Little congregations can do good things

Little congregations can do good things.

St. Matthew Anglican Parish raises extra funds for outreach into the community every December. This year the projects chosen were health oriented. The Salvation Army Medical Clinic and the Archway Food Bank Dental Clinic shared in the $3000.00 donation.

The Medical Clinic will use the $1600.00 to purchase a needed ultrasound doppler. The clinic is staffed by an onsite nurse and a nurse practitioner. Virtual medical care is also provided with some local doctors.

Located at the Gladys Avenue campus, the clinic has had over 1800 patient visits in the past year. The Salvation Army looks after the needs of many of the neediest residents in Abbotsford. They provided 92,000 meals to homeless and transient people as well even more meals for flood victims in 2022. Their overnight shelter program provided over 9,000 bed spaces, especially needed in winter weather. The medical clinic serves the user population. It sees clients for addiction related problems, injuries from street living, pregnancies of women who are not within the normal maternity care system, and general health needs including monitoring medicines for diabetics.

The Dental Clinic provide oral checkups and care to a wide range of clients. Many seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for dentures, Archway assists these citizens. The $1400.00 donated by St. Matthew Parish will provide support to many neighbours, including dental care onsite. Staff include Dental Administrator Christina De Mora and the volunteer services of dentists and dental technicians. This community service is also serving the needs of some of the neediest people in Abbotsford.

St. Matthew parishioners support the work of the Archway Food Bank throughout the year. They are also generous supporters to worldwide needs with donations to the Primate World Relief Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada (PWRDF). Many of the parishioners work as volunteers and as advocates for a wide range of community and national causes.

You are invited to share in this work. Come and visit the small congregation any Sunday at 11am.                                                  

Submitted by: The Rev. Art Turnbull