At St. Matthew, ALL of our ministries, missions, groups, and activities are open to ALL people in the community.
No matter
who you are,
where you’ve come from,
where you’re going,
whom you love,
your beliefs,
your doubts or questions,
your skin color,
your abilities and limitations,
your skills,
your education level,
your religious affiliation,
your political views,
your gender identity,
your socioeconomic status,
your age,
your citizenship status,
or
your personal history,
God loves you. You are welcome here!
Lay Ministries within St. Matthew
Local Missions of Love to the Community
St. Matthew has always been proud of its music program. Everyone is invited to join--you don't even need to know how to read music! If you're interested, we will teach you to ring or sign!
Note: Our music groups are currently on summer hiatus, but some are meeting infrequently. Please contact each director for more information. Most rehearsals will resume the week of Labor Day. In the meantime, w
e’re inviting individuals and small groups to offer music during worship on the 2nd through 4th Sundays of June, July, and August. If you sing, play an instrument, or know someone who would like to participate, please email Ben Shafer at ben@stmatthewmesa.org. We’d love to feature a variety of voices and talents this summer!Sanctuary Choir is open to 9th graders through adults. We are an SATB choir singing (typically) modern church choral music with occasional classical pieces. We rehearse at 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays during the school year.
Contact our director, Ben Shafer, if you're interested!
Bells of Joy handbell choir is open to all ages. We are a 5-octave choir currently ringing with 3+ octaves, and we're always looking for new ringers--no experience necessary! We rehearse at 7:00 p.m. Thursdays during the school year.
Contact our director, Anne Kelley, for more information. Come join the fun!
Hands of Praise youth sign language choir is open to all hearing, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing youth and children age 7 through high school. As a group, we perform to pre-recorded music using ASL signs. We'll teach you!
Ask our director, Rosemary Glithero, if you have questions. We'd love to learn with you!
If you have musical talent you'd like to share, but you can't commit to weekly rehearsals (or you're not a vocalist),
please reach out to Ben Shafer, our Director of Music; he'll find a place for you! We always love to hear soloists and ensembles!
St. Matthew UMC provides Christ-centered learning activities for children aged 4-11 years old. Special fellowship opportunities are available for youth aged 12-18. All youth and children are welcome to join us in a judgment-free environment where doubts can be expressed openly and questions are celebrated! Contact Tonia for more information.
In addition to fellowship, youth at St. Matthew are encouraged to participate in the music program, in our community ministries (such as food boxes or missions), in Bible studies, and in any other work area to help further the ministries of the church.
Sunday School is offered for youth and children each week during our regular Sunday service. Children are invited to sit in the pews with a parent or guardian, then leave with their class for Sunday School after the Children's Moment.
Baptism and Confirmation - Children or youth interested in being baptized, and youth interested in being confirmed (taking classes and formally joining the church), may
talk to Tonia or
to Pastor Ann to ask questions and learn more about the process.
Hands of Praise youth sign language choir is open to all hearing, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing youth and children age 7 through high school. As a group, we perform to pre-recorded music using ASL signs. We'll teach you!
Ask our director, Rosemary Glithero, if you have questions. We'd love to learn with you!
Girl Scouts - St. Matthew has been proud for many years to support a multi-age-level Girl Scout troop that meets on our campus weekly. Girls learn leadership and life skills through earning badges, performing acts of service, camping, going on summer trips, and (of course!) selling cookies. If you want to add excitement and adventure to your life, just ask
our troop leader and we'll hook you up!
Summer camps - St. Matthew is part of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference, which is blessed to have two camps: Mingus Mountain (north of Prescott Valley) and Potosi Pines (southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada). Children and youth from St. Matthew and their friends may go to either camp. Register soon--our camps fill up fast! (Financial assistance may be available; please contact Tonia or Pastor Ann.)
Mingus 2025 summer camps
Potosi Pines 2025 summer camps
Thursday Morning Study with Pastor Ann
Pastor Ann will continue the 9:30 Thursday morning study at St. Matthew UMC. The first two weeks, July 3 and July 10, will be less “Bible study” and more a devotional with a chance to get to know your pastor. Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be served.
Beginning on July 17, the study will be “Purveyors of Awe” and will coordinate with the worship series that will begin on July 20. Workbooks for this study will be handed out on July 17, which will be an introductory session.
United Women in Faith
(formerly United Methodist Women)
The United Women in Faith (previously known as UMW) is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
Our vision is to turn faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.
Membership in United Women in Faith is open to all women. We are a Christian organization that welcomes spiritual women of all faiths.
If you have questions or would like more information,
ask our UWF contact, or check out our
UWF webpage. We'd love to have you join us!
Monthly Mission Focus
One way that St. Matthew tries to help our neighbors is through collecting supplies for organizations in our own neighborhood. Each month, we focus on a group outside the church. This year, we plan to assist
(January) Habitat for Humanity, through collecting funds and donating our time and energy;
(February) Family Promise, through providing shelter and meals;
(March) through collecting coats and jackets;
(April) Helen's Hope Chest and Justa Center, by collecting Bibles/Bible story books and funds;
(May-June) Washington School (our neighborhood elementary school), through collecting school supplies;
(July) the City of Mesa Hydration Campaign, by collecting bottled water;
(August-September) the 9/11 Day of Service, through collecting clothing and non-perishable food;
(October) Family Promise, through providing shelter and meals;
(November) Washington School, by collecting pies to be given away to students;
(December) Washington School, through Angel Tree gifts; and the St. Matthew Food Box ministry, by collecting food
Donated items can be brought to the church Sunday mornings or dropped off in the office during the week. Clothing and food is always appreciated, even if they aren't the focus of the month.
Thank you for your generous, ongoing support!
“...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...”
—Matthew 25:35 NRSV