Pastoral Care is the loving relationship among members of the church. The aim of Pastoral Care is to foster supportive fellowship in Christ.
Enjoying Lunch on the Lawn at St. Matthew's

Circles

Three Circles at St. Matthew's make important contributions to our Pastoral Care ministry. St. Margaret's Circle provides spiritual support and fellowship for members and furthers God's kingdom through good works in our community and church using the talents God has given us. St. Agnes' Circle and St. Hilda's Circle perform similar ministries. All engage in Bible studies, devotional readings, service projects in and around the church and fund raising.

Episcopal Church Women's Steering Committee

This committee is made up of representatives from various groups in which the women participate. These groups are the Altar Guild, Hospitality, United Thank Offering, Christian Education, Mother's Morning Out, and the Circles -- St. Agnes, St. Hilda, and St. Margaret (Day and Evening combined).

The women of the church have been very cooperative in lending their support when a request for help has been made known. Episcopal Church Women is all of us, not just a committee.

Hospitality Committee

The Hospitality Committee hosts events ranging from receptions for the Bishop and Confirmation class to the Lenten dinners and breakfasts served for the choirs between the Easter services. Each year gets busier. The Hospitality Committee always needs new volunteers. Please join us.

TGIF

TGIF is a breakfast discussion group for the man who hungers for Christian fellowship, a deeper understanding of God's biblical teachings and good country cooking. We are now in our fifteenth year with attendance averaging 25 to 30 men. The price of breakfast is still only one dollar (usually...sometimes two).

We meet in the Parish Hall Friday mornings September through May at 7:00 a.m. Breakfast is prepared by volunteers from our group on a revolving basis. The Bible reading and discussion after breakfast is led by a volunteer moderator. Meetings end at 8:00 a.m. Men of all ages are welcome.

Weavers Guild

As a ministry, Weavers exist to weave visitors, primarily newcomers, into the fabric of our corporate life as believers in Jesus Christ. We mingle with everyone after services. At the 5:00 pm service, we greet, hand out songbooks and we introduce visitors and parishioners at the coffee hour.

Weaving is an activity which all parishioners are called to do. Some of us do this more formally by serving on a Weavers team (roughly, once every six weeks). We greet visitors, involve them in conversations with friends in the parish, and help them identify areas of ministry best suited to their needs and talents.

We invite everyone to consider weaving as a way to strengthen the fiber of our parish family. (The start-up cost is very inexpensive. You already have the basic tools of the trade: a warm smile and a handshake).

Visitation Committee

The Visitation Committee's goal is to visit members of St. Matthew's Church who are unable to participate in the activities of the church on a regular basis. Our group meets bimonthly and we discuss and learn ways to facilitate and assist our parishioners with their individual and unique needs. We strive to bring them the "spirit" of St. Matthew's and help them feel a part of the ongoing life of our church.

We invite and encourage anyone who is interested to attend our Pastoral Care Lecture Series and we would welcome anyone who would be interested in joining and serving on the Visitation Committee.

Prime Timers

Prime Timers meets monthly throughout the year for some wonderful lunches accompanied by talks from our Assistant Rector. We average more than thirty attendees and hope to continue our growth. In addition, our activities have included a sponsored bus trip and a Christmas party complete with the joyful singing of carols.

Mentors 4 Moms

Mentors 4 Moms (M4M) has evolved over the years of its existence with the aim of supporting mothers of all ages with their family relationships. Activities have included Ladies Nights Out with featured speakers and panels sharing insights concerning prayer for husbands, other women and children, a Saturday morning Lenten program on observing Lent in families, a Mother-Daughter / Friend Tea and Mother-Son whiffle ball game. M4M has also sponsored two young adult dinners, a Western Night and an Advent potluck.

Probably the most tangible helpful ministry for M4M is the delivery of "love and support" baskets for new mothers in the parish. M4M needs more volunteers to help with this important ministry so St. Matthew's can continue to encourage our young mothers.

St. Matthew's has experienced tremendous growth in the area of young families over the past few years and M4M's opportunity is one of ministry to these young adults and their children. Through Christian relationshps, modeling, informal conversations and especially prayer for one another, our lives will grow and change. God can use others to help us become what we could not become on our own.

Not officially under the M4M umbrella, but operating from the same needs and goals is the Crafty Ladies group. Women from different "seasons" of life and from different churches get together for fellowship and creatively mentor others with handiwork such as knitting, quilting, embroidery, needlepoint or even mending. The goal is to offer fellowship, crafty mentoring and creative inspiration to all "crafty" women. Some of our creative energy is turned to outreach through knitting squares for blankets to the homeless, making hats for the needy or some other project to help others.

Wedding Guild

The Wedding Guild was established in 1996. Its members form teams that take turns assisting couples with the details of a church wedding. The Guild performs services to them that a wedding consultant would give.

Intercessory Prayer Group

This group of six prayer teams is available in times of stress, illness or anxiety to support our own church members and others, with our prayers. All prayer requests are handled with the strictest confidence. Meetings are held for the group and visitors and speakers are invited from both within and outside our church parish. The speakers provide ongoing training in intercessory prayers as well as encouragement. The Intercessors, growing in faith, are all committed in their belief in the power of prayer.

Final Celebration Guild

The Guild assists families with funeral decisions at St. Matthew's. It consists of fifty men and women. The men serve as ushers and the women assist with all other responsibilities, including receptions. The Circles also provide assistance with receptions when requested to do so.