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.

 

A Day of Divine Blessings, and a Cast of Furry (and Not-So-Furry) Characters

St. Matthew’s hosted over 50 people and a menagerie of 29 dogs, 5 cats, 1 lizard, 1 python snake, several stuffies, and photos of pets who could not attend in-“person”. The undercroft courtyard provided plenty of green space and safe space for such a wild group.

Father Tim, in his specially-designed stole, personally and divinely prayed over the individual animals. The non-human guests of honor were served treats which were meticulously prepared with love, and even the snake and lizard had a few veggies, also prepared with the utmost care. Humans from church and humans from the community chatted and laughed at the animal antics, all under the watchful eye of St. Francis, our patron saint of animals.

With blessings, love, and treats all around, the St. Matthew’s Blessing of the Animals was an event that reminded us of the quirky and wonderful creatures we share our lives with.



Share this on your social network:

Stewardship Talk #2, Given by Trisha Voiles, Senior Warden Oct 1

(Dressed as a pirate with cloak and pirate hat)

Did someone say there was a search for an Abundance of Time, Talent, and TREASURE here at St. Matthews???? Argh!

For those who do not know me by now, I am Trisha Voiles, Senior Warden of St. Matthew’s.  I began coming with our family to St. Matthew’s in 1984, 39 years ago.  I was a senior at Brookwood, and my parents were the ones in the family in charge of the giving of the Treasures.  I volunteered with VBS.

After a year, I moved out, went to college, faded away from going to church regularly, and got married.  Treasure was definitely NOT in abundance in those years.  I remember counting pocket change to just get gas to get to Snellville to my teaching job. I got involved with our ECW, Episcopal Church Women, and got hooked giving much of my Time and Talent. Although it wasn’t a great abundance at first, the more I was able to give the better I began to feel about myself, and the abundance of Love from God as He sent it through the Love of our Church members.  I began getting involved in VBS, Christian Formation classes, and helped with breakfast between services. I was Sunday School Superintendent and Youth Group Parent Team for a few years. I was ECW President for almost 20 years. Now, I have Vestry and Senior Warden. My children were involved in Christian Formation, youth choir, VBS, Acolytes, Youth Group, Talent Show, and were my shadows for many years, especially after my divorce.  We did not have an abundance to give in treasures, but we gave what we could every year.  I increased my percentage of giving each year, even if the increase was just a few extra dollars at first. I circle where I am on the proportional giving chart and see if I can make a jump to the next step or two.

Now for today, although Jim and I have had two bittersweet losses in recent years, God has blessed us abundantly. We are able to help where we can with Time, Talent, and Treasure now.  The treasure may not be the overflowing abundance, but it has increased from the long ago days counting the coins.  If you are just starting out or are in a place of less than treasure-ly abundance, I would like you to prayerfully consider what you do have to give.  Consider helping in a new ministry you have been thinking about, if you have been in a ministry for a while, consider taking on a leadership role in that ministry. Encourage your family members to get involved in ministries.  Even if you can only give $1, 5, 10, 20, or just two coins a week, you can add that on the pledge card in the envelope.  Only our treasurer and financial secretary see any of the giving cards.  These are between you and God, a promise that you can help in any way you can. On the front of the card you can list your treasure. On back of the card, list areas you do– or would like to– spend some Time and Talent.  I wrote my name on the Ministry card, checked my ministries, and added that in my envelope. If you’re filling out the card for your family, you can put the initials of each family member also by the areas of their involvement.  You can return the envelope in the mail, on one Sunday in October in the offering plate or bring it up to the basket on the altar, or put it in the slot in the office door. We would like to have them by Sunday, Nov. 5th.

Right now, I would like to call on my crew, Fr. Tim, The Vestry and Finance Committee, to join me in Surrendering our Stewardship Envelopes.  We have all been blessed with our Abundance of Areas we can help serve St. Matthews. We cannot do our jobs without YOU! We would like to encourage you to prayerfully listen to where God is leading you to put your Time, Talent, and Treasures in order to help St. Matthews share our abundance of Love with each other and the community. I promise you, YOU won’t regret the abundance given in return!  Thank you!   Trisha



Share this on your social network:

Gettin’ Crafty with Sunny’s Kids!

Using crafts in Sunday school can be an effective way to teach Bible stories to young parishioners for several reasons:

  • ENGAGING! When kids create, they are more likely to pay attention and remember the lesson.
  • INSPIRES CREATIVITY! Children express their creativity while learning about Bible stories. They can personalize their crafts, which can make the lesson more meaningful to them.
  • STARTS the CONVERSATION! Teachers can facilitate discussions while crafting, encouraging children to ask questions and share their thoughts. This promotes a deeper understanding of the lesson.
  • INCLUSIVE! Crafts accommodate different learning styles and abilities, providing an inclusive teaching method for all children, including those with special needs.
  • FUN for ALL! Children often associate crafts with fun and enjoyment. When Sunday school is enjoyable, children are more likely to want to attend and continue learning about the Bible.

Are you INTERESTED in BECOMING A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER?

Being a Sunday school teacher is a critical ministry within a church community. It is a ministry of love and dedication. It can be incredibly rewarding to witness the spiritual growth of young parishioners and to be part of their faith journey. Sunday school teachers play a significant role in shaping the faith and values of the next generation.

At St. Matt’s, being a Sunday School teacher is not a full-time commitment! Rotating schedules and having the option to serve as a helper allows for a diverse group of volunteers with varying levels of experience and availability to contribute.

A Note about Planning: Not having to plan lessons can be a relief for some volunteers who may feel more comfortable assisting with established curriculum. However, those who are interested in creating lesson plans should also be encouraged to do so, as it can be a fulfilling aspect of teaching.

Interested in becoming a Helper? Please contact Mona Livermont or Cheryl Wheeler

 



Share this on your social network:

September is Food Drive Month

For the Month of September, we are collecting CANNED TUNA and CANNED CHICKEN. Please place items in the food barrels in the main hallway outside the parish hall.

Special Outreach Needs – Food Drive

The Southeast Gwinnett Food Co-op has asked all their supporting churches to hold a Special Food Drive in the Month of September. The state-run GNAP program (Georgia Nutrition Assistance Program) ended on Aug 31st. This program offered food products for purchase to all the food banks for pennies on the dollar. The co-ops will now have to stock their shelves by purchasing food wholesale. The co-op normally distributes 100 lbs. of food to the client households each month. That amount will have to be reduced to 40 lbs. The more donations the churches can raise will be a huge benefit to the Co-op. For those wishing to donate by check, please make the check payable to St. Matthew’s and put Food Co-op in the memo section.
Please support the food bank during this immediate need in keeping their shelves stocked!



Share this on your social network:

Youth Bear Witness at Camp Mikell Retreat

St. Matthews youth had their annual retreat at Camp Mikell, and it was amazing! The weather was hot, but the kids enjoyed learning about this year’s youth ministry theme, “Witness.” It is a noun for a person who sees an event take place, but it is also a verb – To profess Christ and proclaim Him. The group did Bible lessons on bearing witness and learned about the great commission and how they can bear witness and be witnesses in today’s world. Many thanks to our ministry leaders, adult chaperones, and program leaders, Jessie Hurst and Caroline Bowen, for making the weekend retreat successful.



Share this on your social network:

Many STM Hands Serve Dinner at the SE Gwinnett Co-op!

We’re so grateful for the many hands that helped prepare and serve dinner for clients of the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry on July 31, 2023. After the 10:30 a.m. service on July 30, several volunteers bagged sliced watermelon, and made and packed coleslaw. On July 31, at the Co-op, nine volunteers served more than 200 dinners from 4-6 p.m. Volunteers grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, and packaged them along with watermelon, coleslaw, chips, cookies and condiments to share with co-op clients.



Share this on your social network:

Christian Formation Registration Round-Up!

Sunday, July 30 — In between services

GAMES   |    CRAFTS   |   MUSIC   |   BREAKFAST

PreK-K

Learn bible stories, read about biblical heroes, and have fun with arts and crafts!
LOCATION: Christian Formation Wing

Grades 3-5

Review liturgical lessons for the day, explore our Episcopal identity, and have lots of fun!
LOCATION: Christian Formation Wing

Middle & High School

Join peers for liturgically based instruction, thought-provoking questions, and confirmation preparation
LOCATION: Undercoft

Adults

Small groups format for fellowship, unity, and interactive discussion
LOCATION: Parish Hall & Surrounding Locations



Share this on your social network:

SERVICE SCHEDULE

SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Christian Formation Classes for all ages (AUG-MAY)
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist (with Livestream)

WEDNESDAY
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Healing Service and Bible Study

Click HERE for more information!



Share this on your social network:

Blessing of Backpacks & Sunday School Registration July 30

Blessing of Backpacks will take place on Sunday, July 30 at both 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services. Bring your child’s backpack to church that Sunday to be blessed, and receive a backpack tag, to remind them of God’s love and that they are God’s child and are “blessed to be a blessing”.

Sunday School and Christian Formation class registration will take place in the parish hall from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. Come enjoy breakfast as you register your child for Sunday School and Youth Christian Formation and register for adult classes as well.

 



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