Ministry Team Meeting
Welcome to
St Matthew's Church,
Salford Priors
Warwickshire
The Parish Church
St Matthew's is the parish church of Salford Priors and surrounding hamlets. It is a very old building dating back in part to the 11th century. There is a history booklet available in the church (£3 donation suggested) with much information on how the building has changed over the centuries.
Latest News
Service on Wednesday 6th December
7.00pm - Blue Christmas Carol Service
Services next Sunday (10th December)
10.30am - Holy Communion
10.30am - Muddy Church
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St Matthew's Christmas Appeal 2023
This Christmas, St Matthew’s congregation and our village community are keen to support families who are facing financial hardship and need some extra help.
These families have children at either Salford Priors C of E Academy or Dunnington Primary.
We are planning to give supermarket gift cards to the families,
which can be used to buy gifts, food or clothing.
If you would like to donate this year, please donate using
our Dona card machine at the back of Church OR you can give online using this link:
St. Matthew's Church | Giving to St Matthew's
(stmatthewssalfordpriors.org.uk)
If using the link, please click the ‘Donate with Dona’ button
and then choose the ‘Christmas Appeal’ button.
To ensure we can get the vouchers out to families on time,
please make your donations by midday Sunday 10th December.
We will collate all of the donations and divide the total out to buy enough vouchers
for the families in need in time for Christmas.
Many thanks for your kindness and generosity this festive season.
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A message from Roger & Dianne:
After a wonderful time on Sunday 19th November, celebrating the love and service provided by Roger & Dianne Huggins over the years they've been part of the St Matthew's family, we received the following message from them in response to the tokens of gratitude we presented them with:
"Thank you to everyone for this beautiful card and the words of love it contains. We will miss ALL of you and pray that St Matts will continue to grow and develop as you serve God and the people of Salford Priors."
We continue to pray for Roger and Dianne as they settle at their new home up north,
and to thank God for their immeasurable friendship and service.
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Who are we?
St Matthew's is part of the Heart of England group of churches which includes Bidford on Avon, Binton, Exhall, Temple Grafton and Wixford. At present there is a vacancy for a Rector who is the incumbent for all our 6 Churches.
Our Associate Minister is Rev Sheila Bridge who has special responsibility for Salford Priors and lives in the Vicarage in the village with her husband David and dog "Barney".
She is supported by a Ministry Team of lay members who help to plan and deliver the ministry of the church in both outreach and services.
Amy James is our new Group Administrator. Amy will be working part time and is the person to contact initially for any enquiries about the church.
Sarah Folkes is our Family Link Worker and organises children's activities on Sunday mornings. She leads the Saplings team and organises regular events at the schools and Summer activities during the school holidays.
We are a very welcoming church and our building is open every day for private prayer, just sitting quietly or exploring the lovely old church.
Our main services are held at 10.30am on Sunday mornings and tea and coffee are offered both before and after the service. Family services are held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays with Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th. There is an early 8.45am service of Holy Communion on the 1st Sunday of every month.
Once a month we hold a "Breathing Space" service at 5pm on a Sunday afternoon. This is a quiet, reflective service which includes periods of silence, peaceful music, short readings and prayers. Tea or coffee and a chat is available from 4pm for anyone who would like it.
Our pattern of services can be found on the "Our Services" page of this website
We have a dedicated area in the south aisle where toys and books are available for children and their carers during services, and we usually have some kind of small craft activity for children during services when no formal childrens groups are happening.
"Saplings" is our mothers, carers and toddlers stay and play group which meets on Monday mornings during term time - usually in the Church Room, but during the summer is often outside in the churchyard. It is led by our Family Link Worker - Mrs Sarah Folkes and a team of helpers.
There is a small termly subscription for Saplings and pre-registration is essential due to the popularity of the sessions.
Sarah often organises "trails" around the churchyard with items, messages and sometimes quizes placed amongst the trees and memorials which children love to follow and discover. These are usually set up around a holiday or special season, so watch this space for details.