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.

 

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

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!
YOUTH AND ADULT HELPERS NEEDED
Call the office for details,
Calling all helping hands –We Need YOU!
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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HISTORY

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.

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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.

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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.



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New Beginnings 2022!

New Beginnings 2022 Kickoff

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)




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Holy Week and Easter Services

Palm Sunday, April 10

8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Palm Procession and Holy Eucharist (no Passion narrative until Good Friday)

Holy Monday, April 11

7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Holy Tuesday, April 12

7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Holy Wednesday, April 13

10:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist, 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday, April 14

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)

Good Friday, April 15

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)

Saturday, April 16

7:00 p.m. Great Vigil and Baptisms (no Communion)

Sunday, April 17, Easter Sunday:

7:00 a.m. Sunrise service—begins outside
10:45 a.m. Festive Holy Eucharist (with incense)

  • The congregation is invited to bring bells to either service to ring as we celebrate the Resurrection.
  • Flowering of the Cross before and after both services in the courtyard; you may bring flowers or use the flowers provided.
  • There will be an egg hunt immediately following the 10:45 service for children 5th grade and under. Older youth are invited to help hide the eggs. Contact Holly Bond to volunteer.

 



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Spotlight on Ministry: Flower Guild

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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ERD Helping Ukraine–How You Can Help

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