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

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



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We caught the wave of God’s love at Surf Shack!

Wow! What a fun week surfing through the scriptures at VBS! The sanctuary was transformed to a coral reef and the parish hall was home to a tiki bar and beach scene. You may feel like you’re under the sea thanks to Becky Olbon’s handiwork with the window decorations.

We had a smaller than usual group of campers but it was the perfect way to get back in to the swing of things after a 2-year hiatus. Most of our campers were from the community so we’re hoping some will return to St. Matt’s for Sunday School and church.

Thanks so much to all our adult and youth volunteers who made VBS happen! We had many “VBS veterans” and many “rookies” who made it a great week for everyone. Huge thanks to our center leaders: Juanita Little (crafts), Trisha Voiles and Cheryl Wheeler (snack and Bible story), Karen Whitehead and Rich Morris (music), and Greg Andrews and Kenny Adkins (recreation). Jessie Hurst organized the youth, and Susan Carson helped with registration and check in. Our Shepherds were Betty Medlin, Carol Maneol, Carol Walsh, Jay Jones, Josh Hurst, Judith Kimsey, Mona Livermont and Liz Livermont. And additional volunteers in Snack, Bible Story and Crafts were Gail Sawyer, Beth DiGiovanni, Nancy Griner, Sharon Hansen, Susan Adkins, Vicki Conway and Paula Pownell. And Karen Wilson even taught yoga during Recreation one day!

Our youth volunteer force was small but mighty: Becky and Jessie Barringer, Maddie Ferrell-Mixon, Mia Lewis, Rory Morris, Stanley Livermont and Jacob Hurst.

Thank you all for answering the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus at VBS!

Terri Hurst and Becky Olbon
Co-Directors



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Spotlight on Ministry: Flower Guild

Have you ever wondered about the beautiful flowers on the altar? Did you know that there is a small group that arranges them each week? At one time in St. Matthew’s history the flowers were purchased from local florists in Snellville and the altar guild would place them on the altar. The guild was formed by Ildy Mezey in 2015 and continues now under Janis Williams and Beth DiGiovanni. The guild purchases some flowers, in addition to using greenery & flowers right from the St. Matthew’s campus.
There are times in the liturgical season that dictate the color of the flowers – Red for Pentecost, White for Easter, funerals, Bishop visit, Bare Branches for Lent, Greenery for Advent. Then there are the other times where the Flower Guild members have an open pallet for colors!
We are looking for members for the guild. You do not have to be a floral expert! We have a group of members now who are shadowing members a week a month. If you are interested in finding out more about the Flower Guild please contact Janis Williams or Beth DiGiovanni.
Flowers for the altar are supported by donations from the St. Matthew’s members. Since we are now fully open and in person after the pandemic closure in 2021, we currently have many weeks open on the Sunday Flower chart outside the church office. If you have a special week to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, memory of a family member, or just a Thanksgiving, please consider adding their name (and yours) to our flower chart or contact the office to help. The suggested amount of the donation is $65, but any contribution you are able to make is appreciated.



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A Word from Mother Pat+: Annual Meeting

What a great annual meeting!  It was wonderful to see so many people in person and on zoom for the annual meeting.  Thank you for your participation in the meeting, and a special thank you to everyone who gave of their time and talent in ministry this past year. St. Matthew’s has continued to thrive even in the midst of a pandemic. That success is because of you.

I invite you to read the full ministry reports which are on-line. If you prefer a print copy, just stop by the office and pick one up. Also, if you were not in person for the meeting, we have a St. Matthew’s pen for you whenever you come to the church.

The website and other resources will be updated for the new vestry and wardens.  In case you missed it, Trisha Voiles is the new Sr. Warden and the vestry re-elected Jack Denton as Jr. Warden to provide continuity in this year of transition.  Our thanks to the newly elected vestry members who stepped up to serve on the Vestry for the next three years – Carolyn Coil, Sharon Hansen, Jay Jones & Clay Olbon.  It is always a joy to share ministry with a dedicated group of leaders.  St. Matthew’s has certainly benefitted from the gifts of Becky Olson, Elliott Griffiths, Debbie Stallings, and Kim Williamson who faithfully completed their three year vestry terms.  Those Vestry members continuing on are Mindy Barringer, Jack Denton, John Eberhart, Joan Kengla, Judith Kimsey, Karen Wilson, and Trisha Voiles.  More information will be shared by the Vestry as they organize and begin their work.  You are certainly invited to share your leadership talents not only by serving on the Vestry but by working on the ministries and committees of the parish.

For most of us, the work of finding and nominating that next rector has been invested in the nominating committee of the parish, so our work is to pray for that on-going ministry of discernment and nominating. In the next few weeks, the committee will seek your input, then put together a profile of what attributes of a new rector will best enhance the mission and ministries of St. Matthew’s. Then we wait again, for those whom God invites to explore their gifts and ministries with the nominating committee. And finally, after all the prayer, mutual discernment, evaluation and conversation, the committee will nominate a few individuals for the Vestry to consider extending a call. Even at that point, we won’t know about the progress until the mutual conversation of the vestry with a clergy person results in a formal agreement.

Pray for the process and be patient in the interim time, for God’s timetable is not always our own. Remember this is a process designed to find the best match of gifts and skills between the parish and the new rector; even though we may get impatient at what seems like a long process, behind the scenes there is significant work being done.  Pray for that work.

Below is the prayer that the nominating committee has developed for our use during this search process:

Omniscient and All-Loving God, you know the needs of this parish and its people before they are spoken; look upon us graciously, we pray. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us, unite us, and uplift us as we search together for a new rector; and to those leading the search grant minds open to your wisdom and hearts open to your love. Set our feet and our wills on the path you have laid for us, that we may walk in your ways and be your Light in the world, to the Glory of Your Holy Name.  Amen.

Remember that “Together we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.  So, live into St. Matthew’s mission of continuing the incarnation of Jesus Christ by serving, loving, caring and witnessing to God’s love.  May we have the wisdom to discern God’s will and the courage to act. For there is much to be done in this “interim” time.

Blessings, Mother Pat+



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A Huge Thank You From the Knit, Crochet & Pray Ministry

The Knit, Crochet, Pray Ministry (KCP) at St. Matthew’s thanks all people who donated money, yarn, hats, scarves, gloves or mittens to our drive for Rosebud Episcopal Mission in Mission, SD.  From this particular donation (starting our 2022 contribution), we mailed 36 hats/scarves/gloves sets, 17 hats/gloves sets, 24 extra pairs of gloves, and one pair of socks. These items were mailed last week when the temperatures were from -12-6 degrees F. The Rosebud Lakota Reservation has over 4,000 children between the ages of 4-18 years. Hence, you understand why this project is ongoing for KCP, even though our biggest collections are in the winter.

We also appreciate your donations for prayer shawls (which go to parishioners or their family/friends in need of support because of illness, death, other hardships) and/or chemo caps (which go to the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Hospital) and/or hats and scarves for the local homeless.

Last year, KCP donated the following items, thanks to your support.

Prayer Shawls given – 89

Chemo caps – 72

Rosebud Reservation:
63 hat, scarf, gloves/mitten sets
32 hat, scarf sets
13 hats
5 scarves
10 pairs of gloves
1 pair of socks
4 headbands
Clean, but gently used:
10 hat, scarf, glove sets
5 scarves
5 pairs of gloves
4 headbands

Homeless at the Church of the Common Ground
30 hat/scarf sets
Box of flat flashlights

We are so grateful for your help, and we hope you will consider assisting us in the future.

Thanks and Prayers,

Beth DiGiovanni



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History Minute: St. Matthew’s Pavilion

Have you ever wondered about our beautiful pavilion, and how it came to be? Check out the new display at the pavilion chronicling the history of this structure and the important role it’s had in the fellowship events at St. Matt’s. To see the display, click here. (Note: the old plaque did not photograph well and is missing in the graphic. To see the full display, check it out in the in the current pavilion, located next to the rear parking lot.

Our thanks to all those instrumental in the planning, funding, building, and completion of our St. Matt’s pavilion since its inception. Special thanks to the Oren Morris Chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at St. Matt’s, those Boy Scouts from our Scout Troop 533, whose Eagle projects centered on the pavilion, and to Phil Morgan for his work in putting together and erecting the history display.

 



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Musings

As we move from June to July and head to an Independence Day weekend, my prayers continue to be for your good health and your safety.  Last week I provided information from the Diocese of Atlanta about the decision to allow churches to reopen after July 1, provided the churches follow a list of safe practices.  First and foremost, we would LOVE to have worship available on campus, but we want to be sure we can offer a space where everyone feels confident they are safe.  We have a number of teams working on ideas for worship, gathering materials needed to disinfect the buildings after use, signage to remind us of what each of us can do to best keep the areas safe for ourselves and for others, and logistics around how to gather no more than 35-50 people on a given Sunday.  Even as we do this work, we are mindful that the increasing number of cases in Gwinnett County may delay our opening beyond July.  So, I was excited to see a wonderful offer from the Diocese!

Working through a consulting group called “Holy Cow Consulting” (you gotta love the name!), the diocese has underwritten the cost for any parish to survey its members on how they are engaging in worship and other online options; it also asks questions about your needs or what concerns you or your family has, and what measures we need to take to help you feel safe to regather when the time comes. The survey is only 17 questions and it takes no more than ten minutes to complete.   The consulting group will collect the data, analyze the data for our parish, compare our responses to other churches in the diocese and then meet with us to discuss the results.  You will be able to take the survey any time between July 8 and July 15.  If everyone participates in the survey, we will obtain some very good information and guidance on how to use the data, all at no charge to the parish.

For me, it is wonderful to be talking and planning about the possibility of on-campus worship.  However, when that happens, please know that Father Tommy and I are committed to continuing on-line services so that we reach as many members of St. Matthew’s as possible.  Stay tuned for more information on all of this.

Have a safe and happy Fourth!!!!   Mother Liz+

 



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May Food Drive Update — We’re Halfway There!

With 2 weeks left in the May Food Drive we are currently just over halfway to our goal of 5,000 items donated to the Co-Op! So far, through food and cash donations, 2,551 items have been received by the co-op and the Outreach Committee has an additional $1,127 from donations to purchase high need items.

We look forward to seeing everyone dropping off donations this Saturday from 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

Most needed items this week include: Canned tuna, Macaroni and Cheese, Canned Pasta (Ravioli, SpaghettiOs), Pasta Sauce, Toothpaste, Bar Soap, Diapers (size 2,3,4), Baby Wipes

If you can’t make it to drop off food on Saturdays, you can:
If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Papadatos at jenniday1229@yahoo.com Thank you!

Check out all the photos from the food drive–it’s the People!!



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Article on Viral Transmission by Dr. J.P. Smith, Yale School of Public Health

From Mother Liz+: This article was written by Dr. J. P. Smith, a lecturer in epidemiology on the Yale School of Public Health website.  After verifying his credentials I wrote to his email, asking for permission to reprint his article.

From his yale.edu email account, I receive the following message:

Hi Liz, 

Thank you for the kind words. I am actually from GA, and all my family is still there (and most at high risk), so I’m also worried. You’re more than welcome to reprint!

Thank you for continuing to serve your community with your position and all that you do!

Jonathan

Article on Viral Transmission Dr J P Smith, Yale



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Episcopal Relief & Development’s Gifts For Life Catalog

During the holiday season, Episcopal Relief & Development encourages friends and supporters to give a gift that will transform a life with Gifts For Life, an alternative giving catalog that offers tangible and meaningful ways to create lasting change in communities around the world.

“Gifts for Life is a tangible way to bring the work of Episcopal Relief & Development to life,” said Betsy Deisroth, Vice President of Advancement for Episcopal Relief & Development. “We know that many churches and individuals look forward to participating each year and we hope you will join them, and us, this holiday season.”

The Gifts for Life program enables individuals and groups to empower transformation in communities worldwide through the purchase of gifts to support those communities. The catalog features a wide range of gift options from $15 to help parents nurture and nourish a child to $1,284 to provide a complete care package to empower a community.

The catalog also includes a new offering to help give children with special needs the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the life of the community. Hearing aids, glasses and other assistive devices are life-changing to children with physical challenges. Additionally, disaster relief kits, drought-resistant seeds, vocational training and bicycles are just a few of the other gift options.

This year, the Gifts For Life catalog is organized to align with the organization’s three key program priorities: helping communities promote the rights of Women; supporting and protecting Children so they reach appropriate health and developmental milestones; and working with families and communities to adapt to the effects of a rapidly changing Climate.

“Organizing the gifts by priority program areas allows supporters to see just how each gift contributes to Episcopal Relief & Development’s work to benefit Women, Children and Climate,” said Esther Cohen, Chief Operating Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development. ”With each order you can be a part of making lasting change for an individual or family, both now and for years to come.”

Gifts for Life purchases are fully tax-deductible, and an excellent way to support the organization’s life-giving work and share that impact with family and friends. These items can be ordered online at episcopalrelief.org/gifts, and donors can choose to send a customizable e-card or a beautiful printed card to tell the recipient about the life-changing gift made in their honor. Orders can also be made over the phone by calling 1.855.312.4325 or via mail through the instructions on the catalog or brochure.

Additionally, supporters can download digital resources such as prayers, bulletin inserts, and an Advent calendar poster from the online Advent Toolkit to help dioceses, congregations or groups plan, construct and host an Advent campaign to support Gifts for Life.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.



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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.