Creation Matters at St. Matthew’s in the Glebe

Many parishioners at St. Matthew’s in Ottawa are dedicated to highlighting environmental issues in the parish and the wider community.

Our Creation Matters Working Group organized a service focused on environmental issues and a celebration of Earth Day at our 10:30 Sunday service on April 26. Everyone was encouraged to use their non-fossil fuel mode of transport to get to church—bicycles, tricycles, scooters, walking shoes, and bus passes.

We have installed new bike racks to keep parishioners’ bicycles and other vehicles safe while at the church.

Others have participated in the Salad Garden Project, the Cycle Fitness morning, or made crab apple jelly from foraged fruit.

There is also ongoing work to make the church building itself greener.

Lights have been changed;

More vegetarian meals are being served at parish events

The parish has provided financial support to Water First, a non-profit group that helps with water issues in First Nations communities.

During the season of Advent, we had a gifting ceremony to honour and better understand our Indigenous neighbours and their cultures. Our gifting ceremony was for books. Debora and Marc Fleming, members of St. Matthew’s, gave several books to the parishioners. The object of the giving was that people would read the books and pass them on to others and discuss the contents.

Our belief is that many small steps will add up to a big effect.