Who We Are
We are a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island and The Episcopal Church in the United States of America which in turn is a member of the Anglican Communion. These associations link us with 75 million people in more than 31 independent nations. The Anglican Communion is composed of those churches which are historically linked to The Church of England. Our worship is guided by the Book of Common Prayer which sets forth the order of service. Although revised from time to time over the centuries, this order of service has been in use for more than 450 years. Each Sunday we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, a service of Thanksgiving and Communion, which originated with Jesus’s last supper with his disciples. His commandment to them was “do this in remembrance of me” and we, along with Christians throughout the world, have continued to follow his command. In the Eucharist, we read and reflect upon Holy Scripture, offer our prayers and praises to Almighty God and share in the Holy Communion.
The people of this parish represent the diversity of our city. We are multicultural, multiracial, senior citizens and new-born babies; we are married couples, single individuals, and persons in domestic partnerships; we are native-born Americans and immigrants from a host of foreign countries. What we have in common is our desire to share God’s unconditional love and to grow in our own faith.
In addition to worship, our principal activities include, Education, Service, Outreach, and Fellowship within the congregation. Members of the parish participate in organizations such as the Choir, The Altar Guild, the International Club, the Rector’s Guild (Episcopal Church Women), and the Social Concerns Committee. In all that we do we try to be faithful to our parish motto, established long ago: Pro Christo et Ecclesia, For Christ and His Church.
Our Clergy
The Rev. Michael Sniffen was ordained on September 15, 2007. He comes to The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew after serving as Assistant Rector of St. John’s, Lattingtown. He previously served three parishes in the Diocese of Newark as Seminarian, Director of Youth and Family Ministry and Assistant to the Rector.
Heavily influenced by process and liberation theology, Fr. Michael understands the gospel of Jesus Christ to be a prophetic word of freedom, reconciliation and radical welcome in a world fraught with division and oppression.
Asked what the primary work of the church is in our time, Fr. Michael says, “to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and set at liberty all those who are oppressed! This is the essence of Christ’s redeeming work as it is summed up in Luke 4:18-19. The proclamation of this message and the actions that flow from it are the work of the body of Christ in this broken world.”
Among Fr. Michael’s spiritual disciplines are – sailing, theater, music, the Daily Office and the exercise of a good sense of humor!
Fr. Michael holds a B.A. from W.V. Wesleyan College and a Master of Divinity degree from Drew University. He is a candidate for Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies. A member of the American Academy of Religion, Fr. Michael has won awards in Pulpit Oratory and Manner, as well as pastoral leadership and innovative ministry. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Episcopal Response to AIDS.
Fr. Michael and his wife, Joanna live in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn with their two whippets, Millie and Odette (who love off leash time in Prospect Park!)