Outreach Ministries

We believe the words attributed to St. Francis, “Preach the Gospel at all times; use words if necessary.”

By performing acts of outreach and evangelism, members of St. Matthias serve God by moving beyond the walls of the church and into the world to offer gifts, resources, talents, support, hope, truth, and love.

Below you’ll find ways we live out our faith:

Absolut Care
Mother Ann and the Pastoral Care Team lead weekly worship including Holy Eucharist and hymns, bringing Christ’s presence to residents at Absolut Care, a local nursing home. Services are Monday’s at 4 p.m.

Akany Famonjena & Akany Tafita
We have been supporting the work of Missionary Mary Sherwood of Global teams for two decades, first in the Solomon Islands and now in Madagascar. Financial support provides safe shelter, food and vitamins, clothing, and education to Malagasy orphans.

Chautauqua Social Hour
Members travel to the Chautauqua Institution to provide refreshments and a program at the Episcopal Cottage on a summer afternoon.

Episcopal Relief and Development
Working in partnership with the worldwide church, ecumenical agencies and local organizations, Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and strengthens communities around the world. Their programs focus on alleviating hunger and improving food supply, creating economic opportunities, promoting health and fighting disease, and responding to disasters and rebuilding communities.

Family Promise
Family Promise, formerly known as Interfaith Hospitality Network, is a ministry to homeless and transitional families. Roughly four times a year, for one week at a time, we transform our building into a haven for the families. Our guests arrive at St. Matthias in the late afternoon, where they are greeted with a meal and friendly faces. Church School rooms are transformed into bedrooms and personal space, while the downstairs parish hall becomes their living room and dining room.

During the working hours, guests go to their jobs, school, or use resources at the Family Promise day center until they can get on their feet again. With the support of other local churches, we provide companionship and hospitality for the hours the guests are here.

FISH Barrel
Every month we fill a barrel with canned goods and nonperishable items. This gets taken to FISH, our local food pantry.

Our Little Roses
In Honduras, where the plight of abused and abandoned girls was once ignored, the ministry of Our Little Roses home has become an oasis of hope and opportunity for the girl child at risk. St. Matthias sponsors Suyapa, who sent this photo in her last Christmas card. Several parishoners visit Honduras once or twice a year to spend time with the girls and to deliver donated clothing.

Pet Food Pantry
Holy Scripture commends us to “Be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and for every living thing that moves on the face of the earth [Genesis 1:28].” Hearing that call, the Saint Matthias Pet Food Pantry opened its doors in September 2015. We help people in need maintain proper care of their pets by supplying food and treats for both dogs and cats. The pantry is open the first and third Tuesday of every month from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.

Sharing our Space
We are stewards of a large and beautiful building. Rather than have the facility sit empty during the week, many community groups use our space for meetings. St. Matthias is home to several twelve-step programs, scout troops, yoga classes, quilters, scrap-bookers, piano and other instrument classes, tai chi classes, portrait painters, and the garden club.

If you are interested in using our building, please contact our office administrator.

Sock and Mitten Tree
After Thanksgiving, a tree appears in church. The tree is covered with “ornaments” which have a gift wish on them. These are gift wishes of families we sponsor from Family Promise or Angel Action, both agencies of Episcopal Community Services. Church members take an ornament and return the item over the next few weeks, or donate grocery store gift cards. Although the tree loses its “ornaments,” it gets redecorated with new socks, mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. The gifts are distributed to the appropriate agencies in time for Christmas.

Soup Kitchen
A crew travels to South Buffalo to prepare and serve meals on the fifth Saturday of each month.

United Thank Offering
During each worship service, people give thanks for birthdays, anniversaries or other joyful milestones. The funds collected are forwarded to United Thank Offering. Grants are awarded world-wide for projects such as hospitals, schools, and handicapped accessibility.

The Seamen’s Church Institute
St. Matthias’ Church is a Mariner Friendly Church committed to helping SCI through prayer, service, gift collection and distribution, and financial support. https://seamenschurch.org/