What do
- an evening hearing the voices of women in Nigeria,
- learning about Alongside Hope and their association with the Canadian Food Grains Bank,
- sorting and delivering personal care items for local charities,
- and packing vacation bible supplies for “On Eagles Wings”
have in common? These are some recent examples of ways we at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in St. Albert are doing God’s work here at home and around the world.
The World Day of Prayer service and reception for St. Albert was held at our church March 6th. The World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical Christian laywomen’s initiative under the motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action.” It is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. Donations received during this service are used in projects helping women in Nigeria this year.
On April 19th, a presentation was given to the congregation about Alongside Hope, a key charity of the Anglican Church of Canada, and their work in coordination with the Canadian Food Grains Bank. This association multiplies donations made to Alongside Hope for life saving, intermediate and long term projects. The congregation also took part in a lunch that featured lentil soup and buns. Lentils and flour are some of the emergency rations made available for the most desperate situations.
During April the congregation was asked to donated personal care items to be distributed to the Community Village here in St. Albert and to the inner city church Sanctuary of Peace in Edmonton (formally called the Inner City Pastoral Mission). The recipients of these generous donations are people struggling to make ends meet and are among those who are most vulnerable.
Finally, a group of church members gathered June 10 to put together activity packs for “On Eagles Wings” ministry to the northern Territories and northern parts of four provinces . Four hundred packs were prepared and delivered to this ministry to be used in vacation bible camps.
These are a few among the many ways that members of St. Matthew’s church reach out to people locally, nationally and internationally sharing their time, talent and treasure.
