By Fred Koenig, Special Contributor… ST. LOUIS—A group from Lafayette Park United Methodist Church is out to address the issue of homelessness in a very direct manner: They intend to [...]
Read More...‘Sleep Out’ – Civic leaders spend meaningful night on streets
January 8, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
By Bob Hope, Special Contributor… ATLANTA—I was homeless for a night. It was Nov. 15, and along with about 60 other Atlanta civic leaders and family members, my wife Susan and I participated in a “Sleep Out” event to bring awareness to the plight of homeless teens. My first real hint of what it must be like to live with no bed or shelter came early. The evening started with a candlelight vigil at Centennial Park. I was dressed for the part with old jeans, a ragged sweatshirt and a knit [...]
Read More...‘Free store’ provides clothes for homeless
November 27, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
By Rachel L. Toalson, Special Contributor… AUSTIN, Texas—The people of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church know what it means to get outside the walls of the church—and be forever changed. [...]
Read More...San Antonio church reaches out to the least of us
June 3, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
By Mike Blackwell, Special Contributor… SAN ANTONIO—Thursdays begin well before 9 a.m., with an anxious and appreciative line winding into the Community Hall of the Windcrest United Methodist Church. The day of the week clearly doesn’t matter to most of those who participate in—and benefit from—the weekly Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. Thursday is their day, and this is their church. The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program is a ministry that tangibly helps the homeless, the poor, the needy and the hopeful. But beyond simply a program of giving, the ministry has [...]
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An encounter with God in an unexpected place
By Kay Panovec, UMNS… In my work for the United Methodist Church, I expect to run into people who are willing to share their faith. But sometimes, I encounter God in the most unexpected ways. Even as the weather gets warmer in my hometown, my thoughts keep going back to an experience I had this winter. The mountains were white with snow. The airport was full of happy vacationers off to ski the slopes or sit in the lodge heated by the warmth of the fire. On the downtown streets [...]
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