In 2023 Saint Matthews shared the abundant gifts God has provided with local people and organizations, as well as with national and international charitable groups. Below are some of the ways we have tried to share God’s love:
- We as a church and individuals have continued supporting causes like our missionary in Nicaragua, Belinda Forbes, Boston Share Network, and Dignity Matters, to name a few.
- We have continued supporting local food pantries (Acton Food Pantry, Open Table and Loaves and Fishes) with our monthly First Sunday is Food Sunday program.
- In association with Bread for the World, we have lobbied state and federal lawmakers, urging them to support affordable housing and to implement policies that reduce hunger and poverty.
- For Concord Prison Outreach, we again filled WELCOMEBACKpacks with essentials for folks leaving prison.
- Through our annual Fuel Jar campaign, we’ve provided money to help people in the Acton area with bills such as utility and rent..
- We host a Helpsy bin behind the church for recycling fabric and other clothing items.
- Through the annual Festival of Sharing, 24 local, national, and international organizations received generous donations and increased awareness of their missions.
- We have supported immigrants and immigrant rights activities through New England Justice for Our Neighbors (New England JFON), the International Institute of New England (IINE), and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). Along with 6 other area churches, we belong to the Interfaith Partnership for Refugee Resettlement (IPRR), through which we support refugee families resettling in the Lowell area.
- We have supported international children and youth initiatives like Slum Child Foundation in Kenya, Wazesha Kupaa in Tanzania, and Bendición de Dios in Guatemala.
- We support United Methodist efforts like UMCOR, the UM Student, Worldwide Communion, Peace with Justice, and Native American Sunday offerings and One Great Hour of Sharing.
- Through our Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Offerings, we have supported IINE, Bread for the World, A Friend in Need, and Boston Share Network.
- Through our pledges and contributions to Saint Matthew’s, we’ve also supported the United Methodist New England Conference for our 2023 Mission Shares.
On behalf of the entire Mission Outreach and Advocacy committee, we thank you again for your continuing generosity! If you would like to be a part of this exciting ministry team, please reach out to any of our members.
Please have a safe and blessed 2024
Betsy Comstock, Ann Drumm, Nicole Fernald, Carmen Logue, Amy Mikkola, Peggy Papanastassiou, Clelia Solis, Sara Wagg