The work of St. Matthew's Helping Hands is never ending; those with needs are always with us and require our help. At St. Matthew's, we support organizations where our donations will make the biggest difference. Presently, our parish, through many groups including the Anglican Church Women, the Mothers' Union, and St. Matthew's Outreach Committee, is participating in the following Outreach progams:
Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
Support to this worldwide relief fund is through the use of our blue church envelopes and special PWRDF envelopes distributed throughout the year.
St. Matthew's House
This is an Outreach Ministry of the Diocese of Niagara and our own Parish. St. Matthew's House offers many services to a needy community. During the month of May, all non-perishable food items from our basket are sent to St. Matthew's House in Hamilton.
Several members of the church and Mothers' Union make baby layettes for new mothers. Several children are sponsored to attend summer camp each year by the A.C.W.
Patnership West Food Bank
Partnership West, our community food bank, is always in need of non-perishable food items. There is a basket in the Narthex for food and a Big Jar is provided for those who want to contribute Loonies and Toonies. Financial donations can also be made directly to Partnership West.
Halton Women's Place
Halton Women's Place is a shelter in our community where battered women and their children can go to find refuge. We try to keep informed of the needs of the centre and respond when we can.
Sleeping Children Around the World
The Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) is very active in supporting this Outreach program which provides bed kits for needy children all around the world. A small knitted stocking can be picked up from the table outside the Church office and filled with your contribution dimes, then returned to the church. If you prefer, a $35.00 donation will buy one bed kit. Pictures of children receiving the bed kit are sent to the donors. It is wonderful to see so many smiling faces.
Various Outreach Projects
Stamps, Used Eye Glasses. Outside the Church Office you will notice receptacles for old stamps and used eyeglasses. These items are collected as an on-going outreach programme at St. Matthew's and all contributions of these items are gratefully received.
R.O.C.K. (Reach Out Centre for Kids)
This group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. This is a helpful drop-in group for parents and caregivers with young children under 5 years of age. Voluntary donations are used to cover the costs of craft materials etc. For more information contact the Church Office at 905-632-1233.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous holds a closed meeting on Monday evenings beginning at 9:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. They also hold a meeting that is open to the public on Wednesday evenings beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Adult Education
Adult Christian education takes many forms, including Bible Study and interesting discussion groups about church and faith issues. These help us to learn the relevance of Scripture in today's society while enjoying the fellowship of our Christian community.
We offer a variety of educational opportunities:
In depth Bible Study is offered by E.F.M. (Education for Ministry). This is a 3 year Study course at a cost of $300.00 per year and is held at St. Christophers Church for all interested people.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is an encompassing term, we use it to mean "providing support to members". Through baptism, we are all the church's ministers. We represent Christ in the world and carry on God's work as God directs us. Therefore, pastoral care is not just something that Clergy do, it is the responsibility of us all.
Pastoral care can take many forms: home visits, home communion to shut-ins, hospital visits, practical help, offering prayers during Sunday worship, telephone contact, providing a needed casserole. Pastoral counselling and grief counselling are available as well. Twice a year we hold Christmas and Easter Services in the church for residents of our local Nursing and Retirement Homes. A luncheon is also provided after the service.
You can probably think of many other informal ways to offer assistance.
Communication is the key to pastoral care. We may not be able to help personally when someone is in need, but we can share our concern with the clergy or other people who can help. Everyone can do this, so that we do not miss opportunities to show concern.
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from Pastoral Care please speak to one of the Clergy. Whether the office is open or not, the answering machine is accessible 24 hours a day and checked on a regular basis. Please feel free to use it at 905-632-1233.
Pastoral Care Team
At St. Matthew's we are all ministers and are therefore expected to provide as much support and help as we can within the congregation to those in particular need. As part of the Outreach to assist our parish we have developed a group of parish visitors, called the Pastoral Care Team. This is a group of caring individuals who have demonstrated a particular calling to this type of ministry and have been trained especially for home, retirement or nursing home and hospital visitation.
Pastoral visits by this group are made to Joseph Brant Hospital and the Clergy is informed within a few hours when parishioners have been admitted. If you would like a hospital visit please remember to tell the admitting officer that you are a member of St. Matthew's Church. Otherwise we will not know that you are in the hospital.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Pastoral Care Team please contact the Clergy.
126 Plains Rd. E.
Burlington, ON L7T 2C3
905-632-1233
