Committee Corner
Committee Corner
Welcome to Committee Corner! It’s a new feature in our weekly newsletter where we share what our committees are up to—what they do, the projects they’re working on, and the decisions they make to help our church thrive. This webpage will include all past and present articles to maintain a rich catalog of service opportunities at the church!
Contents
Leadership (8/15/25)
Mission & Outreach (1/16/26)
Nominations (9/26/25)
Staff-Parish Relations (9/12/25)
Trustees (8/15/25)
Worship (8/22/25)
(Not yet featured: Communications, Finance)
Mission & Outreach (1/16/26)
Nominations (9/26/25)
Staff-Parish Relations (9/12/25)
Trustees (8/15/25)
Worship (8/22/25)
(Not yet featured: Communications, Finance)
From the weekly email 9/5/25:
This week’s spotlight is on the Leadership Council.
The Leadership Council looks at the big picture, making decisions about the vision and mission of the church. How do we live out our mission faithfully as United Methodists? How do we reach new people? And, most recently, how do we best organize the administrative work of St. Matthew UMC so the church can focus on mission?
Leadership Council, chaired by Sue Edman, has the overall responsibility for the administrative workings of St. Matthew UMC. This is the committee that hears from the three other administrative committees, Finance, Trustees, and SPRC. Leadership votes to set the budget that Finance is then charged with funding and overseeing.
Want to Get Involved?
Leadership meets on the fourth Thursday of most months at 5:30 p.m., and minutes of the meetings are available in the narthex for anyone who wants to learn more. The meetings are open—everyone is welcome to hear and be part of the discussion before the committee votes. If you're interested, or even just curious, come to a Leadership meeting to get a sense of what we do and how everything functions.
As we prepare for our annual Church Conference, the church is looking for people to serve on Leadership as well as the other committees of the church. If you feel called to be part of our important work, reach out to Pastor Ann, Sue Edman, or a member of the Nominations Committee (Maureen D, Susan T, Sherry T, June H, Judie F, Jan M, Natalie W, or Al M). Your unique voice may be just what our Leadership Council needs to hear!
From the weekly email 1/16/26:
On Monday, January 12, the Mission and Outreach Committee met to talk with our various mission teams to see what their needs and their plans are for 2026. You can watch Mission Moment from Sunday, January 18 (starting at 0:58:30), when we described opportunities for you to be involved in the near future.
East Valley Men's Center Lunches
A dedicated group of volunteers make 96 sack lunches every other week. These lunches are important for the men living at the Center and working but who would not be able to afford buying lunch out. Each sack lunch contains two sandwiches, chips, and dessert. Because the menu is set, donated foods do not help, but donated money does, so they can purchase what is needed.
A dedicated group of volunteers make 96 sack lunches every other week. These lunches are important for the men living at the Center and working but who would not be able to afford buying lunch out. Each sack lunch contains two sandwiches, chips, and dessert. Because the menu is set, donated foods do not help, but donated money does, so they can purchase what is needed.
Family Promise
St. Matthew UMC hosts Family Promise for a week twice a year. This involves setting up beds and doing laundry, providing dinner, as well as breakfast to go, providing showers, etc. It takes a lot of volunteers to make the food, serve the meals, clean up, and at least two people every night to sleep over with our guests. The next week is coming up in March so watch for your chance to help.
St. Matthew UMC hosts Family Promise for a week twice a year. This involves setting up beds and doing laundry, providing dinner, as well as breakfast to go, providing showers, etc. It takes a lot of volunteers to make the food, serve the meals, clean up, and at least two people every night to sleep over with our guests. The next week is coming up in March so watch for your chance to help.
Food Boxes
Every other Saturday, a dedicated team hands out food boxes to anyone who comes for one. Unlike many food programs, there are no requirements to receive assistance, which is important because when people are hungry, we don’t want red tape to get in the way of feeding people. But this program is much more than handing out boxes. Every week, food is purchased, delivered, sorted, and stored. And then the boxes have to be filled, all before Saturday morning’s distribution. All in all, in any given month, there are volunteers working on the food box ministry more days than not. The Food Box ministry can use your food donations, as well as money. And a happy surprise: The Food Box ministry is proud to announce that it was awarded a $2000 grant from the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries!
Every other Saturday, a dedicated team hands out food boxes to anyone who comes for one. Unlike many food programs, there are no requirements to receive assistance, which is important because when people are hungry, we don’t want red tape to get in the way of feeding people. But this program is much more than handing out boxes. Every week, food is purchased, delivered, sorted, and stored. And then the boxes have to be filled, all before Saturday morning’s distribution. All in all, in any given month, there are volunteers working on the food box ministry more days than not. The Food Box ministry can use your food donations, as well as money. And a happy surprise: The Food Box ministry is proud to announce that it was awarded a $2000 grant from the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries!
After hearing from all of the teams, the Committee also set the monthly mission/outreach priorities for 2026, which includes traditional ministries like the angel tree at Christmas and pies at Thanksgiving, as well as some new programs. You can see the complete list here or on the bulletin board outside the office.
Want to Get Involved?
The Mission and Outreach Committee is in need of a grant writer! Costs continue to go up. All our outreach programs find themselves in need of funding. Grants are a great way to supplement donations, like the grant our Food Box program has from the Latter-day Saints’ Bishop’s Storehouse and the new grant from GBGM. Finding new grants takes time, as does filling out the paperwork. The volunteers who are running these programs are already busy. If you have skills as a grant writer, or are willing to learn about grant writing, contact Carol C, Greg B, or the office.
And, of course, we're always happy to have new people join us to help plan and organize! If you feel called to this humbling, rewarding, and blessed ministry, please contact Virginia H, Greg B, or Pastor Ann.
From the weekly email 9/26/25:
This week’s spotlight is on the Nominations Committee.
The Nominations and Leadership Development Committee met on Sunday, September 21, to begin its work of preparing for our upcoming Church Conference in November. At that conference, the congregation will vote on nominees for leadership positions across the life of the church.
“THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW; THEREFORE ASK THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST.” —Matthew 9:37-38
Every committee of the church has openings to be filled this year, as they always do. These include the required committees—Finance, Trustees, Staff-Parish Relations (SPRC), Leadership Team, and Nominations itself—as well as vital ministry areas such as Communications, Worship, and Missions & Outreach.
The work of the Nominations Committee is more than just filling slots on a chart. As described in ¶258.1 of The Book of Discipline, this team prayerfully discerns how God is calling people to serve, seeking to match the gifts of the Spirit within our congregation with the needs of our church’s ministries.
In the weeks ahead, you may be contacted by a member of the committee. If so, please receive this as an invitation to prayerfully consider where God may be calling you to lead. Serving on a committee is not only a responsibility—it is also an opportunity to grow in faith, to shape the future of our church, and to join with others in living out our mission.
As the committee continues its work, we ask for your prayers:
“Lord, send us the leaders we need for the church you are calling us to be.”
Want to Get Involved?
If you already feel called to serve in some way—whether on an administrative committee or in a ministry area like Worship, Missions & Outreach, or Communications—we encourage you to reach out to Pastor Ann or any member of the committee to share that sense of call. Whether or not you are officially a member of the church, you are invited and welcome to serve on our committees!
From the weekly email 9/12/25:
This week’s spotlight is on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC).
The SPRC, or Staff-Parish Relations Committee, is the HR department for St. Matthew. It is one of the administrative committees under Paragraph 258 of the Book of Discipline. The first duty of SPRC is “To encourage, strengthen, nurture, support and respect the pastor(s) and staff and their family(s).” We’re also the committee that determines appropriate staffing for the congregation to fulfill its mission and ministry and then hires the staff. We help people discern whether they might be called to ordained ministry or lay ministry. We also do evaluations on staff and clergy, set salaries and benefits, write job descriptions, and consult on work-life balance, health and wellness, and spiritual renewal for the ministers and staff…and more. Whew!
Yes. It can be a lot. (You can find the full list of the duties of SPRC in the Book of Discipline, paragraph 258.2(g).) Because of the nature of the work of SPRC, their meetings are closed meetings and much of what they do (in fact almost all of it) is confidential, for obvious reasons. Accordingly, you will rarely see updates from this committee.
An Important Reminder from SPRC
As part of its work, SPRC is expected to “identify and clarify its values for ministry. It shall engage in biblical and theological reflections on the mission of the church, the primary task and ministries of the local church.” At their September meeting, the Committee noted that one of our values is that everyone in the congregation is a minister. Not everyone is ordained, but all are called to share the good news of Jesus. And at St. Matthew that includes how we welcome and respond to everyone we meet, especially if they are new. Scripture teaches us that we are to love our neighbor and that everyone is our neighbor. Accordingly, SPRC reminds us that how we greet and respond to others reflects Christ’s love and is an expression of who we are as St. Matthew UMC. So, let’s remember to be welcoming and friendly to old friends, new friends, and even “soon to be” friends!
Pastor Appreciation Month Coming in October
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
(as determined by Hallmark, near as we can tell). BUT many people do take the opportunity to let their pastor know how much she or he means to them.
As we have a new pastor, Pastor Ann is not expecting a huge Pastor Appreciation outpouring (but wearing your name tags and coming to the potluck to welcome her and the new members of St. Matthew after worship on September 28 will go a long way to showing her appreciation!). But she did suggest that it would be great if people wanted to show OTHER pastors some appreciation. If you have been blessed by a pastor, perhaps on your vacation or time away from the heat, send them a note or a card to let them know that you were blessed by them.
Another important pastor who is often overlooked during Pastor Appreciation Month is our District Superintendent, Rev. Melissa Rynders. Rev. Rynders has been very supportive of St. Matthew UMC, so let’s shower her with cards! You can bring your cards to worship, or to the church office during the week, and we will shower her with our appreciation and good wishes.
Want to Get Involved?
As we prepare for our annual Church Conference, we are looking for people to serve on SPRC, as well as the other committees of the church. Because of the nature of the work of SPRC, the Book of Discipline limits terms to three years. The current schedule has SPRC meeting on the second Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. (but that may be subject to change). If you feel called to be part of their important work, reach out to the pastor, Mike Morrow (SPRC chair), or a member of the Nominations Committee.
From the weekly email 8/15/25:
This week’s spotlight is on our Board of Trustees.
The Trustees have the important responsibility of caring for all church property—both real and personal. In practical terms, that means keeping our buildings in good repair, making sure maintenance happens in a timely way, and ensuring our church’s assets are well-protected. Chaired by Denny B*, the Trustees usually meet on the first Saturday of each month.
Why the Board of Trustees Matters
The Trustees care for our church’s physical home so that all who come here—members, guests, and neighbors—find a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space to encounter God and each other.
The Trustees care for our church’s physical home so that all who come here—members, guests, and neighbors—find a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space to encounter God and each other.
Campus Improvements
• The new church sign has been purchased and will be installed once temperatures drop.
• Plans to improve sanctuary lighting are moving forward, despite delays caused by the bankruptcy of our original contractor.
• The new church sign has been purchased and will be installed once temperatures drop.
• Plans to improve sanctuary lighting are moving forward, despite delays caused by the bankruptcy of our original contractor.
Playground Vision
Our Trustees believe our facilities should reflect our values. Right now, the playground doesn’t show the love we have for children. Plans are being explored to update and improve the playground so church families and neighbors alike can see how much we value and welcome children.
Our Trustees believe our facilities should reflect our values. Right now, the playground doesn’t show the love we have for children. Plans are being explored to update and improve the playground so church families and neighbors alike can see how much we value and welcome children.
Accessibility Matters
Each year, the Trustees conduct an accessibility audit to ensure nothing on our campus creates a barrier to community or to knowing God. They welcome suggestions for making our spaces more accessible and welcoming to all. Let us know if you have ideas!
Each year, the Trustees conduct an accessibility audit to ensure nothing on our campus creates a barrier to community or to knowing God. They welcome suggestions for making our spaces more accessible and welcoming to all. Let us know if you have ideas!
Protecting Our Campus
Unfortunately, vandalism has been an issue in recent months, with incidents ranging from damaged equipment to air conditioners being shut off. Trustees are exploring ways to better protect our property, including lighting, security cameras, and improved locks and gates. If you notice vandalism, please let the church office know right away so repairs can be made promptly.
Unfortunately, vandalism has been an issue in recent months, with incidents ranging from damaged equipment to air conditioners being shut off. Trustees are exploring ways to better protect our property, including lighting, security cameras, and improved locks and gates. If you notice vandalism, please let the church office know right away so repairs can be made promptly.
Want to Get Involved?
The Trustees’ work is essential to our ministry. If you’d like to help care for and improve our church home, please speak with Denny* or Pastor Ann. The Nominations season is beginning, and we are seeking new members to begin serving on January 1, 2026!
*Updated January 2026; this is the new Head Trustee
From the weekly email 8/22/25:
This week’s spotlight is on the Worship Committee.
It takes a lot of people to bring worship to St. Matthew UMC. While the pastor and the music are perhaps the most visible, without the Worship Committee it wouldn’t happen (or would be a very different experience!). Members of the Worship Committee take care of the sound booth, make sure the pews are properly supplied and neat for service, prepare communion elements, and make sure our altar and our worship space reflects our joy in worshipping God. More than a dozen people, with Robin W as chair, do this work as well as coordinate the additional volunteers--without whom we could not have online worship, the greeters, ushers, and communion servers.
“I am so blessed by the Worship Committee and knowing that they have it covered and that I can count on them to make worship happen. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to focus on what I do,” says Pastor Ann.
Want to Get Involved?
We need additional assistance in the Tech Booth. If you have computer skills and think you would like to assist, stop by the booth and talk with Bill and Elaine S. In addition to Sunday worship, we need people to serve in the Tech Booth for funerals and memorial services, as well as during weddings or other special events that might be held in the Sanctuary, and this extra work is compensated.
Worship Committee is always looking for more people who want to serve as ushers, greeters, Communion servers, or liturgists. If you are willing to be an usher, see Tom or Karen A. To be a greeter, talk with Nellie A or Suvasini M. Nellie also coordinates our Communion servers. To be a liturgist, contact Pastor Ann directly.
If you have an artistic, floral, or crafty flair and would like to join the Flower Power team or help Pastor Ann plan worship decorating or altarscaping (creating decorative and artistic altars to match a worship series), you can talk to Ann or the Flower Power team: Pam B, Lindy S, and Wendy H.
Finally, the Nominations season is beginning, and we are seeking new faces to help with this important work. You do not need to be a member of the church to serve on the Worship Committee. If you might be interested, just let us know!
Page updated 1/23/26
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