“Outreach” is not just something Christians do. It is an extention of who we are, and thus an application of being constantly more “conformed to the image of the Son”, our Lord Jesus Christ. Outreach, as a disciple of Christ, therefore, is a way of life.
As a parish, we are looking to do a few things and do them well. The more people in our parish engaging and using their spiritual gifts, the more opportunities we will have to reach those outside of our worshipping community. God is already at work in our surrounding areas and in people’s lives before we arrive or meet them. We have been praying for wisdom and looking toward what the Lord might want us to do. Pray that the “Lord of the harvest would send laborers into the fields” to do his bidding. Pray that we would be those laborers and that we would expect the harvest He chooses to give us as we seek to bring joy to heaven by making disciples of those who are lost without Jesus, the savior of the world.
Also, pray that in any area of the created order – education, business, athletics, the arts, family, and community service in the Bloomington-Normal area – that we would be “light” as being those who do our jobs and do them well. People who are dependable, honest, respectful, and brave. Persons that value people, not use them for our own purposes. The Gospel of Jesus needs to be communicated through the preached and spoken (individually) Word of God. However, it is also communicated by how we live, because we have been created and redeemed in the very image of God.
In the Fall of 2021, our Vestry (administrative council) considered how we might remove unnecessary obstacles that visitors and those unfamiliar with church life might face as they enter our facilities and sanctuary. With our uncompromising commitment to the worship of our Triune God through our Holy Scriptures, Historic Liturgy, and the Ecumenical Creeds, we examined how we might facilitate better access to our services and a less encumbered path to engaged worship. Since then, we have added more visitor parking, handicapped parking, and clearer outdoor directional signage. We have created a process for welcoming and following up with visitors, and as a body we expect visitors and thus, are aware of them when they come. We also continued and enhanced our Order of Worship handouts (ordos) so to provide easier access for the uninitiated to the content of the BCP, the Holy Scriptures, and the Episcopal Hymnal (similar to the revolutionary technological development of the printing press, and the never-before-known development of using written books during Mass).
In the spring of 2022, our Vestry started discussions regarding our core values as a church parish and our future in serving and reaching out to the greater Bloomington-Normal population with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the faithful service in our congregation of those already reaching out and aiding various local ministry non-profits largely dedicated to the homeless, hungry, and broken in Bloomington-Normal. However, in addition (or alongside) these ministries, we want to encourage programming that might better expose us personally to those who have no faith or who have fallen away from the church.
In 2023 we were intentional about seeking out relationships with individuals and support services outside our covenant family. We began discussions, did research, and took steps related to “being in the way” where needs might exist in the hope of sharing the Gospel in both deed and word:
Relationships and Research
Fr. Tom continued his interactions with the CEO and Director of Home Sweet Home Ministries, and took a tour of their facilities while better understanding their multi-layered approach to addressing various kinds of homelessness. Fr. Tom and Matt Burgess continue to meet, and these meetings have led to many helpful conversations regarding homelessness in Bloomington-Normal, and the unexpected needs that appeared through the unforeseen “Tent City” which emerged this winter behind their property. At this time, Fr. Tom, the Outreach Committee, and many other members of the church are exploring possible future ministry opportunities with Home Sweet Home.
For the past 25+ years, our former Rectory has been used to provide and support thirteen different 12-step groups. We believe that we have a great opportunity to have “appropriate” relationships with many who attend these groups, within the confines of their boundaries, desires, and their very specific mission. That said, for those looking to consider Christianity as the “spiritual component” of their recovery, we as a church (and especially Father Tom) want to be prepared and receptive. In addition, we are in the process of assessing needs related to the care of this aging building and have even applied for multiple grants in the hope of some financial aid to continue this outreach.
An Updated Welcome
Continuing discussions on our Vestry from 2022 regarding ways to be more welcoming to those engaging St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, we have proactively moved forward. It was agreed upon and decided by the Vestry that renovation and maintenance work was needed so that we as a Parish are physically communicating our intention to “exist and thrive” in and for the future. With a multiple-phase effort in mind, we gathered multiple quotes from landscape design contractors, selected a company, and will break ground in the spring of 2024 for our Landscaping and Beautification Project.
This enhancement will refresh our exterior landscaping/entrances, fixtures, and outdoor seating. Phase II of our enhancement planning will likely consider our office space and parish hall with mission in mind. Meanwhile, while we wait for the right timing of this next enhancement, we still need better hallway interior signage, more accessible brochures, teaching pamphlets regarding our Theology and Tradition, and guides related to Anglican spirituality. Many of these things are already in the works and will appear in 2024.
More details to come as our outreach continues.