ABOUT

St. Matthew's
Episcopal Church

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.
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Pace Family
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

@SPS2021-2880 (1)

Music Director

Jayne Kacik
Jayne Kacik serves as the dedicated Music Director of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Brecksville, Ohio, where she has made a significant impact on the congregation's musical journey. 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.
Jayne's musical journey began with 10 years of piano lessons during her youth. She further honed her skills and knowledge at The University of Toledo, where she earned a B.A. in Music with an emphasis on vocal and piano performance. In addition to her music degree, Jayne holds a teaching degree and has an impressive 25-year career teaching K-8 music. Her extensive background also includes many years of teaching piano, music-directing numerous musicals, and performing in both musical theater and straight plays.
As a multi-talented musician, Jayne plays both the piano and organ, with the piano being her favorite instrument. 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 rooted in the belief that music has the power to connect people through worship and shared experiences. She strives to offer a wide variety of music at St. Matthew's, ranging from traditional hymns to contemporary Christian music, and even incorporating songs from other genres that carry messages of love, faith, strength, and acceptance. By providing this diverse musical repertoire, Jayne aims to bring the congregation together, allowing each individual to find a personal connection to the music and, through it, to their 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.
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Our Mission

Through God We...

Live by Faith

Serve Generously

Love Unconditionally

Welcome All

Learn More

Our Beliefs

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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.

leadership gift

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.