St. Matthew's is dedicated to working toward racial and social equity and healing. We are not perfect but are learning and involving ourselves in becoming better allies to all peoples who face systemic oppression. St. Matthew's is an Evanston Sanctuary Community.
In partnership with St. Andrew's Pentecost Episcopal Church we are working to address the needs of immigrants and minorities in order to create a community based on equality, respect, care, and Christian love.
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Wednesday Lunch Program
Coordinator: Kati Olsen
Every Wednesday, members of St. Matthew’s work with members of St. Mark’s to feed lunch to the homeless and working poor of Evanston. Many have come to count on the Wednesday lunch program and tell the volunteers that it is one of their favorite meals of the whole week. Anyone can help in some way. We prepare sandwiches and serve on Wednesdays during lunchtime. Volunteer times are as you are able so can be regularly or periodically, according to your own schedule.
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Contact Kati Olsen for more information, or sign up to volunteer here.
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Anti-Racism / Loving Our Neighbor Team
Contact: Kristin Jacobsen
We believe that work against racism is part of baptismal promises we make as Episcopalians to love our neighbors as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people. The 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer helped us see that we as white people were long overdue to actively confront racism. We found wisdom in the three-pronged approach recommended by Sherialyn Birdsong, founder of the Race Against Hate, that white people need to LISTEN, LEARN, and ACT simultaneously to work against racism. The Antiracism Team currently focuses on issues related African Americans, Native Americans, and Immigrants/Refugees. For more information, contact team leader Kristin Jacobsen.
Refugee Support
Contact: Judy Royal
We provides an opportunity for refugee families* affiliated with collaborating support organizations to visit our upstairs household goods collection and basement furniture room to select needed items. Your contributions are welcome!
The 2nd floor room accepts donations of household goods such as plates, glasses, flatware, kitchen utensils, small appliances, towels and toys.
The furniture room is currently crowded but may accept certain items, especially TVs. Please contact Judy Royal before donating furniture to verify it is needed.
Please bring household items to the second-floor hallway outside the Refugee Room or leave them on the bench near the church office.
*We also work with the City of Evanston to support a limited number of formerly unhoused people.
For more information or to send a photo or description of your furniture, please text Judy Royal at 847-814-1271.
St. Matthew’s/St. Andrews Pentecost Partnership
Coordinator: Roberta Buchanan
Our partnership between two Evanston Episcopal churches (St. Andrew's Pentecost and St. Matthew's) began as a community of fellowship, and upon that foundation has evolved into working together to make a positive difference in the world. The team's initiatives include conversations, learning and shared events, with a current focus on social justice issues such as standing together in support of refugees. Examples of events have been a community-wide "Love God/Love Neighbor" seminar in collaboration with Episcopal Migration Ministries, a Lenten session by a renowned author about her family's escape from Nigeria as war refugees, and collection drives such as school supplies for the children of a local refugee family. In addition to Steering Committee participation, the partnership has opportunities to assist with individual events or community efforts as time permits. We welcome anyone of High School age and up to join us in community building, outreach, sharing ministry, and working toward bringing social justice to the world. The steering committee meets monthly for about 90 minutes. Event planning requires additional time. Time averages 2-4 hours a month.
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Green Team
Contact: Jennie Woodring
For those who are passionate about living into our Christian call to be good stewards of Creation, the Green Team is an opportunity to put your passion into action! Some of the ways in which we care for Creation at St. Matthew's include: reducing the amount of waste both coming into and leaving our facility, learning and educating the congregation about simple ways to reduce our footprint on the Earth and advocating for policies and laws that promote sustainable practices both locally and nationally. We always welcome new members and ideas to help us love Creation as best as we can! ​
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Interfaith Acton of Evanston
Contact: Karen Hertel or www.interfaithactionofevanston.org.
St. Matthew’s is a member of Interfaith Action of Evanston. As part of this group we join forces with more than 40 communities of faith in Evanston to assist the homeless and the working poor in our community. Our engagement includes material support and financial contributions in our annual membership and through generous giving. Our funds help provide meals, overnight shelter during cold nights in the winter months, a warming center during winter days, job training assistance and other supports. We celebrate individuals who have had an impact on the community, each year, at the Vision Keepers Dinner. All are more than welcome to join this effort.
Pride Parade
The Annual Chicago Pride Parade takes to the streets of the Lake View neighborhood Chicago showing our support for those in the LGBTQ+ community. This is one way we show our love in action. As fear of the other and rhetoric discriminating against those whose lifestyle may not be respected by those in power, it is more important than ever that our voices of support and love are heard. We march with the Diocese of Chicago within the coalition of welcoming churches. Any and all can and are welcome to march!
Race Against Hate
Coordinator: YWCA Northshore.
The Race Against Hate honors the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong, former Northwestern University Basketball Coach, Vice President of Affairs at Aon Corporation, and Skokie resident who was murdered by a white supremacist in 1999 while walking in his neighborhood with two of his young children. The Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate brings together thousands of people to run and walk in unity against racial hatred and violence. In 2018 St. Matthew's became an official sponsor of this event. We host an early morning (pre-race) on-site Eucharist for runners and volunteers, as well as staffed a St. Matthew’s hospitality booth which providing snacks and parish information for all gathered. The St. Matthew’s logo was featured on over 5000 running shirts, posters and promotional materials for the race. Anyone can “race” or help!
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The YWCA is always looking for volunteers prior to race day to assemble goodie bags for participants. There are approximately 5500 bags to prepare so if you have some time, they would appreciate your help.
YWCA Stand Against Racism
The Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. The stand happens every April. We gather with others in our community to stand together to raise racial awareness. Dates, times, and locations are advertised in the weekly announcements and Eblast. Everyone of any age is encouraged and welcome to stand with us.​