East Hills Moravian Church has joined 12 local churches of various denominations in providing shelter to those who are homeless this winter. By working together these churches will be able to provide shelter to men, women and children 7 days per week starting December 10 and ending March 31 – the coldest nights of the year.
If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill”, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? – James 2:15-16
Beginning December 10, East Hills will provide hospitality to women and children on Saturday nights. This ministry will need a variety of talents throughout the week, including:
Beforehand:
- Setting up rooms beneath Fellowship Hall for guests
Saturday Nights:
- Greeting guests and signing them in as they arrive
- Preparing dinner, eating with guests and cleaning up
- Interacting with guests and offering activities such as movies, puzzles, games, reading magazines
- Chaperoning and sleeping overnight
Sunday Mornings:
- Waking guests
- Serving breakfast, eating with guests and cleaning up
- Assisting guests with departure
- Helping with transportation
Afterwards:
- Restoring rooms beneath Fellowship Hall as classrooms
- Laundering blankets, towels and sleeping bags
In the coming weeks you will be hearing more about this ministry and ways you can get involved. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Mixon: lisa@mcnp.org.
To volunteer, click here to visit our Sing-Up Genius page
Long-Range Plan for Homeless in Bethlehem
Several months ago, a task force was appointed to develop a long-range plan for the homeless in Bethlehem, which could then be shared with the faith-based stakeholders who have been actively participating in this ministry over the past several years. A strategic plan has been developed.
It is hoped that eventually we can provide a single site shelter, on a year-round basis for those in need in our community. This plan was discussed with the stakeholders on October 20, 2011 and will be voted on by an organizing committee on November 16, 2011. East Hills Moravian Church member Lisa Mixon is on this organizing committee.
The Lord will reply to his people: “I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully.”
– Joel 2:19 (NIV)
All community partners have been invited to help “name” this ministry. (Once it is named, it will no longer be referred to as the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter System). Several names have been proposed, including:
- Bethlehem ARCH: Area Religious Coalition for the Homeless
- Bethlehem HOPES: helping HOmeless PEople Survive
Which name do you prefer? Do you have an idea for a name to add to the list?
Please forward your suggestions to Lisa Mixon: lisa@mcnp.org by Tuesday, November 15, 2011. If new names are suggested, Lisa will present them to the organizing committee and she will vote on a name according to the majority of responses she receives.
God of the poor and destitute, bring us together to serve your needy children. Forgive our urge to gather everything for ourselves yet ignore the needs of others. Draw near to the orphans of the world and help them thrive in spite of their lack. We pray our churches will flourish so we may take responsibility for the need in your world. Amen.
– Moravian Daily Text (October 22, 2011)