Our Mission
To serve the community in Rastrick and throughout the world as disciples of Jesus Christ. (RK 29Jan15)
We seek to do this:
by maintaining a worshipping community at St Matthew's to serve the needs of the people of our Parish and wider area
by providing the Rastrick Parish Centre, as a venue for all the people of Rastrick
by building up our links with the local schools in Rastrick. Many of the schools visit the church for teaching sessions and for special events, such as carol services and thanks giving. The schools are visited regularly by members of the clergy and members of our Schools Liaison Group
by ensuring that the residents of the many old persons' homes in the Parish are visited regularly.
by supporting the Central Church Brighouse Foodbank through giving of time and weekly collection of food and toiletries etc.
For many years we have supported the work of Testimony Faith Homes in Eldoret Kenya, which is now led by Daryl and Carol Green. Daryl's father and mother, John and Esther spoke movingly about their life and supporting outcast children in Eldoret on Sunday 29th May 2011 at St Matthew's Church. Read John Green's blog. More news from Testimony Faith Homes on our news pages
Our Parish was linked with the Parish of Nyakiswa, in the Diocese of Mara in Tanzania.
By supporting The Children’s Society through our annual Christingle service and through regular personal giving.
By supporting The Central Methodist Church Foodbank whose aim is to support homeless and vulnerably housed people in the local community. Those who have a chaotic life style are given help at the drop-in centre at Central Methodist Church, Brighouse, where they can access a weekly food parcel and gain support and guidance to help them to move on from their current situation.
By supporting through the church annual planned giving :
All We Can (formerly the Methodist Relief and Development Fund) whose new initiative builds on its existing strengths in partnering with small local organisations, by working in collaboration with churches and offering training and support so that they can effectively respond to the needs of their local communities, throughout the world.
The Turning Point : Counselling Brighouse which exists to offer help to those who need someone to talk to - someone who will listen and understand, someone specially trained, someone they can trust.
The Mara Fund where our link Diocese of Mara in Tanzania supports projects such as Water for Life, the Bunda Bible College, Issenye Secondary School, the Buhemba Rural Agricultural Centre and the Faraja Centre, a counselling and support service for those with HIV and Aids
Testimony Faith Homes, Kenya (see above)
Hand to Mouth Ministries
Methodist Homes Association
see Page Links