St. Matthews 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.

 

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

July 15, 2022





























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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Filed Under: Children's Ministry, Christian Education, Ministries, News, Parish Life, Spotlight on Ministry, Youth

VBS 2022 – Surf Shack! Registration is OPEN for Campers and Volunteers

June 3, 2022

St. Matt’s VBS!

Surf Shack is back!

July 11-15
Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
rising Pre-k (age 4) through rising 5th grade (age 10)
$20/first child per family, $15/each add’l, $50/max per family
CAMPER REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Register your Camper(s) Here.**
YOUTH AND ADULT HELPERS NEEDED
Call the office for details,
Calling all helping hands –We Need YOU!
Sign Up to volunteer HERE.**
Contact Terri Hurst for questions or more info.
**If you have trouble registering, please contact the church office for assistance. Thank you.



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Filed Under: Children's Ministry, Christian Education, Parish Life, Spotlight on Ministry, Youth

Spotlight on Ministry: Flower Guild

April 1, 2022

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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Filed Under: Ministries, News, Spotlight on Ministry, Worship

ERD Helping Ukraine–How You Can Help

March 18, 2022

More than two million people have been displaced after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, making this the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. Damage to civilian infrastructure has left thousands without electricity or water — and homes have been destroyed, affecting hundreds of thousands of people within the country. Ukrainians continue fleeing to neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania.

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is supporting Action by Churches Together (ACT Alliance) as it works through ACT member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) and other local organizations to provide emergency assistance such as food, shelter, water and basic supplies to refugees and people displaced within Ukraine.

To donate, click here.

On February 27, HIA set up a refugee support point on the Ukrainian side of the border at Beregsurány, where volunteers are providing hot tea, sandwiches, refreshments, blankets and basic hygiene items for families, who often wait long hours to cross the border into Hungary. HIA is in contact with its network of churches and organizations, as well as local governments in Hungary, to coordinate cash assistance, shelter, food and medicine for people who have been displaced.

ACT Alliance is setting up similar support points at other border towns to assist people as they leave Ukraine. It is working through local partners to provide aid for refugees in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Poland.



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Annual Meeting — Reports and Vestry Candidates 2022

January 20, 2022

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

Dec 2021 Financial Stmt

St Matthews Annual Mtg Minutes 2021 2.21.21 Final



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

January 13, 2022

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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Filed Under: Global Mission, Outreach, Spotlight on Ministry

Tenth Annual St. Matthew’s Car Show WrapUp

October 29, 2021

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!!

Check out the photos here! 



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Filed Under: Car Show, News, Outreach, Parish Life, Spotlight on Ministry

Baptismal Promise # 3

October 7, 2021

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+



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Filed Under: News, Spotlight on Ministry, Stewardship

History Minute: St. Matthew’s Pavilion

September 24, 2021

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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Clergy Availability & Office Hours For Staff

August 26, 2021

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+



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and the place where your glory abides. *
Psalm 26:8

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