We Are Fellow Travelers On
Your Journey Of Faith
St. Matthew’s is an inclusive, caring, affirming and growing community of faith. We welcome you just as God created you.
Stephanie (third from right) with her family.
Our Clergy
The Rev. Stephanie Pace
Stephanie grew up in the Azores, Japan and Brazil, speaking Portuguese, French and Japanese in addition to English. She learned Spanish as an adult and is fluent in that language as well. She graduated from Queens College, Charlotte, NC, with a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics.
After marrying Hugh, they lived in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina and Mexico, for 23 years, where she learned Spanish and worked in Marketing and Finance. During 1993, Stephanie entered the San Andres Episcopal Seminary, Mexico City, and completed all studies to attain MDiv (Master of Divinity) and STM (Master of Sacred Theology) degrees. She was ordained an Episcopal Deacon April 1998, and an Episcopal Priest October 1998, in Mexico City.
The path of Stephanie’s ministry:
- Professor of theology, San Andres Episcopal Seminary, Mexico City 1997 – 1999
- Associate Rector, Christ Church, Mexico City 1998 - 1999
- Associate Priest, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Akron, OH 1999 - 2001
- Rector, New Life Episcopal Church, Uniontown, OH 2001 - 2007
- Rector, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Trion, GA 2007 - 2010
- Rector, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Brecksville, OH 2010 - Present
Stephanie’s hobbies include travel, bridge, sewing, reading, and exercise (Zumba, yoga, Pilates). She and Hugh have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Staff
Deacon
Rebecca Barger
Rebecca grew up in Akron, OH, with her parents and two older sisters. After high school graduation, she completed a 3-year certification program of study in the field of Radiation Therapy Technology. She worked as a technologist for over 14 years in Akron, Cleveland, and St. Louis, Missouri.
She is married to Philip Barger, an Adult Congenital Heart Cardiologist, and they have a daughter, Sarah. They have lived in Cleveland, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri, and Houston, Texas. In 2009, they returned to St. Louis where, in 2010, Rebecca began her discernment process for the diaconate. She was ordained on November 21, 2014, by the Rt. Rev. G. Wayne Smith. Rebecca served as deacon at St. Francis’ Episcopal Church in Eureka, MO, for 6 ½ years. In August of 2019, Rebecca was also appointed Archdeacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and served under the leaderships of Bishop Smith, and The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson. Her husband’s work would lead them back to their beloved native state, and in June of 2021, Rebecca resigned her positions in the Diocese of Missouri and her family relocated to the Cleveland area the following August. Since then, she had visited several area parishes and thereafter, began attending regularly at St. Matthew’s in Brecksville. After meeting with The Rt. Rev. Anne Jolly and submitting Letters Dimissory, Rebecca now serves as deacon at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Brecksville.
Worship Leader
Dave McBee
Dave McBee, who grew up on North Hill in Akron, Ohio, has dedicated his life to serving others through his role as a deacon in the Episcopal Church. He was ordained at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on May 27th, 2020, marking the beginning of his formal ministry as a deacon.
A proud graduate of the University of Akron, Dave has furthered his pastoral education by completing six units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. This comprehensive training has enhanced his ability to provide spiritual care and support to those in need.
Dave, who has been happily married to his wife Cindy for 24 years, was drawn to the diaconate through his deep passion for service. He views the role of a deacon as a vital bridge between the church and the world, bringing the needs of the community back to the church while inspiring and encouraging the faithful to respond to those needs and live out their baptismal vows.
One of the aspects of his ministry that brings him the most joy is serving at the Lord's table alongside bishops, priests, and fellow deacons. His commitment to service and his understanding of the diaconal role exemplifies the true spirit of servant leadership in the church community.
Music Director
Jayne Kacik
Jayne Kacik serves as our Music Director. With a total of 10 years at St. Matthew's—7 years during her first tenure and now approaching 3 years in her current role—Jayne brings a wealth of experience and passion to her position. Music is critical to worship at St. Matthew's, as it inclines our hearts to God in ways that other forms cannot accomplish.
Jayne's love of music began in her childhood, when she had 10 years of piano lessons. She earned a B.A. in Music at The University of Toledo with an emphasis on vocal and piano performance. In addition to her music degree, Jayne holds a teaching degree and spent 25 years teaching K-8 music. Her extensive background also includes years of teaching piano, music-directing numerous musicals, and performing in both musical theater and plays.
Jayne plays both the piano and organ for St. Matthew's. Her personal musical tastes are diverse, encompassing a love for Broadway and classical music, as well as a fondness for the music of the 1970s.
Jayne's philosophy on church music is that music creates a shared experience during worship, which connects the congregation to each other and to God. In keeping with our familiar and informal style of worship, she offers a wide variety of music, ranging from traditional hymns to contemporary Christian music, and even incorporating songs from other genres that carry messages of love, faith, strength, and acceptance. Through this diversity, Jayne aims to bring the congregation together and also allows each of us to feel a personal connection to the music and, through it, to our faith.
Under Jayne's direction, the music at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church continues to be a vital and enriching part of the worship experience, fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth among its members.
Our Mission
Through God We...
Live by Faith
Serve Generously
Love Unconditionally
Welcome All
Our Beliefs
We believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We believe that leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
