St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

 “Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord..” Psalm 119:19

Clergy Availability & Office Hours For Staff

Clergy availability & Office hours for staff

In case you were trying to determine the best time to catch me or the office staff, here is an overview of the clergy and staff’s weekly schedule.  Since we have limited paid staff in the office, I thought perhaps a brief idea about the hours that we are usually at the church would be helpful.

Susan Carson as Registrar and Communications Coordinator is also filling in for bulletin preparation.  Other activities previously assigned to the Parish Administrator are being evaluated and reassigned to committee chair persons or will become part of the new staff position when we finalize the office needs assessment.

Susan currently is trying to be at the office Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm.  Office volunteers and those hoping to drop by should do so from 10 am to 1 pm since you will find Preschool pick up and drop off will be a challenge at other times.

Please note that this is a general idea and not specific to each week since I often have meetings on Friday or Saturday and have to adjust my days off accordingly.  Susan’s schedule is also flexible since she works to facilitate parish needs and she has gone above and beyond to step in to help cover the bulletins and other urgent needs.

Sunday – Mother Pat is at the church from 7:30 am until around 1 or 2 pm and is available for meetings after worship as the parish calendar permits.  Pastoral calls are also made in the afternoon as the pandemic allows.  No office staff are scheduled for work on Sunday.

Monday – Mother Pat works at home from 9 am until 12 pm on sermons and preparation for the weeks events.  Mother Pat is in the office from around 12 pm until 3 or 4 pm depending on pastoral calls and meetings.  Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.

Tuesday – Mother Pat works at home from 9 am until 11 am on newsletter articles, special programs, and other upcoming events as well as continued sermon work.  Tuesday afternoons work continues at the church with meetings and various projects – appointment times and opportunity for phone calls are usually available.   Once a month there is an afternoon meeting of the Deanery clergy.  Also quarterly there are meetings with the clergy, or the Bishop, or a continuing education event and those may be all day meetings.  Some weeks Mother Pat will come into the office later in order to be able to stay until 8 pm to meet with folks who work during the day and for scheduled committee meetings or worship opportunities.  Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.

Wednesday – Mother Pat arrives at the church around 9 am to prepare for preschool chapel and Wednesday Holy Eucharist & service of healing.  Worship is followed by meetings and appointments as well as outreach and other pastoral activities in the afternoon.  Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.

Thursday – Mother Pat works at home on Thursday finalizing sermon preparation, working on projects and trying to answer e-mails, voice mail etc.  This day is also for finalizing newsletter articles, working on special projects and items which need uninterrupted time to complete.  Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.  Mother Pat may be in the office if there are meetings or appointments requiring a clergy presence.

Friday – Mother Pat’s day off except for meetings of the Diocese, wedding rehearsals, or urgent pastoral needs.  Mother Pat will often work at home on sermons and other projects.  No office staff are currently scheduled to work on Friday, the office is closed to routine activities.

Saturday – Mother Pat’s other day off except for Diocesan events, weddings, and other activities which are occasionally scheduled in addition to this; but not a routine day for appointments.  No office staff work on Saturday.

The best way to get information to me is to e-mail I pick up email several times a day.  If it is urgent, please text or call the emergency cell phone at 404-754-6980.  That phone remains on 24 hrs a day, so unless you need something urgently, please email the church at the address.  You can call the church office and usually I will be able to answer, although I have been known to accidently cut off the call.  If that happens, please call back and I will attempt the complicated phone system again, hopefully with more success.  If all else fails leave a message and someone will try to get back with you as quickly as we can.  If you leave a voice message at the church on Thursday afternoon or over the weekend, we won’t get your message until Monday morning so e-mail if you can.  If we don’t answer, we are either in a meeting, worship, or working on issues which do not allow us to answer the phone.  If you have an emergency illness or family death, always try the church office during the day because that is likely where we will be; but if you don’t get a “live person” then call my (Mother Pat’s) cell phone which is always on.  Of course if your question is about the parish office operations, communications (print and electronic) or registrar function, you can e-mail Susan at and she will either provide you the information or forward your e-mail to the clergy or appropriate vestry person.

I realize this transition is difficult and I am here to support you in the best way that I can.  Please let me know how I can help you and the parish in this time of change.  We are evaluating the needs of the parish and how to use paid staff and volunteers in the best way possible.  We will finalize position descriptions for the Music Director and the Parish Administrator and then move forward with the Vestry to seek the best individuals for those positions.  St. Matthew’s has all the resources needed to move forward, so we invite you to pray for the work of discernment as we continue to evaluate what is needed now and in the future to ensure God’s work is done in and through St. Matthew’s.  God’s peace and joy, Mother Pat+



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A Word From Mother Pat+: Growing Fiery Wings

Growing Fiery Wings
A Word From Mother Pat+
I keep a picture by Erica Grimm Vance entitled “Growing Fiery Wings II” by my desk in my home office. It is a painting of a person seated on the ground with their feet flat on the ground, their knees tucked under their chin, and their arms outstretched in front of them. It looked like most of us would look if we tried to stand from that sitting position – the expression on the face was one of determination and effort because it is almost impossible for someone to rise up from that position. Yet, there is more to the painting. Transparent and abstractly painted from the arched shoulders and the leaning back all the way to the outstretched elbows is a streak of red almost like webbing. The red looks like the beginning of transparent fiery wings which will lift the person upward. It is an image of what God’s Spirit does to us in this life. God’s Spirit enables us to stand when it seems impossible. God’s Spirit gives us fiery wings which help us live and act faithfully.
This long liturgical season following Pentecost, from June until the end of November is focused on living the gospel of justice and compassion. This image of growing fiery wings challenges us to do the hard work of growing our own “wings” so we can live and act faithfully. All the Sunday readings encourage us to let the fire of God’s Holy Spirit make our wings stronger and more powerful with each new day. This is the season of discipleship. This season does not focus on God’s coming into the world as a child nor does it focus on Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. The season following Pentecost begins with the arrival of the Holy Spirit often described as flames or tongues of fire; and Pentecost challenges us to live as Christ in the world. This season invites us to show the world the power of God’s Spirit within us.
Each of us has holy fiery wings which can grow in our lives and lift us up. Fiery wings which free us from the forces of gravity and worldly concerns. Many things can weigh us down and keep us stuck in a seated position from which it is difficult to do any work. So how do we grow these fiery wings? God does the work of growing our wings, if we do the work of seeking out God’s presence in our lives and committing ourselves to God’s work. Our fiery wings are good only for the work God gives us. Our fiery wings don’t give us super powers to fight crime or leap tall buildings. Our God-given fiery wings are to help us live out our ministries and build up God’s kingdom here on earth.
In this season of discipleship and growth, we invite you to pray about what God wants you to do with your life. God wants us to do more than sit on the ground and struggle to stand. God wants us to get up and work for justice. God wants us to engage in ministry and service which lets people get a glimpse of God’s Spirit and power. Take the time to pray about your ministry. Take the time to reflect on what you need to do to let your fiery wings grow. If you can’t discern what God is calling you to do with your life now and into the future, then perhaps you need to ask your family and trusted Christian friends to help you see what steps to take.
We have been marked as Christ’s own at our baptism and sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit. The genetic makeup is there and the fiery wings are ready to grow. They may appear gossamer thin and barely visible to you when you struggle to do God’s work; but with each act of faithful service and each moment of prayer and study – those fiery wings grow stronger and God’s Spirit becomes more visible in you and in me. Take on a spiritual exercise program which strengthens and grows your fiery wings. Together we can do great things through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. So, let’s get to work. Mother Pat+



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Words From Mother Pat+ :Walls Or Windmills?

Walls or Windmills?

Nothing in this life is static – everything changes. We grow older and hopefully wiser. We change jobs and find new hobbies and interests. We form new relationships with people that we meet and we negotiate new ways to be friends with those we have known for a lifetime. Change is inevitable. Now in our lives we are facing a continuing pandemic and weathering the struggles of zooming and wearing masks; and learning new ways to be the Church. We hear about change on the evening news – “changing economic conditions and climate changes” just to name a few. We can’t even avoid change in death, since our earthly bodies change when we die and we also believe that upon our death we join the saints in heaven where we continue to grow in the knowledge and love of God.

So if change is inevitable, how do we cope and adapt? An old Chinese proverb says, “when the winds of change blow, some people build walls, while others build windmills.” There are probably times in our lives for building walls and times for building windmills. I would suggest that most of the time, we tend toward building walls because we seek to protect ourselves from the winds of change; but walls also isolate us and confine us. I would invite you to also consider building windmills which can provide you with a source of power and a new way to interact with the world. When you are faced with changing circumstances in your life, seek God’s presence, seek the power that can help equip you for whatever life brings. God will help you decide whether you need a sheltering wall or a powerful windmill.

St. Matthew’s is in the beginning of a period of intense discernment over the next 12 to 18 months; as your leadership team evaluates what has been, what is and what shall be in the life of this community of faith. Your role in this interim period is to engage in prayer and ministry. I invite you to listen to the Holy Spirit and help to build windmills to power the future of St. Matthew’s. Pray for the work of this parish and pray about your ministries. Be an active part of Christ’s work in this part of God’s kingdom. Mother Pat+



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Update On Masking Policy From the Diocese

The CDC, local Public Health Authorities and the Diocese have issued updated guidance on the COVID virus and the continuing pandemic as infections are again on the rise and hospitalizations are increasing quickly. The only change to St. Matthew’s current practice is that masks should be worn when there are gatherings at the parish. The Diocese has not “changed” any of the other options. Fully vaccinated choir members can still sing without masks (although we want them in the choir loft 20 ft. from the congregation) and the clergy and other fully vaccinated individuals actively leading worship are also able to read and sing without masks (again those activities take place away from the gathered congregation). Masks are still required for clergy and others during the administration of the bread during communion because of our close proximity to each person who will be removing their mask to receive communion.
Therefore, the Vestry and clergy strongly encourage everyone wear a mask regardless of vaccination status while in the parish buildings (both pre-school and parish). On Sundays, the ushers will have masks available for anyone who does not have one. Everyone is welcome to attend worship at either service as there are no numeric limitations on attendance.
Fully vaccinated small group gatherings can decide when they have gathered, if they wish to wear masks during their meeting or if they feel comfortable deciding to remove their masks for their time together. Our goal remains the same to protect the vulnerable and to extend hospitality to everyone by taking on the responsibility of wearing masks at worship and in larger gatherings in order to prevent an outbreak of the latest viral variant which spreads so easily. We appreciate your willingness to protect those around you by wearing a mask. We invite your prayers for those impacted by the pandemic and for those who are sick.
The Rev. Dr. Pat Miller+



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What Next? A Word From Mother Pat+

A Word From Mother Pat+: What Next?

Welcome to the world of transition and change.  I realize that none of us asked for change as rapidly as we have seen it over the past 18 months.  No one requested a highly contagious and deadly virus which precipitated a world-wide pandemic.  And I am sure no one wanted this crazy situation to continue into late 2021, and yet that is the situation that we face.  In Gwinnett county we still have a high level of community spread of the delta variant of COVID-19.  Based on the most recent CDC guidance and the latest Diocesan guidelines, we will need to continue to wear masks while inside St. Matthew’s buildings.  I realize that many of you may be vaccinated, but the delta variant has a breakthrough rate which puts everyone at some level of risk again.  I will be working closely with your Vestry as we navigate a way forward while this pandemic still impacts so many in our community.  At this point, face masks covering the nose and mouth are required for all individuals regardless of vaccination status.

What next?  The interim work begins as we attempt in the midst of high COVID community spread to “re-open” and to re-engage with more in-person ministries and activities.  We will continue to live-stream worship for those most vulnerable and at risk of infection; and at the same time we will be trying to return to a full schedule of ministries and activities.

My plan is to try and meet with each committee and ministry over the next few months so that I can assist in the “re-entry” process from the somewhat suspended state of St. Matthew’s ministries to a more robust level of work in line with St. Matthew’s mission statement and within the guidance and leadership of your vestry.  Some ministries will not be able to resume until the level of community COVID spread has again gone down.  Those ministries impacted by high levels of community transmission includes home visits by Stephen’s ministers, pastoral care teams, and the sending out Lay Eucharistic Visitors.  For those ministries considered at highest risk, we will meet and try to establish other methods of supporting those individuals served by the pastoral care team.  For some ministries which have been on hold, we now need to identify, train and equip new people for the work so we are ready when we can resume pastoral visits.

Throughout the Fall season, we will be inviting you to prayerfully consider the ministries that you have done and the ministries that you wish to do.  This may be the time to try something new or to energetically jump into an existing ministry you have been doing and figure out new ways to get the work done.  We also ask you to continue your financial support of St. Matthew’s as we resume our program year.  It has been a difficult year for many of us, but I know that God’s work is important work and that St. Matthew’s parish is ready to get on with the mission work of incarnating Christ both within the parish and in the greater community.

So, what next?  A time to review and examine what St. Matthew’s has done and to develop a plan for what St. Matthew’s will do now and into the future.  Over the next year, your Vestry will be working on a strategic plan for the parish and while that may sound like a business plan, it is not.  Your Vestry are spiritual leaders of this faith community and as such, they listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make faith-based decisions about both temporal and spiritual matters in conjunction with your clergy.  In tandem with the work that you and the Vestry will do to re-start, re-new and re-purpose ministries and programs of the parish, the Discernment and Search Committee will be working on developing a parish profile, a list of values and characteristics which describe who comprises this parish and what you hold as important.  That Discernment group will seek input from the parish and vestry as they do their work.

What next is defined by you, by the vestry and by the work of this interim time.  All of us working together will make this a time of growth and renewal.  Some ministries and programs may elect to take a break and others will emerge to meet new ministry needs.  Things will change and yet things will remain the same for God is with us; and God is in this work that you will do.  One goal is to prepare for a new rector but the larger goal is to prepare for this new chapter in the life of this parish.  God has great plans for St. Matthew’s and now St. Matthew’s has to take time to discern what actions, ministries and community involvement is part of God’s purpose now and into the future.

Be patient, be prayerful, be faithful in worship, ministry and financial giving.  God is in charge of the results of our prayerful and faithful work; so during this interim time we rely on God to lead us on a journey into the unknown.  Trusting that God will always be with us and guiding us to the building up of God’s kingdom.  Mother Pat+



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We Are On A Journey With Christ

We Are On A Journey
Words from Mother Pat+

Our Spiritual life is a journey which engages all our senses and calls us to engage passionately in God’s life and in God’s work in the world. People engage by connecting to one another, by symbols which represent significant values, and by meaningful experiences. This is one reason that worship is a central part of our week, because it is a time when we come together as a community of faith to experience God’s presence and to offer ourselves to God’s service.

The mission of St. Matthew’s says, “Our MISSION is to continue the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, by serving the greater community through loving its children, caring for the unfortunate and witnessing to the healing power of God’s love.”

On this journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are both followers and leaders. We follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but our lives become models which others emulate and follow. So we both follow and lead. We are not ordinary disciples, we are those sent to serve. As your interim rector, part of my ministry is to equip and empower you to live into your discipleship in the ways you believe God is calling you to serve. Interim work also challenges us to ask, “what is God calling us to do now and how is that different from what we may have done in the past?” We will each be challenged in this work that God calls us to undertake. One theologian put it this way, “Our Christian journey is God letting us be who we are, all the while begging us from the cross to be who we can become.” God has given each of us unique gifts to use to help others and we will be more fulfilled when we use these gifts for God’s kingdom. Because we have been created in the image of God, we are called to live into that identity.

Our lives are a journey with God. Sometimes that journey takes us on well worn paths and other times the journey is over unfamiliar terrain. This next 12 to 18 months will be such a journey for St. Matthew’s as a parish. Staff have transitioned to new positions and things will change, not because of any problem or issue; but change is inevitable for all of us. Even if I could do exactly the same things as your last Rector & Associate, things would still be different, because we are all unique and beloved of God. Each of you will change as well, because we walk this particular path together and our companionship forms us uniquely into the body of Christ in this time and place. The joy is that God loves us as we are and God challenges us to become who we could more fully be as God’s beloved daughters and sons.

In scripture, we read one account after another where Jesus takes off with the disciples on an unexpected journey – across the lake, to the land of the Gentiles, on a teaching mission, healing the daughter of a synagogue leader, raising the dead, having dinner with friends, going to a wedding in Cana, and the list goes on. Over and over Jesus hops up and off he goes with the disciples. Jesus never really tells the disciples where they are going or what exactly will happen on the journey; and likewise, most of our journeys with Jesus are surprises in someway or another. But we, like the early disciples, always know that Jesus is with us; so we can embark on the unknown journey with less trepidation perhaps. I invite you to think about this interim period as a time when Jesus invites us to journey to new places and to see and do new things so that we are gaining new skills as disciples.

We are not ordinary disciples–Jesus calls us, equips us and sends us out to do the work that he left unfinished. We are those who model his life. We are those who point to God. We are those who serve, heal, teach and lead others to Christ – not because we are perfect, but because we have been called disciples and friends of Jesus our Lord. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to journey with you. I am excited to share ministry with you as we go in love to serve and heal God’s people. Mother Pat+



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Intergenerational VBS Meets Every Wednesday In July

Wanted By God: Intergenerational VBS
Wednesday Evenings in July (7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th)
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Week 1: We had a great evening creating our riding partners for our journey of faith. Not only did we make horses out of pool noodles we also discussed how the concepts of loyalty and commitment are important to our faith journey, using the book of Ruth as our setting. This coming Wednesday, July 14th, we will be discussing Moses’ encounter with the burning bush. See you next week!

Week 2: This week we had a wonderful time creating beautiful string art projects of crosses, hearts and horses. We also discussed Moses and the burning bush and how we can practice being aware and present to what God is doing within our world.

Week 3: We decorated and adorned our Prayer Journals and played BINGO. Journaling can help in many ways from helping to create a gratitude list, to writing about how your day went, as well as clarifying your thoughts. We discussed how journaling can assist us when we journey through those times of testing, similar to when Jesus entered the wilderness.  We have one VBS Night left, Wednesday, July 28th. We will be visiting Jim & Susan Jung’s barn, giving us a truly authentic western flavor. If you are interested in attending please contact me so we have enough supplies.         Fr. Tommy 



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St. Matthew’s God Bless America 4th of July Picnic

Sunday, July 4 in the parish hall
After the 10:45 a.m. service (about noon)

Let’s celebrate coming back together in a big way!

The Fellowship committee will serve a holiday meal
of fried chicken, potato salad, individual bag of chips
and a brownie.
Water and tea will be provided.

Please Register On Realm to give us a head count for the meal.

A love offering will be accepted to cover the cost of the food and supplies.

You may want to bring lawn chairs, games (indoors or outside) or cards to play, or sidewalk chalk, etc. for the children.
(Be sure to dress in red, white and blue!)

Don’t miss it!

 

 



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Fun, Free Fellowship Wednesdays At. St. Matt’s

Wednesdays In June
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

All are invited.
Gather with friends (or make new ones!) and reconnect with your parish family
for an evening of fellowship and games every Wednesday evening in June.

Outdoors or in the parish hall depending on weather conditions.
Outdoor Tic Tac Toe, Corn Hole, and others.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating outdoors
Bring your own picnic or snacks & drinks if desired.

Have a game to share, or have any questions?
Contact Trisha Voiles or Becky Olbon

See You There!

 



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At St. Matthew’s, our MISSION is to continue the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, by serving the greater community through loving its children, caring for the unfortunate and witnessing to the healing power of God’s love.