Dearest Friends in Christ,

With excitement and enthusiasm, the Vestry and Search Committee announce that Rev. Sarah Mato has accepted our call to be the 16th Rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Sarah's joy, energy, enthusiasm, and experience were just a few of her many gifts that drew us to her. In addition, her ideas for growth, passion for music, and ability to engage our lay leadership were exceptional. Truly, she started her ministry to St. Andrew's the moment the Search Committee and Vestry met her as she actively engaged in providing pastoral care and guidance. Rev. Sarah has ten years of experience in parish ministry and served as both a rector of a pastoral size church, bridge priest, and associate rector of a program size parish. She is currently Associate Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Hingham. As a seminarian, she served in various roles in Tennessee including but not limited to: Hospital Chaplain, with a focus on Geriatric Psychiatry; Peer Formation Leader and Guest Lecturer. Educated at Sewanee: The University of the South, School of Theology, she has a Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), Certificate in Spirituality, and she is currently working on her Doctorate in Ministry in Liturgy. She also studied at the Conservatory of Music at Capital University, and is a classically trained soprano. As an active member of the Diocese of Massachusetts, she serves on the Commission on Ministry, the Bishop Search/Nominating Committee, Racial Justice/Commission on Ministry Task Force, and is the Supervisor to the coordinator for the Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative. Prior to ordained ministry, Sarah was a public-school teacher at Canal Winchester Schools, Canal Winchester, OH for 3rd and 4th grades. Sarah+ is well known and respected in the Diocese of Massachusetts, a relationship that we are sure will continue here at St. Andrew's!

We look forward to welcoming Rev. Sarah and her two children to St. Andrew's, Framingham, and Metrowest Boston in the coming months. The Wardens and Rev. Sarah are currently working on this next step in our transition, and we are forming a Transition Committee to assist Rev. Sarah as she gets acquainted with us and the surrounding community. Rev. Sarah is interested in being active in the surrounding community in which she serves, whether that be ecumenical/interfaith relations or attending school and other community functions. In Sarah's own words: “…I am a disciple of the living God made known in Christ Jesus, and I love serving as a priest in God’s Church. I am a student of Jesus’s teaching. I am committed to growth in the way of love to which God calls each of us. I am a pastor who puts relationships first and am committed to courageous ministry for the sake of the Gospel.“

In the coming weeks, we will say a formal "thank you" to the Search Committee during our Sunday Morning Service followed by a festive Coffee Hour to celebrate their hard work for the past two years.

With gratitude to the Holy Spirit working through us all in the search process and keeping us grounded in our time of transition, we look forward to the future of St. Andrew's and the ministries we will share with Rev. Mato in the coming years!

In the Ministry of Christ together,

The Members of the Search Committee: Sarah Larson, Paul Isaacs, Rob Adamson, Judy Artley, Paul Bamberg, Patty DerGarabedian, Cathy Molkenbur-Newman, Steve Symes, and under the guidance of our Diocese Search Consultant Elinor Horner

The Members of the Vestry, Tom Buie, Brian Fanous, Elisabeth Bassett, Sam Tyler, Steve Symes, Diane Kaskon, Carol Esbig, Colin Bryan, Amelia Prentice, and Colin Edgar

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From Rev. Sarah Mato

Hello St. Andrew’s! Grace and peace to you in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ!

I am writing to you with great joy and anticipation as I prepare to join you as your new rector. It is with a heart full of gratitude and excitement that I embark on this new chapter in our ministry together, and I am eager to begin our journey in faith and service with you.

From the moment I first learned of St. Andrew’s Church, I have felt a profound sense of calling to be a part of your vibrant and dedicated community. Your commitment to worship, outreach, and spiritual growth is truly inspiring, and I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to and grow alongside you.

I am passionate about nurturing a deeper understanding of God’s word together, fostering meaningful connections, and reaching out to the wider community with the love of Christ. I look forward to getting to know each of you, hearing your stories, and working together to discern God’s vision for our church.

I am particularly excited about the prospect of celebrating the sacraments with you and supporting your spiritual journeys. Together and with God’s grace to guide us, we will strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to share their gifts.

As we prepare for our time together, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the vestry and search committee for their diligent work and prayerful discernment throughout this process. I am also deeply grateful for the warm welcome my children and I have already received and am looking forward to building strong and lasting relationships with each member of this congregation.

Please join me in prayer as we embark on this new season of mutual ministry. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit, united in our purpose, and filled with the grace and peace of our Savior Jesus Christ.

With joyful anticipation, Sarah+