St. Matthew’s is blessed to have a staff of warm, caring people to whom this church is important. Each staff member plays a vital part in the life of our church. Whether leading, teaching, directing, informing, or cleaning, these people help us make St. Matthew’s a church that is safe, inviting, and vibrant.
Would you like to talk with Pastor Jinwoo? Do you want to pray with him? Or do you need a pastoral visit? Do NOT hesitate to contact him. “I love visiting and praying with you. I feel that being with you is one of the main reasons God lets me exist today.” – Pastor Jinwoo
Aase (pronounced Osa) keeps our office running smoothly, performing a variety of duties, covering the spectrum, from hospitality to communications, to database maintenance and much more.
My name is Sydney Novais (she/her) and I am your new Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries starting in September 2023! I have a Worship Arts degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and have spent most of the last ten years in youth ministry or music ministry in Tennessee. I am a Midwesterner at heart – I was born and raised in Illinois. I love spending time in the presence of God, especially swinging in a hammock. Looking forward to meeting you all as we grow in faith and walk in love together!
My name is Giuliana Olavarria. I’m from Peru and I’ve lived in Massachusetts for 22 years. I love children and I have 3 beautiful kids myself: Fiorella, Silvana and Diego as well as 3 adorable grandkids, Miranda, Matias and Lorenzo. I’m a mother, grandmother, nanny and teacher, and I’m always around children. I have 22 years of experience as a nanny, and have been working as a teacher at a daycare in Stow for the last 6 years, where I’ve worked with children from 3 to 12 months, with 3-year-olds and right now with 2- year-olds.
Rubens keeps our church clean and safe. While he is mostly working behind the scenes, Rubens is a very important part of our church’s effort to be a welcoming space.
Hi, I’m Abby! I’ve been a sacred musician for most of my life. At age 14, I became the organist for the church where I grew up (in Vermont), and since then, I’ve served as organist, music director, choir director, and/or handbell director in many different churches. Most recently, I spent the last 13 years at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, where I directed an adult bell choir and a children’s handchime choir (and, for 12 of those years, was also the church’s music director). I’m also the chair of the Greater Boston MA/NH region of Area 1, Handbell Musicians of America; this means that I’m in charge of putting together events like the annual MA Spring Ring, in which Bells of St. Matthew’s regularly participates. I’m excited to make music with all of you! I am also always excited to introduce new people to handbells, so if you have ever been curious about playing bells, regardless of your musical background, please let me know!
Kim Ward joined St. Matthews as the accompanist in September 2021, and steps into the position as Music/Choir Director on September 1st, 2023. She began playing the piano at the age of 8 in her hometown, Toronto, Ontario . She started her music education studies at the University of Western Ontario and completed a Bachelor of Music Education and Music Therapy at the University of Kansas. For 10 years, Kim worked as a Music Therapist in a variety of medical and psychiatric facilities. She returned to the world of music education after moving to Massachusetts in 1992. Kim has been the music teacher at Gates School in Acton for 22 years. She is an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in piano performance and also teaches private piano lessons.