Our military matters to St. Matthews; we have tailored a ministry focused on service member’s past and present and their family members. Military families started this church 50 years ago. This congregation began its faith journey by worshiping in homes on Randolph Air Force Base. Over the years, this church family has become a welcoming community which has never lost sight of the unique needs of the military with its nomadic nature, family separations, continual adjustment to new schools and work settings, and the list goes on. Episcopalian worship using the Book of Common Prayer is familiar no matter the duty station or new surroundings. It’s comforting to find an established church family that can help with the uncertainty of day-to-day military life and the transition from active duty to the community.

Matt’s Military Matters Ministry (M⁴) was formed to assist those who have been associated with the military, helping them to feel at home in our church and in our community. This ministry offers the following:

• Spiritual support through prayer for all those in harm’s way and for their families and friends
• Acknowledgement of the importance of the call to arms by recognizing those who are or have served and those who supported them
• Recognition for congregational members who have served in our country’s armed services
• Assistance and support when needed for congregational members who have served
• Assistance and support for members of the local community who have served

M⁴ and the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas offer help in the form of informational links to services designed to assist veterans at the national and state level. There are also links for spiritual support, employment and housing information, aid for family, children, and military spouses, emotional health and suicide prevention, information specifically tailored for the wounded service member, and social support.