Social Concerns at St. Matthew

Social Concerns

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 10, when we will join congregations of the ELCA for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, our annual day of service.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of "God's work. Our hands." Sunday!

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA's 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

The Social Concerns Ministry Team is responsible for coordinating and promoting the social ministry of St. Matthew which includes celebrating diversity, supporting our neighbors locally and globally, promoting social justice and being good stewards of God’s creation.

The Social Concerns Ministry team has created a resource list of books, videos, websites and podcasts that relate to topics of social concern and justice. This resource list will be an ongoing project with new material added periodically. We welcome suggestions that could be added to the list. See Resource List.

FLOUR BARREL FUND
(aka. Pastor's Discretionary Fund)

Please contribute via check, payable to St. Matthew (Note in the Memo) to help with immediate needs such as an extra night in a motel, cash, food, etc. also..

Gift Cards Are Needed!
Walmart, Buehler's, Aldi, Giant Eagle or Gas Cards are needed for local residents in need. Cash or checks may also be donated for the purchase of gift cards. Please make checks payable to St. Matthew, indicating that it is for gift cards. Thank you for your generosity!

SUNSHINE MEALS

If you would like to join our group of volunteers who periodically make or purchase meals (and deliver them) to parishioners at a time of need... please contact Sue Schwab at 330-242-1091 or send her an email.

We also participate in God's Work. Our Hands. day of service. This year we packed 16,000 meals on September 11, 2022. See details.

We are pleased to report that the meals have been shipped in a container totaling 285,120 meals from the Pittsburgh Warehouse... shipped to World Hope International of Haiti.

Operation HOMES is a program that provides services to the homeless in Medina County. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the homeless of Medina County, Ohio. By rotational partnering with local churches for shelter, food and the administration of life skill programs, Operation HOMES provides the opportunity for individuals to be independent, both personally and financially. Partner churches are:

Granger United Methodist Church
Key Church, Wadsworth
Medina Community Church
Our Lady Help of Christians-Litchfield
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Medina
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Wadsworth
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Medina
St. Martin of Tours, Valley City
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Medina
Wadsworth United Methodist Church
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Valley City

Operation HOMES Website

See also "Community Commitment"

ST. MATTHEW 5-STAR MINISTRY GOALS and PLANS, 2021

Social Concerns

GOAL 1) Continue to support people in need locally and globally.

PLANS: 1. Noisy Offerings 2. Continue gift card collection for Transitional Housing guests and community. 3. Gods Work. Our Hands event in the fall.

GOAL 2) Provide meals for Operation HOMES during St Matthew’s assigned weeks (approximately every 7 weeks).

PLANS: Provide sign up genius and announcement of need through Shout Out, bulletin and visual slide rotation before worship services.

GOAL 3) Continue to discern the future of Transitional Housing for after Jim Frame’s retirement.

PLANS: Meetings of the Transitional Housing Vision team, congregational input.

GOAL 4) Continue to promote awareness of justice, equity, and diversity issues.

PLANS: 1. Possibly provide a book/Bible study and discussion. 2. Continue to foster a relationship with Second Baptist Medina. 3. Update the resource list as needed on the St Matthew website Social Concerns page.

Light of the World

Social Concerns

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See also "Community Commitment"