Friends,
On March 15th-16th, Nathan, Peter Ainsworth, Bill Engelman and I are taking the youth group to Boston to serve the homeless population, and learn about the heartbreaking problem of homelessness in our neighboring city. We will be sleeping at an Episcopal church with youth groups from all over the Boston area, getting the chance to work in an interfaith setting prayerfully with one another. This will be a profound experience for all who take part.
Read more about it here: http://www.ecclesia-ministries.org/cityreach.html
The youth will set up a tent for donations, and sell peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other delicious baked goods at this Sunday’s coffee hour. Bring your money…it’ll go to very important work.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, we need your clothes.
CLOTHING DRIVE!
The Senior Youth Group will be collecting clothes and other items this Sunday through Friday for their upcoming City Reach Service Trip to aid the homeless in Boston.
Please drop off donations at the Pup Tent in Unity Hall.
City Reach is an overnight urban outreach program providing youth the opportunity to learn firsthand about homelessness from people who have, and are, experiencing it. During the 20 hour session, participants join City Reach staff in street ministry and offer hospitality, food and clothing.
What to Donate?
City Reach is specifically requesting Spring-weather clothing, with an emphasis on clothing for men, as 80% of their guests are men. They do not serve or collect clothing for children.
The following USED CLOTHING ITEMS would be greatly appreciated:
• Nylon jackets and pants, ponchos, and raincoats
• Sweat shirts and sweat pants (especially hooded sweatshirts)
• Sweaters
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeve shirts
• Jeans, khakis and other casual pants
• Waterproof boots, comfortable shoes, and sneakers
• Hats, waterproof gloves, coats
• Belts
We are also collecting the following items:
• All kinds of carrying cases such as backpacks, tote bags, fanny packs, small suitcases with wheels (used and in good condition)
• Travel-size toiletries such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, Chapstick, toothpaste, and shaving cream in small sizes, as well as tooth brushes and disposable razors, and tampons in small quantities for the 20% or so women (please no aftershave or mouthwash containing alcohol).
• New white socks (there can never be too many of these)
• New underwear (again, there can never be too many and be sure to bring 80% of the underwear for men)
• Sleeping bags & blankets (clean and in good condition)
Dear God who provides shelter for all:
We lament a world in which there is enough for all,
And still people go hungry and lonely and naked and cold in the dark of our city streets.
May we know that WE are your hands and feet in this city, and in this world.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
If there is shelter for all, may we provide it.
If there is food for all, may we share it.
If there is room for all, may we stand aside and make it.
If there is love for all, may we bring it.
We know that what we do to the least of these, we do to you, because you are found in every person we encounter.
In your many names and symbols we pray.
Amen.
Living Faithfully/Parenting Faithfully 