​When the McKee and Longwoods Purchase Treaties were signed by the Three Fires Confederacy – the Odawa, Potawatami and Ojibwe, known as the Anishanaabeg and the Lunaapeew – and the Crown – on our behalf – we entered into a sacred covenant, the two-row path, for as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow, and the grass grows. 
As we recognize the survivors, memorialize the innocent dead, and engage with our own country and church’s history with residential schools, we keep in the forefront our desire to move forward on the path our ancestors abandoned. 
Now is the time for radical honesty and abundant grace to truly commit, to walk together in harmony, in equity, in justice, in partnership.
To show we were wrong, and we are sorry, and we are now a two-row path people. ​
                                                                                                                                          Can we improve on this Land Acknowledgement statement? Please contact us to let us know.

Welcome to
​St. Matthew's!

We're learning, we're looking outside ourselves, we're open to change.
And we're different. 
We're different because at present we're an experiment in our diocese, a new way to look at rural ministry. 
We have given up our beautiful, historic, neo-gothic, ruinously expensive building in order to be a church that is the people. 
We worship in, and conduct outreach from, our hall (across the road from the old church)
​Learn more on our About page and below.
Or just ask us.
Ask us about our outreach initiatives, our study group, our walking group, our lay-led Sundays. Ask us why there is a red dress at our hall door, how we have gone green and fair (i.e. fairtrade), and what can happen when you make a plan! 
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The old church and cemetery
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The hall entrance with red dress honouring MMIW

The Little Free Pantry

HOW IT BEGAN
During the COVID-19 pandemic, with grocery costs rising, we decided to start a Little Free Pantry. Its motto was the same as other similar pantries:
"Take what you need; leave what you can."
It was an immediate hit.
A local repair shop uptown in the village agreed right away to host the pantry and to supply a heater to keep it from freezing in winter, a local carpenter built, painted, and installed it, a local signmaker made it visible, and villagers were keen to contribute.
​All was working well!
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Costs kept rising, and the pantry emptied nearly daily. We found that if we left it to casual donations, the shelves would be empty. 
​But we were fortunate to be able to gather donations from individuals and organizations that help us keep it going!
Then came the Inn of the Good Shepherd with its food truck and its many other services for the underserved. That comes with their generous donation of frozen meat for distribution over the entire year, and extra produce, which we process in the hall for freezing and distribution. 
And, at the same time, came our health services! Paramedics, dieticians, nurses!
Read more about the outreach from our bustling hall on our About page. 
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A community gathering
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The sign at the crossroads
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A study group session-end
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Five Marks of Mission - see below
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Hearts knitted to unite patients and families during the pandemic
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A quilt by our Village Stitchers

The Five Marks of Mission

1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
2. To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to
    challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace
    and reconciliation
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and
​     sustain and renew the life of the earth

​