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The Diocese of Arizona
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is the geographic region in which Saint Matthew's resides. The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith is the Bishop of the Diocese.
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The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church is made up of between two and three million worshipers in about 7500 congregations across the United States and related dioceses outside the US. "Episcopal" means "bishop" in Greek, and the Episcopal Church is governed in part by its bishops. The basic unit of ministry in the Episcopal Church is the "diocese," or a region of a reasonable number of Episcopalians.
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The Anglican Communion
The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, churches around the world that trace their roots to the Church of England and have given rise to a distinct form of Christianity, known as Anglicanism.
The member churches of the Anglican Communion are joined together by choice in love, and have no direct authority over one another. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Church of England, is acknowledged as the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, but while respected, the Archbishop does not have direct authority over any Anglican Church outside of England.
While there are other churches that call themselves "Anglican," only one Church in any country can be considered "in full communion" with the Church of England, and the Episcopal Church is the American member of the Communion.
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Matthews Crossing Food Bank
Matthews Crossing is a "daughter" of Saint Matthew's. Begun as a ministry of the parish, Matthews Crossing is now its own non-religious, non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization which provides assistance, resources, and education to meet the diverse needs of people in the East Valley of Maricopa County. Matthews Crossing currently addresses needs associated with hunger through their foodbank.
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