From the Stewardship Committee Chairperson, Neal L’Amoureaux

2022 Stewardship Program – Where Your Heart Is – Heart to Heart:  Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.  Romans 12:13

The door is locked when you come.  You have to ring the bell, tell who you are, stand so they can see your face, and wait for the buzzer to sound before you can enter Ann’s house.  It’s more than a little foreboding.  Ann’s is a shelter for battered women.  Most of us hear about such things and shake our heads sympathetically.  The shelter will be full in a couple of hours.  The only empty room is just now being prepared for two women coming in later tonight.  The average stay is 16 days.  In that time, the women must try to think, shake off the fear, and make decisions for themselves and often their children.  Those who work with the women know how to ask the important questions.  Will you feel safe?  Who can you call for support?  What are your best options?  These are questions the women must answer for themselves.  They should not have to answer them alone.  We tour the facility.  The pantry is stocked mainly by donations.  Meals are prepared with help from the residents.  Rooms have been “adopted” by local service groups and churches who furnish them down to the sheets.  A retired carpenter sees to the upkeep of the building.  The garage acts as a warehouse for overflow items the families may need if they decide not to go back.  Dishes, diapers, dust pans.  Mostly donated.  There would be no shelter without the donations.  Dollars and resources, all freely given by people who give hospitality to others they will never know.  Just one example, one opportunity in a world of opportunities.  The heart knows where to go, and it has been freed to go there.  What are you waiting for?