General Info

St. Matthew's Online News & information for members of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in in CovingtonTN St. Matthew's is a congregation of the Episcopal Church, which is part of the Body of Christ throughout the world, the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. "Episcopal" means "having bishops." Just as the early Church had "overseers, " (epi-scopoi) we have bishops who provide for spiritual leadership, direction and oversight. We live our life together under the doctrine, discipline, and worship of an ancient tradition of Christians, and we are related to the Church of England and are a part of the 76 million member world wide Anglican Communion. Our worship is liturgical, that is, it follows ancient forms, involving the whole congregation but using modern language. Consisting of scripture, hymns, sermon, prayer, and celebration of the Holy Eucharist (also called Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Mass), our worship involves everyone. And, that is what "liturgy" means: the work of the people. Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to share Bread and Wine which he called his Body and Blood, in remembrance of his death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me, " and so we do as he commanded, celebrating together the Holy Communion each Sunday. We are part of The Diocese of West Tennessee, a judiciary division (like a synod, presbytery or conference) headed by a bishop who lives in Memphis.