Mission:
To love, respect and give compassion to everyone in order to build a safe community.
Core Values:
Spirituality - We are aware of the faith that connects us and strive to share our spirituality through servanthood.
Kindness - We acknowledge the value of all creation by sharing empathy and understanding through unconditional love and considering the needs of others first.
Humility - We cultivate equity and recognize dignity while serving the community.
Harmony - We encourage relationships and healthy boundaries that focus on our commonalities and spreading joy with one another.
Patience - We are committed to showing care as we listen and take time with individuals, discovering their needs and understanding their humanity.
To love, respect and give compassion to everyone in order to build a safe community.
Core Values:
Spirituality - We are aware of the faith that connects us and strive to share our spirituality through servanthood.
Kindness - We acknowledge the value of all creation by sharing empathy and understanding through unconditional love and considering the needs of others first.
Humility - We cultivate equity and recognize dignity while serving the community.
Harmony - We encourage relationships and healthy boundaries that focus on our commonalities and spreading joy with one another.
Patience - We are committed to showing care as we listen and take time with individuals, discovering their needs and understanding their humanity.
|
The Saturday Gathering began in October of 2016 with a simple idea - to feed people on a Saturday when resources were slim. It was a place for those who experience homelessness or food insecurity to get warm, get some food, and to have a place to just "Be" In those days, it was called "Saturday Soup" and the simple meal consisted of the option of two different soups made by the congregation of the Joyful Healer.
As the ministry grew, it changed just slightly, and it became not only a place to get some soup, but a place to gather, a place to get much needed items for everyday life, and a place for relationship building. The Gathering meal now consists not only of a soup option, but sandwiches, other protein items, and other hot food options for anyone who visits. Our guests are able to get fresh clothes, toiletries, items to help them in the weather (sleeping bags, rain ponchos, hand warmers) as well as other items such as laundry vouchers and bus passes. In 2019, the Gathering partnered with AHHA (Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives) and their shower trailer, which can provide up to 18 showers per visit. The shower trailer comes out two times a month, on the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays, and besides serving folks with a warm shower and fresh clothes, AHHA is also able to connect them with other important resources. Saturday Gatherings take place every Saturday from 11:00 am-12:30 p.m. The Saturday Gathering Ministry is always looking for donations, both monetary and in-kind donations. If you would like to give monetarily, please use the donate button at the top of this page or send your donation to the Church of the Joyful Healer with "Saturday Gathering" notated in the memo. If you would like to give an in-kind donation, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Tony Giraud, at umcjhoutreach@gmail.com, to learn specific ministry needs. Below is a list of items we regularly accept:
The Soup that Ruth Built
Ruth McHenry was a lovely soul who blessed the Saturday Gathering Ministry with homemade soup every week. Ruth passed away in 2022, but has left her legacy with the imprint she placed upon this ministry. We are delighted to share a video that the late Dave Silverbrand did about the soup the Ruth Built. Please click on the link to view the video: The Soup that Ruth Built |
|