Federal Way

When we adopted our Ministry Plan, one of the ministry areas identified as needing expansion was the area of Reaching Out into our community.  Of the sixteen action items we identified in the Ministry Plan only two items were in the category of Reaching Out.  Of those two, neither item identified a specific ministry to be undertaken – rather the action items were sort of generic in nature.  Instead the items indicated a need for us a community of faith to become better in touch with the community in which we are located, and to identify needs that we can help meet.

 

We have already been long-time supporters of vital ministries in our local area through things such as the Food Bank and Operation Nightwatch, but what other needs could we as a community of faith address, specific to the

Federal Way

area?

 

Recently I was contacted by an organization called “Reach Out.”(interesting name)  It is a non-profit volunteer organization comprised of local residents who are seeking to provide shelter for homeless men in the

Federal Way

area.  Reach Out is modeling their program after similar successful programs in Renton and Kent and hopes to have the

Federal Way

program up and running by October 2008.

 

Reach Out is in the process of contacting and recruiting volunteers, hoping to find 12 host and 12 support churches in the

Federal Way

area willing to help with this program.  The host churches provide overnight space for the men and storage space for equipment, and support churches provide meals.  The support churches serve a prepared meal each evening along with providing the makings for sack lunches and a simple breakfast.

 

While FWUMC is too far from a bus line to meet the criteria to be a host church, I wondered if there was interest in being one of the support churches, so I asked the Sunday Evening GIFT class if this was something they wanted to explore.  The class became excited about this opportunity for the church, and at the same time overwhelmed with the prospect of trying to supply meals for 25 men for a month.  However, they believe this is a critical ministry need in our community and are willing to help coordinate our efforts to be a support church.

 

Here’s where we can help.

 

Rather than looking at the overwhelming big picture - is it possible to find church groups or individuals, or even co-workers and other companies to take on meals for a day or a week?  Are there folks who may not be able to help physically, but can support this effort financially?  I’ve already contacted Sunrise UMC to see if they might want a piece of this action and they are considering it.  Susan Pingree has graciously offered to be the point person for our church on this and instead of being overwhelmed, I’m hoping we’ll overwhelm her with our offer for food and assistance.

 

Please feel free to the church office with your offer of help.

                                                                            Jon