Advent Wreath Making
Coordinator – contact the formation team
Gathering together to make Advent wreaths is both spiritual and social. Each family brings home not only a wreath, but also a booklet to use in conducting their own weekly Advent rituals at home. This is an annual event prior to Advent for children and families to do together as they prepare for the Christmas holiday. The creation of the wreath is craft oriented by use of a homemade wreath helps us remember that Christ is the center of this joyous time of year.
Bible Study
Grab a cup of coffee and join Don Scott as he leads an academic inquiry into Holy Scripture. Study takes place each week between the services and is appropriate for teens and adults. Anyone is welcome to come at any time.
Book Group
Coordinator: Charlie de Kay
For those who enjoy reading any type of literature and discussing, this is the group for you. We have no set schedule but meet approximately quarterly to discuss a book of someone’s choosing. We gather for light refreshments at the home of a group member. Reading is done independently prior to our gathering. Recent titles have included Bishop Michael B. Curry’s Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus, as well as Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber and Crazy: A Father's Search ThroughAmerica's Mental Health Madness by Pete Earley. This group is appropriate for teens and adults who enjoy reading and discussion, spirituality, and socializing. All are welcome!
Community Night
Contact: see Formation
Community Night gathers on the third Thursday of the month, during the program year, for food and fellowship and an activity or learning of some sort. This community-building event starts with a light supper then moves into an educational program. This evening is designed for all ages, all stages, all interests as it starts with food and ends with something different every month…a discussion, crafting, planting, learning. Community night has it all!
Confirm not Conform
Contact: Charlie de Kay
Confirm not Conform (CnC) is a confirmation and faith exploration program designed by the Episcopal Church. We partner with St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Evanston to provide those of confirmation age, the opportunity to explore their faith in a safe and open environment. The program is a two-year journey of study, fellowship, service and prayer. Each participant journals, reads and converses with mentors to discover how experiences inform who we are as people of God. It is a place where questions are encouraged, and exploration happens. We are always looking for adults to mentor our youth and assist in the running of the program in coordination with the leadership of St. Mark’s.
Formation Team
Contact: Charlie de Kay
The Formation team is a group of members who have chosen to lead the way in St. Matthew’s faith formation and education activities. These folks work to create activities and events that form the faith of all our members, help in creating an environment of Godly curiosity and exploration of how faith can be built and expressed in multiple ways. This group organizes and coordinates Community Night, Advent Wreath Making, Sunday School Workshops, the Christmas Pageant, and various other events. If you are an adult interested in educating others about the faith, working both individually or with others and have some time to give, we would love to have you join us.
Green Team
Coordinator: Christina Padilla
For those who are passionate about living into our Christian call to be good stewards of Creation, the Green Team is an opportunity to put your passion into action! Some of the ways in which we care for Creation at St. Matthew's include: reducing the amount of waste both coming into and leaving our facility, learning and educating the congregation about simple ways to reduce our footprint on the Earth, and advocating for policies and laws that promote sustainable practices both locally and nationally. We always welcome new members and ideas to help us love Creation as best we can! If you are interested in working behind the scenes after Sunday services (collecting compost); learning about sustainability practices; researching and presenting informative and entertaining films; attending outside events such as Wild & Scenic Film Fest and Citizen’s Greener Evanston presentations on various “green” topics, please join us! We welcome all ages!
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We meet once a month on the 4th Tuesday during the program year and you will be asked to handle about one Sunday every 6-8 weeks doing compost collection. We also host educational offerings about twice a year as well as intermittent –
and optional! – outside events.
Lenten Study Group
Watch announcements for gathering dates and times Alternating between St. Matthew’s and St. Andrew’s. The group meets each Wednesday in Lent to reflect on a “Lenten related” spiritual topic and prepare ourselves for the especially holy season of Easter and for the gift of Jesus’ resurrection and our salvation. As this is a discussion and book study, teens and adults are invited to this time of spiritual reflection and socialization. This happens in the 4-6 weeks of Lent and you are welcome to attend when you are able.
Prayer Group
Contact: Penny Whiteside
The St. Matthew’s Prayer Group has met for more than 60 years, every Tuesday morning to pray for the needs of our church and community. Prayers include those named in the Prayers of the People each Sunday as well as names sent to us. Names are read and prayed for in a thoughtful manner. Our time is followed by a brown bag lunch and social time.
Sunday Workshops
Coordinator: Contact the Formation Team
Sometimes it is difficult to set aside time for nurturing and developing a relationship with God and with God’s people. Twice a year, on the Sunday in Advent and Lent, St. Matthew’s offers workshops designed for children, families, friends and caregivers to learn the story of God together. These happen between services at 9:30am. All are welcome to attend any and all workshops. Anyone interested in assisting with workshops should contact the coordinator or someone from the Formation Team.
Vacation Bible Camp
Coordinator – contact the Formation Team
Adult and teen volunteers help plan and carry out a half-day, week-long camp devoted to scripture and the teachings of Jesus. Teams lead sessions on Bible stories, music, crafts, snacks, and activities or games. The camp has been an excellent way to reach out to our neighbors, and people who volunteer have enjoyed getting to know each other. Children ages 3-up are invited to attend, teens and adults will to for lead and shepherd are greatly appreciated. If you are interested in working with children, crafts, games, providing snack’s, music, bible study, etc. this is a great time with variety need requirements. Camp takes place for 5 mornings during a week in August when a group of volunteers are needed. Or, you can assist with planning over the summer months which can be either a group or individual activity.
Wednesday Morning Study
Coordinator: Charlie de Kay
This group meets weekly, on Wednesday mornings for study either on scripture or a book related to spirituality or religion. Currently, the group is reflecting on Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger. Copies of the book with the "Study Guide" are available for month-long loans in the Gallery. Adults and teens are welcome to attend.