Interfaith Hospitality Network
August Mission Focus
Little children spending the night in Fellowship Hall? Babies learning to walk by holding the hand of a child from Central? Families living for a week in our church building?
It happens. Every year in Colorado Springs and across the nation, many families are served by IHN, a unique program that provides a home and meals through the cooperative efforts of churches. Congregations of many denominations take turns ‘hosting’ families. Our church is part of the rotation, and we provide a place to sleep and eat for up to 14 people (families with children of all ages, even newborn) for a week, two or three times a year. We thank all who volunteered during hosting week, July 25-August 1.We set up rollaway beds (provided by IHN and delivered to us by the previous hosting church) in the three adult Sunday School rooms by Fellowship Hall, one space for each family. The rooms were arranged and beds made on Sunday morning; July 25, as soon as worship and Sunday School were finished. Our guests arrived at 5:00.
We provided an evening meal, opportunity to make lunches for the next day, and breakfast each day. Everyone left by 7:00 a.m. to go to work, school or to the IHN Day Center on North Tejon. For those who had no car , our volunteers drove from and to the IHN Day Care Center each afternoon and morning. On Sunday, August 1, the guests will leave by 7:00 a.m., and volunteers will stow the beds back into the IHN truck and deliver them to the next church. Meanwhile, others will vacuum the areas and set them up for Sunday School. A great team effort makes this outstanding program work.
Moneys donated during August will help IHN with the costs of providing the Day Center and staff who offer job counseling and support to get back into their own home. Please make checks payable to Central UMC, designated for IHN. Thanks for helping families get through a difficult time.
