Service, Fellowship, and Faith Formation

On Sunday, February 25, Central Church began our second week of service at the Safe Harbor Shelter this season, a tradition our church has long felt a responsibility to be a part of.   The week with some unique leadership. As is usual, a meal was provided to the guests of the Safe Harbor Shelter.  Though it was not the cold night we traditionally have this time of year, a hot chili was served with baked potatoes with all the fixings, a fruit salad, milk, and cookies for dessert.  What was unusual about the meal was not what we served but rather who served it.

Our Central United Methodist youth group and parents provided the first meal of this second week of service.  It is the mission of this Church to reach beyond our doors.  It is the mission of the Youth Education team to foster faith formation, fellowship, and service amongst our youth.  On this particular, Sunday evening at Safe Harbor, we succeeded in all of it.

Our young people, and their parents, empathized with those suffering in our community, those that God calls our church to touch with love.  The youth saw people experiencing homelessness as PEOPLE who are suffering and not the stereotypes we are often taught to fear.  They experienced the satisfaction of caring for others while enjoying healthy fellowship in their service. The experience was so rewarding, un-prompted, the youth unanimously asked to come back and be of service again.  The youth have found great reward in service, particularly as we gear up for a summer mission trip to South Chicago. Some parents and youth, those who experienced that Sunday night, committed to join us this summer.

~Tara DeGroot
Youth Coordinator
Central United Methodist Church

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

We appreciate all who volunteered time, prepared meals, donated snacks, gave financial support and prayed for this important work in our community. We are grateful for all of the ways the Central Church Family continues to come together to support this work to care for our community neighbors in need.

We also want to help keep you informed on the most up-to-date and ACCURATE information in light of recent media reports about the possibility of Safe Harbor operating as a year-round shelter.  Please read this letter from Christopher Ellalasingham, Safe Harbor Board Chair.  If you would like to learn more about the work of Safe Harbor in our community, please follow their Facebook page.

~The Safe Harbor Volunteer Team Leaders