Rev. Michael Sniffen Will Soon Say Farewell To The Church Of St. Luke And St. Matthew

Reverend Michael Sniffen (back row) with the local artists who created works for the 2015 Stations of the Cross exhibit. (Photo by Heather Chin / Fort Greene Focus)

The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew will be getting new leadership as of October 19, as Reverend Michael Sniffen has been tapped to lead a new ministry as Dean of the Cathedral of Incarnation in Long Island.

Sniffen has been with St. Luke and St. Matthew for five years, during which time he led the congregation through “

He also opened the church doors to community groups and voices of all backgrounds and perspectives, providing everything from a safe space for town halls on police-community relations to an exhibit hall for artwork of the Stations of the Cross created by local artists.

In a letter posted on the church’s Facebook page, Sniffen described these years as “the greatest privilege of my ministry.”

Dear Friends in Christ,

I write to tell you that my time as Rector of The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew will end on October 18th. We have shared five Spirit-filled years together and I am full of gratitude. It would be an understatement to say that I have loved serving as your Rector. It has been the greatest privilege of my ministry.

I am leaving Clinton Hill to take up a new ministry as Dean of The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City beginning on November 1st, All Saint’s Day. The Cathedral serves as the seat of the Bishop of Long Island and as a spiritual home for everyone in the Diocese alongside the Cathedral congregation. I am excited to meet the Cathedral congregation and to share with the Bishop in Christ’s ministry there.

I will miss you and I will not forget you. We have lived the Christian life together over these past five years. We have experienced gentle breezes and fierce whirlwinds. Earthquake, fire and flood (literally!). We have shared great joy and sadness. We have inspired others through struggles, victories and defeats. We have been holy companions to each another. Through it all, God has been with us.

I will be forever grateful for all that you have taught me about what it means to be a servant of God and a good neighbor. You have been patient, kind, courageous, generous and faithful during a time of growth and change.

You are a strong congregation – an inspiration to many and to me. I will no longer be your local pastor, but I will be Dean of your Cathedral and I look forward to welcoming you to Garden City for special occasions and festivals in the months and years ahead.

May God grant you all the grace, courage, energy and strength you need for the continuing journey.

Your brother in Christ,

A new rector has not yet been appointed for the church.