Come and See
Upcoming Events
Ministry Fair
Last fall the SMEC Stewardship Committee focused on the “treasure” aspect of stewardship and now in early spring we’re going to focus on the “time & talent” aspects. That said, we will be hosting a Ministry Fair in the courtyard April 28 at 10am & 12pm. The purpose of the Ministry Fair is to raise awareness of the 40 or so ministries we offer, provide basic information about each ministry, allow parishioners to ask questions, and discern their many gifts and talents and how they might want to share these. Coffee Hour refreshments will be provided and Nursery/Childcare will be available (at the 10am Ministry Fair). We hope everyone will attend!
Rogation Sunday Celebration
Rogation Days serve as a reminder that our lives and seasons are ultimately in the humility, gratitude, and dependence of God's hands. We will celebrate Rogation Sunday, May 5, with a blend of tradition and community. After the conclusion of our 9:00 service, all are welcome to the procession blessing of our newly created sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi, and our Memorial and Rose Gardens. As a tangible expression of this commitment, every household in attendance will receive a thoughtful gift from our Creation Care Committee: a blessed packet of Summertime Wildflower Mix sourced from Native Seeds/SEARCH, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and sharing seeds of the desert Southwest and Mexico so that these arid-adapted crops may benefit communities and nourish a changing world.
Our Rogation Sunday celebration not only encourages parishioners to participate actively in nurturing the environment but also serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness as stewards in caring for the earth and her people.
Summer | Sunday Coffee Hour
During the summer, our Coffee Hour Teams will be taking a well-deserved break, as many members will be on vacation or traveling. Normal rotations will resume in September. However, we'd like to continue offering Sunday coffee hours throughout the summer months and we need your help to make it happen. These gatherings are essential for fostering fellowship within our congregation and for welcoming newcomers. Our summer 'Mini' Coffee Hour will be more modest in scale, featuring coffee, tea, lemonade, along with simple desserts and finger foods. We're looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to host one Sunday each over the next three months.
Would you be willing to join this wonderful summer ministry and help us keep our Sunday coffee hours alive?
Chapel Rock Summer Camp
SUMMER CAMP 2024
Choose Your Adventure! Every Week Is Unique, Just Like You!
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School // JULY 8 - 12, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM. Registration is OPEN! Splash into the fun as we dive into friendship with God! Children PreK through 6th grade are invited to enjoy this week like no other!
Episcopal 101
6 Session: 5-Mondays, April 15–May 13: 5:30-7:00 pm + Saturday, May 18: 10:00–11:30 am
Join Rev. Monica for Episcopal 101 - a 6 session class on Episcopal beliefs and practices. This class is designed for those who are new to The Episcopal Church, as well as cradle Episcopalians interested in deepening their understanding of our traditions, liturgy and beliefs. Through readings from "Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices," video presentations exploring our worship service, and hands-on experiences with liturgical vessels and paraments, participants will gain insights into the rich tapestry of Episcopal faith.
Clothing, Accessories and Housewares Drive
On April 14th, Saint Matthew’s is collecting items for the Assistance League of the East Valley, supporting programs like Operation School Bell, Assault Survivor Kits, and scholarships for EVIT graduates. In 2022-2023, they aided 6530 school-age children and teens and 3827 individuals in crisis. Donations of gently used items or monetary contributions are welcome. Needed items include jewelry, clothing, accessories, housewares, and children's books. Drop off donations in the parking lot before or after services on Sunday, April 14th.
Please bring your gently-used items in a trash bag or other container. We will have several vehicles in the parking lot before and after each service on April 14th to collect your donations. Monetary donations can be made via check in the collection plate or through the online giving portal. Thank you!
Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt
Mark your calendar for our annual Easter Celebration! Join us for our Easter Coffee Hour Brunch in the Parish Hall during the 10 o’clock hour but only after the children meet Ms. Amy in the courtyard for an egg hunt followed by fun activities. Bring your basket (and your camera)!
Stations of the Cross - Memorial Garden
Our Memorial Garden will be open for a time of reflection and prayer. You are invited to explore our newly created pathway meditation stations with the special addition of icons by artist Janet McKenzie from their book, The Way of the Cross: The Path to New Life.
Guide to Holy Week
This year we will be having Holy Week services each day at 6:30 PM and Wednesday and Friday at noon. This is in addition to our regular service schedule for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Thursday and Friday evening will be Livestreamed and available on our YouTube Channel.
Learn about the many worship options available to you.
The Fifth Lent Soup Supper & Evening Prayer
Join us Thursdays in Lent for Lenten Soup or Salad Suppers and Evening Prayer! We will share a light supper at 5:45 PM followed by an Evening Prayer service in the Chapel. Children’s activities are available select weeks; be sure to check Ms. Amy’s newsletter for dates!
The Fourth Lent Soup Supper & Evening Prayer
Join us Thursdays in Lent for Lenten Soup or Salad Suppers and Evening Prayer! We will share a light supper at 5:45 PM followed by an Evening Prayer service in the Chapel. Children’s activities are available select weeks; be sure to check Ms. Amy’s newsletter for dates!
Spaghetti Lunch & Pie Auction
You’re invited to our annual Spaghetti Lunch and Pie Auction! Join us for lunch on March 10. Each year our youth host this event to raise funds for their upcoming mission trip. This year they'll be volunteering in Costa Rica.
This is a great opportunity to meet new faces at Saint Matthew's and be served a delicious meal. Gluten free pasta is available. (Oh and the homemade pies up for auction are DELICIOUS)!
The Third Lent Soup Supper & Evening Prayer
Join us Thursdays in Lent for Lenten Soup or Salad Suppers and Evening Prayer! We will share a light supper at 5:45 PM followed by an Evening Prayer service in the Chapel. Children’s activities are available select weeks; be sure to check Ms. Amy’s newsletter for dates!
Pre-Ramadan Dinner
Ministry leaders and those interested in interfaith growth are invited to attend a Pre-Ramadan Dinner on Wednesday, March 6th, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Islamic Center of the East Valley, 425 N Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224 - just across the street. This is a great opportunity to interact with our Muslim neighbors and learn about Ramadan and how it is observed in Arizona and by more than two billion Muslims worldwide. Click to RSVP.
New Member Event
Join us for our New Member Event. There will be introductions and time for your questions about life and ministry at Saint Matthew’s. This is a great opportunity to get to know our ministry leaders, vestry members and other new members.
Chapel Rock Sunday
The time for summer camp will be here before we know it. There is a greater need for financial support to the Chapel Rock Campership Fund than there has been in years past. It is Diocesan policy that no child gets turned away from attending camp due to a lack of funds. The ability to provide support to these campers is impossible without the kind support from congregations and individuals.
The Second Lent Soup Supper & Evening Prayer
Join us Thursdays in Lent for Lenten Soup or Salad Suppers and Evening Prayer! We will share a light supper at 5:45 PM followed by an Evening Prayer service in the Chapel. Children’s activities are available select weeks; be sure to check Ms. Amy’s newsletter for dates!
Lent Soup Supper & Evening Prayer
Join us Thursdays in Lent for Lenten Soup or Salad Suppers and Evening Prayer! We will share a light supper at 5:45 PM followed by an Evening Prayer service in the Chapel. Children’s activities are available select weeks; be sure to check Ms. Amy’s newsletter for dates!
Growing Together - Food Drive
Join us this Lent as we support Matthew’s Crossing’s Meals to Grow Program! Every single week, volunteers at Matthew’s Crossing fill and distribute 1,200 packs of food to elementary aged children to ensure they are fed outside of school hours. Please consider purchasing these items during your next trip to the grocery store. The most needed items are: RAMEN, Canned Pasta (spaghettiOs), Canned Beans (Pinto, Black beans), Tuna, Small packets of Oatmeal, Pasta Sauce Cans, Fruit Cups/Applesauce, Granola Bars, Cereal and bags of Instant Potatoes.
Bring your items to the Narthex anytime during Lent!
Lay Leadership Retreat
The saying goes that the best laid plans make God laugh. Life during the Pandemic and in the years since has caused the plans and expectations of many congregations to change, shift, or be jettisoned. Vestry members, treasurers, parish administrators, youth and children's ministers (volunteers, not just paid staff), church communicators, pastoral leaders - those who visit, pray, and teach, Outreach and Justice Ministry Leaders (Becoming Beloved Community, Creation Care, etc.) are all invited to attend the lay leadership retreat at Chapel Rock in Prescott – February 16 – 18.
Ashes To Go
Join Deacons Mike Halle and Keith McKenzie in the parking lot to receive a blessing and the imposition of ashes. This is a quick offering for those unable to join us for our in person, eucharistic services as noon and 6:30 pm - livestreamed.
Pancake Dinner
JOIN US FOR OUR PANCAKE DINNER AND A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW REV. MONICA WHITAKER!
Tuesday, February 13 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.
Please RSVP so we cook the correct amount of food.
Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day or Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, and marks the beginning of Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day to use up eggs, fats & sugar before the season of fasting.
We're cooking pancakes from 5:30 - 7:15 PM. Rev. Monica will burn and bless last year's palms at 6:30 PM - bring your palms from last year if you'd like to add them.
A Case For Love
Join members of Saint Matthew’s and others around the state, country, and world for the one-day premier of A Case For Love – a documentary style movie of a film team traveling the US, searching for people living their lives selflessly. Interviews are of random people on the street and well-known figures including Pete Buttigieg, Al Roker and Becca Stevens. The film concludes with Bishop Michael Curry placing all we’ve seen into context. This movie will play one day only at a few AMC, Regal and Cinemark theatres in the area – if there is a good turnout additional showing might be added! Regal Gilbert, near Gilbert Rd between Ray and Warner is the closest theater to us. There is a showing at 4:00 and 7:00 pm. We’d love to see you there!
Annual Meeting
All parishioners are welcomed and encouraged to attend our annual meeting either in person or online. We will give thanks for the past 12 months, address "The State of the Church" and elect new vestry members and Diocesan convention delegates.
There will only be two worship services this morning, 8:30 am and 11:30 pm
Fr. Colville Send Off Coffee Hour
This isn’t goodbye, just so long for now! Be sure to stop by Matt’s Cafe for a special coffee hour, giving thanks for our time with Rev. Canon Colville Smythe as our interim rector. Fr. Colville and his wife, Sylvia, look forward to joining Saint Matthew’s as parishioners later this year after traveling, spending quality time together and working on a new book.
Back to Bells
Join us for Back to Bells! Tuesday, January 9th at 4 pm in the church for all those interested, with opportunities to learn and polish ringing skills, as well as work on rhythms and playing as an ensemble. Register below or let Sylvia or Rachel Salemi know if your youth is interested, so we can prepare. Youth Choir for ages 3rd - 8th grade begins February 18!
The Magi and The Star
Who were these strange visitors? How many were there? From whence did they come? Explore these questions and more during during The Magi and The Star, an interactive presentation for all ages in the Chapel, during coffee hour
Christmas Eve Services
Join us on Christmas Eve! We’ll have services at 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 PM
Soup Supper & Evening Prayer
Please join us as we prepare for the first Sunday of Advent. We meet Thursdays at 5:45 PM. We will gather for a light pot-luck style dinner and fellowship in the Parish Hall followed by a short Evening Prayer Service in the Chapel.
We will gather on November 30, December 7, 14 and 21.
Christmas Pageant
Every advent our children perform a special Nativity story at our 9:00 and 11:00 AM services. Our children give their all during this retelling of Christ’s birth. The script was written by Harlie Youngblood from The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew and according to Luke and has been lovingly depicted for over 20 years.
Memory Cafe Kick Off
Saint Matthew’s church has been a welcoming place for many community activities and now it has opened its space for a Memory Cafe. Our first meeting will be held on Friday, December 8th from 10 - 11:30 AM. This event is open to all and we will celebrate the season of Christmas.
Christmas Craft Night
Join us for an evening of Christmas Crafts and fellowship! We will make modge-podge wood slice ornaments - We have the wood slices and glue and will have a few patterns available to transfer - bring your own holiday napkins, old books or other items you think would look great on a tree! If there’s time, or if you’d prefer, you can quill an ornament too! We have the paper, tools and templates. Bring a small appetizer, dessert or drink to share!
HopeKids Holiday Toy Drive
The first two Sundays of December we will be collecting toys that will be distributed by HopeKids to support Arizona families who have a child battling a life-threatening medical condition. Place your toys in the Blue Bin in our Narthex or donate online!
Consecration Sunday
Sunday, November 19, 2023 is our congregation’s Consecration Sunday. We urge you to plan now to attend two important events: Sunday morning worship and the Celebration Luncheon immediately following your preferred service that same day - a catered meal, not a potluck dinner.