We have all received the call in Isaiah 40:1, to “Comfort my people says your God,” and in Matthew 25:40, when Jesus tells us that what we do for the least of them, we do for Him. At St. Matthew, we answered that call and accepted the challenge to provide for those who must flee their homes due to any kind of natural disaster - floods, earthquakes, fires - and don’t have time to pack even essential items. These people are the least of them, perhaps leaving with only the clothes they were wearing, perhaps not knowing where their next steps would take them.

In support of one of the many ways that Lutheran World Relief responds to world disasters, the Women of the ELCA and the Intergenerational Faith Connections here at St. Matthew, have just finished the drive to provide Personal Care Kits to help those in need to maintain personal hygiene and provide a bit of comfort and dignity as they have no homes. Because of the amazing generosity and our commitment to “Comfort God’s people,” St. Matthew just assembled 1,032 Care Kits! That means that over 1,000 of “the least of them,” will receive our help. Literally hundreds of hands from St. Matthew were involved in this effort, providing towels and other essentials for the kits, contributing financially, and working to assemble and pack the kits for shipping.

Pictures from the 2025 Personal Care Kit Packing event that took place on May 18, 2025: