About Me – Matthew Emery

What I Do

Pastor & Congregational Leader

Served on the pastoral staff of local congregations in Connecticut, Illinois, and the Washington DC area. As of April 2021, I have begun a journey as the Lead Minister of Cloverdale United Church in Surrey, British Columbia. This follows a 10 year tenure as Senior Minister and head-of-staff of the Storrs Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, located in Storrs, Connecticut (immediately adjacent to the main campus of the University of Connecticut). I have also served on the pastoral staff of congregations in northern Illinois and the metro-Washington-DC area.

Preacher, Public Speaker, & Teacher

Thoughtful, engaging, and theologically-grounded preacher, with more than 15 years of pulpit experience (including 10 years of weekly preaching). Experienced as a panelist and public speaker. Leader of educational opportunities and series on such topics as Bible 101, White Privilege and Racial Justice, Holy Communion, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship, Reformation and church history, the Bible and LGBTQ+ affirmation, and more.

Engaged Leader & Collaborator

Active with wider church, community, and global concerns. Experience leading judicatory committees (committee on ministry, nominating) and wider church event planning projects. Engaged with local community groups in interfaith relations, racial justice, and university student ministries.

Worship Crafter & Musician

Attentive crafter of public worship and liturgy, rooted in the ecumenical liturgical traditions and familiar with a denominationally-diverse wealth of worship practices, liturgies, and resources (United Church, Presbyterian/Reformed, Lutheran, Episcopal/Anglican, etc.). Designer of quality worship aids (service leaflets/bulletins) and skilled music engraver. Self-confessed church music "geek". Experienced choral singer in both sacred and secular/community ensembles.

Testimonials

Rev. Emery is an excellent leader who has a clear sense of vision and a road map for how to achieve this vision. He is particularly gifted at thinking in terms of systems and processes. As a minister he is also a very steady and consistent presence, direct, appropriate, kind, empathetic, intuitive and confident. Rev. Emery can be counted on to respond to challenges and crises with a level head, and decisive action. He is also creative in his approach to programming, flexible as a co-worker, and competent in fields that go beyond ministry training.

Rev. Nancy McLaren

minister and colleague

A master when it comes to organizing and leading worship. Our Sunday Service is carefully crafted in such a way that from Gathering to Sending, each section flows from one to the other with meaning and cohesion, including the hymns and anthems. ... Matt is also extremely organized and very capable and productive when it comes to working with staff, budgets, committees, and lay ministry and governing leaders. ... One elderly gentleman who was a pillar of our church for over 50 years with many pastors, once commented that “Pastor Matt is the best visitation minister we have ever had.” ... Matt has served our congregation with grace, intelligence, compassion and diligence.

Jamie Lang-Rodean

church member and lay leader

My overall opinion of Pastor Emery is that he is a wonderful minister who has strengths in all aspects of ministry. He is energetic yet thoughtful, socially concerned yet faith-filled, pastorally oriented yet polity oriented, a strong preacher yet a caring shepherd. Any congregation that he joins will be blessed by his presence.

Bill Ross

church member and lay leader