Welcome the Stranger at St. Matthew’s:
Our IHN Guests Summer 2008 Dates WERE July 20 to August 3
To signup: Visit the July 2008 Volunteer
Schedule to see what is needed; then to volunteer click
Sign Me Up. This should create an email. In the message body simply tell the coordinators what you are able to do. They will then update the schedule, replying to the address from which you sent the email.
For questions Amy (795-8089,
amy_m_novak@earthlink.net) or Sharon (775-4774,
sharonylowe@hotmail.com).
"For I
was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…" Matthew 25:35
We do as Jesus
commanded and welcome the needy to our own parish. Joining with other Austin
churches and synagogues in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, St. Matthew’s
will give food and shelter to several families while they find affordable
housing.
The families
will spend their evenings with us. Everyone in the parish can participate.
Those who did last year will tell you what a life-changing time it was – and
just how much fun, too. There could be
no better (or more convenient!) way to "Know Christ, Grow in Christ, and
Share Christ’s Love."
Here’s a
summary of information and frequently asked questions:
What’s new?
The Youth Center construction. We will
be hosting in the basement and adjusting to the construction activities.
What’s this
about? Homelessness is on the rise in families because of the gap between wages
and rents. Families make up 40% of the homeless. Interfaith Hospitality Network
(IHN) selects families for a 90 day program of training and other assistance.
Families are carefully screened, are drug, alcohol and violence free.
IHN works with
each family to address their needs and issues. Families usually find housing
before the end of the program. In the meantime, local congregations provide
shelter, supper, light breakfast and bag lunches.
Who do we
contact? Amy Novak, Sharon Lowe, and Susan Barnes.
Who is coming?
Up to four families, all of them with children.
Where are they
sleeping? The sleeping and living spaces will be in the Basement. The
exact rooms depend on the schedule of other parish activities. Interfaith
Hospitality Network provides the necessary furnishings.
What about
showers? Showers and laundry will be off-site because of the construction.
What do the
families do? During the day, from at least 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., they are all away
at school, day care, work or job seeking/training. At night, they are at St.
Matthew’s.
How can I help?
Donate food, such as grab-n-go breakfast food, sack
lunch items and drinks for the evening (milk, juice, caffeine free soda)
Lend entertainment or household items, such as family
friendly videos, Legos, books, alarm clocks and small lamps.
Make a financial contribution or contribution of
gas cards.
Above all:VOLUNTEER! Here is a sampling of volunteer roles:
DINNER VOLUNTEERS
1-2 Dinner Preparers: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - prepare and serve evening meal for
guests and enjoy dinner with them in Huffman Hall. Guests arrive by 6:30 and
dinner should be ready to serve at that time.
EVENING HOSTS
1-2 Evening Hosts: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - eat with the guests and provide
fellowship. Be available to offer assistance and interact with families. Help
with homework, read or play with children, watch TV, etc. Prepare lunches for
next day as needed. Safeguarding God’s Children Training required for Evening
Hosts.
OVERNIGHT
HOSTS
1-2 Overnight Hosts: 8:30 PM to 7:00 AM - assist with expressed needs of guests
and spend the night to assist if necessary. Lights out at 10:00PM. Usually just
sleep all night; "serve" breakfast in the morning (breakfast items
are self-serve); be sure the common use part of the facility is in good order
and close up after the guests have left in the morning.
MOVE IN/OUT
VOLUNTEERS
Help to unload the trailer on the Sunday that the guests arrive and to load the
trailer on the Sunday that the guests depart. We will also need a volunteer
trained to hitch-up the trailer and drive it, loaded to the next hosting
church.
LAUNDRY
Pick up towels and linens on Saturday/Sunday and return them washed and folded
during the week.
More questions? Contact:
Sharon Lowe
345-1990, sharonylowe@hotmail.com
Pat Yeargain
343-7048, pyeargain@austin.rr.com
Amy Novak
795-8089, amy_m_novak@earthlink.net
July 1-15 IHN Summary
