If you want to learn more about St. Matthew’s, read what our members share as their blessings. As a part of our pledge drive this year we asked everyone to share what they believe to be the blessings in their lives. The response has been wonderful and almost overwhelming.
—Dan White, Generosity Chair
A community
Opportunities to read scripture during Sunday service.
The welcoming community and vibrant young adults group.
Age diversity. A good mix of old and young people.
Birth of a grandchild
Friendships (at St. Matthew’s and unrelated)
Fulfilling work/vocation
The warmth of my welcome here.
Everything working out in being here and being with my partner here.
The depth of prayer I find in the community here.
The heart for reaching out and putting the gospel into action in the world.
The beauty of the liturgy.
Sharing
Caring
Growing
Global worship
Moral support
Support from Acts 2 fund during difficult or challenging times
Great leadership
The Centering Prayer group provides support and connection for my spiritual journey
The Brother Lawrence Guild feeds us all physically and spiritually
The volunteers at Project Home and Loaves & Fishes renew my hope
Liz gardens with love and faith
Kennedy’s family mows the lawn
Mary Griffin and John DesHarnais organize and monitor physical plant
Wednesday service and lunch
Church in the park
The blessings of support and understanding of St. Matthew’s members in exploring spiritual life and the way of Jesus.
Choir
Organizing drives St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
Men’s activities
I am thankful for our new priest Christopher.
St. Matthew’s is a welcoming and spiritual community.
We are blessed with the staff we have and the willingness of church members to work together and have fun getting things done at St. Matthew’s, in our community and in Africa with the Blue House.
Each other
Our kids and grandkids
Our home
Our church and church family and friends
Our ability to volunteer and give back
I am blessed by the outstanding leadership and creativity of Michael Compton. Few other communities have beautiful and easily accessible music written just for them.
We are blessed by our children, their spouses and grandchildren.
We are blessed to be able to give to the neediest through Focus (orthodox charity) and Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew’s.
We are blessed by the kindness of St. Matthew’s parishioners toward my disabled husband.
We are blessed by the spiritual depth and also fun we find at St. Matthew’s.
Our new rector
Our new children, youth and intergenerational leader
Our staff
Our committed community
The return of my beloved prodigal son – repair, healing, restoration, reconciliation. Amazing miracle.
Numerous examples of healing of serious medical problems – neck compression (severe pain), breast cancer; more amazing.
Much peace and confidence following a time of fearfulness (unusual for me).
Coping better and better with being alone, without sinking into loneliness
God’s amazing love – healing, wholeness, love, peace
So thankful for the social security (small but essential) and Medicare generosity in paying most medical costs
Our children, their spouses and children
The ability to rest and relax in retirement
The congregation of St. Matthew’s
Our volunteer opportunities
Good health and healthcare
Spiritual nourishment through worship, preaching, music, study and attention to beauty is a great blessing. We are deeply thankful.
Christian fellowship and friendship, including convivial meals, shared activities and meaningful retreats. We are grateful for our new friends at St. Matt’s.
This is a community that seeks to see the divine in every person, regardless of their beliefs or political positions. We are very thankful for this openness.
We give thanks for opportunities at St. Matt’s and beyond to work towards making change in the world.
We are grateful beyond words for our secure home, our family and our many friends.
Friends who bring unsolicited meals/food.
Chances to develop intergenerational friendships.
Safe and comfortable home in which to explore our faith.
Engagement to be the church in the wider world.
Love and acceptance
Deep, abiding friendships
Nurturing faith
Healing of hurt
Our family
A new rector: children / youth / intergenerational leader
Strong lay leadership
Our getaway place up north, where we spend quality family time.
Friends
Fresh priest
Safe place to live
Books
My sisters
Listening
Hospitality
Sending cards of encouragement and thanks
Be friends of St. Matt’s children and watch them grow to adulthood.
To be citizen of this great country.
My family at church and at home.
Share my gifts.
Blessed to grow up in Episcopal school from kindergarten through high school.
Choir / music
Commitment to social justice
Genuine inclusiveness
Leadership with the congregation; not dependent on rector
St. Matthew’s has been my extended family for 40+ years. I am so very thankful for this love and support, more important than ever.
Opportunities to continue to serve others, contribute my time, abilities, experience.
Continued opportunities for spiritual growth and development.
Healing prayer support
St. Laurence Guild
Choir
Hospitality groups
Eucharist
I was blessed to have incredible parents who demonstrated that working hard and caring for others brings joy to your life.
I am blessed to have a partner that makes me happy (most of the time ☺)
I am blessed to have a wonderful family – loving daughters and sons-in-law, and of course beautiful and talented granddaughters
I am blessed to have friends across the Twin Cities and beyond
I’m thankful for caring, supportive family.
Blessed by all at St. M’s who work diligently in many areas.
Blessed by kindness of countless at church welcoming new comers.
What a blessing that everyone at St. M’s feels welcome and well fed.
Blessings to have search team work so hard and get us Christopher Rogers!
Friendship and spiritual support
Good music, good food, good community
Thoughtful, thought provoking conversations and experiences
Support of social justice issues
Beautiful gardens, peaceful places to meditate and pray
Wonderful food and fellowship
Peace and joy in Godly Play
St. Matthew’s Altar Guild
St. Matthew’s grounds / gardening team
St. Matthew’s youth ministry
St. Matthew’s
The Wednesday service has been a great time of hospitality for us.
Praying with others for healing (Liz)
Outdoor services
Adult Ed
Retreats
We have a good healthcare plan. Because we have this, we not only have the opportunity to keep our bodies healthy, but we also have a chance to help keep our minds healthy and care for our disabilities.
We have a warm, safe house to live in.
At St. Matthew’s we regularly are inspired by our friends and learn how to deepen our relationship with God.
We are blessed with our child, who has taught us so much about love.
We as a culture understand so much more about how to treat mental health than we once did. This has truly transformed the quality of our lives.
I am grateful for a church that is open and loving to all.
I am particularly grateful that St. Matthew’s has a strong commitment to serving the wider community and world.
I am grateful that St. Matthew’s has been blessed with so many members with extraordinary talents and skills and share them to support the church’s mission.
I am thankful for the wonderful close friends I have found here.
I am thankful to have been born an American citizen during a time when America became the leader of the free-world countries. This blessing gives each of us many advantages people of other countries don’t share and also places obligations on us that others don’t have.
Friendships
Rosa’s lunches
Messages of hope and grace for all
Opportunities to give of my time / money
Common purpose
Summer outside services
Diversity of community
A welcoming community
A safe place to have questions
The centrality of scripture in the worship service
Being able to take part in communion each week
Rosa’s food ☺
We feel a part of a community that cares for each other.
This is a place that welcomes our gifts, skills.
We are challenged to learn, grow and follow Jesus more closely
We are blessed with a loving family outside of the church
We notice when God is working in the world
Family and friends
Careers we loved
Blessing of children
We are blessed to have new friends
Warm welcome
Opportunities to give back to the community
What has been a blessing to us is the consistent support, welcome, and inclusion we experience and receive.
It is a joy to connect in the ways we can, and a grace to feel that there is room for us to step away in the midst of challenges, knowing fully that we are still seen as welcomed and whole members of the St. Matt’s community.
The blessings of a grounding in Christian faith for our children. They may not regularly attend, but they know clearly what is important to us.
The blessing of age diversity – I love meeting the younger people at church, and making friends with people I wouldn’t normally get to know. I also love what I learn from older friends at church.
The blessing of sermons that leave me with something new to consider; some idea that fuels spiritual growth. Sometimes it comes from a surprising source.
The blessing of having a stable family and a safe home, and the knowledge that we are called to help those who don’t have these things.
The blessing of laughter.
The members of this faith community – their smiles, welcoming hearts, and many gifts. This church feels like home and family.
Our new rector!! And his desire to get to know us and remember our names – impressive!
Opportunities to learn and grow in faith.
My family and friends.
The green spaces in and near the Twin Cities. A reminder that we are a part of nature and have a responsibility for caring for creation.
I/we do not take at all for granted that St. Matthew’s provides our family with a truly vibrant, wholehearted community with which to worship and commune.
The music is exceptional and rings within us throughout the week.
It is a place where families want to and do bring their children of all ages. This is a very big blessing!
The sermons and other food for our spirits is always well thought through and presented beautifully. Incredible that food for our bodies is offered as generously as well.
There are many people who let their lights shine so brightly!
Thanksgiving for affordable housing at Episcopal Church Home.
Centering prayer every Saturday in the library.
Camaraderie present at St. Matthew’s.
Caring members who have called me when I have needed help.
Wonderful service out of doors.
Fairly good health.
Healing service at the side of the church.
I am so grateful my children were able to grow up at St. Matt’s, surrounded by people who cared for them, who smiled at them when they fussed during services, and who helped pick them up when they fell running like hooligans during coffee hour.
Our family and friends
Family
Music, art, books and creative thoughts
Already turned in a form, but wanted to add
Individuals of all ages gathering together as God’s people.
Reading the names of all the folks who have passed through St. Matt’s on their way through discernment, it really struck me that this is an amazing community to be able to foster such faith and growth.
Our home, community, state and country
Weekly ritual
The beauty of the earth- fall leaves, squirrels, birds, insects….
Neighborhood notice for Christmas Eve service and was hooked “
A beautiful, welcoming building for building community and living in the presence of God.
For the music because it brings me closer to God.
Our church and church family
Inter-generational relationships
Family
Couple years back a book club in the evening
A warm welcome.
Our health
Community
Several women in clergy
The loving and caring embrace of the St. Matthew’s community during my time of need.
The community that is St. Matthew’s is another family for me and a blessed one.
Especially proud of how we came during our interim stepping up to contribute and support our programs and people.
There is great joy and compassion here.
No one can place a value on this kind of commitment under God.
Gratitude for so many blessings from St. Matt’s.
For quiet and prayer.
For fellowship with so many dear friends, mentors and inspirations.
For challenge and growth.
That life at St. Matthew’s is multigenerational.
That our giving of time and talent at StM is based on healthy relationships.
Blessed with supportive family amidst good times and bad.
Friendship no matter if I am here at church or not.
Care and support during difficult times.
Healing prayers.
The church has gifted a place to bury Chuck and myself when the time comes.
Food when I was hungry, a winter coat when I had none, boots to keep my feet warm and so much more
The love of my husband, friends and family.
A faith community that is diverse and sustaining
Consistent leadership within the St. Matthew’s community
The opportunity to give back
Family and friendships
Opportunities for helping others
Support and fellowship for following the Way of Jesus
Intergenerational community
We are blessed to be a part of a multi-cultural parish.
We are blessed to be healthy after having Covid-19.
Friendly people
Deep spirituality
Intergenerational
Community
Upstanders
Fellowship
Kindness
Conversation
We’re glad to be joining this vital faith community and have appreciated receiving a warm welcome.
Dear friends and neighbors
Family
Good job
Joy in my work
A wonderful dog
St. Matt’s provides the opportunity for social justice; Loaves & Fishes, Project Home, Blue House
We are so grateful for the youth faith formation at St. Matt’s
I love sharing music in the choir
Thank you to the small group who met and prayed for our child in a time of need.
Thank you Rosa, for making food I can eat!
Thank you for accepting and challenging me.
