“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

After 70 years of faithful service to the Arlington community, the congregation of St. Matthew’s has prayerfully voted to move forward with the process of Holy Closure. While this decision carries deep grief, we also recognize it as a season of hope, gratitude, and possibility.

The Holy Closure Process

  • Grieve.

    The closing of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church is not simply the ending of a building, but the closing of a chapter filled with baptisms, weddings, funerals, worship, and fellowship. We grieve together, for grief is a holy act of naming what has been lost.

    Lament and Prayer: We join the psalmist in saying, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

    Naming the Memories: Remember the altar where we knelt, the hymns we sang, and the community that surrounded us.

    Walking with One Another: Pastors, family, and one another provide comfort in this time. It is okay to feel sorrow and to take time to process.

    Resources for Grief:

    ELCA Resource on Holy Closure

    Psalm 23 and John 14 for personal prayer

    As Paul reminds us, “We do not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We carry both grief and hope together.

  • Prepare.

    Even as we grieve, we prepare with gratitude for the legacy of St. Matthew’s. Your faithful stewardship ensures that ministry continues far beyond our walls.

    Legacy Gifts: Already, $500,000 has been given as a legacy gift to bless God’s mission in our wider community. The Legacy Gift Committee is now reconvening to discern another $1 million in gifts. Suggestions will be received until September 7, and our congregation will vote on this gift on September 28.

    Future Giving: Another round of legacy giving will follow. In addition, the Property Committee will begin sorting through St. Matthew’s physical items, ensuring sacred objects and resources find new homes where they can continue to serve God’s people.

    Scripture reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Our treasure continues to serve Christ, even as we prepare to scatter like seeds into new places of growth.

    Resources for Preparation:

    ELCA Congregational Vitality resources on transitions

    Legacy Giving & Endowment resources from the ELCA Foundation

  • Rejoice.

    As people of the resurrection, we do not stay in grief. We rejoice, trusting that God is doing a new thing among us.

    Exploring New Faith Families: Closure is also a sending. We are encouraged to meet and explore new congregations where the Spirit is alive. Consider visiting:

    St. John’s Lutheran Church

    Progressive Spirit UCC

    St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea Lutheran Church

    St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

    Trinity Lutheran Church

    Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

    A Future Filled with Hope: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God is already ahead of us, preparing new relationships, new mission opportunities, and new communities of faith where we will belong.

    Rejoicing in Legacy and Future: Together, we celebrate the ways St. Matthew’s story will live on—through the legacy gifts, through the sacred items entrusted to others, and through each member finding a new spiritual home.

    We will also host a final celebration in format of our Holy Closure service mid-November. Date tbd.

    Resources for Rejoicing:

    ELCA “Where Next?” resources for members in transition

    Congregational directories and local ecumenical partners

ELCA Resources

Communication Archive

Throughout the Holy Closure process, we will send out a series of communications and save them here for your review.