This year St. John's has the privilege of hosting 12 guests who are homeless on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month during November - March. This is a leap of faith, in that in the past we have only hosted 10 guests and only one Sunday per month. This is a wonderful and truly needed ministry in our area. We offer our guests more than just a warm place to sleep and a hot meal. We also offer amenities that we often take for granted, such as: taking a shower, doing laundry, watching TV, have a late night snack, have someone to chat with, and they are given a toiletry bag.
Many of our guests come in with only the clothes on their backs and we try to find them some clothing from our clothing closet located off the Sunday School area (donations are always accepted).
On Monday morning we send them back out into the world of homeless with a quick breakfast, a sack lunch, and a prayer.
There are many ways St. John's members can help this ministry. Look over the options listed and then feel the call to help.
Drivers - on Sunday evening we drive downtown and pick up our guests for the night and take them back downtown Monday morning. Many of our guests have a small job to work but aren't making enough to support a "normal" way of life.
Sunday Supper - Families or church groups will prepare a supper for our guests so that when they arrive, a hot meal is waiting for them. For some, this could be the first real meal of their day.
Lunches - Congregation Members are called upon to provide 12 sack lunches each Sunday we host. These lunches are handed out Monday morning when are guests are taken back downtown.
Laundry - Congregation Members are needed to take home and wash the linens and towels used by our guests from their stay with us. Just return them before the next night of hosting.
Overnight Hosts - Men of the congregation are asked to give of their time by spending the night as a host for our guests. We need 2 men each Sunday we host. We offer you a lumpy couch and a fair night's sleep, but most importantly an experience you will treasure.
If you have a question or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Natalie Dresch @ 874-9405 or 4packerbacker@comcast.net Also, check out the schedule listed on the website of needed workers to see where you can be worked in.
We can always use more helpers! Help us once and you will be hooked!
