SAINT MATTHEW'S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
36 NEW CANAAN RD
WILTON, CT 06897
MISSION
"I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me'". ––Matthew 24:40
Service to the needy is recognized as service directly to Jesus. Jesus calls his disciples (us) to demonstrate God’s love for all through loving service and witness in the world. As Episcopalians, we believe that God calls all people to participate in the mission of God. As a parish, St. Matthew’s is generous with its time, talent, and treasure reaching beyond our church walls. We partner with two specific organizations on a regular basis: Circle of Care and the multiple services of Open Doors. Always ready to respond to new needs as they arise, holiday gifts are often collected for several non-profits, including the Norwalk Academy of Bilingual Students and Wilton Social Services.
RISE AGAINST HUNGER
St. Matthew’s is a founding member of Wi-ACT, the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee (“We Act Together for Good!”), composed of congregants from twelve Wilton faith institutions – Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim neighbors working together. Annually, over 700 individuals of all ages join together for Rise Hunger Now in which 142,000 (or more) highly nutritious meals are packaged in one day. Read more of our 2025 event from "Good Morning Wilton" here.
OPEN DOORS
A multifaceted organization, Open Doors' mission is to address the causes and complexity of homeless and working poor by providing shelter, food, clothing, case management services, treatment services, education, and a path towards independence and success. Located in Norwalk, they provide shelter nightly with over 95 beds. Serving meals three times a day, between the kitchen and food pantry they provide over 60,000 meals a month to individuals and families in in the greater Norwalk community.
Every other month over 15-20 individuals from St. Matthew's donate specific ingredients (from sugar & butter to meat & cheese) to create a hot meal for Manna House, Open Doors "meal service." Contact Dodo Roberts or Linda Gortz to participate. Food drives have also supplied the Grocery Pantry and teams have also volunteered to spruce up the playground and sort clothing in the Community Closet.
St Matthew’s regularly holds seasonal donation drives for a number of specific items for the clients of Open Doors' shelter. Stuff-a-Sock is a favorite summer collection in which we collect white sports sock and personal size toiletries. Once collected, these toiletries are “stuffed” into the socks by local youth. Other donation drives for individuals and families include winter apparel, diapers, Halloween costumes, and holiday gifts. Contact George Fuller or Char Griffin for more information.
CIRCLE OF CARE
Located in Wilton, Circle of Care was founded by parents whose children had been diagnosed with cancer. The organization’s mission is to provide practical, emotional, and financial assistance to Connecticut families through programs and services that meet the unique and challenging needs of pediatric cancer treatment. Read a story about a room makeover done by Circle of Care here.
Currently, St. Matthew’s women gather to create “Knots of Love,” cozy fleece blankets that each go into a “Bag of Love” that children receive when they go into the hospital. Collections and donations are also held for holiday gifts and other items as needed throughout the year.
