When the Very Rev. David Thurlow, Rector of St. Matthias, Summerton, reflects on the new facilities the church is about to dedicate, he says, “It’s really an investment in the future of the Kingdom of God. We did this not only to allow the ministry to use (the buildings) but to enable multi-generational ministry for families. We’ve got something for everyone.““We had been like a potted plant,” continues Thurlow. “We were living and growing, but in order to grow more we needed to be replanted in a bigger pot. We’re now allowing our roots to go deeper and we can spread out.”
The process began several years ago when the vestry entered a season of prayer for the future. “We looked at where we wanted to be," says Thurlow. “Our season of prayer was really a time of asking where we believed the Lord was calling us.”
Afterward they met with Bishop Salmon for guidance, completed a needs assessment and began a capital campaign. The five-year capital campaign, called "Opening Doors," was designed by Ann Hester Willis. Colossians 4:3, "Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ," was the basis for the campaign. "We're still in need of money," says Thurlow, "But a lot of members gave at a sacrificial level."
Drak Drakeford, a member of Holy Comforter, Sumter, a former standing committee member and architect, was contracted to design the buildings. Construction began on November 30, 2010.
The property has gone from about 3,800 square feet to 10,000. They’ve added a 2,500 sq. ft parish hall and ministry center. Where they once had a very small nursery and Sunday School room they’ve added a nursery and toddler area, Sunday school rooms for children, a youth group room and an adult Sunday School room. They’ve also added a large modern commercial kitchen and renovated their Montessori preschool classroom. The main church building remains unchanged.
“Though it’s not part of the physical renovations, I’d also like to note that we’ve been blessed with a volunteer youth worker, Julia Carter,” says Thurlow. “We’d been praying for a youth worker and Carter, who’d already done youth ministry in the Diocese, just ‘happened’ to move to our area to teach High School Science. Having her as a volunteer youth minister is a real answer to prayer. “
Bishop Mark Lawrence will join the parish family of St. Matthias, on Sunday, September 25 at 3 p.m. for a service dedicating their new facilities. All are welcome.
