The Reverend Nancy Baillie Strong

Scholarship for Excellence

A Special Announcement.

Each year Saint Matthew's Parish presents scholarships to students among us who are continuing their education. By agreement of the Parish Vestry, our scholarship has been named now in honor of Mother Nancy Strong, Rector of this church from 2000 to 2019. Mother Nancy will be coming this summer on a date to be named to present the awards to this year's scholarship recipients. We are delighted to welcome Mother Nancy back in support of these young people who are building their future and ours.

Home Eucharists this Summer

This summer why not invite family, friends and neighbors over to your home for an evening celebration of the Eucharist and a summer get-together? This could happen on a Thursday or Sunday evening of your choice between the beginning of July and the end of the second week of August. Bringing the faith home is a great way to invite others to renew their own relationship to Christ. Many might be more comfortable in a home setting with loved ones than perhaps at church. And you will enjoy the blessing of the celebration of Eucharist in your own place. So, bring Jesus home this summer. Just chat with Father John to set up a date and time!

Photo by Samantha Borges on Unsplash

Silent Retreat at the Society of Saint Margaret's

Duxbury MA | September 23-25, 2022

How about a weekend of quiet and prayer? When was the last time, if ever? Saint Matthew's is offering a silent retreat weekend with the Sisters of Saint Margaret in Duxbury. One of the Sisters of Saint Margaret will act as leader. Accommodations are available for 14 persons in all. Just one space remains available now. If you are interested, please contact Charlotte Townsend as soon as possible by calling or texting to 508.887.1016 or email to [email protected]. Cost is $193 per person. A 50% deposit of $96.50 is required now. Checks should be made out to the St. Matthew's Discretionary Fund and mailed to the church office (695 Southbridge Street, Worcester MA 01610). Act now!

Summer Evenings at the Rectory- every Wednesday

Summer cookouts at the rectory continue each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm through August 13. There will be hotdogs and hamburgers and you can add any of your favorites. Come and meet the Matthean Canines Mercy and Lego and have a sweet evening together.

Here is the liturgical bulletin for Sunday worship this week!

Sunday July 3 at Saint Matthew's

Good Worship Takes Preparation

Read this Sunday's Lessons Here

To help you think about Sunday's Lessons

Rector's Corner

The potential of freedom

“Give me yourself, O my God, give yourself back to me. Lo, I love you, but if my love is too mean, let me love more passionately. I cannot gauge my love, nor know how far it fails, how much more love I need for my life to set its course straight into your arms, never swerving until hidden in the covert of your face. This alone I know, that without you all to me is misery, woe outside myself and woe within, and all wealth but penury, if it is not my God.”

~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, (254-430)

Photo by Leon Bredella on Unsplash

"America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens."

~ George W. Bush,

43rd President of the United States of America

News from our Diocese of Western Massachusetts

2022 Appalachian Trail

Mini-Mission Day Trip; Interested? Let Fr John or a Vestry member know.

June - August 2022

Sheffield, MA

Begun in 2018 as a shared ministry of two Sheffield churches, First Congregational Church, UCC and Christ Trinity Church (Episcopal and Lutheran), Mini-Mission Trip ‘Trail Magic” is back and we’re inviting you to share it with us.

We have all the supplies, we’ll guide the set up and clean up, we’ll even bring most of the day’s food. You simply pick a day, bring 4-5 people and a $75-$100 Big Y gift card, sit in the shade, grill, visit and create a corner of kindness in the world. It’s the easiest, most rewarding, least expensive, most volunteer inclusive mini-mission trip you’ll ever do!

Our 2022 Appalachian Trail Ministry will run from June 20st – August 13th. Mini-Mission Day Trips will occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the season.

For more information, or to register for a 2022 Mini-Mission Day Trip please contact Rev. Jill Graham at [email protected].

Read below Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's statement on June 24 on the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, overturning Roe v. Wade.

BIshop Michael Curry's June 24 statement

The Reverend Nancy Baillie Strong

Home Eucharists this Summer

Visit us on the web at stmatthewsworcester.org