Meets each Sunday from 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m. in the library. This four year continuing education class from the University of Sewanee in TN, and enrollment is open to everyone. For more information about this coursework, click here. For more information about the class at St. Matthew’s, contact Gini Peterson.
Search Results for: education for ministry
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Gini Peterson and Caroline Tyler, mentors. For more information about this four-year course of study, please contact Gini or the church office.
Share this on your social network:
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Pam Kohler-Camp, Mentor. For more information about this four-year class of study, please contact Pam or the church office.
Share this on your social network:
Education for Ministry (EfM) Class
Pam Kohler-Camp, Mentor. For more information about this four-year class of study, please contact Pam or the church office.
Share this on your social network:
Rev. Dr. Col. Patricia Miller
I grew up in the Atlanta area and then entered the United States Air Force as a registered nurse. After that first active duty tour, I returned to Georgia and worked in Augusta at the Medical College of Georgia where I obtained my Bachelors and Masters in Nursing. While I was in Augusta, I found the Episcopal Church and started attending EFM (Education for Ministry) through the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. I also began my discernment for holy orders. Discernment took a number of years and several dioceses, but in 1993 I went to the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest graduating with a MDiv in 1996. I was ordained in the diocese of Colorado and served there before being called to St. Michael’s parish in Independence, Missouri where I served for 17 years. It was an amazing partnership of ministry during which time I retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Colonel and I also completed my Doctor of Ministry degree.
Throughout all those years, I have kept my hand in nursing by consulting for an accreditation group called The Joint Commission. Then God came knocking with a new opportunity to serve as Interim Rector at St. Aidan’s in Milton, GA where I served over a year and a half until they completed their search and called a new Rector. Next came other interim positions and each parish in turn effectively called new clergy. Now I am at St. Matthew’s for the next year or two while the parish goes through the process of discerning and calling a new rector.
I have been active in Episcopal Cursillo on the local and national level. Now in the diocese of Atlanta, Bishop Wright has appointed me as Spiritual Director for the renewal of the Cursillo movement here. I have a passion for formation and I have taught bible studies, mentored EFM groups, led retreats for clergy, for Daughters of the King, for parishes, and worked with groups discerning their future goals and needs.
Those are the highlights and it is my hope that in this time of partnership, we will share goals and aspirations and chart a new path based on mutual discernment and the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit who continues to knock on all our doors inviting us into new journeys of discipleship. My part in this shared ministry is to equip and empower St. Matthew’s both as individuals and as a faith community and to share our gifts and talents together in mission and ministry for God’s kingdom.
God’s peace and joy, Mother Pat Miller+
Share this on your social network:
Introducing Our New Interim Rector
From Becky Olbon, Senior Warden:
I am excited to let you all know that we have found an interim rector who will begin on August 1. Please join me in welcoming The Rev. Dr. Col. Patricia Miller. Mother Pat has served at St. Matthew’s before as a supply priest so many of you may have already met her. The vestry asked Mother Pat to put together a letter introducing herself to the parish and you can find it below, and in this week’s newsletter.
From Mother Pat:
The Vestry asked for some biographical information, so here it is from my perspective. I hope that as we share ministry together, we will learn from each other and find out more than just the basic facts.
The formal stuff first, I am The Rev. Dr. Col. Patricia Miller and I grew up in southwest Dekalb County and then entered the United States Air Force as a registered nurse. After discharge from that active duty tour, I returned to Georgia and worked in Augusta at the Medical College of Georgia where I obtained my Bachelors and Masters in Nursing. While I was in Augusta, I found the Episcopal Church and started attending EFM (Education for Ministry) through the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. I also began my discernment for holy orders at St. Augustine’s parish in Augusta.
Next, I got an offer to work at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans so off I went to a whole new world in Louisiana. While there I held almost every lay leadership role in the church and continued my journey toward ordination to the priesthood. And finally, I was off to seminary as a sort of “free agent” since many bishops at that time were not open to ordaining women. That is a story for another time.
Graduating from Seminary in 1996, I headed to the diocese of Colorado because I felt God was calling me to that diocese and i was ordained there and served as a curate and later the parish called me as their associate rector. A few years in Boulder Colorado and again God came knocking on my door telling me to move to a parish in Independence, Missouri. So off I went to St. Michael’s where I served for 17 years. It was an amazing partnership of ministry during which I retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Colonel and I also completed my Doctor of Ministry degree. Throughout all those years, I have kept my hand in nursing by consulting for an accreditation group called The Joint Commission. Then God came knocking with a new opportunity to serve as Interim Rector at St. Aidan’s in Milton, GA where I served over a year until they completed their search and called a new Rector in August of this year.
After that interim rectorship, I did interim work at St. Timothy’s in Decatur and then St. Andrew’s in Hartwell where they just completed a successful search and call.
I have been active in Episcopal Cursillo on the local and national level. And Cursillo in the Diocese of Atlanta is currently planning a restart after the pandemic delayed our gatherings.
Those are the highlights from my resume’ and it is my hope that in this time of partnership, we will share goals and aspirations and chart a new path based on mutual discernment and the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit who continues to knock on all our doors inviting us into new journeys of discipleship. My part in this shared ministry is to equip and empower you for your ministries both as individuals and as a faith community and I can’t wait to meet all of you and to share our gifts and talents together in mission and ministry for God’s kingdom.
By the way, I must admit one short-coming – I am terrible with names and faces until I have been around for quite sometime, so I ask your patience as I learn as fast as I can and during the learning I would hope you would gently remind me of your name so I don’t appear dazed and confused. God’s peace and joy, Mother Pat Miller+
Share this on your social network:
2024 Vestry Nominee Bios
Amanda Livermont
Amanda grew up at this church. Her family started coming here when she was 5 years old. She met her husband here and fell in love with him and his family. Their children have been raised here. This church is her family. It’s home. She’s currently involved in Youth and Communications as the committee chair for both. She’s a successful real estate agent and enjoys hanging out with family and friends, playing tennis and watching trash tv. Amanda’s vision for St. Matthew’s is that it continues to grow under Fr. Tim’s leadership and that our community focuses on Christ and each other.
Dave Lott
Dave and wife Debbie have been members of St. Matthew’s since 2015. He has been working with Treasurer Chuck Marsh in performing the monthly parish’s bank account reconcilements since 2018 and has been participating in the Wednesday Bible study group since retiring in April 2023. Prior to his retirement, Dave worked in the financial services industry for fifty years – the last ten with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as a consumer payments risk analyst. Before returning to the metro-Atlanta area, Dave and Debbie lived on Amelia Island, Florida and were active members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Dave served on the Vestry and the led the parish’s community outreach and environmental initiatives. He was also a member of the parish’s Caribbean Mission Construction team that made biennial two-week visits to various Caribbean dioceses to remodel or rebuild church facilities.
On a more personal level, Dave and Debbie are celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary this month. They have been blessed with three sons whose families – including seven grandchildren – all live in the metro-Atlanta area. Dave’s leisure activities include kayaking, golf and trying to shorten the To-Do list. If given the opportunity to serve on the Vestry, Dave will work with other Vestry members, Father Tim, staff and parishioners to further our mission of being a welcoming home for those seeking our Savior Jesus Christ and sharing our resources with the community.
Jan Nabors
My husband, Dewey, and our daughter, Amanda, and I joined St. Matthew’s in 2000. We were looking for a new church home and were warmly welcomed, and quickly came to love the wonderful people, as well as the services and traditions. We previously were members of the United Methodist Church and were confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 2001. Since June 2018, I have been blessed to work for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Egleston/Emory campus) as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplantation. Previously, I worked for 20 years at AGSI, a management and technology consulting firm in Atlanta. Dewey and I have been married 41 years and have one child together, Amanda. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, Jordan Conard, since December 2020. My participation at St. Matthew’s began with serving on the Altar Guild, where I remain active. I am a graduate of the EFM program and an active member of the Ruth Chapter of the Daughters of the King, where I previously held a leadership role. I enjoy Café Theology, ECW and the church-wide events that are held. Each volunteer commitment here has been a learning experience for me, as I feel the opportunity to serve on the vestry will be, should I be elected. I am excited about the positive changes at St. Matthew’s with the arrival of Fr. Tim and his family and look forward to what 2024 may bring.
Wilhemina Wilson
Wilhelmina was born on December 3, 1953, and has been an Episcopalian all her life. She obtained her elementary and secondary education from the Bravid Washington Harris Episcopal high school. She is a mother of three sons, Judson Wendell Addy, Jabez Wilhelm Addy and Dax Zachariah Addy. She has five grandchildren, Caelyn, Ian, Emsley, Israel and Ezra. They range from ages 3 to 17yrs.
In her professional life, she worked as a civil servant and administrator for many years in the public sector of Liberia. Currently, she is employed in banking and has served in this capacity for more than thirty years up to the present. She is very happy with this line of work as it gives her the opportunity to be of service to others.
In addition to spending time with the family, Wilhelmina loves to read, sing, dance and travel. She is also a member of other philanthropic organizations. Wilhelmina has been very active and present in the life of St. Matthews over the years. She has been an active member for over ten years and participates in various ministries through her talent, skills and treasure. She serves as a member of the choir, Daughters of the King, Stewardship committee member and Altar Guild. She is also a member of the Lay ministry and serves as a Lay Reader. She is still serving in all these capacities to the present.
Wilhelmina’s Vision for St. Matthew’s:
We must continue to build on those programs that make us a great place to worship and a strong faith-based community. Encouraging programs that will attract and grow our youth community is also important in the life of the church at this time.
Share this on your social network:
Stewardship Talk for October 22 by Greg Andrews
I was born in Covington, Kentucky in 1949. I was raised by a single mother with very little formal education, but she taught me the importance of hard work and good character. She always encouraged me in school to do better than my best. Growing up in Covington, I was destined to work in the local factories or go to jail. I chose a path far outside my realm of reality. I decided to go to college. I started college prep courses in my freshman year of high school. I also felt that basketball would be my golden ticket. I wasn’t a great player, just a good one. Good enough to draw the attention of Leon Ford, the coach at the University of Chattanooga. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. He set me on a path that I will always be eternally grateful for.
Coming to Chattanooga was indeed challenging, I was a young African American male going to a college whose student body consisted of less than 2% African Americans. I was to be the first African American on an athletic scholarship. As monumental a task as this appears, I was more concerned with molding into the team and being an asset to the organization. Our nation was undergoing a social revolution which made life very challenging. I was able to surround myself with a fantastic family of athletes and supporters that made those challenges insignificant. I was able to focus on what was important.
I wouldn’t know where to start in thanking the many people who guided me along this journey. During a period when getting drafted was forever looming in the shadows, I chose to join the college’s ROTC program because it offered me the opportunity to lead men, rather than to follow. Another organization which acted as a compass in keeping me pointed in the right direction was the Fellowship of Christen Athletes. It was this group that gave me strength and hope during the dark periods of my college life. It was the men of this group that taught me the joy and love of Christ’s salvation. During my junior and senior year, I was part of a service organization, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. This organization strengthened my community service involvement. Being connected to these great organizations was secondary to why I was at Chattanooga. I was there to get an education and to play basketball. I accomplished both. I played varsity the four years that I attended and was recognized as one of the leaders during that period. I completed my degree and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U. S. Army upon graduation.
My military career took me around the world. I served in Korea, Germany and the U. S. I served with some great soldiers during my 20 years career. I commanded, supported and taught troops from basic training to college ROTC programs. My greatest joy was being a company commander of an armor unit. The power of the equipment, the skill, the quality of the soldiers and having the knowledge that they would go into combat with me were something that most people will never understand.
Throughout my life, the one factor which has been constant is my ability to adapt to a new or changing environment. Making the jump from military to civilian life was no different. Military training and leadership experiences made me more than ready to handle most civilian job opportunities. For all the blessings I received, I knew that it was also time to give back to the community. Prior to joining St Matthews, I was a Cub Scout pack leader. As an active member of St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, I have filled many roles. I served on the Vestry with Father Doug; I was involved in both Reading Camp and Vacation Bible School. I am the President of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, I currently serving on the Outreach and Worship Committees. I am also on the St. Matthew’s Preschool Board. I am the head verger and scheduler for the LEMs, Ushers and Readers. I take what I do as a sign of God’s blessings. Some day I know that I will have to slow down, but till then I will continue to serve in whatever ministry I can. In summation, I have lived a simple life, called by God, filled with wonderful people who have touched my soul and have allowed me to touch theirs.
May you too be called by God to fulfill a ministry and share your time, talents and treasures.
Share this on your social network:
St. Matt’s Preschool: Five Year Highlights, by Juanita Little
FIVE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
Since being asked to submit an update on the preschool, I have been taking the time to reflect on the life-changing role that God placed me in 5 years ago. There has been much accomplished and many changes were made that affected the preschool in that timeline.
2017 – The Great Flood
The flood in the preschool caused us to find another location to hold school during renovations or face closing for a time. Since the undercroft at the church flooded at the same time, that was not a viable option. Thankfully God provided a community church just down the road that was not using their education wing. We moved there in November and returned home to St. Matthew’s in February 2018. Little did we know that this move would also plant a seed for the preschool. We could have lost some families during the transition but God is so faithful – because we didn’t. In fact, we added to our numbers starting a succession of years of full enrollment.
2018 – Playground Addition #1
The church we used while renovations from the flood were being made had playground equipment unlike ours. Because the children enjoyed theirs so much, the Executive Board decided it was time to replace the older wooden structure, that had been repaired numerous times, in the bigger playground area. Because God provided – through great stewardship and because another year of full enrollment was expected, new playground equipment and layout was prayed about, voted on by the Vestry, purchased by the preschool and installed that Fall.
2019 – Trike-A-Thon
For the first time, we held a Trike-A-Thon raising funds for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. The Trike-A-Thon was as a fun, service-learning program for the children that included a week of learning the importance of bike (scooter/riding toy) safety. It was a great way to teach our children about the power they have to help others, the spirit of giving, and serving other children.
2020 – Covid and WAP/TV installation
The Covid pandemic shut down the preschool in March causing much alarm and a scramble to figure out how we could keep our students and staff currently engaged while favorably effecting the future of the preschool. We quickly moved to digital learning for the remainder of the school year without requiring tuition from our families. Not only did we hold learning Zoom sessions; we added a weekly story/music hour where many of our teachers and students participated. It took all summer to write new Covid policies and have them approved by the Vestry so we could proceed to open later that September. We safely opened to smaller class sizes and fewer staff members with only shutting down one class that year for a week right before the Christmas break.
While the church and preschool were still closed, we purchased new wiring and television mounts to be installed throughout the preschool wing. This wiring was needed to upgrade the WI-FI connection and give the ability to add televisions in each of the classrooms for educational purposes and Sunday school usage.
2021—The “New Normal”
Like all schools around the world, we faced incorporating a “new normal” at the preschool. Which included not allowing parents into the building, continuing mandatory carpool and figuring out how to hold our cherished family events and in-house field trips in a safe way. All while wearing masks and continuing all of the vigorous safety and cleaning protocols. Again, God was faithful as we resumed our usual class sizes to full enrollment and more teachers returned.
We welcomed, for the first time, the Art Auction preschool fundraiser. Held in the Parish Hall with donations given by St. Matthew’s Episcopal parishioners, staff, students, local artists, students’ parents and grandparents. This fundraiser replaced the Silent Auction that was held yearly every Spring. Because the Art Auction was so successful in raising $2,875 for the preschool, we decided to hold it again the following year.
2022 – Playground Addition #2 & Welcomed Changes
I can’t even put into words how much of my faith it took to embrace the idea of adding yet more playground equipment after seeing how the disruption of the pandemic shut down so many preschools and businesses for good. But God! God continued to bless our diligence with our preschool families and faithfulness in continuing to grow the preschool by once again showing us it was time, yet again, to replace the last wooden structure on the smaller playground with new equipment. Hence, new equipment, along with a long-desired rubber pour-in-place, was installed last summer.
During the pandemic, we had to learn how to creatively hold our cherished events in new ways. Holding Graduation in the lovely gardens that the Flower Guild so diligently donates their time and talents to is one of our new favorites. It’s a lovely backdrop for pictures and we don’t have to limit our families. Another new thing we will continue to do is hold our open houses outside in the pavilion avoiding overcrowding in the classroom and allows families more individual time to chat with their child’s teacher.
This was the year of returning to some of our traditional events and embracing new changes teaching us to be so flexible. Having breakfast with Santa returned this year. We hosted a Sweetheart Dance which we haven’t held in many years. We allowed the parents to come into the building again giving them the ability to connect and communicate with teachers in person. We started the year with masks being required and changed to masks not required in January. Again, the Art Auction was a success; even better than the previous year, raising $3,800 for the preschool.
2023
As we begin another school year in just a few weeks, I realize that a change has taken place in me. A change that is teaching me that traditions or “the way we used to do it” may need adjusting or be disposed of and that’s okay. As I change positions in the preschool this Fall to Assistant Director — for family reasons — I am reminded that modifications can be good though sometimes difficult to embrace. It’s been a little hard for me to release the reins from “what we’ve always done” as Dalex Sullivan, takes on the role as Director. As she teaches me new things and makes me more tech savvy, I am trying to remember to be flexible and to see the preschool in a new light while still holding onto the mission of the ministry that embraces our preschool families, the church, and our community. A few things we never want to change is: our staff to share the light of Jesus with our little ones; not only teach academics and socialization but love for one another; and to let our actions be an illustration of the hands and feet of the body of Christ.
Juanita Little
For more information on St. Matthew’s Preschool and Kindergarten, click here.
Share this on your social network:
Warden’s Corner: August Update
August Update on Our Ministries at St. Matthew’s
from Trisha Voiles, Sr. Warden
Building & Grounds has had another busy month! We began the month scaring the attendees of the Wednesday Healing Prayer service when they arrived for the service by having a parking lot full of Snellville and Gwinnett Police officers. BUT The reason was for protection training–and not crime. John Eberhart had attended a Homeland Security Presentation sponsored by the Diocese and had the speaker come speak with our local law enforcement, the vestry, and the preschool directors. We walked the campus and received a security audit. We discovered there are grants to help purchase systems for the church, and many other tips and procedures we will be working on in the next months/year.
Other projects: B&G is having the roof repaired over the Parish Hall where a leak is causing the parish hall ceiling to peel away. The roof is now repaired, and bids are coming in for the ceiling. Have you noticed the front courtyard sidewalk dipping? This is another issue that is being repaired. Apparently, the ground below was being compressed, but PolyLift has been able to lift and level it to eliminate the tripping hazard. Thank you to our Building and Grounds Team for their vigilance.
Christian Education began the CE year with a wonderful Sign-Up Circus. There were clowns, popcorn, facepainting, and even an elephant (although it was one of the wonderful balloon creations along with turtles, ladybugs, swords). The children and youth classes will begin full force this week. The adult classes met initially last week and will resume on September 11. And come out for our August Adult Forums! We will be having informational sessions to help you listen for God’s Gifts to help you serve St. Matthews (Stewardship-but don’t let that keep you away or you will miss the fun.) and an Update of the new rector search with the Parish Profile Presentation.
Youth Group began last weekend with a wonderful Youth Retreat up at Camp Mikell! What a great way to build the group with a “Be At Peace” theme. This school year the Youth Group has hired two interns to help guild the spiritual growth in the program. Caroline Bowen and Jessie Hurst are former Youth members, returning to share God’s Love with our young adults.
Some Upcoming Dates – Mark your calendar to be involved in our ministries:
August 26 – Restaurant Foyers: Universal Joint, Lawrenceville, Dinner at 7pm
August 29 – Outreach Co-op Dinner
September 17 – St. Matthew’s Gwinnett Stripers Baseball Game (Stripers are a type of fish known in the GA waters.)
September 25 – St. Matthew’s Celebration Luncheon and Ministry Fair
October 8 – Vestry and Committee Chairs Planning Meeting
October 9 – Blessing of the Animals