Fellowship
Fellowship is strongly supported and encouraged at St. Matthew's. We are a family sized congregation and we strive to organize and take part in activities and events that serve to strengthen our bond to St. Matthew's and to build relationships with each other. We look forward to these wonderful opportunities to greet old friends and meet new ones. A large portion of fellowship is shared while preparing and hosting various fundraisers for the church. (We are best known for our town-wide garage sales, held twice a year and our frequent dinners.) Other activities include our annual picnic, weekly coffee hour and annual cookie exchange, in addition to various day trips and social gatherings throughout the year.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Perhaps our strongest area of fellowship is demonstrated by the women of St. Matthew's, who join together and support the church in all of its activities. Over the years, the ECW has provided numerous shelter meals for the homeless at St. Paul's Paterson and organized Blanket Sunday and the mitten tree. The ECW offers spiritual growth, focusing on mission and ministry and opportunities for service and social action. The ECW provides a time and a way for the women of St. Matthew's to come together for worship, study, outreach service and fellowship. All women of the congregation are welcome. ECW meets the first Wednesday of the month in the Hards Room for a time of business or planning and socializing with a "brown bag lunch". Won't you join us?
Coffee Hour We welcome all parishioners and visitors to join in this hour of socializing after worship. A volunteer Coffee Hour Host provides light refreshments and sets up coffee. (See the schedule on the narthex bulletin board if you are interested in hosting.)