Matthew Grubbs has been appointed to serve Sheraden UMC and Christ Community Church in McKees Rocks, beginning July 1, This will be his first appointment as a United Methodist pastor.
Sheraden UMC is an urban, multi-generational congregation in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Due to a devastating fire in Sept 2019, the building has been demolished, but the congregation is looking to rebuild in order to continue community outreach opportunities.
Prior to the fire, this church offered Kidz Klub meetings, which provided a safe environment for dinner, tutoring, computer use, and recreational activities. In partnership with the U.M. Church Union they also had offered a summer feeding program where young people up to the age of 18 are provided a hot lunch daily. In collaboration with the West End Christian Ministry, a free community dinner on the last Thursday of every month was also offered. Sheraden also had a thrift shop and various organizations and non-denominational congregations used the building for meeting and worship.
Christ Community Church in McKees Rocks is a federated congregation of United Methodists and Presbyterians. It was federated in 1974. It is one congregation with one worship service, but operates under the United Methodist and Presbyterian USA. In 2006, Christ Community became a charge with nearby Sheraden UMC. This congregation is known for its hospitality, community outreach and genuine caring.
They have a dedicated Sunday School program for all ages and a pastor-lead Bible study every week. They offer a ministry to those who are on parole so that they might become involved in the life of the church and some of its ministry.
Christ Community offers a free community dinner on the last Saturday of every month and their Thrift Shop is open on the second Saturday of every month. They maintain a stocked food cupboard to provide bags of food for those in need. Christ Community is also the home of the Allegheny West Meals on Wheels program, which has been a part of the church for the last 40 years. The church's dedicated lay leadership team and hard-working congregation remain focused on their mission to bear Christ to their community and make disciples for Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’