Care Ministry
"This is my command; love each other as I have loved you." ~ John 15:12
At St. Matthews and The Rock, there are many ways that our members attempt to reach out in love to those in need. Yet, there is much more that we would like to do. To that end, we are bringing some intentional order to our various care ministries, and expanding the team of people involved in these ministries. Listed below are a number of areas that are an existing or emerging part of our “Care Ministries”. Please read through the descriptions carefully. If there are any area of this ministry that you would like to be involved in, please let us know by emailing Care Ministry. Thank You.
CRISIS CARE
Occasionally, emergency needs emerge that don’t necessarily fall into an established category. In these times we need people who are willing to be called on short notice to help in specific ways. If you would be willing to be on call to help as needed, as you are able, please sign up for this area. This may also include funeral care/luncheon services,
CARE CALLING
From time to time we have need for someone to make phone calls to connect potential volunteers to ministry needs or to follow up with other specific care ministry needs. If you enjoy talking to people, and would like to help as needed in this area, please sign up.
VISITATION TEAM
This category can include visiting people in the hospital, elderly visitation, new comers, and respite for caregivers etc. This area may involve some training and preparation. It could involve either periodic or scheduled visitation.
PRAYER SUPPORT
This category provides prayer support by phone, in person or by mail- depending on the situation and need.
MEAL SUPPORT
From time to time, we may provide meals following a person’s surgery, the birth of a child, or some other short term need. If you would be willing to prepare a meal on occasion as needed, or would be able to deliver a meal prepared by someone else, you could help with this outreach. Another opportunity for meals is preparing a meal to be frozen, placed in the church freezer, and given at a later date as the need arises.
Food Pantry-At both St. Matthews and the Rock, we help provide food for needy families. The donation of either canned (or boxed) non perishable food, or cash to purchase perishables, can be made at any time to support both the Sandown and Plaistow food pantries.
TRANSPORTATION
For this area, we are in need of people who are willing to be on call to provide transportation in a short term or emergency situation. In this area, we need both drivers, and a coordinator who would make calls to line up volunteer drivers.
WISH TO GIVE
This listing is an opportunity to post something you would like to give away or seek something you are in need of.
FAITHWORKS
This is an emerging outreach that involves providing modest home improvements, or repairs, for the elderly, low income families, or single mothers.
SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Thanksgiving Baskets-This is a seasonal outreach opportunity that can involve donating food, helping to pack boxes for delivery, or assisting with the food delivery.
Christmas Giving Tree-This is also a seasonal outreach opportunity. This includes purchasing and donating specific requested gifts for area children. Monetary gifts are also helpful for this program.
Operation Christmas Child-This is a seasonal outreach through Samaritan’s Purse (a Franklin Graham Ministry). This is primarily an outreach opportunity for our children to donate small items which are packaged in shoe boxes and distributed world wide at Christmas time.
Donation Drives-These are sporadic opportunities to help in the coordination of backpacks for back to school, mittens/hats/coats for kids, etc.