We are a Church that seeks to welcome everyone, We are an inclusive Church which means we are all welcome, whatever our gender, race or sexual orientation and with whatever needs we have. We are also a Recovery Friendly Churchcommitted to supporting one another in our mental health and well-being. Being a welcoming Church sometimes that means adapting what we do in order to meet people's needs. We are happy to do that, so if you or your family have specific needs please let us know.
Our hope is that St Matthew's is a place where people discover that they are loved, both by the God that created them and by their Church community. Knowing that you are loved without condition can be healing. It can lead to experiencing forgiveness as well as being able to let go of our past. It can also be a place where we find our role and realise that our gifts are valued. You are welcome to visit, to worship and to make yourself at home.
SAFEGUARDING. Is someone hurting you? We care! Call our Parish Safeguarding Officer on 01603 438938. Full details of other contacts and our policies can be found HERE: Safeguarding
Services
Holy Week
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This year we are celebrating Holy Week with St Francis Heartsease please make sure you get the right location!
Wednesday Bible Study 7 PM St Francis the last of our Lent course sessions explores the final words of the Lord's Prayer.
Maundy Thursday 7 PM St Matthews Foot Washing and Holy Communion
Good Friday
Vigil of the Cross 2 PM St Francis Easter Sunday services St Matthews 9.30am and St Francis 11.00 AM
Sunday
If you are not sure which service would suit you best, please speak to Rev Patrick
8 am Traditional language Holy Communion. A short more reflective service (8 am from Sunday 3rd September)
9.30am Holy Communion. This is our main service on a Sunday morning. The service hymns led by our choir, reflection on the bible and sharing the bread and wine. Everybody is welcome and we aim to be reverent and relaxed.
1st Sunday 9.30am All age Service of the word. We reflect together on a theme, using scripture, art, music, discussion and prayer.
Children's Church Each Sunday morning there is provision for children at the back of Church, which is shaped around the children who come and is very relaxed and informal.
On the 2nd and 4th Sunday at 3pm we have Children's Church in the afternoon. This is a time for families (whatever their shape) to learn together through craft, story and simple prayers. We hope to discover bible stories together as well as Children's spirituality. The sessions last about 45 minutes and end with biscuits and squash, so we have time to enjoy each other's company.
Wednesday 9.30am Holy communion. A relaxed service in which we discuss and reflect on the previous Sunday's readings
News
Lent Course
This year our Lent course will be on Wednesday evenings at 7pm from the 21st of February to the 20th of March. Our theme is the Lord's Prayer and we will be meeting across two sites with our Mission partners St Francis Heartsease.Heartsease. stfrancisheartsease.co.uk/ Please see the program below: 21st Feb St Francis ~Father 28 Feb St Matt ~ Thy Kingdom Come 13 March St Matt ~ Give us this day 20 March St Francis ~ Forgive us 27 March St Francis~ Deliver us from evil
New home to open in Thorpe Hamlet
St Matthews will be working with Hope into Action this year to support refugees living in a new home in the Parish. Hope into Action link Churches and Investors by buying property to help people out of homelessness with befriending provided by the Church and professional support from the Charity. You can find out more about Hope into Action by clicking the link www.hopeintoaction.org.uk . We are hoping to open the new house to it's first residents after Easter and need to raise £2000 to furnish it, to make a donation please visit our giving page.
The Diocese of Norwich is producing a newsletter you can subscribe to hitting the eNews button.
There are lots of ways of keeping in touch with St Matthews, you can email us your prayer requests, or your offers of help. If there are things you need we will try and match you up with someone who you know, who can help.