Tributes:
Sermon preached by Revd Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Chapel, St John’s College, 12 March 2023
Anna Matthews Obituary - Church Times – Revd Dr Andrew Davison, 24 March 2023
Support resources:
When there is a sudden death, it is really important to have someone to talk to; and this is even more important when someone has ended their own life. Most people will not need professional help to enable them to talk through their feelings, but some will, and none of us know how our feelings may develop. For this reason, we have put together some resources, which all are encouraged to consider as we continue to support one another in our grief.
Samaritans T:116 123 www.samaritans.org Available 24/7/365 for anyone who needs a listening ear
Shout T. 85258 www.giveusashout.org Text messaging service for those in a crisis
Staying Safe www.stayingsafe.net/ST Online resource to help people make a personal safety plan
Services that can help In the early days, simple, caring support for each other, taking time to grieve and listening to each other’s grief will be the most helpful. If further support would be helpful, the following organisations may help:
www.cruse.org.uk 0808 808 1677
www.sane.org.uk 0300 304 7000
www.papyrus-uk.org 0800 068 4141
www.uksobs.org.uk Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) offers support for those bereaved or affected by suicide
Donations in memory:
Donations in memory of Anna may be made to the Lady Peel Trust, whose aim is to encourage confidence, creativity, and vitality within the catholic tradition of the Church of England and of which Anna was a Trustee.
In Anna’s memory, the trust has created the Anna Matthews Memorial Fund that will be used to support the witness and ministry of the Church of England, with a particular focus on vocations.
Further information about the Trust and how to make donations is available at ladypeeltrust.org/annamatthews
The Reverend Anna Matthews
15 July 1978 – 8 March 2023
The Rev’d Anna Matthews, died on 8 March 2023, having served as vicar of St Bene’t’s for ten years. We give thanks to God for her inspirational ministry amongst us and dedicated service to God, to our diverse community at St Bene't's, to people who have been marginalised and to the life of the church nationally.
We pray that we can build on her legacy and that it will continue to inspire us to walk with Christ in all we do.
