, “Will you be my hands and feet? Will you speak my words of love and support to those in need? Will you give of your resources to serve others? Will you prayerfully engage in listening for the needs of the community?” I pray that you answer will be, “I will with God’s help”. Amen.

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Baptismal Promise # 3

October 7, 2021

Rooted in Christ and carrying the cross of cross we are to Proclaim the good news.

In case you have not taken a good look at the prayer card that you got in the mail with your ministry commitment form. I invite you to take a deeper look. Rooted in Christ – what does that really mean to you?

The cross reminds us of Christ’s saving act, but it also reminds us that in our humanity we are capable of great sin. But Jesus doesn’t leave us in that sinful place – he offers grace and forgiveness. Jesus came among us in order to show us how to live and he came to share God’s forgiveness and grace with us. The Church is Christ’s body – that means that we are to live in such a way that people meet Jesus when they meet us. That is how we live out our third baptismal promise which is to PROCLAIM by word and example the good news.

That is what we are supposed to be about. We are to be that compassionate and caring place, the church, where Christ is proclaimed, lives are transformed and people’s needs are met through word, sacrament, service and community.

We, as the committed disciples of Christ at St. Matthew’s, are to be that place which centers and grounds all who come to us. We are the place where people do not have to be ashamed of their sins but rather find and experience God’s abundant love and forgiveness in our midst

In our third baptismal promise, God asks “Will you Proclaim by word and example the good news?” “Will you”, Jesus asks us again and again everyday. Will you be my eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of the world? Will you take action by your words and deeds to bring the love of God to those who have not yet found their way?

Will you, Jesus asks us. And we prayerfully and faithfully say, “I will with God’s help”.

I invite you to continue your prayerful discernment about how you are called to live into your discipleship. Rooted in Christ, supported by worship, education, community & service we grow in our spiritual maturity and in our faith. As we fix our focus on the cross gazing toward God, we see the outstretched arms of Christ which form the crossbeams of the cross – we are invited and challenged to reach out in evangelism and social outreach. As we journey with Christ we find ourselves more and more opening our arms in a wide embrace proclaiming by word and deed the good news of God’s love for all creation. Blessings, Mother Pat+

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Bishop Wright Announces Phase One Reopening of Churches

June 19, 2020

On Wednesday, Bishop Wright announced to the clergy that churches in the Diocese of Atlanta may begin holding services in the church after July 1, with the first services being held on or after July 5. While this is good news, it also comes with a series of very specific requirements designed to ensure that when we meet together in the sanctuary for worship, we offer the safest space possible for all concerned.

The Advisory Committee met last night to discuss how we might move forward, now that we have the diocesan requirements and guidelines. There is a lot of planning and preparation required before we come together again as community, balancing our desire to worship together with creating the safest space possible for all our members.

While we have been given the permission to begin worship in the sanctuary, it will be awhile until we will be ready, and there is much to be done.

While we have been given the permission to begin worship in the sanctuary, it will be awhile until we will be ready, and there is much to be done. Consideration must be given to such stipulations as limited attendance and safety spacing, contact tracing, disinfection of the space, the challenge of worshiping without bulletins, hymnals or prayer books, and for a time, no Communion. As we review the diocesan requirements with various groups that help plan worship, we will get a better idea of the timeline. When we know more, we will share that information with you, with regular updates both in the Messenger, on our website and on our Facebook page. We can also use the Zoom coffee hour to give you the latest information.

While we long to worship together again in the sanctuary, it’s good to remember that the Church is not “closed”. WE are the Church, and we continue to do God’s work in God’s Kingdom. I ask your prayers for those who are engaged in the project to get us ready for on-campus worship. I know how anxious I am to see everyone again, and I’m sure that you feel the same way. However, the times in which we live means we must always err on the side of safety.
Blessings, Mother Liz+

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St. Matthew’s Campus To Maintain Highly Restricted Access

June 11, 2020

On March 14, 2020, the vestry of St. Matthew’s voted to close the campus to all worship and campus activities, effective that day. March 15 was our first recorded worship service, led by Father Tommy in the Coil Chapel.

Although it seems long ago, and Governor Kemp has opened the state, with recommended infection control guidelines, the corona virus remains present, is still highly infectious, and the number of cases in the top three counties continues to increase.

As of June 10, the top three counties in Georgia with corona virus cases are (1) Fulton at 4989, Gwinnett with 4688 and Dekalb with 4186. These three counties represent 26% of all cases in Georgia.

Of more concern is the growth in positive cases. In this past week, from June 3 to June 10, cases in Fulton increased 6%, Dekalb 8% and Gwinnett 18%. At this rate, Gwinnett is on track to become the #1 county in Georgia with the most number of cases. The three zip codes reporting the highest numbers of cases are 30044, which is part of the Lawrenceville area at 1,608, 30093 in Norcross with 983, and 30047 in Lilburn with 949 cases.

For this reason, the St. Matthew’s campus will remain closed. The only exceptions are those on campus to record services in the sanctuary on Tuesday, the preschool director, and the senior warden, who collects the mail and makes the bank deposits.

Our Advisory Committee is working on recommendations to the vestry for a limited (essential staff only) opening possibly after July 1, however, at this time, no other access is allowed without the express and documented approval of the senior warden. Documented approval includes a check of temperature and answering a series of questions.

If you have questions or comments about this, please contact either me or Becky Olbon.

With prayers for your continued safety,

Mother Liz+

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Annual Parish Meeting Election Results

December 12, 2019

Election Results for Sunday’s Annual Parish Meeting 1/26/2020: Congratulations to John Eberhart, Joan Compton Kengla, Judith Kimsey, Debbie Stallings, and Karen Wilson. Thank you for your willingness to serve St. Matthew’s.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Parish Affairs and Election of New Vestry Members and Council Delegates

Sunday, January 26, 2020

9:00 a.m. Sign-In / Coffee & Donuts

9:30 A.M. Meeting & Voting Begins

FOLLOWED BY HOLY EUCHARIST

(single combined service)

in the Sanctuary

BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW ANNUAL FISH FRY FOLLOWS THE SERVICE

(Old and New Vestry meets during the fish fry)

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Musings From Mother Liz

October 17, 2019

Finally! Fall is here. Last week’s car show was a great success; the fall weather arrived this week, and rain over the past few days has refreshed the area. My favorite liturgical season is Advent, but my favorite of the four seasons is fall. I love the crisp air, the smell of woodsmoke and the changing color of the trees.

I confess that I also look forward to our time of stewardship celebration. That may seem an odd term, “stewardship celebration”, but that’s the way I think of it. If you read Terri Hurst’s stewardship letter elsewhere in this e-letter, then you know that all the work we do as a community is part of our promise of stewardship – to take care of one another and of the many gifts and blessings which God has given us. This year’s theme, “Shining Our Light”, gives me context in which to do a reflection on where I am on my Christian journey. How have I allowed God’s light to shine through me? How have I offered my time, skills and financial resources to share God’s light both in the parish and in the greater community? I love stewardship because it allows me to be intentional as I realize that all that I have and all I can offer are gifts from God – I am only returning to God that which belongs to him already. If I am totally honest with myself, I must admit that on my own, I am not much, but as an instrument of God’s light and love, I can make a difference.

We have a motto at St. Matthew’s: “It’s the People”. Every month, when I meet with people new to St. Matthew’s, what they always share with me is the warmth they’ve felt from this community. I believe God has given us special gifts of hospitality and welcome, however, I believe that God does not call us to rest in this, but to continue to move forward. To do the work God has called us to do takes financial resources and the commitment of all of us.

So yes, I love our time of stewardship; I love this time of reflection on where we’ve been and where God is calling us to go. I will use these next four weeks to thank God for all the ways God has blessed me, and I will prayerfully ask God what I can offer in return. I hope you will join me this season in celebrating stewardship: by giving God thanks for his light that you have received from others; by giving him thanks for his light in you that you in turn have shared, and by making a financial commitment to God and St. Matthew’s out of the blessings you have received.

Happy Fall!! Liz+

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Annual Reports, 2019 Budget and New Vestry Members

January 30, 2019

Click here to check out the end-of-year committee reports and the approved 2019 budget, and meet your newly elected vestry members.

http://www.stmatthewssnellville.org/resources/annual-parish-reports/

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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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New Vestry Members Elected At the Annual Parish Meeting January 27, 2019

December 31, 2018

Congratulations to our newest vestry members Eliot Griffiths, Bernard McGhee, Becky Olbon, and Sam Rotella, elected at the Annual Parish Meeting. They will serve a three year term. Members also reviewed the 2019 budget and participated in table discussions about the year(s) ahead. This year kicks off a celebration of St. Matthew’s 40 years of ministry in the Snellville / Gwinnett County area, as the parish looks ahead to the next forty years and beyond.

A single combined Eucharist service followed the meeting, and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew hosted its annual Fish Fry after the service.

St. Matthew’s extends heartfelt thanks to Oscar De Leon, Mara DiGiovanni, Scott McEvoy and Beth Still for their faithful service on the vestry these past three years, and thanks to Eliot, Bernard, Becky and Sam as they begin their three year term.

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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: