ONE NEW DEACON and TWO NEW STAFF at St. Matthew’s!
ONE NEW DEACON!
Many of you remember Kate Wisz. She was a diocesan intern here in the last year of Covid, discerning a vocation to the diaconate. In the years since then, Kate was ordained to the diaconate and served at St. Luke’s in Durham. It is to the delight of everyone who knew Kate that she is now returning to St. Matthew’s in a permanent assignment as our parish deacon! Deacons serve in parishes at the direction of the Bishop. Their primary ministry is to lead the parish into ministry in the community around us and to represent the needs of the community to the parish. Significant also, and symbolic of this role, Kate will serve liturgically on Sundays — proclaiming the Gospel, leading our prayers and calling us to confession, setting the Eucharistic table and sending us out into mission in the World. Kate’s first Sunday will be August 18.
TWO NEW STAFF!
St. Matthew’s has also hired Jane Hamborsky to be our new financial administrator, following Sara Brewer’s retirement. A celebration of Sara will be had on August 18 at the coffee hour at 9am. To make a gift of gratitude to Sara for her careful administration of our finances over many years, please bring or mail in a check with Sara Brewer in the memo line.
Some months ago Pelham Jacobs alerted us that, after his many years serving at St. Matthew’s as our Sexton and Groundskeeper, he now thought it wise to retire. Many of you will remember our tree-planting and celebration of Pelham’s 20 years of service in May of 2023. Starting August 1, Adam Hege has joined our staff as our Sexton, combining responsibilities in cleaning the buildings, maintaining the facilities, and caring for our extensive churchyard and grounds.
To learn more about Kate, Jane, and Adam, please read their introductions below.
Kate Wisz
Hello St. Matthew’s! My name is Kate Wisz. I use she, her, ella pronouns, and I am filled with joy to be joining you as your parish vocational deacon!
Vocational deacons typically have full-time jobs and serve a parish and their ministry in and around that remunerative work. That is the case for me. I am an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration.
I became an Episcopalian when I married and have been a member of Christ Church and St. Michael’s in Raleigh, where I live. As part of my discernment process, I served as a diocesan intern here at St. Matthew's in 2021. I was ordained to the diaconate in January 2023 and most recently served the parish of St. Luke's in Durham. My call includes raising visibility and service to women who have experienced loss, transgender youth, and expanding awareness of spiritual practices, like yoga and labyrinths, that help us strengthen our relationship with the Divine. I am currently enrolled as a student working toward a Doctorate of Educational Ministry with a focus on Christian Spirituality at the Virginia Theological Seminary.
My spouse, David, and I just celebrated our 28th anniversary, we have three young adult children, and a menagerie of animals. When we are not working we are avid readers and movers. I look forward to all that is to come at St. Matthew’s.
Jane Hamborsky
Jane Hamborsky began her professional career as a clarinetist working in New York City playing mainly chamber music. Then she became a portrait photographer as well. In 1981 she moved to Carrboro, NC where she was able to continue both careers. In 1996 Jane was singing in The Chapel of the Cross choir and became the bookkeeper for the church and later worked at the Diocese of North Carolina in Raleigh. Her next move was to become accountant of The Chapel Hill Tennis Club followed by opening her own concierge accounting business with a diverse business clientele. Her hobbies have included bicycling, sailing and tennis and currently, core strength for seniors and chair yoga! Jane moved to Hillsborough in 2016 with her partner Caroline and two Wheaten Terriers.
Adam Hege
Hello!
My name is Adam Shamil Pike Hege. I am going to be your new Sexton so I would like to briefly introduce myself. I was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina into a devout Episcopalian family. My grandfather on my mothers side was the Bishop of North Carolina Rev. Robert Carol Johnson Jr. Growing up my older brother and I would sometimes go on Sunday visitations to the different churches in Central North Carolina. I even remember visiting Saint Matthew’s with him! From a young age I was a person of great faith and belief but my beliefs and convictions led me away from the church and with the help of my grandfather I eventually came to study and accept the faith of Islam and have been a Muslim for 11 years now. But because of my history the Episcopal church has always had a soft spot in my heart and I am looking forward to helping maintain one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the state.
I have been working since I was about 15 years old and have held many different positions. I have been a lifeguard, a landscaper, a brick mason, a construction worker, a barista, a coffee roaster, a butcher, a tea master and owner of a tea shop, and have worked in several grocery stores as a supervisor and sales manager. I have become a jack of all trades in my working life! I hope to use all my knowledge and experience to help keep the church and all the grounds running smoothly and looking as beautiful as ever. I look forward to getting to know the parishioners and working with you all to make and keep this a space that is welcoming and functional and beautiful for many years to come. As salama- Peace be with you