Warming shelter ministry set
By TOM BERRY
Staff Writer
Pastors of five Murray-Calloway County churches are planning to open a warming shelter ministry for local residents needing temporary shelter, food and other necessities inside the First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center.
The Rev. Richard Smith, pastor of First Methodist, said following a meeting of organizers late last week that the effort is the translation of Christian ministry from Bible teaching to service of those in need in Christ's name.
“In the love of Christ to provide warmth, shelter, food, and a caring experience for those who are homeless or who find themselves without functioning utilities on extremely cold nights,” Smith said. “It is a cooperative plan of defined churches, community resources, and dedicated volunteers.”
Smith said the ministry is based on the words of Christ in New Testament book of Matthew; Chapter 25.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing,” Smith quoted in a news release to the Murray Ledger & Times. “I was sick and you took care of me...Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family you did it to me.”
The five sponsoring churches and lead pastors include Smith, Revs. David and Ann Marie Montgomery of First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. John Dale of Glendale Road Church of Christ, Rev. Matt Bradley of St. John's Episcopal Church and the Rev. Richard Youngblood of University Church of Christ. Other churches, civic and community groups and volunteers will support the effort through providing volunteers, services, supplies and contributions.
“It is and will be a community-wide effort,” Smith said.
The program is expected to kick off January 11.
The order of coverage will be; January 11-17, First Methodist; Jan. 18-24, Glendale Road Church of Christ; January 25-31, St. John's Episcopal Church; February 1-7, University Church of Christ and February 8-14, First Presbyterian Church.
The churches spearheading the operation will rotate to keep the program ongoing through the winter season.
The shelter, which will be located at First United Methodist Church gymnasium at 503 Maple Street, will be open when the temperature or wind-chill factor reaches a low of 32 degrees. Entrance will be through the back doors of the CLC off the back parking lot.
The location was chosen because of its proximity to Need Line, Murray Calloway County Hospital and Murray Police and Fire departments. Calloway County residents will have priority over transient persons up to the limits defined by the cooperating churches.
The day and time schedule for the shelter will be as follows: Sunday nights through Saturday mornings beginning January 11 5:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. A maximum of 40 persons will be accepted and an evening and morning meal will be provided.
Cots, linens, pillows, and blankets will be provided. Families, males and females will be located in defined areas. Opportunities to play games, read or activities focused on spiritual enrichment will be available. At least two church volunteers will remain in the building for supervision purposes. Murray Police Department will check in with the volunteers and make an on-site visit sometime during the night.
Murray Calloway County Transit Authority is working with the program to provide transportation as needed from Need Line on South Fourth Street to and from the shelter.
“We are also in conversation with the Murray and Calloway school systems per bus transportation to school on the mornings after a night's stay,” Smith said.
Some regulations regarding registration, criminal background checks, possession of weapons, drug possession or use and security checks will apply.
For more information, contact First United Methodist at 753-3812. Other participating churches as well as Murray Need Line may also be contacted for information.
Story created Dec 29, 2008 - 10:28:07 EST.
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