Author: Jim Charlier
Trinity Episcopal Church, 374 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, announces the arrival of their new rector after an extensive, two-year search. Rev. Matthew Lincoln, and wife Catherine, arrived in Buffalo from New Haven, CT and are settling into their new Irving Street home. Rev. Matt is a 1991 graduate of the General Theological Seminary in New York City.
Since arriving, they’ve been exploring the city – often by bike – enjoying events like the BPO concert on Bidwell Parkway and Garden Walk Buffalo.
Rev. Matt is an accomplished musician and photographer. He plays jazz bass, penny whistle and a variety of folk instruments. In his previous position, he played acoustic bass guitar in the St. John’s Hot Five jazz band. As an artist, Matt is passionate about photography. With their two children off to college, Matt and Catherine were ready – and eager – to move to an urban/metropolitan area where they could apply their talents.
Through his years as a priest, he has discovered more and more ways in which the visual arts can play a significant role in one’s connection to God and the life of a worshiping community. He particularly enjoys working with others collaboratively to incorporate the visual arts into a congregation’s spiritual practices and worship.
Catherine, a graduate of Smith College with a degree in music, grew up in Asheville, NC where she attended another downtown church named Trinity! In the summer of 1983 she studied at Trinity College, Oxford, and while there, she saw the original William Holman Hunt’s “The Light of the World” at Keble College. She is thrilled that this painting was the inspiration for one of Trinity Buffalo’s famous windows, as this is one of her favorite works of art. Catherine loves gardening, choral singing, Pilates, hiking, and traveling. She looks forward to finding a nonprofit sector position in the area where she can use her skills to support a great cause.
Rev. Matt states, “I have learned that Trinity is more than a vision of what the Church could be. It is the Church being and becoming what we are called to be. Trinity is a warm, dynamic community that gathers around the holy table to feed each other’s souls and encourage each other in carrying that spiritual nurture into places where it is needed in your daily lives. Furthermore, Catherine and I were able to experience Trinity’s warmth and inspiring music and worship first hand one snowy Sunday in February when we slipped into the pews as “mystery worshipers.” We loved our visit, and were sorry that we could only be anonymous visitors that day. I wanted to shout “Yes!” as the sunlight poured through the Transfiguration window over the altar, but I realized that could get awkward, so instead, I did my best to blend in. Catherine and I are very eager to make ourselves a new home in this vibrant city.”
Rev. Matt will be celebrating his first service at Trinity Buffalo this Sunday, August 2, 10:30 a.m. in the outside courtyard, weather permitting. The Trinity community invites everyone to join them for this event.
Trinity is a metropolitan house of prayer, welcoming everyone, in an inclusive atmosphere,and offering radical hospitality, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. We hope you’ll join us.