Staff
Rector: The Revd. Frank Impicciche
Fr. Frank has been the priest at St. Matthew's since January 2016. He came to St. Matthew's after serving in a bi-vocational setting as the Vicar of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Martinsville, Indiana while also serving as a certified Chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor. He has provided ministry in the healthcare setting for over 20 years.
In July 2018, Fr. Frank left the healthcare setting and became full-time at St. Matthew's.
Fr. Frank enjoys working collaboratively with congregations to challenge, envision and discern their gifts to be used for serving God in the world. He believes that the work of the church is to develop disciples who go out into the world living out their vocations and God-given gifts to the best of their abilities. At St. Matthew's, Fr. Frank works with the vestry (governing and visioning board) and staff in developing a vision for our work together.
Fr. Frank has served as the Co-Chair of the Commission on Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, the governing Board of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, and is currently serving on the Executive Committee for the Diocese.
Fr. Frank is married to Susan Wolf. His daughter, Clare, is a graduate of Marian University and is employed in Indianapolis. They enjoy the company of their two cats, Delilah and Gallagher. He loves to travel and is a life-long drummer.
One of his favorite stories in the Bible is the call of Moses and the Burning Bush!
Parish Administrator: Brianna Owens
Hello everyone! I have lived on Indianapolis’s south side since I was in kindergarten, where I attended Perry Twp. schools until 2009. I currently live in Greenwood with my husband Phillip, my mother Laura, and our (many!) fur babies. Before coming to St. Matthew's, I worked in nursing homes and hospitals as a CNA, and also in the beauty industry as a Licensed Cosmetologist and Esthetician. I knew I wanted something more from my career, and eventually went back to school when I was 27 - I graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor of Social Work degree in May of 2022; once I entered the Social Work program, I knew I'd found the answer to my need to serve and uplift the people in my community.
I became the Program Director for the Irvington Community Advocacy Network, or ICAN, in June of 2022. ICAN is overseen by the Irvington Association of Ministers, which many churches in Irvington formed when they saw a need in the community which Father Frank leads, and is how I was introduced to St. Matthew’s, and the Parish Administrator position.
My journey at ICAN and St. Matthew's has been eye opening and led to a lot of soul searching on my part. As someone who has always enjoyed going to church, but struggled to find a spiritual path that aligned with my morals and values, I was over joyed to find a home at St. Matthew's, even outside of my position as administrator. I am excited to see what the future has in store for me at St. Matthew's and on this new spiritual journey I find myself on.
Outside of work, I love crafting of all kinds, being outdoors, reading, and traveling. At home, I'm almost always working on a new project. If I’m being quiet, which is rare, I’m probably listening to a podcast or audiobook, and planning our next big adventure. When the weather cooperates, you're likely to catch me covered in dirt out in my veggie and herb garden or heading to one of our beautiful local parks to hike and camp out. I find nothing more relaxing than being out in nature, with my pups, next to a big bonfire my husband built, star gazing.
Organanist/Choirmaster: A. Paul Johnson
Composer A. Paul Johnson displays a diverse talent, equally comfortable in the classical world and in musical theater. A native of the Indianapolis area, Paul’s music has been presented worldwide in concert halls and theaters.
After initially studying composition and conducting with Thomas Briccetti of the Indianapolis Symphony, Paul spent additional time studying in New York with Ned Rorem and Michael Colgrass, followed by a fellowship through the National Institute for Musical Theater at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that put Paul under the mentorship of Carlisle Floyd at the University of Houston.
After having spent time in the musical theater world in New York, Paul initially focussed much of his compositional output on musical theater. His theatrical works have been performed by a wide range of theatrical groups, including American Stage, Asolo Theater Festival, Hippodrome (Gainesville, FL), Indianapolis Repertory Theatre, and Theatre Project Company (St. Louis, MO). In addition to producing original works,
Paul has worked as Musical and Stage Director for many theater companies, as well as working with Frank Ferrante as his Musical Director. Both Carlisle Floyd and Norbert Neuss of the Fine Arts Society in Indianapolis strongly encouraged Paul’s work in concert music. Through periods of living both in the Indianapolis area and central Florida, Paul developed relationships with many local ensembles that blossomed into relationships with international ensembles as well. Paul has received commissions from ensembles including the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Central Florida Symphony, Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, and Sydney Mandolins. Other prominent performers have included the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic, Slovak Radio Orchestra, and Warsaw National Philharmonic. His Serenade No. 4 “La Graciela” has also been recorded by internationally renowned clarinetist Richard Stoltzman.In addition to the Kennedy Center fellowship early in Paul’s career, he has twice been nominated for Pulitzer Prizes in music and was the recipient of a fellowship through the National Endowmentfor the Arts that provided original music for programs in the prison systems. Additional fellowships and grants have been awarded by the Florida Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission,Meet the Composer, and Arts Midwest, as well as many local arts organizations. Prior to being represented by Performer’s Edition, Paul operated the Apollo Project in central Florida, a presenting organization that organized performances of Paul’s works along with many other contemporary composers. Numerous recordings of these performances were released along with a variety of interdisciplinary programs including music, dance, television, and museums.
Handbell Choir Director: Crystal Black
My primary profession is as a board-certified music therapist working with individuals with disabilities and refugees. I graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Music Education and a minor in Speech and Theater, and attained a Master of Arts in Music degree from the University of Connecticut. I later attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, studying church music and pastoral counseling. I trained for music therapy at IUPUI.
My professional experience includes music therapy with individuals with developmental and medical issues through the Indiana Medicaid waiver and refugees and seniors through charitable organizations and private practice, music performance, music education at the college level, and as a church musician for three different denominations over 40 years. I have completed a study on music therapy’s effects on engagement in adults with dementia. I functioned as a music therapist clinician on the SMART2 study, working with resilience in illness. I am a member of the American Music Therapy Association.
I am married to a bright, caring man. I have two children, four furry and two winged children. I have visited all 50 states in the United States and have driven to Alaska three times in my life.
At St. Matthews Episcopal Church, I continue my 40-year tradition as a church musician by leading St. Matthew’s Hand Bell Choir. The Hand Bell Choir is made up of volunteers of varying degrees of experience who join together each week to prepare music for the Sunday morning 10:00 Eucharist service. Bells are used in the liturgy every week, and the choir generally presents musical compositions once a month.
Bells are the ultimate in group musicianship, because the ensemble depends on every member’s participation. The absence of one diminishes the musical quality of the experience. We are always seeking new individuals who would like to join the bell choir.
I love so many things about St. Matthews. Coming from a non-liturgical denomination, I am moved by the beauty of the traditional rituals of worship. At St. Matthew’s, that beauty is compounded by the wonderful music and contemporary architecture that allows voices to resound together. Community is created through saying the words and singing the songs and experiencing worship through all of our senses. It reflects the way all of ourselves are welcome at St. Matthews, in this community of varied individuals.
The Senior Warden: Joan Porter
It is an honor for me to serve as the Senior Warden for 2023. My role is to facilitate vestry meetings and these meetings are open to members of St Matthews. The current vestry consists of members ranging in age from 25 to 85 and bring diversity and wisdom working as one body to fulfill the mission of St Matthews.
St Matt’s is a vibrant parish that has resided in the community for over 100 years. Many changes have and are continuing to happen and we are asked as people of faith to meet these challenges. With the leadership of Father Frank we have a strong relationship with many agencies serving this community. With his guidance we can continue to serve the greater community as well as members of St. Matthew’s and be that loving caring church we say we are.
I moved to Noblesville in 2003 to be closer to my children. I have 2 married daughters, 1 son and 2 granddaughters (over 30) and 4 granddogs! I retired as a deputy assessor from Warren Township Assessor office and served 8 years on the Warren Township School Board. I love reading, gardening, knitting, and travelling anywhere. One of my favorite things to do now is to watch the activity on the water and observe the wildlife from my deck and spending time with family and friends.
A question you may have is why do I still attend St. Matthew’s? It is my sanctuary, my home, where friends are, and where my spiritual life is fed.
The People's Warden: Andy Wilkinson
I am honored to serve as the Junior Warden for St. Matthew’s for 2023. In this volunteer role, I facilitate the Vestry meetings and work with the Father Frank, the staff, and the Vestry (elected church board) to help St. Matthew’s and its members fulfill our mission.
This is an exciting and interesting time at St. Matthew’s. Under Father Frank’s leadership, the congregation is enjoying growth and financial stability. While we must continue to be a caring, welcoming, and friendly church home, we cannot be too satisfied or comfortable with our ministry to just ourselves. The eastside of Indianapolis has really changed over the last 20 years. There are a lot of needs – spiritual, financial, physical – needs that are calling us to meet them.
My wife, Angie and I have been married since 2013 and we live in a home that we restored in Irvington. We have 5 grown children between us and two grandchildren and another one on the way. I am an actuary by profession and work for an insurance company in Indianapolis. I enjoy boating, traveling, walking, snow skiing, landscaping, and spending time with family and friends. A question I often get asked is “How tall are you?” – I am 6’7” tall (and no I did not play organized basketball)