During to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to the guidelines listed below until further notice:

Welcome Back Saints! St. Matthews has opened the doors of the church for in person worship. We have resumed the two services: 8:30am and 11am with the exception of 10am on 5th Sundays.

Here are the basic logistics:  

• • All persons entering the church will be required to wear a mask while inside. If without a mask, one will be provided. If unable to wear a mask, an invitation to worship online at home or another location will be extended. 
  • Main Double Doors will be used as entrance while Britton Street and Breeze Way Doors will be used as exits. (Handicap Accessible Parking will be in the Britton Street Parking Lot with the Britton St door as an accessible entrance) 
  • All persons will be asked to sign in upon entry and have their temperature taken. You can sign in prior to coming to church via form on website.  
  • Collection Baskets will be inside the church for you to give your offering on the way in or out. Envelopes will be at the door.  
  • Communion cups for 1^st Sunday will be provided as you enter the church, and we ask that you dispose of them on your way out.  
  • It is imperative that we allow the ushers to dismiss us according to guidelines in place. 

The “Believer’s Authority” Bible study class is scheduled for Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., from July 9 until Sept. 24, and will meet via Zoom. The study will help you understand and exercise your authority as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pre-class reading and access to a Bible are needed. To sign up, email or call the church office.

~Christian Education 

2020 SUMMER STEAM CAMP CANCELLED DUE TO COVIA-19

Mission Statement:

By creating unique opportunities, the Expanded Learning Program of St. Matthews enriches student academic experiences through technology and hands-on learning, encouraging students to pursue healthy behaviors, embracing strong schools, families and community partnerships by empowering students to achieve educational and lifelong success.

Goals:
•To assist students in perform at or above grade level as measured by state standardized tests and STEAM standards.
•To provide enrichment opportunities that will promote lifelong learning, increase self-esteem, and community connections, by providing: healthy living skills, study skills, career exploration mentoring, and leadership skills to further community service.

2018 Summer Program Summary in Video:

The State Advocacy working group of National UMC Creation Justice will present a webinar on “Climate Justice Advocacy During the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Tuesday, May 26, at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CT.

During this time of pandemic and lockdown, it is imperative that effective public policy advocacy for climate justice for all people continue unabated at all levels of government. During this webinar, participants will receive an Introduction to Advocacy 101 and will hear from United Methodists who are on the frontlines of advocating for climate justice.

Advocacy is just as important on the local and state levels as it is on the federal level. And even if you have never been an active advocate, this webinar will give you the tools and resources to help you become an effective advocate.

The webinar will be moderated by Rev. Mel Caraway, a Global Ministries EarthKeeper from the North Texas Annual Conference. Other participants will include the following: Christina Krost, Faith in Place Outreach Coordinator and UMW Be Just Be Green leader, Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference; John Hill, General Board of Church and Society; Liz Lee. United Methodist Women; and Cara Fleischer, Global Ministries EarthKeeper, Florida Annual Conference. There will be time at the conclusion for questions, answers and comments. 

This webinar will be conducted via Zoom. There is no cost to participate; registration and a zoom account are required. To join, click on link below or type in your browser https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HY9Pd7DFQaOQ69P3juYyUA.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

Questions about this webinar may be directed to mel.caraway@sbcglobal.net. 

For additional information, email Karlah Burton at karlah_k@yahoo.com. 

The Endowed Scholarship Committee invites high school graduates to apply for Saint Matthews Scholarship. The recipient criteria consist of being a member and an active participant in church activities at of Saint Matthews UNC. Applicants must have been accepted to an accredited community college or four-year institution.

High school graduates should contact Carolyn Burgman at (336) 540-8602 to receive an application, which will provide additional instructions for the submittal requirements. The completed application with the acceptance letter from the institution for planned attendance must be submitted to Mrs. Burgman by June 12, 2020. 

The St. Matthews UMC Board has decided to cancel the 2020 STEAM Summer Camp because of COVID-19. They anticipate resuming the camp in 2021. 

What do people in the pews need to address creation justice? Information, ideas and inspiration to take action!

• Pray with gratitude for the blue sky and green plants you see, the birds you hear, the safe water you taste and the fresh air you feel and breathe. Pray for God to help us slow down when the pandemic leaves and enable us to lighten our corporate and personal practices so that the earth will heal and flourish.
• Likely you already know and do Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Go beyond that with the new 3Rs: Refuse (say no to single-use plastics, for example), Repair (rather than throw away something, see if it can be fixed) and Rot (food scraps, yard refuse, even lint from natural fabrics, which can turn into great soil if composted).
• Lobby your elected officials to support legislation that reduces carbon pollution. Reach out to federal, state, and local lawmakers. Enlist your networks in the task. Share what you are doing on your social media. Encourage others to act.
• New reusable products made of beeswax become an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap for keeping food fresh. Check out the options on the internet.
• Go “low flow”! Drought is a by-product of climate change. Conserve water by installing low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators. Or place a jug of water or sand or a brick or two in the toilet tank to lower the amount of water used.
• Cattle contribute to global warming both through their methane “burps” and through the farming practices that deforest the land for the use of the livestock. Switch to ground turkey for burgers, meatloaf and other dishes that traditionally have called for beef. Tastes good, and it’s better for the earth.
• The COVID-19 experience has shown that many of the people who face increased danger from the pandemic because they are essential to society are those with the least resources. The same is and will be true about people affected by climate change. The time to speak up and work for justice is now while those who are essential are so visible.
• Install one or more rain barrels to catch the runoff from your gutters. You can save it for a non-rainy day and water your garden when needed. Many local county and municipal governments, as well as environmental agencies, distribute rain barrels inexpensively.
• Three big threes: 1) Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide make up greenhouse gas emissions; 2) emissions, deforestation and food waste (both systems and personal) are top contributors to climate change; and 3) viewing life through the lens of climate justice, making changes both large and small, and speaking up to others are key ways to address the problems.

“We urge United Methodists to adopt sustainable habits and practices, including refraining from overconsumption, repurposing and recycling materials, avoiding products that pollute or otherwise harm the environment and reducing the carbon footprints of individuals and families by reducing overall reliance on fossil fuels for heat, transportation, and other goods.” —UM Social Principles

Those who need some extra instructions or have questions about using Zoom may call the church office to schedule a training session. ~Christian Education 

We will honor our 2020 high school, college and post-graduate degree recipients on a date to be announced in May. Please submit to the Higher Education Ministry your name, school, degree and future plans. If you wish, you may submit a picture along with the information to Carolyn Clarke, carolmpc123@bellsouth.net. 

Members of SMUMC are invited to accept the 30-day squat challenge: 50 squats a day, April 19-May 19. What a great way to stay in or get in shape while staying at home. If in the beginning you cannot do one set of 50, consider several sets throughout the day, e.g., two sets of 25 or five sets of 10.

“The gauntlet was thrown down on my job and I accepted the challenge,” said Cheryl Little. “I’m throwing the gauntlet down for all members (as able) to join the challenge!”