About

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is a community of people invited by Christ to meet him at his table, in each other, and in our neighbors.

As apprentices, we practice following the Way of Jesus as expressed in the Anglican tradition, in the power of the Spirit, so we can participate in God’s healing of ourselves and the world.

THE WAY OF JESUS

As a faith community, understand ourselves to be apprentices to the Way of Jesus. We understand that Way to embody these themes:

Story:

Learning God’s story and finding ourselves in it.

Prayer:

Attending with openness to God and the world.

Simplicity:

Decluttering our lives so we can be faithfully present to God and one another.

Discernment:

Reflecting together on what God is up to in our lives and neighborhood using scripture, tradition, and reason.

Reconciliation:

Joining God’s movement to heal and bring people into relationship across differences.

Hospitality:

Opening space in our hearts and lives to give and receive in relationship with neighbors and strangers.

Generosity:

Trusting in God’s abundance and sharing what God has entrusted to us.

Gratitude:

Living lives of thanksgiving for everything God has given us, and breaking bread with others in this spirit.

Who We Are

A neighborhood church with a worldwide community

Members of our community come from Minnesota, the wider US, as well as Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Jamaica, Haiti, Peru, and the Philippines.

Families of all shapes and sizes

We have families with many children, one child, and no children; singles and people who are married but come to church alone. We have straight and gay couples, black and white, young and old, people who are comfortable economically and those who struggle, united by their desire to love God, grow spiritually, and serve others. We believe that the more diverse we become, the more we look like God’s Kingdom or Reign.

A Community that eats together

From weekly Wednesday lunches to Dinner Church, to special celebrations, to cooking for our neighbors, sharing meals together is a very important part of who we are.

Part of our neighborhood

The Saint Anthony Park neighborhood, located close to the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus, is full of graduate students, academics, artists, and people who are intellectually curious and politically involved.

Part of a wider Christian tradition

St. Matthew’s is a part of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, which is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States, which is a part of the global Anglican Communion.

WHAT WE VALUE

Equipping people of all ages to follow Jesus in daily life

We offer our community worship, spiritual practices, faith formation, service, and deep listening.

Commiting to learning more about the future God is bringing forth

We are continually learning how to share the Gospel of hope, new life, and liberation with future generations.

Discerning and Experimenting

We are always trying new things, reflecting on them, and learning through both successes and failures. About Christian Discernment

Developing new leaders

We raise up and mentor both lay and ordained leaders for the wider community and the church.

Loving our neighbors

We value serving the poor and the marginalized by developing two-way relationships of mutual respect, especially focusing on homelessness. Learn more about our ministries.

Worshipping with global traditions

We worship using music and prayers from Anglican communities around the world, in partnership with members of our community who are from these places and cultures.

Finding Us

We are located at 2136 Carter Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Find out more about how to locate us.

Accessibility

The sanctuary is serviced by a lift. We have an accessible, single-user restroom near the lift. The stair-free entrance is on Chelmsford Street near our handicap parking spaces.

Stay in the Loop

Our weekly newsletter, Tidings, features stories from members, reflections from clergy, and weekly announcements. This list is also used to send out podcasts each Saturday afternoon, including the sermon for those unable to come to services on Sunday.

Members wishing to access Church Community Builder, our electronic directory and communication platform, should click here.

OUR STAFF

The Rev. Christopher Rogers (Rector)

The Rev. Vant Washington (Deacon)

MiaLisa McFarland Millares (Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry)

Chris Lilley (Resident for Discipleship and Engagement)

Lars Christensen (Office Manager)

J Michael Compton (Music Director)

Fariba Sanikhatam (Bookkeeper)

 

OUR VESTRY

Rosa Uy (Senior Warden)

Terese Lewis (Junior Warden)

Jake Anderson

Jenny Bach

Michelle Chiezah

Barrett Fisher

Heather Halker

Gwen Odney