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This past year the Welcome meal has served 40 to 85 guests every week.
On the 12th day of Christmas this year we passed out gift packages, wrapped in hand towels, were soap, shampoo, tooth brush and tooth paste, etc. We also had some other items for them to choose from. I was amazed at how fast the deodorant went. One of the guests a girl, about 10 years old, selected a sock doll. She took the towel from the package and used it as a blanket. I wish you could have seen her smile.
Special thanks to everyone who donated blankets and sleeping bags. Many of them were distributed this month. We will continue to hand them out as the need arises
While we often remind our guest that they are welcome to attend services we encouraged (bribed, with a meal) them to attend Amahl and the Night Visitors those that came were delighted they did and look forward to next years production by the choir.
The Welcome Meal would not have been possible without the help from: - First Slice for providing the nourishing meals ready to serve.
- Our host Sandy Hartman, Will Hobert, Mike Lohman, and Marnie Schwartz for providing desert and beverages.
- Penny, Trudy and Ingy who arrive about 4:30 to set tables and get the room in order, and stay through clean up.
- The volunteers from the Ulich home.
- Keith Scott who in addition to working in the kitchen has also provided prayer circle.
- Ruth who provides piano music which sooth the soul.
- Jeffry who fills in wherever needed, including giving me time off.
- The numerous other volunteers, we have had as few as 4 volunteers on a given night and as many as 25.
I often here from the volunteers how much it means to them to help. Pastor Matt has said that Isaiah says Christ is at church on Wednesday night. I too see Christ at the welcome meal. I have seen him in the form of a volunteer who gave away her gloves to a homeless man. Christ has been in the form of a homeless man who stayed to sweep the floors, and in the form of a child thrilled to have a sock doll. .
Thank you for the opportunity to see all of this. If you ever have time on Wednesday night stop by and visit with Christ! I must warn you, it is addictive.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy M. Engert
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