Saint Matthew Lutheran Church--Urbana Illinois

09/05/2026

A reminder that tomorrow morning’s 9:30 worship service is outside on the West lawn! Bring a lawn chair and come worship!

09/01/2026

A huge shout out to the many StML volunteers and community members who put so much energy into the Annual Community Rummage Sale! We brought in over $4,000 dollars again this year! I'll be dropping our $2,000 check off to Salt and Light in Urbana as our Community Partner this year. The other $2,000 goes to support our Youth Programming this year.

07/03/2026

So proud to be a small part of this opportunity to spread the joy of reading and keep family connections.

Our Storybook Project is growing! We helped 50 men send 61 of their children books this week! Thank you to our group of volunteers! "Storybook Project is an LSSI-facilitated program at 14 prisons and jails throughout the state that allows incarcerated parents to record themselves reading a book to their children. With the help of dedicated, well-trained volunteers and donated children’s books, parents select a book at the appropriate reading level of their child. Then a volunteer sits with parents to record a story, which is then burned onto a CD. The CD and book are mailed to the child or children at no cost to the family."

07/02/2026

STM Family: please read and give as you can. Fiona and our farm folks have worked very hard to get this program well established. We have an opportunity to provide experiential learning for our schools In Urbana. Help us take over where the school district has chosen not to.

When we posted recently about our Farm to School program (link to video in comments), many of you reached to ask how you could help.

Well, here we are! Help us rehome and revitalize CU Farm to School! In order to ensure its continued existence and service to the youth of our community, Sola Gratia Farm is adopting the valued program.

We're so proud of what the program has achieved since 2020, when we helped start this program in partnership with Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Urbana School District 116:
🥬 Active gardens at every school
🍎 Unique farm field trip opportunities
🌽 Hands-on learning about where food comes from and how it's grown
🌶 Local food being enjoyed on the lunch line

In a time of uncertainty and increasing challenges facing school personnel and students alike, this program helps kids develop healthy life skills, engage socially, and make real-world connections with their learning.

Urbana School District no longer has the capacity to facilitate this program and it breaks our hearts to think of the students losing this opportunity.

With your support, Sola Gratia Farm can step up and take on the following F2S components:
~Farm visit program
~Classroom visit program
~Library of F2S curriculum kits
~Support for school gardens including plants, seeds, tools and technical guidance
~F2S Local Food Systems Directory

Imagine what the future of student health and wellness could look like if Farm to School continues to grow! Your support will make a big difference!

Farm to School is beneficial because it:

🥬 Improves student nutrition and health
🍅 Encourages hands-on learning about agriculture, nutrition and food systems
🥦 Builds community connections between schools, farms, and families

Help us continue to build Farm to School and connect students with the resources they need to support lifelong healthy habits!

Your support will help us continue the Farm to School program. There is a link in comments if you would like to support the program's transition to being homed at Sola Gratia Farm. Spread the word!

Edited to add: whoops, we asked you to share but comments don't share, so here is the link! https://solagratiacsa.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/farm-to-school

06/07/2026

05/31/2026

Such a joy worshipping and celebrating with all in attendance this joyful Holy Trinity Sunday! We give thanks and praise for Pr. Paul Chapman and the work he has done with the ministries of St. Matt’s, and wish him blessings in his retirement and adventures to come.

05/17/2026

Congratulations to the newest confirmed members of our Congregation, Khloe and Warren! May the Spirit travel with you in all your future endeavors, and guide you always back to the Light of God.

05/12/2026

Did you miss the STM Book Sale on Mother's Day Weekend? I know you are sad, so we are opening for one more day! Saturday, May 16th from 9am-1pm.
Paperbacks are 50 cents, Hard covers are $1 and all children's books are 25 cents!
Lots of great books left to share!
2200 S. Philo Road in Urbana. Oh, and there's a great plant sale going on right across the driveway!

04/30/2026

04/24/2026

It's coming! Share with your friends and neighbors!