St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

St. Matthew’s strives to be a welcoming home for all who
seek Jesus Christ as we share God’s Love with the community.

 

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.

 



Share this on your social network:

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+



Share this on your social network:

Warden’s Corner April, 2021

Spring has sprung and we are moving right along with preparations so that we can get everyone back in the sanctuary. The replacement of the fabric on the organ speakers is taking place this week and the HVAC replacement in the sanctuary will take place during the next month.

The Flower guild had planned a plant and flower sale for this Saturday, but the predicted rain means that it must be rescheduled for May 8th. If you still have plants or flowers to donate, please contact Trisha Voiles or Janis Williams. The funds raised will help with our ongoing Buildings and Grounds expenses.

The Buildings and Grounds committee has planned a Parish Workday Party for May 15, and I know I will see all your smiling faces there eager to help them clean and organize our Parish home! For more information, contact Steve Charron or Janis Williams.

We just found out this week that we have another unit that needs to be repaired and the estimate is $2,500.00. Anybody have some spare change?

Since we are speaking about money, I would love to say Thank you to all who are continuing to give online, through the mail and in person. In the first quarter, the operating revenue was $96,223.00 and operating expenses were $92,459.00 which meant we had a surplus of $3,764.00! Having a surplus is great but we must understand that the main the reason our expenses were lower is that we have not been paying a full-time rector and we are using restricted funds to pay for Father Tommy’s expenses.

Thanks to the hard work of Chuck Marsh, we were able to secure another PPP loan for $45,530.00 which will used for salaries for the upcoming months and we hope it will be forgiven as the last PPP loan we received in the fall. We are still waiting to here back from the Diocese on whether our loan application has been approved which will be used to fund the HVAC sanctuary repairs and AV upgrades. So please continue to send in your offerings and continue your prayers for St. Matthew’s.

In February, Canon Alicia Schuster-Weltner joined us through Zoom to explain the Interim and rector search process that we will be going through over the next year or two. In that meeting, she addressed that Father Tommy would have to look for another job as his contract with St. Matthew’s ended when Mother Liz retired. We have been truly blessed to have him at St. Matthew’s and he will be missed.  He has begun to have interviews and hopes to have something in place by the end of May.  I will be speaking with Canon Alicia next week about our next steps in the process.

The Vestry has been working on putting together a list of names for the nominating committee this past month as well as working on updating our website and ministries information. Please continue to pray for guidance and discernment your Vestry.

Blessings and Peace,

Becky Olbon



Share this on your social network:

Confirmation Service For Three Parishes At St. Matthew’s This Sunday April 18

Congratulations to those being confirmed this Sunday:
Becky Barringer, Jessie Barringer, Caroline Bond, Nadira Desamu-Thorpe, Neema Desamu-Thorpe, Jacob Steven Hurst, and James Chester Piechowiak.
They will be part of a group of 20 individuals from St. Matthew’s, St. Michael & All Angels parish in Stone Mountain and St. Patrick’s, Dunwoody, who will be confirmed by The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. here at St. Matthew’s. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions on large gatherings, the service will be open to immediate family members by invitation only. **  Please keep our confirmands in your prayers as they take this step along their faith journey.
**You can watch the service livestreamed at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at

 



Share this on your social network:

Holy Week 101 – 2021 Style

Holy Week 101

With Holy Week upon us and as we begin to return to some of our sacred services, we still have certain constraints that we must follow.  While Covid has caused some limitations to these services, and you will only be joining “virtually,” there are also opportunities for you to participate as families or small groups.  Our hope is that these services will draw you into a deeper and more profound encounter with The Divine.

Thursday, April 1st – The Maundy Thursday service will be livestreamed beginning at 7 p.m.  This service will include many of the familiar traditions, such as Hand Washing and the stripping of the altar.  There will also be a “Watch” that will go from 9 pm on Thursday to 10 am on Good Friday.

Participate in the Maundy Thursday service at home. You will need the following:

  • Create a space that will accommodate the entire family.
  • Pitcher(s) of warm water
  • Bucket(s) or tub(s) to catch water
  • Towels
  • You are invited to wash each other’s hands or feet during that portion of the service.
  • Provided you have a Sacred Space, you are invited to “strip” your Sacred Space down to an unadorned surface.
  • Sign-up for “the Watch” during the night. This can be done here and either at home or in the sanctuary.

Friday, April 2nd – Good Friday Service will be livestreamed beginning at 12 noon.  This is a very solemn and simple service.

Ways to participate at home:

  • Create a quiet and solemn environment to watch the service.
  • If you have a favorite cross – this is the service for you to have it with you.  You are invited to hold the cross and to ponder the deeps of our faith symbol.
  • Watch and participate in the Stations of the Cross – Click here.
  • Or participate in the Stations of the Cross at the church

Sunday, April 4th – Easter Services.  There will be multiple Easter Day services to participate in.

  • Sunrise Service at 6:45 am.  This service will be outside and in-person at the pavilion. Please register for this service.
  • Livestreamed service at 10:45 am.  This service will have special music and handbells.
  • Garden Service at 4 pm.  This service will be outside and in-person at the Garden area.  Please register for this service.

Ways to participate at home and at Church:

  • Register and attend for either of the outside services (6:45 a.m. / 4 p.m.)
  • If your children “buried” the Alleluias at home at the beginning of Lent, “resurrect” them before the service.
  • Create a festive space to watch and interact with the livestream service (10:45 a.m.)
  • After the Livestreamed Service – Come to the church, from 12 -1, for Drive-Thru Communion and Flowering of the Cross.
    • Each family member can bring flowers for the Cross
    • Take-home Easter crafts will be available for Sunny’s Kids (5th grade and younger)
  • Share the Love that you received from God to your family and others generously.

Easter Message:
“Alleluia.  Christ is risen.  The Lord is risen indeed.  Alleluia.”  In this short Opening Acclamation that we will say on Easter, rests the entire Easter message.  The tomb is empty, and Christ is risen.  That really says it all.  And while this short statement proclaims the message, it takes a lifetime to unpack its full meaning and depth.  So, as you observe the wonderous signs of spring bursting forth in nature, especially in our azaleas and trees, I also hope that within each of us there is an overflowing renewal of life and love that will settle into your bones, so that you will know God’s deep abiding love for you. Have a blessed Easter.  Grace & Peace, Fr. Tommy

Returning to the Sanctuary – Update:
As you know the diocese has given churches the option to have services inside and we have many groups working hard to make this happen, but we need your help with making this a reality.  Volunteers are needed to assist attendees with checking in and directing people as they come into the sanctuary and again as they exit, and we also need assistance with sanitizing the space after the service.

Our plan is to return to inside services beginning on Sunday, April 11th with the 8 a.m. service ONLY.  You will need to register for this service and it will only be in-person with no livestream.  Our plan and hope is to have the 8 a.m. service as an in-person service for a couple weeks as we work out the logistics and then open for the 10:45 service in-person later in April.

Please be aware that we also have the added issue of  non-functioning HVAC/air conditioning units for the sanctuary.  We are awaiting word on a diocesan loan to replace the HVAC units Scheduling a replacement of the system may also complicate our plans to return to inside worship.

If you are interested in helping with volunteering for any of the activities to help us return safely please contact Becky Olbon or myself.
Fr. Tommy

Gratitude:
I want to thank the staff at St. Matthew’s; Charmaine, Susan, and Kyle for their diligent, dedicated, and creative work over these past several months of planning and preparing for Holy Week and Easter services.  I also want to thank everyone who has taken part in the planning and preparing for these sacred and holy services, especially the members of the Worship Committee, the Altar Guild, and the Audio / Visual Team.  Their dedication and devotion are unparalleled. Lastly, I would like to thank Becky Olbon for her tenacious and steadfast spirit over these last many months that have help to guide and steer this vessel we call St. Matthew’s.  I am deeply grateful and honored to be serving as your priest.
Grace & Peace, Fr. Tommy

 



Share this on your social network:

Warden’s Corner — Vestry Retreat

March 20, 2021

The new Vestry went on retreat last Saturday at Jim and Susan Jung’s horse farm. We had an amazing time getting to know each other and setting goals for St. Matthew’s. In true St. Matthew’s fashion, we began the day breaking bread together and celebrating Holy Eucharist, followed by spiritual reflection.

Susan, along with her horse assistants, led us through team building exercises that helped us learn more about each other’s talents and goals. We spend the better part of our day setting goals for St. Matthew’s for the upcoming year.
The goals that we came up with for this year are as follows:
1. Reopening the Church building and making sure that everyone feels comfortable coming back to the building.
2. Structural Changes in Stewardship, youth programs, inreach and outreach ministries.
3. Communication. We all realize this is a major issue we must address.

We all love our parish, and it is going to take all of us working together for the changes to happen, not just though of us serving on the Vestry. Springtime is a time of new beginnings and new opportunities, so I challenge you to reach out to your vestry members and ask how you can get more involved.
Peace,
Becky Olbon
Senior Warden



Share this on your social network:

“Lord, I love the house in which you dwell
and the place where your glory abides. *
Psalm 26:8