RECTOR

Robert Fruehwirth was called to be the new rector at St. Matthew’s effective July 28, 2019. He served as Associate Rector at St. Michaels in Raleigh from 2016-2019. Prior to St. Michael’s, he ministered at a parish in Norwich, England while earning a Master’s Degree in Therapeutic Counseling. He was also the Priest Director of of the Julian of Norwich Centre, next to the Julian Shrine, an international pilgrimage site. Before that, he spent 20 years as a monastic in an Episcopalian Religious Order. He is an author with two published books: Words for Silence and The Drawing of this Love: Growing in Faith with Julian of Norwich. His main passion in ministry is formation in prayer and following Jesus, especially as this impels us towards social healing. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife Jane, a Professor of Economics at UNC, and their two children Corinne and Sebastian. He loves poetry, reading, rowing and running, making a joyous noise on the clarinet, and gardening.

ASSOCIATE RECTOR

Lisa Frost-Phillips first came to St. Matthew’s as a parish intern in the ordination process in 1992. She returned as Associate Rector in 2003 and has served in that capacity ever since. She completed her undergraduate studies at Sewanee, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in British History. She received her M. Div. from Duke Divinity School in 1996, graduating summa cum laude, along with a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. She was ordained to the priesthood that same year. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, Dickson and they have three children, Jonathan, Abigail and Emmaline. She enjoys walking, writing, reading and adventure, especially travel to new places. Her main passion is building community- discovering Christ in new and surprising ways through the relationships we cultivate and nurture.

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.

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.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC | ORGANIST

Dr. Wright holds degrees, including the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), and graduate diplomas with distinction in sacred music, organ performance, choral conducting, music education, higher education administration, and liturgical theology. He is an alumnus of East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of South Carolina, Indiana University, and the University of Notre Dame. He is a former organ student of Robert Parkins and Janette Fishell and conducting student of Daniel Bara and Larry Wyatt.

His scholarly work has been published in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, The Choral Journal, and The Journal of the Anglican Association of Musicians. He is a former rostered artist with the Concert Artist Cooperative.

Dr. Wright has held academic appointments at both the primary/secondary and collegiate levels and has served as a church musician for 28 years, primarily within the Episcopal Church. He has presented at American Guild of Organists conferences, served as a choral adjudicator, and guest conducted choirs across the United States.  He is a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, American Choral Directors Association, College Music Society, & the American Guild of Organists, where he is a past Dean.  To learn more about Dr. Wright, please visit his personal website at www.jasonawright.com.

DIRECTOR OF FORMATION

Stephany Lazo joined the staff at St. Matthew’s in August 20222. She came to us with a background in Elementary Education, having served in public schools for the past eight years. She completed her Master’s of School Administration & Supervision at University of Virginia. She is passionate about facilitating children’s growth and exploration of faith, and serving the whole family. She lives in Durham with her husband, William, and their son, Noah. She loves baking, going on family walks, and coffee chats!

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR

Sonja Tilley joined the staff at St. Matthew’s in January 2022. She previously served as Staff Specialist for the Office of the Chaplain and the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies at Duke Divinity School. Sonja completed a Master of Divinity with certification in Christian Education at Duke where she graduated magna cum laude in 2009. After graduation, she served as Director of Christian Education for the Congregation at Duke University Chapel before joining the staff of Duke Divinity School in 2012. Sonja holds undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from Appalachian State University and North Carolina State University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Sonja is married to Wesley, and they have two adult children. She enjoys baking, reading, and spoiling her four cats. She aspires to be a “crazy cat lady” when she grows up.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

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.

SEXTON