Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA
and
Thursday, February 2, 2023
at Six o’clock in the Evening
St. Matthew’s is pleased to welcome our new rector, The Reverend Timothy Meyers. Fr. Tim’s first Sunday is January 8, 2023. We invite you to come worship the Lord Jesus Christ with us in community at either 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Breakfast is served at 9:00 a.m., with Sunday School and Christian Education classes from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
Click the link below to view Fr. Tim’s message.
Tim’s invitation to worship.MOV – Google Drive
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
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
On April 5, 1979, 58 people met with Bishop Child to discuss the organization of an Episcopal church in Snellville. Two weeks later, 35 of those 58 people met at Dr. Ed Bowen’s office on Lenora Church Rd, Snellville, to celebrate Holy Communion with Bishop Child. A formal organizational meeting was held in July of that year, at which time St. Matthew’s was given a name and became a Mission Station.
Regular Sunday services began on August 5 at Centerville Elementary School, with Father Gene Ruyle serving as Priest-in-Charge. In January 1980 Father Franklin Thomas was appointed as full-time Vicar, and St. Matthew’s received full Mission status.
Worship services were moved to the Snellville Civic Center in June of 1980, and land at the current site on Oak Road was purchased in August of that year. A building fund drive launched in April of 1981 resulted in the completion of the new church building one year later; 592 people, representing 130 families, joyfully celebrated Palm Sunday in the new church on April 4, 1982.
In November 1982, Father Thomas departed as Father Paul Gerlock became interim Vicar.
On September 4, 1983, Father Edward Hanson was called as full-time Vicar. During Father Hanson’s tenure, the church grew in membership to approximately 300 families and the budget increased from $60,000 to $195,000. The church facilities were enlarged by an addition to house the offices, music room, and classrooms. St. Matthew’s attained full Parish status during this period.
In November 1989 Jim Crews became the first youth director at St. Matthew’s. He remained with St. Matthew’s until June 1995.
Father Hanson resigned in January 1991. Father John Dukes and Father Scott Harris began serving as Priests-in-Charge.
A search committee was formed, and on August 22, 1992, Father Douglas Coil was called as Rector.
On January 5, 1997, the parish broke ground for a new education building, and in August of that year the Strickland Education Building was dedicated. On May 18 that same year ground-breaking for the new Sanctuary was held.
On April 5, 1998, the first service was held in new Sanctuary (Palm Sunday), 19 years to the date of the first organizational meeting. The new Sanctuary was dedicated on April 19, 1998.
Fr. Jim Johnson came to St. Matthew’s as an assisting priest on 2/22/1998. He remained with the parish in that capacity until 3/31/2005.
Dan Mitchell joined the St. Matthew’s staff as Music Director on 8/16/98, and continued in that position until the spring of 2018, when Kyle Osborne joined the staff at St. Matthew’s as Director of Music, and served in that capacity until August of 2021.
In October of 2021, Matthew Edwards joined the St. Matthew’s staff as Organist and Choir Director. Matthew continues directs the Sanctuary Choir and has overall responsibility for the coordination of all service music and other music programs for the parish.
St. Matthew’s first youth minister was Jeff Tait, who served in that capacity between July of 1996 and May of 2002. On June 1, 2003, St. Matthew’s called Sally Ulrey as full-time youth minister for the parish. Fourteen youth (middle and high school) came to the first youth group meeting held after Sally’s arrival in 2003, and the youth group grew substantially during her tenure. Sally departed St. Matthew’s in 2017 for a position at the Diocese of Atlanta. Our youth ministry continued under the direction of our Associate Rector, Fr. Tommy Matthew’s, who served from 2018-2021.
In July 2005, Rev. Dr. Brad Smith was called as Associate Rector of St. Matthew’s. Fr. Brad served the parish until November 2009, when he was called as Rector of a parish in NC. Fr. Tommy Matthews served as associate rector until 2021.
Fr. Doug retired on July 1, 2013, after twenty-one years as rector of St. Matthew’s and forty years in service to our Lord. At that time the Rev. Debbie Metzger Shew was appointed as Interim-in-charge by the vestry.
A search committee was formed and called Reverend Canon Elizabeth Hendrick to serve as rector. She celebrated her first Eucharist at St. Matthew’s on Sunday, December 14, 2014, and retired in January 2021. During her time as rector, St. Matthew’s celebrated its 40th year of active ministry as a worshiping community in Snellville.
The parish called Rev. Dr. Pat Miller as interim rector in 2021 while a nominating committee works to call a new rector.
In January of 2023, The Reverend Timothy Meyers accepted a permanent position as our rector.
Fr. Tim celebrated his first Eucharist on January 6, and continues to inspire our church growth.
In August of 2024, Mandy Johnson accepted the position as our Youth Minister, and currently leads our youth’s spiritual growth.
During St. Matthew’s history the cultural and racial profile of the parish has changed dramatically as a result of being located in rapidly growing Gwinnett County. Today St. Matthew’s is a racially, ethnically and welcoming diverse parish.
The Adult Bible Study Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Join us at any time, we study one chapter a week, and reflect with open-ended questions. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
New Beginnings is a Middle School Episcopal renewal weekend held at Camp Mikell. Prayer Partners are family and friends who agree to pray intentionally for one or more of those attending the weekend as participants, team, or adult sponsors. Prayer Partners link the parish to the weekend, a tangible way to provide support and encouragement to our youth and those accompanying them.
Youth – St. Matthews Episcopal Church (stmatthewssnellville.org)
8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Palm Procession and Holy Eucharist (no Passion narrative until Good Friday)
7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist, 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
7:00 p.m. Foot-Washing, Holy Eucharist, and Stripping of the Altar
9:00 p.m. Prayer Vigil begins (Sign up sheet in the narthex)
12:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross outside (weather permitting)
7:00 p.m. Good Friday service, Veneration of the Cross and
Passion Gospel enacted by youth. (no Communion)
7:00 p.m. Great Vigil and Baptisms (no Communion)
7:00 a.m. Sunrise service—begins outside
10:45 a.m. Festive Holy Eucharist (with incense)
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.
