St. Matthew's
1600 Norfolk St. N9E 1H5 Windsor, ON, Canada

If you stop reading before reaching the end, you might come away feeling rather deflated. Keep reading to the very end for some helpful tips. Stay well, everyone

Praying for the people and caregivers of the Opaskwyak Cree Nation

Please read carefully, especially the recommendation: "The health unit is also calling on residents to minimize close contacts to household members only, and to avoid visiting other homes."

Feeling grateful. After we lost Steve's dad, we returned from the funeral and I subsequently contracted COVID (unrelated to the funeral), culminating in an ambu...lance ride and week in hospital for steroids, antibodies and oxygen. But I am home and on the mend. Fortunately it never went beyond me; my family remained uninfected for which I am so grateful. I have been very cautious: I have not been to a grocery store since February; I work from home; I wear my mask, I don't shop or go to restaurants. Despite all that, a droplet found me. This is a serious virus and I was very sick. I don't want to see anyone go through what I did. But in the end, I have a wonderful family; my health care was excellent, I am getting stronger and God has me in his healing and loving hands. Stay well everyone. See more

Please have a look... I was aware of the meaning of the Orange Shirt, but not aware that September 30 was a designated day. This article gives background to this day, as well as some ideas for exploring, beyond Sept. 30. I particularly appreciate this one: "Visit the Truth and Reconcilation website of the Anglican Church of Canada to find out more about the history and relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Church." At St. Matthew's, we're looking for ways to keep t...he conversation going. Peace, Andreas+

Good food for thought, especially as we consider the implications for church communities.

To all of our family and friends: On October 28th Bob and I were in an horrible car accident. Someone ran a stop sign and t-boned us at Norfolk and Rankin. ... We were heading home , but ended up in someone’s front yard and tree. We were cut out of the car and transported to hospital. I was released with many bruises and contusions, but Bob stayed for 3 days with a bruised spleen and intestines and many bruises. We thank God that we are alive even though we ache a great deal. I am sure that the seatbelts and air bags saved us from more harm. Many thanks to the EMS, Windsor police and the firefighters who cut down a tree to get Bob to safety. Special thanks to Bob’ daughter, son-in-law and son as well as my nephew who stayed and helped at home and with the Insurance Company. We would have been more frustrated without them. We LOVE them all dearly. Thank you to our neighbours and dear friends who have brought food, flowers,run errands , raked our yard and taken us to doctor’s appointments. Thank you to the Rev. AndreasThiel and our Church family for their prayers and concerns. We are getting help from PSWs, OTs and PTs. A new car is in our future as ours was totalled. Again many thanks to all Margaret See more

Pastor Andy is back in the saddle, delighted to be joining a church full of spirit-filled congregants on our first Sunday worshipping together since mid-March. In many ways, this was a dream come true! (And no, there will be no rapping priest next Sunday.)

I don't believe everyone is aware of how much the West coast is burning right now. you hear about the fire in California maybe a peep out of the one in Oregon b...ut can we talk about the entire West coast. Washington State hit a historical moment with more than 330,000 acres burning in 24 hours, That is more than what burned in 12 of the last 18 entire fire seasons here in Washington state. Pray for everyone on the west coast this week as the temperature still rises and strong winds fuel this chaos until Thursday evening. #WaWILDFIRE #washingtonstate

Here's a quote that caught my eye, and I wondered if it might just be provocative enough to stimulate discussion!! What do you think, has Metzger touched on something that "church folk" need to consider? "...we often look at people pragmatically, in a utilitarian way, of what benefit we can gain from them if they attend our church? What are they going to put in the offering plate, or what kind of tools or gifting might they have? We want people to bring their resources and gifts and talents to the church, but do we care for them as persons in relationship?" (Paul Louis Metzger, Theologian)

Some insight into our local history

An interesting reflection. It speaks to the "ordinariness" of the saints, and that faith demands more from us than simply saying "I believe".

With all the news of the pandemic and the explosion in Beirut last week, there was a little-noticed report about another tragedy within the Anglican Communion: ...Militant gunmen stormed the Anglican Cathedral in Athooch in South Sudan, murdering most of those inside, including the Dean of the Cathedral. From ENS: "At least 23 people were killed and 20 others were wounded when unidentified gunmen stormed a church compound in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan’s Diocese of Athooch in Jonglei state on July 27. The assailants took six children as hostages, Bishop Moses Anur Ayom told Religion Unplugged. "The gunmen attacked Makol Chuei village from two directions, killing the cathedral’s dean and at least 14 women and children who had sought refuge in the church compound, vandalizing the church, destroying their worship instruments and then setting the area ablaze along with the entire village." (ENS, August 4, 2020). I had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with the Primate of South Sudan, Archbishop Justin Badi Aram, this past January at the Primates Meeting we hosted at the Dead Sea (see group photo below with Archbishop Suheil). Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families, with intercessions especially for the safe release of the children taken hostage. We also pray for God's Holy Protection upon Archbishop Justin and all his congregations, and for a peaceful end to the six-year-long Civil War in South Sudan. And we pray for all those persecuted for their faith around the world, especially our fellow Christians, who by far make up a majority of those so martyred in the 21st century.

Please folks download this app. It very clearly explains how it works. It DOES NOT use GPS to track you. It uses Bluetooth technology to alert your phone if you’ve been within 2 meters of someone with COVID-19 for 15 minutes. #ContactTracing is critical.

Some helpful statistics for those who have concerns about gathering in groups. Our priority must be the safety of every single person! MASKS. PHYSICAL DISTANCING. FREQUENT HANDWASHING. We can do it!!

This photo doesn't come close to doing it justice! Our beautiful St. Matthew's garden, tended by the beautiful people of St. Matthew's!!