The St Matthew UMC food box program has been blessed with a one year food grant from "The Bishop's Storehouse". This will help fill gaps in our food box program due to cutbacks by Midwest food bank. The Bishop's Storehouse is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. St Matthew's association with the neighborhood LDS church, specifically the "Interfaith Day of Service" held in September for the last several years, has helped build connections with the LDS church and we are grateful for their assistance with our food box ministry.

On a different note, several of our food box volunteers have plans for the summer and will not be available to help with the food boxes. If you would like to volunteer for a few months during the summer we would welcome your help. It would be once or twice every other week. Our biggest need is helping receive the order from Waste Not on Friday's between 9-12 noon. The other need is helping to pack the food boxes on Thursday mornings between 8-10am. If you're interested please contact Virginia Hughes or Steve Childs for additional information.

Food insecurity in Arizona is at 11%, and with a population of about 7.3 million that means approximately 800,000 people who have to make a decision between paying for rent, gas, medical bills, or putting food on the table. St Matthew’s food box ministry is one of the important ways we can help make a difference in the lives of those who receive food here every two weeks.

~Thank you, from the Food Box Crew.

If you're looking for ideas of what non-perishable items we can use, we still need small jars of peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, and canned pasta sauce.

It's cooling down, so that must mean it is almost time for the Booker T. Washington Turkey Trot!! Each year St. Matthew donates store bought pies to be raffled off as prizes for the runners. We are asked to donate 28 store-bought pies, which do not need to be refrigerated, please. We will collect them on Sunday, November 24, and deliver them to the school on Monday. Thank you for helping out with this neighborhood project.

~Global Missions Team

Dear St. Matthew Family,

As your pastor, my heart has been deeply moved this week as I have listened to your varied responses to the election results. From weeping to rejoicing, I have heard and held space for the full spectrum of emotions within our congregation. I find myself standing in the middle of all these emotions.

I want you to know that I care deeply for ALL of you - regardless of your political beliefs, your background, or how you process these times. Each of you is a precious child of God, worthy of love, dignity, and respect. While I wish I could offer simple scriptural answers that would ease everyone's concerns, I believe my most important role right now is to listen with an open heart and remind you that you are cared for and valued in this community.

My own heart has been particularly heavy as I've witnessed the ripple effects of this election across our extended church family.

I grieve with those who have shared stories of loved ones receiving targeted, discriminatory text messages because of their race. Such actions wound not only individuals but tear at the fabric of our shared humanity and go against everything we believe about being created in God's image.

I ache alongside those in our community who have expressed hope that this election's outcome might finally help them afford basic necessities like groceries for their families. No one in our abundant nation should have to worry about feeding their children. This is both a political and moral issue that touches the core of our faith's calling to care for one another.

My spirit is troubled for our friends and neighbors who now live in fear of deportation - whether because of their skin color or whom they love. Their anxiety reminds us that behind every policy debate are real human beings, beloved by God, whose lives and families hang in the balance.

In these challenging times, I invite us to remember Jesus's command to love one another. This love transcends political divisions and calls us to see the divine spark in each person. While we may disagree on policies and priorities, we must never lose sight of our common humanity and our shared need for grace, understanding, and compassion.

Let us be gentle with one another in the days ahead. My door is always open to those who need to talk, pray, or simply sit in supportive silence. Together, we will continue to be the body of Christ - broken but beautiful, diverse but united in God's love.

This week I have found myself praying a song that I sang in a college ensemble called, “We are not alone, God is with us.” This song has reminded me that God will continue to be with us in the days ahead. I invite you to listen to this prayer by clicking on the the link below and be encouraged to know that God is with us.

You are Love and Appreciated,

~Pastor Joel

Coming December 8 after the church service – a BAKE SALE to raise funds for missions by United Women in Faith. Cookies, bars, mini loaves of bread, tarts, candy etc.  Plan to join everyone on the patio after the service for coffee and a delicious treat, take some home to enjoy later or give as a gift.

~St. Matthew United Women in Faith

Dear St. Matthew Family,

We are excited to launch our 2025 stewardship campaign, "Count Me In: Stewardship for Community and Change." This initiative invites each of us to reflect on how we can make a meaningful impact through our collective efforts.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be good stewards of all we've been given. Every contribution matters, whether it's your time, talents, or financial resources. Together, we can create significant positive change in our church and community. Stewardship letters and pledge cards will be in your mailbox soon. 

If you have not received a stewardship letter and card, there will be some available in the Sanctuary Narthex, and in the Office.



Blessings,

~Finance Committee and Pastor Joel

Join us this week for a brief history lesson on the United Methodist Church’s historical understanding and practice of politics in the church. Join us Thursday’s at 9:30 AM in the Patio Rooms of the Activity Center.

We are combining November and December meetings, so our discussion will take place on December 12, 2024; we will pick a Christmas Mystery for that date, so if you have one to suggest simply e-mail me as we will pick one at our October meeting.

Remember we meet in the patio room at 10:45 a.m.

Hope to see you there.

~Lin Leivian

This ideology is very popular – like a racial utopic version of the Golden Rule –

but it’s actually quite racist. “Colorblindness” doesn’t acknowledge the very real

ways in which racism has existed and continues to exist, both in individuals and

systemically. By professing not to see race, you’re just ignoring racism, not solving it.

Dr. Osagie Obasogie, a professor at the University of California’s Hasting College

of Law and the author of Blinded by Sight: Seeing Race Through the Eyes of the Blind, found that even people who have never had sight still use visual

representations of people – including a person’s perceived racial or ethnic identity

– as a major marker for how they interact with them.

~Racial Justice Team

Rosemary James recently received a letter from our scholarship student Haruma Bifta. She is doing well. Thank you to everyone who has helped with her tuition, school fees and her living expenses. Her classes are taking so much of her focus, it helps that she doesn't have to worry about paying her bills. Thank you all, so much!!!

Hi mom,

So today, I went to school for the first time posted in the hospital, as it is. Classes start at 9:00am up to 5:30pm.

Things are not easy for the first time, but I'm getting along with my professors, And they are willing to help me to understand and masters things which I have to cover.

I really love the hospital, it's well advanced with tools and machines which are used there and also the number of patients is high and that's good for me to learn different cases of heart disease with hand on practicing

I'm very happy to join my masters at Jss University.

I will learn a lot, and I will sweat to get what I want

Thank you so much for your help and unwavering support, may God bless you abundantly

I love you. Have a good day

~International Missions Committee

A New Leaf's East Valley Men's Center is a safe haven for men facing homelessness as they re-integrate in the community.

EVMC accepts homeless men 18 years of age and older, providing up to 120 days in emergency shelter, during which time they work with case managers to find permanent housing options. Residents are required to pursue employment and to save a majority of their income.

We provide 96 sack lunches about 20 times per year. We make lunches on Sunday mornings after worship and deliver. Each lunch contains 2 ham sandwiches, chips, Rice Krispie treat, an apple and a bottled water. The cost per lunch is about $2.00.

We do have some donations from our volunteer team to defray cost. We have been doing this for over 10 years. Donations are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made to St. Matthew UMC and marked for EVM lunch program. Thank you so much for your support.

The men's Bible study meets at 6:45 am Thursdays in the patio rooms (C6-7). The group is studying the book of Acts. Coffee, juice and pastries are provided. Information: Greg Beihl, 480.839.1269