St. Matthew's Parishioners "Reaching Out As Christ's Hands In The World"
St. Matthew’s has a long history of “reaching out as Christ’s hands in the world.” Here are just a few examples of programs that have been started by parishioners who have responded to a need they have seen. Also, we are highlighting three Bell Award winners for their community service. There are many other parishioners who could be mentioned here, but for space limitations. We are justly proud of this history, and commit ourselves to build upon this strong foundation as we move into the future.
Bell Award Winners
Since 1987, WLKT-TV has presented ten Bell Awards each year to call attention to local citizens who have been outstanding volunteers. Those picked have rarely been in the public spotlight, but are chosen by the foundation’s board for their unselfish public service.
Chuck has been involved in the Diocesan companion relationships with Guatemala and Ghana. In Guatemala City, he helped build a school and then came home and convinced the St. Matthew’s Lions Club to sponsor another school. In Ghana he helped to plant 3000 fruit, nut and mahogany trees that would grow to be firewood and help people in the Tamale region.
Chuck has wonderful woodworking skills and has contributed everything from making toys as part of a project of KYANA Woodcrafters Club for the Salvation Army to making the tables that flank our altar to being part of our monthly Habitat for Humanity crew that goes back to the first blitz house in Louisville. Chuck was selected as one of four Senior Citizens of the year in 1997-1998 when he was 80 years old.
Jonnie Vatter Hoge – 1986
As well as helping to start Survivors of Suicide, Jonnie was one of the first women on the vestry of St. Matthew’s. She helped accomplish the renovation of Edison House. She volunteered and was on the board of Norton’s Hospital and initiated and developed Project Gingerbread, a fundraiser for Seven Counties Services Child and Adolescent Program. In 1984, she received the Community Service of the year award from Seven Counties Services.
Pat Warden – 1982
Pat responded to an article in the Courier Journal that described the needs of “the boat people” from Vietnam. She organized over twenty teachers and other volunteers, many from St. Matthew’s and Our Merciful Savior to teach English to this group. The lessons and other activities lasted for over two years and changed many lives.
Pat was also instrumental in starting the first AIDS support group in Louisville. At that time especially, AIDS victims were often alone and shunned by their communities and even their families. The group provided companionship and gifts at holidays. Pat organized furnishings for Glade House, a residence for AIDS patients. St. Matthew’s also sent volunteers to the House of Ruth to provide support for families. For several weeks St. Matthew’s filled Clingman Hall with a Sunday school class where we learned more about these issues.
Hospice of Louisville
In the 1970’s interest in the hospice concept was growing in the United States. In 1974, The Reverend Dick Humke along with three other gentlemen began meeting to respond to the needs of terminally ill patients and their families. In 1976 Hospice of Louisville was incorporated and in the beginning it was an all volunteer organization. The first patients were accepted in June 1978 about the same time that the National Hospice Organization was formed. Since then thousands of patients have been served.
The Rev. Richard H. Humke
Survivors of Suicide
In 1985, a new support group for the family and friends of persons who have committed suicide was formed at St. Matthew’s. S.O.S. provides support to persons whose lives have been touched by suicide and a safe place for survivors to work through their grief. The group continues to meet at St. Matthew’s and has also helped other communities form their own groups.
Jo Ann Dodson
Jonnie Vatter Hoge
Dottie Snell
Oyugis, Kenya Mission
In 1997 John first led a group in developing a relationship with an Anglican parish in Oyugis, Kenya. Since then several groups, which include many St. Matthew’s parishioners, have made the trip to Kenya to work on projects. These groups have built two churches, purchased a motorcycle for the pastor to travel between his nine churches, repaired the Wire Clinic and seen over 1700 patients and taught AIDS education. They have built four playgrounds and delivered many school supplies and medical equipment and supplies. St. Matthew’s parishioners have also given $5500 to help support orphans over the last two years. The next trip to Oyugis is planned for June 11-26. Plans are to build a community center for widows and orphans, to work on a school building and to complete the water system for the Wire Clinic. There will be many opportunities to help. Watch the website and newsletters.
John Willingham
Sister Cities
In 1979 the Sister Cities International Conference was held in Louisville and the Tamale, Ghana – Louisville relationship was signed. In 1984, the Diocese of Kentucky started a Companion Relations Committee to develop ties with Ghana. Jo made the initial trip to Ghana to locate a companion church for St. Matthew’s and to identify the needs of its community. There were many facets to the relationship, but one obvious need was clean water. Jo worked with others to arrange for the necessary rig and other supplies and equipment to be shipped to Ghana so that water wells could be dug. In time the project was turned over to the local community.
Jo Brendel
Wellspring
Wellspring was founded in 1982 to promote the recovery of persons with severe and persistent mental illness through leadership in the development of quality housing and rehabilitative services. Their work has also led to the founding of the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD). Its purpose is to raise and distribute funds for scientific research into the causes, cures, treatments and preventions of severe mental illnesses.
Phil Ardery
Mac Matthews
Bos Todd