Welcome Matthew Jamieson

Sometimes, a prayer is better answered when you ask God to find the best solution and then get out of the way.

For many years, SUM had the good fortune to have a Trustee chair who not only faithfully led the keeping of our endowment and property but also possessed the time and skill to perform many of the duties needed to maintain our large and complex campus. We are blessed to have a fabulous new trustee chair, Gene Esch, who leads the trustee team and possesses maintenance skills. However, that silly complication called “a job” gets in the way of his ability to look after SUM operations' daily care and feeding. What to do?

With a bit of reflection and a lot of prayer, a solution emerged. Praise God. We are thrilled to introduce Matthew Jamieson, who will play a crucial role in the daily care and feeding of SUM operations. Matthew, a member of our Trustee team, is now a paid staff member. He will be our point of contact with repair vendors and will also perform work himself, using his extensive skills and experience. His appointment is a significant step in ensuring the smooth functioning of our large and complex campus.

Matthew’s background, learning, and experience include the Electrical School at New England Tech, twenty-two years with the United States Airforce Connecticut National Guard as an aircraft mechanic and firefighter, carpentry skills from his grandfather, and years working as a ranch hand. He joined the SUM faith community with his confirmation in 1977 and has been involved with us more actively since 2014, starting with ushering and helping with our ministry at South Park Inn. He serves on the Trustees Committee, Safety Team, Usher Team, and the South Park team. His most recent involvement and great joy is as a singer with the Come as You Are (CAYA) worship team.

Matthew inherited his love of volunteering and interest in the many skills he now possesses from his mother’s side of the family, who inspired him to help the Red Cross, participate in mission trips, and volunteer at the Simsbury Fire Department. When he is not at SUM, he can be found at the Theatre Guild of Simsbury building props and working as a stagehand. Matthew’s faith calls him to be actively engaged in the warm, welcoming family atmosphere he calls his church home.

Please join us in welcoming Matthew!

- Pastor Gene, Deacon Deb, & Gene Esch