St. Matthews United Methodist Church is a part a worldwide denomination known as the United Methodist Church. St. Matts is one of many United Methodist congregations in the San Antonio area and around the world. We are made stronger by our connection with other churches through our missions and ministries.

Our faith is guided by Scripture, tradition, experience and reason. We believe that each of us is called to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley, put it plainly, "Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." This spirit is alive and well at St. Matts.

Worship is a vital part of the St Matthews experience. The pastor, lay leaders, music staff, Praise Band and choir are dedicated to leading meaningful and uplifting worship experiences. Our regular worship services are at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:10 AM every Sunday morning, and 6:30 PM each Wednesday. You will find the people who attend to be down-home Texas friendly. Dress is traditional to casual, whatever is comfortable to you.

Embracing our Methodist heritage, we affirm God's claim upon our lives and actively invest our hearts, minds and resources to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. We respect diversity of belief. In this spirit, we want to be a place where people can explore and expand their spiritual lives, striving to make God's love visible in this world.

Staff

Rev. Larry Shores, Pastor

Larry Shores is a 1975 graduate of St. Paul School of Theology and has served in 11 churches over this 35+ years of ministry. He and his wife, Kathy Diehl-Shores, come to St. Matthew's from Faith UMC in Austin. Larry is the author of A Breath of Fresh Air: Reviving Worship in the Local Church and participates in the Walk to Emmaus training for Christian leaders. Read more from Larry in his blog: The Widow's Mite

Chris Baxter Director of Youth Ministries

Chris came to St. Matthew’s UMC after nearly four years at Windcrest UMC. He is married to Marie and they have two sons, Sully and Silas, who were born five years apart on April 9 (Sully in ’97 and Silas in ’02.) Before becoming a United Methodist youth director, he was a house parent with his wife at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in the Texas panhandle. They spent six years at the group home facility serving as parental units for up to 14 teenaged boys in a home setting. He was a sports writer at the Ventura County Star in southern California for four years in the early 1990s where he covered professional and high school sports. He was born and raised in Tulsa, OK where he developed a love for things crimson and hatred for things burnt orange. (Read that: OU and Texas.) He loves talking about Jesus with youth, adults, children, whoever and loves reading God’s Word. He also loves playing sports and watching the Sooners, Steelers, Yankees and Spurs.

Susan Shaw-Meadow Director of Christian Education and Family Ministries

Susan has been happily involved with education in the church for 20 years. Beginning as a volunteer when her own children were young, and now as church staff, she is particularly sensitive to the challenges parents face in raising children today. Susan is passionate about the church as a place of welcome for all kinds of families and children, and works hard to express this in everything we do here at St. Matt's. Our interactive Bible Times Marketplace in July was a wonderful example. Susan gets very excited when she sees the love of Jesus taking root and growing in people of all ages. Most often, you'll find her sitting on the floor telling a story to a group of children.

David Cain Director of Music

David received a Bachelors of Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton and a Masters of Music Education from holy Names university in Oakland CA.David possesses an All-Level Music Teaching Certificate from TX and CA. David is married to Kathleen, two children: Robert and Ashley

Hermy Rudloff Business Administrator

Herminia (Hermy) Rudloff came to St. Matts in 2002 bringing several decades of experience in church finance and business administration. She is a native Texan, is married to Pat. Her family is filled with two children and two grandchildren. Her hobbies are: singing, playing guitar, gardening, and bird house construction.

Patricia Wilson Church Secretary

Pat came to St. Matthew's in 2007 from BAMC.  She is from Mobile, Alabama but has lived in the San Antonio area since 1965.  She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a BA in Business Management.  She has many years experience in church secretarial and finance as well as 48 years experience as a church organist and music director.  She is married to Doug and has two sons and one grandson.  Her hobbies incluse baking, sewing and music - playing piano and singing.

Mark Reichman Contemporary Music Leader

Irwin Witebsky Oganist

Irwin was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has had a varied career as composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, organist, keyboardist and teacher. He has composed music for the stage, films, television, commercials, record albums, churches and synagogues. He is a former conductor of the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Company and many other theaters throughout the nation. He was conductor-arranger for many celebrities including Florence Henderson and Shari Lewis. In addition to being organist-pianist here at St. Matthew’s, he accompanies the USAA Chorus, the San Antonio Lutheran Chorale, and many other choirs in San Antonio. He teaches piano in his home studio.

Martha Harwood Director of St. Matthew's Day School

Martha Harwood came to St. Matthew's as a teacher of 4 year olds in 1987 and during her 20 year employment became the Director. She loves to watch the children's eyes light up as they learn to become independent. Martha and her husband Tom have raised three children and has lived in San Antonio for 33 years.