2026 Spring Recap - Discipleship at St. Matthew

Discovery, growth, and engagement in our faith in Jesus Christ take place throughout the year at St. Matthew in many ways. We often do ministry together through prayer and in love for one another and our community. We grow through fellowship, discover the richness of our faith through worship and education, and engage our neighbors in the Farmington Valley and greater Hartford area through service. In short, we are disciples at St. Matthew—becoming disciples and making disciples together.

This past winter and spring, our community gathered in many meaningful ways. St. Matthew’s Women’s and Men’s groups continued to meet monthly, with the women gathering on the second Tuesday and the men meeting for breakfast on the third Saturday. Weekly Coffee Hour after worship remained a cornerstone of fellowship, supported by the dedicated Fellowship Team. We also began our Refreshing Our Sacred Space capital campaign with three events to introduce the upcoming sanctuary refresh project. These events were hosted by the capital campaign committee, the sanctuary refresh design committee, the fellowship committee, the women’s fellowship and the men’s group. Thank you to everyone who made these events possible this spring!

Our worship and prayer life offered many opportunities to deepen faith. During Advent, we held midweek contemplative prayer services and welcomed Rev. Nathan Pipho, Bishop of the New England Synod, to preach and lead an Adult Forum discussion. Children shared the Christmas story through a pageant, and our celebration culminated in three Christmas Eve services.

As winter began to show tiny signs of spring, the busyness of the season and the pace of the world invited us to slow down. Midweek contemplative gatherings in the sanctuary provided space to rest, reflect, and recenter on God’s peace. This intentional pause prepared us for the season of Lent.

Lent began with Ash Wednesday, including our tradition of offering drive-through ashes as a way to connect with our neighbors. This was followed by a full worship service in the sanctuary, where we gathered in humility and remembrance that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Throughout Lent, we observed a rhythm of midweek Holden Evening Prayer services and an adult confirmation class, engaging in the ancient practice of catechesis and reflection on our Lutheran faith.

Our Confirmation students participated in the ancient tradition of catechesis through ConfirCamp at Camp Calumet, where they studied the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. They also took on leadership roles in worship as lectors, ushers, and communion assistants, gaining a deeper understanding of how worship is a shared, community effort.

As Easter approached, Palm Sunday was marked by a dramatized reading of the Passion story led by high school students and a well-attended Palm Sunday Breakfast prepared by the Fellowship Team. We also hosted our fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt, welcoming around 40 children and their families for a day of food, activities, storytelling and of course: hunting for eggs.

On Maundy Thursday, we shared a soup supper and celebrated Holy Communion. On Good Friday, we gathered in solemn reflection at the cross. Then, on Easter Sunday, we celebrated the Resurrection with joyful festival services filled with music, color, and praise.

Adult Forum offered engaging learning opportunities throughout the season. We heard from Bishop Pipho about the New England Synod, Rev. David Rinas on global mission work in Honduras, Pastor William Carter on the Gospel of John, Rev. Sara Anderson on Camp Calumet, and Michael Kelly Blanchard on memory and music, alongside teachings from our own pastoral staff.

Our Outreach Committee remained active, supporting both local and global partners. Collections were gathered for organizations including Hands on Hartford, Grace Lutheran Church, and Helping Haitian Children, reflecting our ongoing commitment to serve beyond our walls.

As spring flowers began blooming, we celebrated several meaningful milestones.  First Communion was held for six of our younger members and we confirmed three of our middle school aged members this year. We also marked a major transition to worshipping in the Hall of the Evangelists as CORE Construction begins work in the sanctuary. Adult Forum concluded with a special guest speaker, the Rev. Jenna Olson-Popp and with a presentation on Pastor Brian’s winter trip to Honduras with Bishop Pipho. We look forward to some summer community-building events like the church picnic (June 14), high school graduate recognition (June 14), and outdoor worship opportunities on July 5 and September 6.

From Advent to Lent—from Winter to Spring—we continue to live as disciples at St. Matthew. Through gathering, learning, and serving, we discover, grow, and engage our faith together. All that we do is grounded in our shared calling to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.