For more information, please contact Fr. Rodney or call the Parish Office at 215-646-4092.
Acolytes assist the clergy at the altar during worship services.
Altar Guild prepares the church for worship services by readying the altar, flowers, linens, vestments, and vessels.
Arise Music Ministry is the talented group of musicians who lead the contemporary music at the 9 AM Sunday Holy Eucharist. Practice is held on Wednesday nights at 7 pm.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd This highly-respected education program is for youth 3 years of age through 5th grade. It is designed to nurture children’s innate experience of God as they work with specially designed materials, pray, sing, and meditate; focus on key Scripture passages and elements of the worshiping service. They meet at 9 AM on Sunday mornings from September through May.
Choir is comprised of parishioners who offer their gift of voice to lead the 10:30 AM Sunday Holy Eucharist in song. The choir ‘season’ runs from the Sunday after Labor Day through Trinity Sunday (mid-June). Choir rehearsal is held on Thursday nights at 7 pm.
Coffee Hour is a weekly opportunity for parishioners and newcomers to share in fellowship and a light meal. This festive gathering takes place each Sunday morning throughout the year at 10 AM. Assistance with setup, cleanup, and coordinating food items is always welcome.
Fellowship Committee plans activities throughout the year that bring together our parish and preschool family. Current offerings include our annual St. Matthew’s Day celebration, Pancake Supper, Spring Fest, and Trunk or Treat.
Finance Committee addresses the ongoing performance of our parish finances throughout the year. It also suggests areas of focus for our annual pledge campaign, as well as longer range planning.
Inreach Committee focuses its attention on the needs of members in our parish family due to sickness, inability to attend church, or sudden occurrence, such as the birth of a child or surgery in the hospital. This can include visits, phone calls, messages, and meals.
Lectors read the Scripture lessons and lead the Prayers of the People during worship services. If interested in reading, please email Melissa Brown
Memorial Garden Committee focuses its attention on the appearance and upkeep of the Memorial Garden, which is the space at St. Matthew’s dedicated to the interment of cremains of its members and families.
Men’s Breakfast On the second Saturday of each month (except July and August), the men of the parish are welcome to gather between 8 AM and 9:30 AM for a time of food, fellowship, and conversation on a Christian topic.
Middle School Summer Service Camp After assisting with Vacation Bible School during the morning, middle schoolers are welcome to participate in afternoon activities which help the community, encourage fellowship, and foster Christian love for one’s neighbor. Participation also assists in earning service hours that may be required by the student’s school.
Outreach Committee
A group of church members who, in conjunction with the rector, provide opportunities for the St. Matthew’s family to respond to needs that arise locally, throughout the diocese, nationally, and globally. They also oversee ongoing outreach ministries, discuss new opportunities, and inform the parish of avenues of outreach available to them throughout the year. Parishioners are encouraged to propose outreach opportunities and needs to members of the committee.
How do we help others?
Clothing Drives – mostly held in conjunction with other member congregations of the Horsham Interfaith Coalition. We also assist with emergency needs, such as collecting clothes for Afghan refugees in 2021.
Storm Damage Response – we frequently collect resources to assist those affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
Feed the Hungry – This voluntary offering on the third Sunday of the month supports the Grace and Cecil Bean Soup Kitchen in nearby Norristown.
Little Food Pantry – located on the main drive of our campus, this pantry offers 24-hour access for people in need to find non-perishable food and toiletry items.
Lenten Fundraiser – during each Lenten season, St. Matthew’s focuses outreach efforts to support a specific cause.
Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard – based in nearby Ambler, our parishioners have long supported this important food pantry.
Mwamba Scholarships – St. Matthew’s is a primary supporter of scholarship opportunities for an Anglican school in the Diocese of Kitali in Kenya. We have assisted many students, mostly teen girls, graduate high school and receive an education that would otherwise be unattainable.
Operation Bear Hug – each December, stuffed bears are collected, tagged with a message, and personally delivered to those in local hospitals, nursing homes, and/or shut-ins at Christmas time.
Project Roadmap – St. Matthew’s hosts this monthly meeting supporting those who may need assistance in various ways. Guest speakers offer help and information on a variety of topics such as healthcare, PECO, Horsham Library, Montgomery County programs, and pharmacy help.
School Supply Drives – during each summer, we collect items needed by students in elementary schools in either Norristown or Philadelphia.
St. James School – St. Matthew’s frequently aids and volunteers with this private middle school, which offers a top-level Episcopal education to youth in an underserved section of Philadelphia.
United Thank Offering – Episcopal parishes have a bi-annual opportunity to contribute to this program which assists worthy projects throughout the national church.
Pastoral Care Visitation Team is comprised of parishioners who visit those in our church family who are sick, shut-ins, and hospitalized. Several members of this team also bring Holy Communion to those unable to attend church.
Property Committee works on the maintenance and enhancement of our beautiful church campus.
Stewardship Committee plans and implements the annual pledge drive to fund the general operating budget of St. Matthew’s and to create opportunities to encourage year-round stewardship of God’s gifts.
Vacation Bible School is a vibrant weeklong opportunity to share the love of Christ for children and his presence in their lives. Songs, crafts, activities, and story-telling are based on a yearly theme.
Welcome Committee provides attention to newcomers and visitors to our worship services and events. They provide a personal welcome, answer any questions, gather information for follow-up from the rector. Newcomer and new member dinners and courses are offered on a regular basis.