Mission, Values , Annual Theme
Our Mission
The mission of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church is to know Christ and make Him known through the power of the Holy Spirit by devotion to Christ, fellowship within the church, and revelation of God's nature in word and deed. Today, members of St. Matthew's consider themselves to be part of a "sent community," commissioned to spread the gospel in our community and beyond.
As part of being "sent out," our members are involved in a number of mission trip opportunities each year, both foreign and domestic. For five years, including 2008, we have sent adult and youth members to Belize for school construction, medical aid, and cross-cultural evangelism (click here for more information). The members of the parish also personally and financially support a wide range of mission and outreach programs locally, including ministry to the homeless and the families of prisoners. We have helped build homes with the Richmond chapter of Habitat for Humanity and in 2006 and 2007 sent mission groups to Louisiana and Mississippi to help in the rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Our youth also spend time serving our local community.
Our Long Range Plan
Goal 1: To develop the congregation’s Biblical knowledge and application in Christian living through education for all ages.
Goal 2: To provide intentional care for all persons and groups at St. Matthew’s to enable them to grow as disciples of Christ.
Goal 3: To provide opportunities for members of the congregation to share their time, talent, and treasure in local community outreach.
Goal 4: To make visible the mission and ministries of St. Matthew’s, as we seek to fulfill God’s purpose as a church.
2011 Annual Theme: Doing What Jesus Did
The theme for 2011 is “DWJD – Doing What Jesus Did” and our focus passage from Scripture is James 1:22-25.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Throughout the year we will be finding ways to grow in our obedience to that Scriptural mandate and be offering mission training and opportunities for all our members. This is also the year when our Vestry formulates a new 3-year long range plan. The focus for the new plan is “To Make Christ Known.” During the coming year, please be praying for our parish leadership and about your participation in this “Bold New Adventure” of intentional and active obedience to God’s call.
Lord Jesus, give to us, the people of St. Matthew’s, the eyes to be able to see you and the ears to be able to hear you so that we can follow you according to your way. Through the guidance of your Holy Spirit, direct us to your perfect will for us. We desire to know how and what you would have us do for the spread of your kingdom in the world. Empower us to be what you would have us be and do what you would have us do so that we might glorify you and love our neighbors. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Chuck