Pastor William S. Carter
Our Vision Statement guides and shapes our ministry together:
"St. Matthew Lutheran Church is a worshiping congregation, challenged by God to be an inviting community, and to serve others through our Christian faith and resources."
The roots of this congregation go back to 1885 when it was organized in Collinsville, Connecticut, as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew -- a community of faith for the many German people who settled in the area. During this time the ministry drew on the strengths and vision of those founding families and faithful pastors who served them. This first chapter in the life of St. Matthew drew to a close in the late 1950s, due to a flood that changed the landscape and map of Collinsville. The vision and faithfulness of those families and their pastor moved the congregation to Avon in the early 1960s with great hope for the future.
The second chapter began as St. Matthew took root in Avon. A stable community of surrounding towns in the Farmington Valley now related to Hartford as growing suburbs. Faithful people and pastors continued to serve, lead and support of the growing congregation. The sanctuary building was dedicated in September of 1963, and an education and fellowship wing was added in 1970. Pastor Carter came to St. Matthew in 1984. The intern program began in 1986. We added our Casavant Pipe Organ in 1987. Pastor Sinibaldo came in 2003. A renewed spirit drew us into a capital campaign and building project titled "VISION FOR GROWTH." As this chapter ended, a new century awaited the ministry and witness of being the church in this place.
We are now on the other side of VISION FOR GROWTH, in the third chapter of our congregation’s life. In five years we added a second pastor, updated our constitution (placing greater emphasis on lay ministry), began use of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book, built and/or reconfigured all our spaces outside the sanctuary, creating the Gathering Space, Hall of the Evangelists, Youth Rooms, new restrooms and parking spaces. With the excitement and participation of VISION FOR GROWTH, we started imagining ourselves as a renewed, vibrant, and growing congregation. God’s vision for this ministry has led St. Matthew since 1885. As we look forward, the future is open.