LEARNING & GROWING IN CHRIST |
- St. Matthew's vision statement |
| We recognise that an important role of the local Church is to build up the Body of Christ and to equip Christians for their Monday to Saturday lives. St. Matthew's offers various opportunities to help you grow in faith, in addition to the Bible teaching given in Sunday sermons. |
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The Anglican Church follows the practice of the early Church in separating Baptism from Confirmation. Traditionally, for Anglicans, Baptism happens when we are still infants. However, we each declare our Baptismal faith our own when we make a public commitment to Christ in the Confirmation service. In that service, the Bishop asks the candidates: Bishop: Do you turn to Christ? Candidate: I turn to Christ. Bishop: Do you repent of your sins? Candidate: I repent of my sins. Bishop: Do you renounce evil? Candidate: I renounce evil. |  |
| These are big promises to make and candidates need to make sure they are ready to make them in public. The candidate normally has to be at least 12 years old. Confirmation classes give you ample opportunity to learn more about God and to prepare yourself for this exciting step of faith. For details of classes, please keep an eye on the weekly Newsletter, or ask the Chaplain. |
Our vision is for St. Matthew’s Church to flourish, root and branch, across the city. To this end, we have established a network of homegroups across the city, meeting for Bible study, mutual support, friendship and prayer. We believe that study and prayer are key activities in growing vigorous Churches and encouraging individual Christians to mature in faith. We can put you in touch with a homegroup in your area. Please see the map on the noticeboard or ask the Chaplain. |
Once a year, usually in December, we organise a traditional, preached retreat at the Galilee Centre in Debre Zeit. The weekends are structured around devotional addresses in the chapel, but offer plenty of opportunity for silence, rest, prayer, worship, reading and swimming in the lake. The Galilee Centre offers comfortable accommodation in a beautiful setting, overlooking the crater lake of Babugaya. We usually arrive on Friday afternoon, in time for supper and leave after tea on Sunday afternoon. Please ask the Chaplain for details. |
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& Bible Study materials We have a reasonably well-stocked theological library and an extensive range of Bible study materials available for individual or group use. Please speak to the Chaplain if you would like to see any of these. |
St. Matthew's offers an imaginative Sunday School programme and a monthly all-age Family Service. For further details, click on Sunday School in the menu on the left. |
Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a special half-day session to cover some topics in greater depth. Click on Alpha Course in the menu on the left for further information. |
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| St. Matthew's puts on a variety of social occasions throughout the year, to strengthen our fellowship through having fun together. Events in the past have included: |
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| For future social events please see the Notice Board in the porch and the Sunday notice sheet. |
| Tel: 0111 233260 | Fax: 0111 239930 | Email: enquiries@stmatthews-addis.org |