Mission News: Sharing Hope

She works frequently at a day resource center for the homeless. She serves lunch. She passes out shower supplies. She plays with kids. She helps with crafts. She doesn't drive and enlists assistance from others for chauffer service. She is 8 years old. She is Hannah Munds.

Two loving grandmother types haul pre-school and craft supplies every Thursday. They are really good at playing with doll houses, reading stories, tying shoes and helping kids try new things. They are Jean Pollitt and Beth Bryant.

There is a resourceful woman who attends meetings, gets plans made and encourages others to supply lunch for 65 people or so, every 3rd Thursday of the month. Once, when a lunch-supply group had to cancel at the last minute, she contacted Pizza Hut. "I have this amount of dollars. I have this many people to feed. Can you work with me?" The reply was a ready YES and the homeless clients were well-fed and delighted. This is Maria Wetherington.

Music from heaven played by BSO musicians was heard at this homeless shelter on Christmas Eve, 2004 and on February 10th, 2005, at the celebration to give thanks for the existence of Sarah's Hope Day Resource Center. Phil Munds orchestrated the musical blessings.

Encouraged by Bill Pitt's sermon which featured a lonely and abused woman in her 30's who was given a birthday party for the first time in her life, the above group of Central people are planning birthday celebrations four times a year at Sarah's Hope. There will be balloons, presents, games, cakes and candles.

Sarah's Hope is a faith-based ministry, connected with Baltimore County government. Central is one of 42 congregations that are working toward thoughtful solutions to improve life situations of the homeless. In addition to supplying basic needs, Sarah's Hope provides a range of services which foster self-sufficiency by linking clients to other appropriate agencies.

Should you wish to join the group of hospitality givers, please look under Service Opportunities in this issue of News & Views.