Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA
Annual Parish Meeting
January 23, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the parish hall or online via Zoom (see newsletter for details)
You will be able to vote in person or via Zoom:
Ballot Link for Zoom Meeting attendees.
Please view the reports here:
Annual Report 2021 Complete-Candidates and Reports
St Matthews Annual Mtg Minutes 2021 2.21.21 Final
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
Our 10th Annual St. Matthews Car Show turned out to be a great success this year. Some of the best vintage classic cars, trucks and motorcycles in Georgia were in attendance to the tune of over ninety cars. We had a fantastic Silent Auction with over 30 items and we had bidders on every single one of them. We had several new arts and craft vendors and, last but not least, we had Tipsy Pig who brought us great ribs, chicken, and barbeque.
Family Promise of Gwinnett County, who works to help homeless families in the area, was the recipient of a whopping $20,000 donation. We couldn’t have done it without our sponsorships, our volunteers, our Bake Sale, Knit Pearl and Pray, our Kids Zone, the car registrations, vendor fees and the monies raised from our silent auction. Plus Bishop Rob was here with us to pick the Bishop’s Choice trophy recipient and stayed with us through the trophy presentations.
A great big Thank you to all that helped to make this show such a great Outreach and Fellowship event. The Car Show Committee, our volunteers, all of our sponsors, those who supported us with your prayers and encouragement and all of St. Matthews , we thank you all!!
Rooted in Christ and carrying the cross of cross we are to Proclaim the good news.
In case you have not taken a good look at the prayer card that you got in the mail with your ministry commitment form. I invite you to take a deeper look. Rooted in Christ – what does that really mean to you?
The cross reminds us of Christ’s saving act, but it also reminds us that in our humanity we are capable of great sin. But Jesus doesn’t leave us in that sinful place – he offers grace and forgiveness. Jesus came among us in order to show us how to live and he came to share God’s forgiveness and grace with us. The Church is Christ’s body – that means that we are to live in such a way that people meet Jesus when they meet us. That is how we live out our third baptismal promise which is to PROCLAIM by word and example the good news.
That is what we are supposed to be about. We are to be that compassionate and caring place, the church, where Christ is proclaimed, lives are transformed and people’s needs are met through word, sacrament, service and community.
We, as the committed disciples of Christ at St. Matthew’s, are to be that place which centers and grounds all who come to us. We are the place where people do not have to be ashamed of their sins but rather find and experience God’s abundant love and forgiveness in our midst
In our third baptismal promise, God asks “Will you Proclaim by word and example the good news?” “Will you”, Jesus asks us again and again everyday. Will you be my eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of the world? Will you take action by your words and deeds to bring the love of God to those who have not yet found their way?
Will you, Jesus asks us. And we prayerfully and faithfully say, “I will with God’s help”.
I invite you to continue your prayerful discernment about how you are called to live into your discipleship. Rooted in Christ, supported by worship, education, community & service we grow in our spiritual maturity and in our faith. As we fix our focus on the cross gazing toward God, we see the outstretched arms of Christ which form the crossbeams of the cross – we are invited and challenged to reach out in evangelism and social outreach. As we journey with Christ we find ourselves more and more opening our arms in a wide embrace proclaiming by word and deed the good news of God’s love for all creation. Blessings, Mother Pat+
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.
Clergy availability & Office hours for staff
In case you were trying to determine the best time to catch me or the office staff, here is an overview of the clergy and staff’s weekly schedule. Since we have limited paid staff in the office, I thought perhaps a brief idea about the hours that we are usually at the church would be helpful.
Susan Carson as Registrar and Communications Coordinator is also filling in for bulletin preparation. Other activities previously assigned to the Parish Administrator are being evaluated and reassigned to committee chair persons or will become part of the new staff position when we finalize the office needs assessment.
Susan currently is trying to be at the office Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. Office volunteers and those hoping to drop by should do so from 10 am to 1 pm since you will find Preschool pick up and drop off will be a challenge at other times.
Please note that this is a general idea and not specific to each week since I often have meetings on Friday or Saturday and have to adjust my days off accordingly. Susan’s schedule is also flexible since she works to facilitate parish needs and she has gone above and beyond to step in to help cover the bulletins and other urgent needs.
Sunday – Mother Pat is at the church from 7:30 am until around 1 or 2 pm and is available for meetings after worship as the parish calendar permits. Pastoral calls are also made in the afternoon as the pandemic allows. No office staff are scheduled for work on Sunday.
Monday – Mother Pat works at home from 9 am until 12 pm on sermons and preparation for the weeks events. Mother Pat is in the office from around 12 pm until 3 or 4 pm depending on pastoral calls and meetings. Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.
Tuesday – Mother Pat works at home from 9 am until 11 am on newsletter articles, special programs, and other upcoming events as well as continued sermon work. Tuesday afternoons work continues at the church with meetings and various projects – appointment times and opportunity for phone calls are usually available. Once a month there is an afternoon meeting of the Deanery clergy. Also quarterly there are meetings with the clergy, or the Bishop, or a continuing education event and those may be all day meetings. Some weeks Mother Pat will come into the office later in order to be able to stay until 8 pm to meet with folks who work during the day and for scheduled committee meetings or worship opportunities. Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.
Wednesday – Mother Pat arrives at the church around 9 am to prepare for preschool chapel and Wednesday Holy Eucharist & service of healing. Worship is followed by meetings and appointments as well as outreach and other pastoral activities in the afternoon. Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm.
Thursday – Mother Pat works at home on Thursday finalizing sermon preparation, working on projects and trying to answer e-mails, voice mail etc. This day is also for finalizing newsletter articles, working on special projects and items which need uninterrupted time to complete. Susan is in the office from 10 am to 2 pm. Mother Pat may be in the office if there are meetings or appointments requiring a clergy presence.
Friday – Mother Pat’s day off except for meetings of the Diocese, wedding rehearsals, or urgent pastoral needs. Mother Pat will often work at home on sermons and other projects. No office staff are currently scheduled to work on Friday, the office is closed to routine activities.
Saturday – Mother Pat’s other day off except for Diocesan events, weddings, and other activities which are occasionally scheduled in addition to this; but not a routine day for appointments. No office staff work on Saturday.
The best way to get information to me is to e-mail I pick up email several times a day. If it is urgent, please text or call the emergency cell phone at 404-754-6980. That phone remains on 24 hrs a day, so unless you need something urgently, please email the church at the address. You can call the church office and usually I will be able to answer, although I have been known to accidently cut off the call. If that happens, please call back and I will attempt the complicated phone system again, hopefully with more success. If all else fails leave a message and someone will try to get back with you as quickly as we can. If you leave a voice message at the church on Thursday afternoon or over the weekend, we won’t get your message until Monday morning so e-mail if you can. If we don’t answer, we are either in a meeting, worship, or working on issues which do not allow us to answer the phone. If you have an emergency illness or family death, always try the church office during the day because that is likely where we will be; but if you don’t get a “live person” then call my (Mother Pat’s) cell phone which is always on. Of course if your question is about the parish office operations, communications (print and electronic) or registrar function, you can e-mail Susan at and she will either provide you the information or forward your e-mail to the clergy or appropriate vestry person.
I realize this transition is difficult and I am here to support you in the best way that I can. Please let me know how I can help you and the parish in this time of change. We are evaluating the needs of the parish and how to use paid staff and volunteers in the best way possible. We will finalize position descriptions for the Music Director and the Parish Administrator and then move forward with the Vestry to seek the best individuals for those positions. St. Matthew’s has all the resources needed to move forward, so we invite you to pray for the work of discernment as we continue to evaluate what is needed now and in the future to ensure God’s work is done in and through St. Matthew’s. God’s peace and joy, Mother Pat+
Sunday, July 4 in the parish hall
After the 10:45 a.m. service (about noon)
Let’s celebrate coming back together in a big way!
The Fellowship committee will serve a holiday meal
of fried chicken, potato salad, individual bag of chips
and a brownie.
Water and tea will be provided.
Please Register On Realm to give us a head count for the meal.
A love offering will be accepted to cover the cost of the food and supplies.
You may want to bring lawn chairs, games (indoors or outside) or cards to play, or sidewalk chalk, etc. for the children.
(Be sure to dress in red, white and blue!)
Don’t miss it!
Wednesdays In June
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
All are invited.
Gather with friends (or make new ones!) and reconnect with your parish family
for an evening of fellowship and games every Wednesday evening in June.
Outdoors or in the parish hall depending on weather conditions.
Outdoor Tic Tac Toe, Corn Hole, and others.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating outdoors
Bring your own picnic or snacks & drinks if desired.
Have a game to share, or have any questions?
Contact Trisha Voiles or Becky Olbon
See You There!
The National Guard soldiers who have been assisting at the Co-Op since the beginning of COVID, have been recalled, and there is a dire need for more volunteers to help ensure the continued smooth process of food distribution to the clients. Anyone interested please contact Dot Desjardin at ddesjardin@segwinnettcoop.org
Volunteer Skills Needed:
• Able to easily lift 20 lb box
• Ability to stand and walk on concrete floor for long periods of time
• Willing to take and follow directions from team leads and CoOp management
• Set up Canopy Tents and 6-8ft tables outside
• Easily work both indoors and outdoors as needed
Special Volunteer Skills
• Able to use a pallet jack to help unload and safely move pallets of food
Pantry Shift Hours:
• Mondays 1st shift: 9am-1pm 2nd Shift: 2pm – 7pm
• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9am – 12n
• Wednesdays and Fridays: 8:30am – 12n
• Saturdays: 10am -12n
All volunteers must:
• Wear closed toed shoes
• Masks are required for unvaccinated volunteers and anyone preferring to wear one
To see other current outreach needs and area resources, please visit our Outreach page.
Our opening hymn this coming Sunday (5/8/2021) is hymn #292, “O Jesus, crowned with all renown”, a hymn for Rogation Days by Archbishop of Canterbury Edward White Benson (1829-1896). Archbishop Benson is perhaps best remembered as the creator of Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in 1880 when he was Bishop of Truro. Hymn 292 was written in 1860 whilst he was headmaster of Wellington College. This hymn first appeared in The Hymnal 1916.
Traditionally, the three days before Ascension Day are observed as Rogation Days. The Sunday before the Ascension, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, is traditionally known as Rogation Sunday. These are days of prayer to ask God’s blessing on crops, for an abundant harvest, and protection from natural disasters. Traditionally the parish vicar, wardens, choir boys, and others would process around boundaries of the parish, carrying long sticks, while occasionally stopping to recite or chant Psalms or the Litany of Saints. This procession around the geographical area of the parish was known as “beating the bounds”. Rogation days were also a time for people of the parish to settle disputes and disagreements to come together as a community. See the following link for more information on the history of Rogation Days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eLmFv-ilXA
In The Hymnal 1982, hymn #292 is paired with the tune Kingsfold. Kingsfold was originally an English folksong that Ralph Vaughan Williams arranged for The English Hymnal, 1906 where it was paired with the text “I heard the voice of Jesus say”. Vaughan Williams first heard the tune in the village of Kingsfold in northwest Sussex where the text was about “Dives and Lazarus”. The tune was used by Vaughan Williams in Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus for string orchestra and harp which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQoP9iLwoos
O Jesus, crowned with all renown
1. O Jesus, crowned with all renown,
since thou, the earth hast trod,
thou reignest and by thee come down
henceforth the gifts of God.
Thine is the health and thine the wealth
that in our halls abound,
and thine the beauty and the joy
with which the years are crowned.
2.Lord, in their change, let frost and heat,
and winds and dews be given;
all fostering power, all influence sweet,
breathe from the bounteous heaven.
Attemper fair and gentle air
the sunshine and the rain,
that kindly earth with timely birth
may yield her fruits again:
3.That we may feed the poor aright,
and, gathering round thy throne,
here, in the holy angel’s sight,
repay thee of thine own:
That we may praise thee all our days,
and with the Father’s Name,
and with the Holy Spirit’s gifts,
the Savior’s love proclaim.
Edward White Benson (1829-1896)
