House of Refuge for Battered Women and Children
The House of Refuge is a Darlington organization that helps battered women find a safe place to go. They have been involved in transitional house for women for the last 10 years. St. Matthew’s Men’s Ministry and Darlington Presbyterian have teamed up to assist the House of Refuge in obtaining and rehabbing a safe location for Women and Children of Domestic Violence. Men from both churches have built a handicapped ramp and are repairing a house in a private location. They are very happy to start their 10th year of service with a safe home for those who need it.
The House of Refuge still need supplies and help. Here is their Amazon Wish list.
Medical Mission to Dominican Republic
The Purple Fish Coffee Company is an Outreach Ministry of St. Matthew’s Church. All proceeds go to Missions such as the SC Medical Mission to the Dominican Republic. The Medical mission team travels to Angelina in the Dominican Republic. They will turn the church into a clinic site and see fifty or more patients each day for illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure as well as those needing wound care. They provide reading glasses and toiletries where needed as well. The Medical Team includes several members from Anglican and Episcopal Churches in South Carolina.
Visiting old friends and meeting new friends in the Dominican Republic
Kairos
Why Cookies for Kairos #59?
Why Cookies? One of the many demonstrations of love offered during a three day weekend is an outpouring of cookies. Included in each bag of cookies is a scripture message. Homemade cookies are a tangible and vital expression of Christ’s selfless love and witness from the outside Christian Community.
When Kairos first began in Florida during the 1970’s, a problem arose that seriously threatened the ministry. The Kairos candidates were excused from their regular duties for this time, and in addition, they were enjoying the food being prepared by the Kairos kitchen team while the rest of the population had to be content with regular prison fare. Some of the inmates resented this to the point of making life so miserable for the candidates that it was feared they would drop out of the weekend.
The Kairos leaders met to determine what could be done to eliminate this problem. Since it was felt that this ministry had been called into existence by God, the group prayed that he would give them the answer they needed. After a long period of praying and listening, several members of the team were given the word: “cookies.” The Kairos Cookie Ministry (for that is what it is – a ministry) began as a result of this meeting.
Each three-day weekend a dozen cookies are distributed to every resident and correctional officer of the institution, as well as to those residents participating in the Kairos weekend. Not only has this eliminated the original problem, it has resulted in the candidates being encouraged by the rest of the prison population to continue to participate, so that they will continue to receive cookies from the candidates!
These cookies and snacks tell the residents that someone who doesn’t know them still cares enough to give a part of their life, investing the time it takes to bake the cookies without wanting anything in return. Such selflessness is often a unique experience for them. Most inmates in our prison system are takers, not givers. This brief experience of sharing something of value freely – often with those they do not like – has a powerful effect as well. Someone has said these cookies are “seeds of love” being sown in the hearts of those who know so little of the love God’s children are commanded to show forth in the world.
For more information, contact office@saintmatthews.us.
Youth Missions
Gathering after a hard day of work
Mercy Medical Free Clinics (Free Medical Clinic of Darlington)
“The Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County and Mercy Medicine Free Clinic have merged to create "Mercy Medical Free Clinics." A NEW website is under construction. For now, our services and locations remain the same.”
The Lord Cares
The Pilot Club of Darlington delivers School Supplies Photo: News and Press, Darlington SC
Community Connections
In this year’s Alterative Gift Fair, there was a new ministry listed. A lot of parishioners have asked, “What is Community Connections?” In 2016, eleven organizations gathered because they realized that the underserved citizens of Darlington needed hot meals. They started in a donated store front. In 2018, they saw that there was a need to expand and broaden services and connect to more individuals and neighborhoods, in 2018 “Community Connections” was born.
On Saturday mornings, the soup kitchen prepares as many as 200 meals. Different organizations volunteer on Saturday mornings to provide these meals. In 2024, St. Matthew’s Church has two Saturdays in which we will be preparing these meals at the Soup Kitchen. We prepared and served Breakfast on Saturday April 20th. Our next serving day will be Saturday, September 28th.
Community Connections is a ministry of The First Church of God in Darlington.
