YOU'LL FIND OUR VALUES AND PRACTICES IN ACTION
As a community, we align to these values, and actively commit to them in practice.
YOU'LL FIND OUR VALUES AND PRACTICES
IN ACTION
As a community, we align to these values, and actively commit to them in practice.
VALUE:
Story
PRACTICE:
Listening
Listening is a radical act of love and learning. When we listen to the unique story of another person, without the desire to dominate, correct, or manipulate, God leads us into a holy, transformative space. The practice of listening expands our ability to empathize with others and discover that we are connected to God and God’s global human family.
VALUE:
Hands that Care
PRACTICE:
Restoring
There is no person or system too broken for God’s grace and justice to bring restoration. When the Spirit inspires us to practice restoration, we become co-conspirators with God, mending everything that is fractured, misaligned or unjust. God delights when we roll up our sleeves and tend to eco-justice, racial reconciliation, affirming LGBTQIAA+ siblings, eradicating poverty and homelessness, and advocating for the healing of all bodies, minds and spirits.
VALUE:
Welcome
PRACTICE:
Hospitality
Hospitality is more than a smile and a cup of hot coffee. Practicing hospitality is primarily about openness and noticing the face of God in all people. It is a posture rooted and grounded in love. When the Spirit leads us to practice hospitality, we move beyond artificial boundaries and arbitrary walls to cultivate meaningful relationships that are mutual, compassionate and safe.
VALUE:
Cross
PRACTICE:
Dwelling
Christianity’s most radical claim is this: God takes on a human form in Jesus. Both ordinary and extraordinary, Jesus walks, talks, eats, heals, cries, dies and rises not for his sake, but for the sake of the world. Jesus dwells with those who suffer and offers hope to the despairing. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection point to the ridiculous notion that GOD IS WITH US. As followers of the Way, we are called to be present and responsive to the pain of others, dwelling in heartache and celebrating in promise of new life.
VALUE:
Humor
PRACTICE:
Playing
God intends for us to have abundant joy! When we practice play as a community, we find delight in connection, spontaneity, and not taking ourselves too seriously. Just as children discover the intricacies of the world through play, we too are invited to never lose our ability to wonder and create and laugh. We are not perfect, never will be, so let’s not fake it, but rest in the grace of God.
OUR COMMUNITY IS MADE UP OF ALL PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU.
WELCOME
OUR COMMUNITY IS MADE UP OF ALL PEOPLE. REAL PEOPLE,
JUST LIKE YOU.
If you identify as non-binary, trans*, female or male...
Black, Indiginous, Chicana/o, Latinx, African, European, Asian, Arabic, or White...
never stepped foot in a church, if you practice a different religion,
agnostic, atheist, a different brand of Christian, or are a lifelong Lutheran...
gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning or straight…
single, married, divorced, separated, or partnered...
have, or had, addictions, phobias, regrets, or a criminal record...
own your home, rent, live alone or with family, or are unsheltered...
abled, neuro diverse, or a person of differing abilities...
or hold any other identities...
WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE, AS YOU ARE.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU
HELPING TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
STAFF
KACEY HAHN
PASTOR
LIBBY LUCIER
CARE AND CONNECTION COORDINATOR
BOBBI JO CYR
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
AIDE GUTIERREZ
SUMMER LUNCH COORDINATOR
TJ JOHNSTON
FACILITY MANAGER
CARTER TORGESON
MUSIC AND MEDIA CURATOR
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JAEMEE KIM
ACCOMPANIST
ANGEL SWANSON
WEDDING AND FUNERAL COORDINATOR
COUNCIL
Austin Ahlstrom, Cam Barsness, Amanda Bedsaul (President), Kim Browne, David Hackney,
John Megow (Vice-President), Andrew Pickering, Monica Rivera (Secretary) , Haile Yitref,
LEADERS IN MINISTRY
Adopt-a-Family Program
For the last 40 years, St. Matthew’s has partnered with Public Health and Meadow Crest Learning Center to provide gifts and food for over 55 families. Members of the St. Matthew’s community provide resources to support local families.
Contacts: Barb Connor, Diane Penoyer-Hanratty, Judy Craig, and Julie Johnston
Click here to ask for more info!
Adult Senior Group
The Adult Senior group (older aging adults) meet for occasional field trips to restaurants, museums, baking company’s and many more fun adventures. All are welcome to join in the fun!
Contact: Pat Lee
Click here to ask for more info!
After School Program
St. Matthew’s offers a robust Afterschool Program for McKnight Middle School students. Students can participate in free tutoring, interactive cooking classes, video games, arts and crafts, outdoor games, and enrichment activities. The After School program will resume in the fall of 2022.
Contact: Debbie Bathurst, Jocelyn Hernandez
Click here to ask for more info!
Building and Grounds Team
The campus of St. Matthew’s is lovingly cared for by a group of volunteers who tend to the building and grounds as an act of stewardship. Always looking for more people to help!
Contact: TJ Johnson, Ken Gunderson, Jim Diffendorfer
Click here to ask for more info!
Can Do Group
The Can Do Group gathers weekly on the St. Matthew’s campus. They sew quilts and matching hats and booties. These items, along with gently used or new baby clothes for babies newborn to 1 year old, are included in a beautiful layette package. Completed layettes are given to the King County Renton/ Kent Public Health Dept. for distribution to their clients.
Contacts: Kathy Carris, Laura Lines
Click here to ask for more info!
Church Finances Team
Treasurer: Leighton Lien | Financial Secretary: Jacki Kirklin
Click here to ask for more info!
Family Fellowship Team
A faithful group of parents that plan quarterly fellowship events for families with young children. Parents and children come together and form important Christ-centered relationships with one another while praying and playing together.
Team Members: Antoinetta Breitenfeldt, Jacki Marx, Marlene Myers, and Jon Vander Meulen.
Contact: Bobbi Cyr
Click here to ask for more info!
Music and Arts
St. Matthew’s welcomes all musicians to create and be supported in their artistic endeavors. Whether one wants to ring handbells, sing in a chorale, or jam in the band, there is a musical outlet for it. We boast a wide variety of skills and talents in our musical ensembles with space for all to express and grow. With multiple outdoor events, Holy Day services, and online meetings, there are many ways in which to engage in music-making. We are constantly striving to better ourselves and broaden our horizons with new music and old favorites. There are also opportunities for drama, writing and liturgical art!
Contact: Carter Torgeson
Click here to ask for more info!
Justice and Mercy Team
The Justice and Mercy Team works together to take positive action and raise awareness, standing in loving support, and inspiring change in people’s hearts, social norms and laws that resolve injustices for those in our community.
Contact: Laura Colasurdo
Click here to ask for more info!
Panera Bread Ministry
Once a week, several volunteers pick up bread and baked goods from the local Panera restaurant. These items are dropped off at St. Matthew’s to be sorted, bagged and distributed to local retirement communities and the local senior center.
Contacts: Liz and Dave Close
Click here to ask for more info!
Renton Meal Coalition
St. Matthew’s offers volunteer support to the Renton Meal Coalition on the last Sunday of each month from 4:30pm-7:00pm, providing help with set-up, serving and clean-up for those in need of a hot meal. Volunteers are always greatly appreciated!
Contact: Myrriah Hayden
Click here to ask for more info!
SMART Team
St. Matthew’s Anti-Racism Team, SMART, was formed to help fight against racism. Working with an understanding that anti-racism is God’s work, as a team we make change by listening to our siblings of color and actively speaking out against racism in ourselves, within our church body and in our communities.
Contacts: Sarah Hauer, Lauren Porter
Click here to ask for more info!
Spiritual Care Companion Ministers
This dedicated group of people are equipped and dedicated to hear, in confidence, your experience of pain, trauma and grief with support, confidence and non-judgment. Call the church office for a referral!
Contacts: Pastor Kacey Hahn
Click here to ask for more info!
Stewardship Team
Stewardship is a joyful journey that brings us closer to who God is calling all of us to be – stewards of God’s gifts every day! The Stewardship Team helps to tell the stories of how God’s generosity flows through St. Matthew’s and
out to the greater Renton community.
Contact: Greg McDole, Dana Rollison
Click here to ask for more info!
Transitions Group
The Transitions Group meets once a month on a Saturday morning to discuss life transitions, share resources and offer support to one another.
Contact: Marissa Singleton
Click here to ask for more info!
Youth Detention Center Worship
Three times a year St. Matthew’s leads a bible study and worship for youth at the King County Detention Center.
Coordinator: Chimene Lautenslager
Click here to ask for more info!
Youth Leadership Team
The Youth Leadership Team provides valuable insight and feedback to adult leaders and is instrumental in generating ideas for encouraging other teens to be involved in youth group and the life of the church. The team is involved in choosing discussion topics, helping plan and lead activities, retreats and the events that we do throughout the year. Our goal is to empower our youth to be leaders in the church and to take those skills with them into the world.
Contact: Bobbi Cyr
Click here to ask for more info!
CONNECT for More Information on Ministries
We'd love to connect you with the ministry team(s) you have an interest in!
Send a message here and share about your interest.
