church_ministries.html

Ministries

Some 50,000 individuals come to the Church annually for a host of direct service and outreach ministries. These ministries are listed below. If you would like to donate by check or credit card to any of them, please click here

PICA Community Meal Site— where 200 to 300 hungry Rhode Islanders receive a hot meal and a friendly smile every Friday (4:30–6:00 p.m.).

HIV/AIDS Drop-in Center— in partnership with Family Services of Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitalt, our Church provides space for those living with HIV to gather for conversation, education, and nutritional support on a weekly basis.

Kids-on-Keyboards— This music ministry focuses on the King of Instruments, the organ. The week-long project brings elementary school children to the church where David Clyle Morse, our church organist, leads workshops on the sound and science of organ music. Private tutorials are arranged for children and adults. Concerts performed by David and guest organists round out the week’s festivities.

RIOP— The Rhode Island Organizing Project is a covenant of some 35 churches and three labor unions working with issues of justice and advocacy. We are pleased to be part of the RIOP covenant and to host the staff and offices of RIOP in our building. To get the flavor or kind of work in which RIOP is involve, click on this link (to return to this page afterwards, press the "Back" button

on your web browser): RIOP.

PICA (Providence Intown Churches Association)—An ecumenical coalition of downtown Providence churches engaged in social service ministries. For more information on PICA and its member churches, click on this link (to return to this page afterwards, press the "Back" button

on your web browser): PICA.

HeadsUp, Inc.— An acronym for Health, Education and Arts Developing Service, Unity and Peace, this 501(c)(3) Board provides outreach services for health and wholeness, opportunities in the arts, and a variety of educational projects to help develop and enhance personal life skills. Our pastor is the President of the fifteen member board of Directors composed of members and nonmembers.

Down East Migrant Aid— Each year, we try to send a mission to Washington County, Maine to learn, work, worship, and play with the leaders and clients of Down East Migrant Aid. This ministry provides migrant workers -- who come to Maine each summer to pick blueberries -- with clothing, blankets, personal care items, education, and spiritual support.

Artist in Residence— Artists are invited to lead workshops and give performances for the congregation and community, participating with the congregation for varied lengths of time. Together we have experiences creative writing, photography, puppetry, video history, pottery, dance, and other artistic forms.

Artist Performance Series—A series of two or three artistic performances is presented during the year, funded by patrons and free to the public. Offerings received at the concerts are designated for local, national and global urban ministry.

Chapel Gallery— This intimate worship space on the first floor also offers display space for gallery shows and performance space for individual artists and ensembles.

Gallery Night— The third Thursday of the month, Mathewson Street United Methodist Church participates in the Greater Providence "Gallery Night." Running from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., the evening includes a concert by acclaimed pianist and organist David Clyle Morse (starting at 7:00), using two 40-minute programs (back-to-back with a 10 minute intermission). There is also a chance to meet and converse with the artist whose exhibit is on display. (For more on Providence's "Gallery Night," click here: www.gallerynight.info.)

Bright Night Festivities— We are a First Night venue for performances celebrating the new year, sharing our Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary with 2,500 revelers of all ages in a community-wide New Year’s Eve celebration.

The Labyrinth— offers opportunities for walking the sacred path regularly on Gallery Night (Third Thursday of the month, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and for use by other groups and individuals at other times by arrangement with the church office (401.331.8900) For more on Gallery Night, please click here: (Gallery Night). Our canvas labyrinth, patterned on the ancient floor design of the Chartes Cathedral and spread on the floor of our Theater space on the 4th floor welcomes walkers into a personal connection with God, stimulates personal reflection and problem solving, encourages emotional and physical healing, and provides peace and tranquility in the midst of life's stresses. Below is a photo from our Labyrinth:

United Methodist Women— a revitalized unit of the national organiation of the United Methodist Women; this group meets regularly to engage in study and mission.

Rhode Island Committee for Peace and Justice— This ministry of peace and justice advocacy, directed by Phil Edmonds, is supported by members of the congregation.