Dear Friends,
We have been able to bring some of our sisters and brothers into the warmth of our sanctuaries 11 out of 17 nights since the beginning of December. St. John’s Lutheran Churchhas provided overnight hospitality since the beginning, and we are overjoyed to announce that Druid Hills United Methodist Church opened their doors to provide additional space for women on these coldest nights. Our work of providing a shelter from the cold during the early evening and morning hours in our home at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, in addition to our normal hours of operation, has also continued. This past week our dear friends at the Open Door Community were able to keep even more of our sisters and brothers out of the coldest of the cold. We give thanks for all of you who have responded and offered prayers, as well as personal and material support, to help in this life-saving work.
The Shelters Will Be Open Today and Sunday
We will open our doors at Mercy beginning at 7 pm tonight to welcome folks out of the cold and warm bodies and souls with hot grits and coffee and copious love, before heading off to the shelters for overnight. We will do the same on Sunday night. We will also be at Mercy early Sunday and Monday, beginning at 7 am both days.
How You Can Help
There are lots of ways to get involved with us over the next few days and throughout this surprisingly cold season, and there is no more holy way to keep Advent and Christmas than making room for those for whom the world has none. Here are some specific opportunities:
Volunteers
Supplies
We are going through lots of our basics because of the great need; we can always use any of these things.
Coffee
Butter
Grits
Creamer
Sugar
Meat for Soups
Blankets
Gloves
Socks
Skull Caps
Warm Clothing
If you have questions or would like to schedule a time to volunteer or drop off donations, contact me by e-mail or phone. And, of course, please continue your faithful prayers for our work and community, for a world where all of God’s children have safe and affordable housing. For the many ways each of you contribute to what we do together, sharing your hearts and your lives, we give thanks to God.
Peace and Warm Shelter This Season,
Chad
