The Skill Sharing program at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is a social enterprise where we learn about each other’s callings while raising money to work for wholeness in Louisville. For several years we have been hosting classes where parishioners and community members teach about a skill that they love and could describe as a calling.
All proceeds of our Skill Sharing classes support Simmons College of Kentucky, Louisville’s historically Black college.
You can learn more about Simmons on their website: https://simmonscollegeky.edu/
Upcoming Skill Sharing Classes
Click here if you are interested in teaching a Skill Sharing class.
Country Ham and Bacon with Benjamin Hart and Charles Frank
Thursday, December 14, 6p - 8

We are at compacity for our country ham class but there is still time to register for the bacon curing class.
Bacon will be ready to be cooked and eaten after about a week in the refrigerator. A country ham will need two to three months to cure in an environment where the temperature averages below 45 degrees (e.g. an unheated garage or shed in a KY winter).
All proceeds of our Skill Sharing classes support Simmons College of Kentucky, Louisville’s historically Black college. Because hams must be specially order, you must register for the ham class by noon on Friday, December 1. Registration will close Wednesday, December 4 for the bacon class. Registration for the HAM portion is $75. Registration for the BACON portion is $30. If you plan to do both, PLEASE REGISTER FOR BOTH SEPARATELY.
Bacon will be ready to be cooked and eaten after about a week in the refrigerator. A country ham will need two to three months to cure in an environment where the temperature averages below 45 degrees (e.g. an unheated garage or shed in a KY winter).
All proceeds of our Skill Sharing classes support Simmons College of Kentucky, Louisville’s historically Black college. Because hams must be specially order, you must register for the ham class by noon on Friday, December 1. Registration will close Wednesday, December 4 for the bacon class. Registration for the HAM portion is $75. Registration for the BACON portion is $30. If you plan to do both, PLEASE REGISTER FOR BOTH SEPARATELY.
Past Skill Sharing Classes

What we love about Africa presented by Speed and A.C. Stodghill
Tuesday, November 14th, 6:00-8:00 pm
The Stodghills will share their love of Africa. They have made several trips to the country, including visiting the Ebenezer Children’s Center orphanage, outside of Rongo, Kenya that St. Matthew’s supports.

Baking Focaccia with Justin Klassen
Saturday, September 30, 2023 9a - 12
Justin Klassen demonstrated how to bake this delicious bread.

Managing Anxiety presented by Jamie Horsley
Thursday, October 12th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Anxiety, whether occasional or chronic, can be difficult to contend with. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate anxiety, there are strategies that have been shown to reliably reduce its frequency and intensity. In this workshop, we’ll work together to examine what current research says about the best methods for managing anxiety and devise ways that we can incorporate these findings-- most of which are wonderfully simple and intuitive-- into our daily lives so that we’re happier, more well-adjusted people.
Journaling with Suzette Carty
Saturday, August 5, 2023 9a - 12
Journaling allows us to reflect, pray, examine our lives, and explore our past and future selves in a documented way. With a myriad of options to express yourself, including free flowing text, art, video, and audio recordings, in this skill-sharing class we will discuss how various journaling options allow us to tap into our creative selves. With no right or wrong way to journal, we will also discuss what we can journal about--including gratitude, prayer, and nature--and how the focus of our journals helps us to live more mindfully and intentionally. We will engage in a poetry exercise to spark creativity.

My Taste of Louisville with Tom Capes
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9a - 12
There are so many things that make foods unique to Louisville. During this class we will have samples of everything we make for people to take home. We will be canning a sauce and a jelly. And we will make a couple of cold preparations.
We will be canning some “Henry Bain Sauce” developed at a social club in downtown Louisville. We make it every year at Christmas for friends. We will also can some green pepper jelly. I never had it growing up in Michigan and it seemed to be at every cocktail party over cream cheese when I got to Louisville.
We will be making two cold preparations. The first is pimento cheese spread from scratch. There isn’t anything that you can’t put this on and make it very “Louisville”. When my wife and I were first married, we loved going to the Bristol Bar and Grill where we discovered “Harry’s Famous Bristol Dressing”. Still a favorite.
We will be canning some “Henry Bain Sauce” developed at a social club in downtown Louisville. We make it every year at Christmas for friends. We will also can some green pepper jelly. I never had it growing up in Michigan and it seemed to be at every cocktail party over cream cheese when I got to Louisville.
We will be making two cold preparations. The first is pimento cheese spread from scratch. There isn’t anything that you can’t put this on and make it very “Louisville”. When my wife and I were first married, we loved going to the Bristol Bar and Grill where we discovered “Harry’s Famous Bristol Dressing”. Still a favorite.

Coping with Anxiety with Jamie Horsley
Thursday, March 9, 2023, 6p - 8
Anxiety, whether occasional or chronic, can be difficult to contend with. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate anxiety, there are strategies that have been shown to reliably reduce its frequency and intensity. In this workshop, we’ll work together to examine what current research says about the best methods for managing anxiety and devise ways that we can incorporate these findings-- most of which are wonderfully simple and intuitive-- into our daily lives so that we’re happier, more well-adjusted people.

My Taste of Louisville with Tom Capes
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9a - 12
There are so many things that make foods unique to Louisville. During this class we will have samples of everything we make for people to take home. We will be canning a sauce and a jelly. And we will make a couple of cold preparations.
We will be canning some “Henry Bain Sauce” developed at a social club in downtown Louisville. We make it every year at Christmas for friends. We will also can some green pepper jelly. I never had it growing up in Michigan and it seemed to be at every cocktail party over cream cheese when I got to Louisville.
We will be making two cold preparations. The first is pimento cheese spread from scratch. There isn’t anything that you can’t put this on and make it very “Louisville”. When my wife and I were first married, we loved going to the Bristol Bar and Grill where we discovered “Harry’s Famous Bristol Dressing”. Still a favorite.
We will be canning some “Henry Bain Sauce” developed at a social club in downtown Louisville. We make it every year at Christmas for friends. We will also can some green pepper jelly. I never had it growing up in Michigan and it seemed to be at every cocktail party over cream cheese when I got to Louisville.
We will be making two cold preparations. The first is pimento cheese spread from scratch. There isn’t anything that you can’t put this on and make it very “Louisville”. When my wife and I were first married, we loved going to the Bristol Bar and Grill where we discovered “Harry’s Famous Bristol Dressing”. Still a favorite.
Making Sukiyaki with Amy Tidwell
January 7, 9a - 12
Parishioner, Amy Tidwell will share her family’s tradition of making Sukiyaki. Sukiyaki is a one-pot Japanese dish of marbled beef, tofu, vegetables, and yam noodles simmered in a sweetened soy/sake/mirin sauce. It is cooked on the tabletop and served to guests with a portion of white rice. Unlike stir-fry, sukiyaki ingredients are not mixed together, but instead, retain their individual flavors while simmering alongside each other. In this class, you will learn how to prepare the ingredients and cook the dish on electric skillets. For vegetarians, we will provide a separate skillet and recipe with tofu only and no beef. Then we will all enjoy our Japanese feast!
Memory and Note Taking with John Krantz
Thursday, February 9, 2023, 6-8p
What do chunks and philosopher William James have to do with note taking and studying? As students, and we all are students, our goal is to learn new material. That means that memory is one of the most important mental functions to us as learners. Understanding how memory works, both in its similarities and to variations across people, can be an important guide to effective methods of both taking notes and studying. In this class, we will try some quick studies on memory and use them to develop ideas about note taking and studying.

Flower Arranging with Winslow Fairleigh
November 10, 6p - 8
We are fortunate to have parishioner Winslow Fairleigh leading a class on flower arranging, Thursday, November 10, from 6:00-8:00 pm. In this class Winslow will guide us in creating an arrangement of our own using a vase from home.

Country Ham and Bacon with Benjamin Hart and Charles Frank
December 8, 6p - 8
Are you interested in joining the venerable and time-honored tradition of curing your own meats? Join our annual country ham and bacon class, led by award-winning meat curers. Students can choose to cure and flavor their own bacon, cure a country ham, or both!
Bacon will be ready to be cooked and eaten after about a week in the refrigerator. A country ham will need two to three months to cure in an environment where the temperature averages below 45 degrees (e.g. an unheated garage or shed in a KY winter).
Bacon will be ready to be cooked and eaten after about a week in the refrigerator. A country ham will need two to three months to cure in an environment where the temperature averages below 45 degrees (e.g. an unheated garage or shed in a KY winter).

Baking Bread with Justin Klassen
August 27, 2022
Parishioner Justin Klassen is once again sharing his love of baking bread on Saturday, August 27, from 9-Noon at church. This year he will demonstrate how to bake a multigrain sandwich loaf.

julien haler, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Macarons with Joanne Coleman
October 8, 9a - 12
Our Parish Accountant, Joanne Coleman will teach us how to make the sweet treat, French Macarons, Saturday, October 8, from nine-noon at church. Twelve places are available in the church kitchen for the opportunity to have an in-person experience baking with Joanne.

Cooking with Chef Anthony Lamas
May 12, 2022
If you like good food and like to eat, be sure to join Chef Anthony Lamas of Louisville's popular Seviche restaurant will prepare a three-course dinner in our church kitchen while telling us about his calling to become a chef!
To watch a video of the evening, click on the link to the right.
To watch a video of the evening, click on the link to the right.

Tour the Church Memorial Gardens with Sara Ceresa
April 30, 2022
Our Memorial Garden and surrounding space have become a beautiful part of our church campus. Join Sara as she teaches you about conservation, connectedness as you walk around the Memorial Garden and grounds.

Taking Digital Photographs with Caroline Courtney
April 23, 2022
Is photography a passion of yours or have you always wanted to learn how to snap the perfect shot? If so, join Caroline for a class on the art of digital photography.
How to Make Pickles with Tom Capes
March 12, 2022
We are happy to have Tom Capes with us to demonstrate how to make pickles. Join us for this fun, Pickling 101 Skill Share class.

Writing! With Robin Garr
January 13, 2022
Do you want to write, but you're not sure how to get started? You'd like to journal, or write a family history for your kids, or maybe write a poem or a news release for your club; but you're not confident in your writing skills? Writing is easier than you think! Want to learn more? Join Robin Garr's Skill Sharing class, Writing: It's easier than you think.

Country Ham Curing Class with Benjamin Hart and Charles Frank
December 9, 2021
Are you interested in joining the venerable and time-honored tradition of curing your own meats? Join our annual country ham and bacon class, led by award-winning meat curers. Students can choose to cure and flavor their own bacon, cure a country ham, or both!

Flower Arranging with Winslow Fairleigh and Heather Duffy
November 21, 2022
If you have always wanted to learn more about the art of flower arranging, join Winslow Fairleigh and Heather Duffy for this floral design class. The focus will be on winter and fall florals.

National Novel Writing Month with Sophie Kirby and Lucy Bogel
September 26, 2021
If you are a budding author and want to learn more about NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month - join Sophie and Lucy as they share their experience with the program and teach you how to write a novel in a month!

Focaccia Making with Justin Klassen
August 28, 2021
There is nothing more comforting than the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven! Join Justin Klassen as he teaches you the secrets of great focaccia making, and leave with a delicious, freshly-baked treat.

Garden Landscaping with Sara Ceresa
April 24, 2021
Learn about beautiful garden landscaping via Zoom with Sara Ceresa.

Wreath Making with Winslow Fairleigh
November 17, 2020
What better way to welcome someone to your home than with a lovely door wreath. If you are looking for the perfect wreath, come make a beautiful creation with the immensely talented Winslow Fairleigh.
Making Sushi with Amy Tidwell
February 23, 2021
Making sushi is an art form, and Amy Tidwell will teach you all the tips and tricks of this beautiful culinary skill.

Bread Baking with Justin Klassen
August 31, 2019
Come join Justin Klassen as he teaches us the art of baking great bread!