Growing As God’s Family

October, November & December Giving Opportunities

This giving season, Saint Matthew’s invites you to share the joy of the holidays with those in our community. Our Outreach Committee has three special opportunities to give: in October, we’ll collect Thanksgiving meal items for Matthew’s Crossing to provide holiday dinners for families in need; in November, we’ll gather gift cards for Helen’s Hope Chest so teens in foster care feel remembered and celebrated at Christmas; and on the first two Sundays of Advent, we’ll collect used children’s books to provide books to the Chandler community at the upcoming Walk4Unity. Monetary donations are always welcome to support these efforts, and physical items can be brought to our Narthex while each drive is active. Let’s come together to brighten the season for those who need it most.

Sunday, November 1 – All Services

As we prepare to observe All Saints’ Day on Sunday, November 1, we will come together to remember and honor the parishioners and loved ones who have passed away over the last year. Toward the end of October, colorful papel picado and tissue paper cempasúchil made at our Día de los Muertos Intergenerational Craft Event will be displayed around campus. Our photos of loved ones who have died will be displayed on our ofrenda (altar of remembrance) and incorporated into our worship services on All Saints’ Day. You are welcome to bring a photo of your own for the ofrenda. If you would like to have someone’s name included in our prayers, please submit them online by Wednesday, October 28, so they can be included in this meaningful tribute.

All Sundays in November

This Christmas, let’s make sure no teen in foster care feels forgotten. Of the nearly 14,000 children in Arizona’s foster system, many are teenagers who often don’t receive as much attention during the holidays. Together, we can help make this a Christmas to remember!

Helen’s Hope Chest has shared a wish list of the gift cards teens love most. Shopping couldn’t be easier—simply purchase one or more cards (suggested amounts of $10 or $25), write the value on it, and hang it on the Christmas tree in the narthex or make a monetary donation online. Sharpies will be available near the tree for your convenience.

The tree will be up all of November. Gift distribution is held the first full week of December.

Gift Card Suggestions:

• Variety Stores: Target, Walmart

• Clothing Stores: Kohl’s, Tilly’s, Torrid

• Restaurants (Fast Food): Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Subway, Taco Bell

• Cosmetic Stores: Bath & Body Works, Ulta

• Sports Stores: Big 5, Dick’s

Let’s fill the tree with generosity and joy—and brighten Christmas for teens in foster care this year!

Sunday, November 1 , 7:00 PM

Life Community Church: 717 W Ray Rd., Gilbert AZ 85233

Join us for this cherished holiday tradition as we celebrate this year’s theme, Grateful for 250 Years of Faith and Freedom. Hosted by For Our Town Gilbert and the Chandler Interfaith Coalition, the gathering brings our community together to express gratitude, celebrate the freedoms that allow diverse faith traditions to thrive, and honor the values that unite us. Through service, dialogue, and music, we’ll give thanks together as one community while celebrating the rich diversity of faith and culture that makes us stronger. Rev. Monica will join other faith leaders in offering a brief reflection during the gathering.

Bring a friend and share in the warmth of community. This free event requires no tickets or RSVP—we look forward to seeing you there! 

Matts Men will gather on Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall for an evening of good conversation, fellowship, and connection. All men of St. Matthew’s are welcome, so bring a friend and come enjoy the evening with us!

November 8 — All Services

At Saint Matthew’s, we believe financial stewardship is about more than paying the bills. Giving is one way we respond to God’s generosity and participate in the mission and ministry of our church. When we give from what God has entrusted to us, our generosity helps us grow in faith while making it possible to grow as God’s family.

On Sunday, November 8, Consecration Sunday, we will gather together and have an opportunity to make our financial commitments for the coming year. These commitments support Saint Matthew’s mission and ministry, including our worship, formation, outreach, and care for our community and beyond.

This year, we will prayerfully reflect on and renew our financial commitments to Saint Matthew’s. Rather than focusing on what the church needs to receive, we invite each of us to consider what God may be calling us to give. For many, this means thinking about giving as a percentage of income and establishing a regular, intentional practice of generosity.

Making an Estimate of Giving is completely voluntary, and everyone is warmly invited to participate in both events on Consecration Sunday, whether or not you choose to complete a card. Commitments will be made confidentially as an act of worship. No one will call on you at home to ask for a monetary pledge. We will, however, invite you to prayerfully consider your financial commitment for the coming year, attend morning worship on Consecration Sunday, and enjoy Celebration Sundaes.

We hope you’ll join us on November 8 as we reflect, renew our commitments, and celebrate the many ways God is working through our Saint Matthew’s community.

All are welcome to join in this important act of community.

RSVPs can be made in person on Sundays or online anytime.

Saturday, November 14, 4:00 - 8:00 PM

Come represent Saint Matthew’s and the Episcopal Pride Committee at Chandler Pride! The event will take place on Saturday, November 14, at the QuartHaus from 4:00–8:00 PM. Chandler Pride is a vibrant community celebration featuring live entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, and activities that bring people together in a spirit of inclusion, diversity, and pride. Join us as we celebrate and honor the LGBTQ community with an evening of music, culture, connection, and fun for all. Signup to volunteer!

Join Matts Men Sunday, November 15 at 10:15 AM in the Office Couch Room for a casual Coffee Hour Social. Enjoy some coffee, meet other men of the parish, and connect with the Matts Men community.

For more information or to receive meeting reminders, contact Ted Telepak at (480) 682-8854.

Sunday, November 22, 3:30 - 5:30 PM – Parish Hall

Gather your friends, bring the family, and come enjoy an afternoon of food, laughter, and fellowship! We’re hosting an intergenerational Friendsgiving celebration for anyone looking to build meaningful connections and enjoy community.

Whether you’re new to the church, looking to make new friends, or simply want to spend time with others, there’s a seat at the table for you!

🍽️ Potluck-Style Feast – Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy a delicious variety of food together.
🥤 BYOB – Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy! We'll have water and lemonade available.
🛝 Fun for the Kids – Let the little ones enjoy the playground, get creative with crafts, and make new friends.
🎲 Fun for the Adults – Enjoy great conversation, games, laughter, and opportunities to connect with others.
❤️ Fellowship for Everyone – Come as you are, bring your loved ones, and experience the joy of community. Whether you’re coming with a family, as a couple, or on your own, you are welcome here!
📅 Sunday, November 22nd 🕜 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Come hungry, bring a dish to share, and leave with full hearts, new connections, and wonderful memories!

Please RSVP to help us plan accordingly. We can’t wait to celebrate Friendsgiving with you!

Share the Gift of Reading this Advent

Saint Matthew’s is collecting used children’s books to support the ninth annual, Walk4Unity: UN Human Rights Day, presented by Chandler4Change!

On the first two Sundays of Advent, November 29 and December 6, please bring your gently used children’s books and place them in the blue donation bin in our narthex. Your donations will help provide books to community members at this special event, which promotes the idea that everyday essentials are a human right.

Save the date for the ninth annual, Walk4Unity on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225. The celebration will include entertainment, informational booths, snacks, and a community walk along Arizona Avenue to raise awareness of human rights both locally and around the world. Nonperishable food, household products, and children’s books will be distributed to support community needs.

Please note: we are not collecting monetary donations for this drive

Thursday, December 3, 5:45 PM - Parish Hall, 6:30 PM - Chapel

Join us for a peaceful and nourishing way to observe Advent at Saint Matthew’s with our Soup Supper and Evening Prayer series, held the first three Thursdays of December. A potluck-style supper will be served at 5:45 PM in the Parish Hall, followed by Evening Prayer at 6:30 PM in the Chapel. Sign up to contribute to dinner.

This year’s dinners will feature an informal discussion using devotionals from Gospel Voices, exploring scripture, reflection, prayer, and action through the sacred rhythm of Advent with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. All are welcome to join us for one or all of these evenings as we share a simple meal, meaningful conversation, and prayerful reflection as we journey together through the season of Advent. Copies are available in the office for $10 each, while supplies last.

All are welcome to join us for one or all of these evenings. Come share a simple meal, meaningful conversation, and prayerful reflection as we journey together through the season of Advent.

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 AM - Chapel

Come celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas at this intergenerational event for all ages! Join us for a festive morning of creativity, fellowship, and Christmas cheer. We’ll have four fun craft stations for participants to rotate through, offering creative ways for children, teens, and adults to celebrate the season together. We’re also expecting a very special visitor: Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra! Come learn a little about this beloved saint while enjoying festive crafts and a cozy hot chocolate bar. Feel free to bring a snack or dessert to share as we enjoy this joyful gathering across generations.

Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly for seating and supplies — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!