Our Vestry

In an Episcopal parish, the day-to-day decisions about such things as building maintenance, finances, are handled by a group of laypersons called the Vestry. Vestry members serve rotating two-year terms and are elected at the annual congregational meeting. After Vestry members are elected, the Vestry decides among themselves who will be the officers for the coming year.

St. Matthew's 2019 Vestry is:

• Sister Rachel Margaret (Senior Warden)
• Bill Clark (Junior Warden)
• Dawn Peters (Secretary)
• Allan Andersen
• David Gibbs

In addition, Curt Allen, not a member of Vestry, serves as Treasurer.

Recently Baptized

We have had two recent baptisms:

• Jeff Fuller (husband of Erin and father of Casey and Tyler)
• Jessica Briggs

Celebrate!

New on Thursday at St. Matthew's

Beginning January 10, the regular weekly Bible study returns (10:30 AM). We will also begin a mid-week Eucharist service Thursday evenings at 5 PM.

Memorial Service Laurel June Andersen

There will be a memorial service for Laurel June Andersen, who died recently in Colorado, at St. Matthew's on Saturday, July 7 at 11 AM. A reception will follow at the Clubhouse at "The Meadows at Pheasant Run Townhouse Community" (1035 Deer Crossing in Ashland).

Free Concert

Kechi Okwuchi — You may remember her from the 2017 season of "America's Got Talent" — will be at St. Matthew's Saturday evening, July 7 and Sunday morning July 8 for our Sunday service. Kechi is a young Nigerian woman who sings like the angels.
Saturday, July 7

• 4:00 to 5:00 pm: Kechi will share her story and answer questions.
• 5:30 pm: Light supper will be provided
• 6:30 pm: An evening of testimony and praise

Sunday, July 8

• Kechi will be with us for our regular 10:00 am worship service

Joanne Is Back

Long-time member, friend, and organist Joanne Fessenmeyer was back on the organ bench this Sunday. Health problems, including some shoulder surgery, had kept her away for several weeks.

Lay Preaching College Attendees

Curt Allen and Dawn Peters attended the diocesan Lay Preaching College at the Church of the Redeemer, Lorain, on May 11 and 12. The purpose of the college is to prepare and oversee people in each parish for the task of preaching and teaching. With lay preachers available, the parish priest can occasionally take a Sunday off from preaching, and the parish gets to hear other voices as well.

There's more to the process than a two-day seminar. Before being licensed, the lay preacher must preach a sample sermon, be critiqued, and be recommended to the diocese. After becoming licensed, there is a series of continuing education events to keep the preacher's skills fresh.

Ann Shelly and Sister Nadine are already licensed preachers, so we will now have four lay preachers.