Growing As God’s Family

Sunday, September 27, 10:15 AM – The Living Room, C3

Are you new—or feeling new—to Saint Matthew’s? Join us for Newcomer Coffee on Sunday, September 27, from 10:15 to 11:00 AM in the Living Room (near the south side of the parking lot). This is a casual opportunity to meet ministry leaders, ask questions, and learn more about how to get involved. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy light refreshments—we look forward to meeting you! RSVP

Wednesday, September 30, 5:30 PM

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honoring those who suffered in Indian residential boarding schools and remembering their lasting impact on survivors, families, and communities.

You're invited to join the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona for the premiere screening of Listening & Healing Pilgrimage: Stories from Arizona Indian Boarding Schools. The 95-minute documentary follows the Diocese’s 2024 pilgrimage across Arizona, where members of the Council for Native American Ministry listened to survivors, families, researchers, and Native voices and explored the Diocese’s own role in this history.

Screenings will also be held in Sedona and Tucson on September 30. For the Scottsdale viewing, tickets are $10 and Native American attendees can use code NATIVE for a full discount.

Carpool Available: If you would like to carpool from Saint Matthew’s, please meet in our parking lot by 3:45 p.m. Kindly RSVP to Barb Baker: barbbaker1147@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

Saturday, October 3, 10:00 AM - Noon – Parish Hall

Celebrate Día de los Muertos with color, creativity, and remembrance! Join us for a special time of crafting and reflection as we learn about this meaningful tradition, create colorful papel picado, tissue paper cempasúchil, decorate calaveras, and make traditional hojalata tin art. We’ll also enjoy Mexican chocolate-y beverages and pan de muerto as we celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us.

Our crafts will be displayed around campus toward the end of October and then incorporated into our worship services on All Saints’ Day.

You are invited to bring a copy of a photo of a loved one who has died (no larger than 2.5" x 4.25"). We will use the photo to create a colorful paper tray frame for our ofrenda (altar of remembrance). If needed, we can make copies of original photos, so please don’t worry about bringing a copy if you only have the original.

Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly for supplies.

All Sundays in October

You've been incredible supporters of Matthew's Crossing and their Thanksgiving Meal program, and we're asking for your help once more. Our goal this year is to collect items to provide 300 meals to families in need.

Thanksgiving Sides Needed:

• Brownie Mix

• Cranberry Sauce

• Green Beans (14.5oz cans)

• Mashed Potatoes (13.7oz box)

• Stuffing

• Turkey or Chicken Gravy Packets (no glass, please)

• Yams (29oz cans)

Monetary donations are always welcome to support these efforts, and physical items may be placed in the blue bin in our narthex. Donate Online.

Sunday, October 4 - All Services

Join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of The Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi! Animals are welcome to attend any of our three services. The pet blessings will take place immediately after each service in the courtyard. Bring your furry, feathered, or scaly friends for a special blessing.

There will be a designated pet-free area at both services. Some outdoor seating may be available, weather permitting. If your pet has passed over the rainbow bridge, you may bring a photo for our remembrance table.

Be prepared for a joyful day!

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 6:30 PM

St. Francis Xavier Church, Anderson Hall: 4715 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ, 85012

Please join with members of Saint Matthew’s and other Valley Interfaith Project congregations as we unite behind shared challenges in our community. We will put everyday issues affecting our communities – access to healthcare, more affordable housing, increasing workforce earning power, humane immigration policy, and neighborhood safety - in front of key faith and civic leaders and candidates ahead of the midterm elections. We will ask for commitments from them to work with us to address these issues. Rides will be provided for those who need them. RSVP for the 10/8 Assembly.

Add strength to this campaign by signing up in support of this agenda at the table outside the church after services or ONLINE.

Sunday, October 11, 3:00 PM

Choir members and parishioners from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Salzburg, Austria, where they joined singers from around the world in performing Mozart and other sacred works as part of a festival concert.

Now, you’re invited to experience this special concert together! We’ll gather in the Community Learning Center to watch a professionally recorded video of the concert and celebrate this memorable musical journey with fellow parishioners and friends.

Snacks will be provided, so bring your appetite and join us for an afternoon of beautiful music, fellowship, and memories from Salzburg!

Sunday, October 25, 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Join us for our annual Fall Festival! Our Juggler, James Reid, will be returning. We’ll have music, games, a cake walk, chili cookoff, and more. Don’t forget to wear your costumes for the Trunk or Treat. Dinner will be provided.

Sign up to: Provide cake for the cake walk; Enter the chili cookoff; Include your vehicle in the trunk or treat; Volunteer or donate. Look for our table in the courtyard every Sunday!

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!