Leadership Council
leadership@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Emily O’Brian
Lay Leader: Maya Powers

The leadership council plays a central role in the life of a church and is tasked with envisioning, planning, implementing, and annually evaluating the church's mission and ministry. The council is made up of the committee chairs, certain church staff, and several lay members. In its role as the administrative agency of the charge conference, the council ensures that all aspects of the church’s work are aligned with its larger vision and fosters alignment and communication between committees.

Nominations and Leadership Development Committee
kmcpherson@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Kurt McPherson

The primary role of the nominations and leadership development committee is to identify and nominate leaders for key positions within the church. As part of this, the committee helps to develop future leaders to ensure the continued success of the church. This committee monitors vacancies in church leadership and works with the church council to identify qualified candidates to fill those roles. It can also recommend the creation of new leadership positions as needed.

Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committee
pprc@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Beth Murphy

The pastor/staff-parish relations committee (PPRC) serves as a liaison between the congregation, pastor, and other church staff. PPRC provides emotional and spiritual support for all church staff and collaborates with the pastor to develop job descriptions, fill new staff positions, conduct background checks, and offer annual evaluations of all employees. Additionally, the committee recommends salaries and other compensation for church staff. In churches with a parsonage, PPRC approves renovations and improvements. The committee may also recommend individuals for candidacy in ministry and advise the pastor or district superintendent regarding clergy appointments.

Board of Trustees
trustees@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Drake Moyd

The board of trustees oversees all property and physical assets of the church. This includes ensuring the church and parsonage properties are well-maintained, managing insurance coverage and claims, receiving and administering any bequests of physical assets to the church, and monitoring endowments, investments, and/or trusts on behalf of the church and its congregation. The trustees are also responsible for church signage and accessibility.

Finance Committee
finance@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Jim Shew

The finance committee serves as the steward of a congregation’s financial resources. While the board of trustees manages the church’s physical property, the finance committee oversees all other financial assets. Key responsibilities include: proposing an annual budget for approval by the church council; tracking and recording all financial contributions and transactions; ensuring proper distribution of funds according to budget; establishing and reviewing financial policies to maintain transparency and accountability; arranging for an annual audit to be shared with the annual conference; and recommending additional fund allocations for specific purposes after budget approval, subject to church council approval.

Worship Committee
worship@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Katy Sides

The worship committee assists the pastor in preparing and coordinating various aspects of both the contemporary and traditional worship services. A significant focus is coordinating volunteers for altar set-up, greeter roles, usher roles, acolytes, communion helpers, and sanctuary decoration. The committee also helps plan special services for holy days throughout the year. In conjunction with the pastor and music leaders, this committee helps facilitate God-centered worship experiences for the congregation.

Fellowship Committee 
bbagwell@stmatthewumc.net, jyoung@stmatthewumc.net
Co-Chairs: Bridgette Bagwell and Jessica Young

This committee is responsible for coordinating fellowship opportunities to allow for continued, intentional deepening of relationships among congregation members. Fellowship and communion with fellow Christians help strengthen our faith and allow us to support each other as a church family. Events include the Oyster Roast (spring) and Adult Social (fall) along with other small events throughout the year.

Missions Committee
missions@stmatthewumc.net
Co-Chairs: Bridgette Bagwell and Jessica Young

The missions committee creates and connects the congregation to opportunities to be in service at home, in our community, and throughout the world. Meaningful mission projects allow our congregation members opportunities to use their gifts to help others – to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Key responsibilities include: identifying needs and coordinating service projects; educating and motivating the congregation about missions; distributing missions funds, including those raised from the pumpkin patch; and evaluating and reporting to the congregation on the benefits of mission outreach.

Church and Society Committee
churchandsociety@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Beckie Cormey

The church and society committee is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Goals include: relating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Church, communities, and the world in which they live; bringing the whole of human life into conformity with the will of God; and showing that reconciliation involves personal, social and civic righteousness.

Congregational Care Team (CCT)
congregationalcare@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Betty Davis

Congregational Care Team (CCT) focuses on connecting with and meeting the needs of congregational members when life’s challenges arise. This team ensures home-bound members stay informed about the activities of the church, connects with members following surgery or during times of sickness or health struggles, and generally supports the needs of church members.

Preschool Board
chair.preschool@stmatthewumc.net
Chair: Bonnie Lynch

St. Matthew UMC has a wonderful preschool program serving children from 2K through 4K. The preschool board works to ensure continued collaboration of the church with the preschool to further the church’s outreach mission. The board is responsible for defining the mission and goals of the preschool and supporting the preschool director and staff in achieving these.