ROOM IN THE INN
...a ministry with those living and working without a home
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place for them in the inn.
~ Luke 2:1-7
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place for them in the inn.
~ Luke 2:1-7
HOW IT WORKS
Every Tuesday night during the cold winter months (November through March), Room in the Inn–Memphis at Trinity UMC serves 12–15 guests experiencing a lack of shelter and community. The Room in the Inn–Memphis staff selects and screens guests, and hands out vouchers for overnight stays at area churches. On Tuesday evenings, Trinity volunteers pick up our guests at a designated downtown location, bring them back to our education building, serve them a family-style evening meal, and stay with them overnight. In the morning, we serve a quick breakfast, pass out snack/survival bags, and return our guests to the same downtown location by 7 a.m.
This summer, May through September, Room in the Inn-Memphis is experimenting with expanding its ministry to include hot weather shelter for the most vulnerable persons living without shelter: women and, too often, children. Memphis has about 80 beds in shelters for women throughout the city, but there are some 450 women living on the streets at any given time, rain or shine, cold weather and heat as only a long-time Memphian can describe. Needless to say, the existing shelters cannot house all the women needing emergency housing. Trinity UMC has joined almost a score of churches for the summer of 2018 in order to provide food, clothing, and shelter to women needing those services. For now, we welcome guests on the fourth Tuesday of the month from May through September. It can be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience for those who volunteer in this ministry. Many need a break for a few months to recharge and get ready for the regular Room in the Inn season. Because of this, we have fewer volunteers during the summer as families take vacations and do a little traveling. Nonetheless, we remain committed to this work God has given us to do!
Volunteers help set up beds, transport guests in the church van, cook the meals, serve the meals, play board games, stay overnight, serve breakfast, clean up in the morning, and wash linens. Some volunteers give their time to one or two of these duties, others help in multiple areas.
Along with helping those in need and building relationships with them, Trinity organizers believe this outreach program can provide a safe environment for neighbors to work with Trinity members to share the love of God while serving those in our city who are in great need.
This summer, May through September, Room in the Inn-Memphis is experimenting with expanding its ministry to include hot weather shelter for the most vulnerable persons living without shelter: women and, too often, children. Memphis has about 80 beds in shelters for women throughout the city, but there are some 450 women living on the streets at any given time, rain or shine, cold weather and heat as only a long-time Memphian can describe. Needless to say, the existing shelters cannot house all the women needing emergency housing. Trinity UMC has joined almost a score of churches for the summer of 2018 in order to provide food, clothing, and shelter to women needing those services. For now, we welcome guests on the fourth Tuesday of the month from May through September. It can be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience for those who volunteer in this ministry. Many need a break for a few months to recharge and get ready for the regular Room in the Inn season. Because of this, we have fewer volunteers during the summer as families take vacations and do a little traveling. Nonetheless, we remain committed to this work God has given us to do!
Volunteers help set up beds, transport guests in the church van, cook the meals, serve the meals, play board games, stay overnight, serve breakfast, clean up in the morning, and wash linens. Some volunteers give their time to one or two of these duties, others help in multiple areas.
Along with helping those in need and building relationships with them, Trinity organizers believe this outreach program can provide a safe environment for neighbors to work with Trinity members to share the love of God while serving those in our city who are in great need.
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NOURISHMENT
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35 |
What we discover at Room In the Inn is that the Good News is quite practical, and faithfulness is simply the work of sharing what we have so that everyone survives the day. In the Economy of Grace, we are all responsible for each other – regardless of what the government does. When we sit down to share a meal together, strangers become family, and the experience reveals that we are all much more alike than it might seem at first glance. Even though experiencing a lack of adequate nourishment is a systemic problem that reflects how Memphis is still racially and economically segregated, sharing a meal together in a safe place is one of the ways in which this reality is acknowledged and overcome.
At Room in the Inn, the table is open, there's enough for everyone, and the result is a kind of community where smiles are possible in the midst of hardship and pain. We discover at these simple meals that hunger is unnecessary in our time. If you would like to provide an evening meal, money for supplies, or help serve on Tuesday nights or Wednesday mornings, please email our RITI Coordinator Lois Young at loislane.young@comcast.net.
At Room in the Inn, the table is open, there's enough for everyone, and the result is a kind of community where smiles are possible in the midst of hardship and pain. We discover at these simple meals that hunger is unnecessary in our time. If you would like to provide an evening meal, money for supplies, or help serve on Tuesday nights or Wednesday mornings, please email our RITI Coordinator Lois Young at loislane.young@comcast.net.
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COVERING
I was naked
and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Matthew 25:36 |
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The Room in the Inn clothes closet at Trinity boasts a plentiful array of clothes in all sizes. We collect coats and clothing from the congregation, the surrounding neighborhood, businesses, and other churches who do not have the facilities to host, but feel prompted to take part in this ministry. In preparation for winter weather, you are invited to donate the following for both men and women: coats, jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies, cold weather gear (boots, toboggans, hats, gloves, etc.), and backpacks. For the summer months, we need women's clothing only, in summer weight fabrics. At all times, we need NEW socks, NEW underwear, and NEW T-shirts in all sizes, as well as hygiene items such as travel-size antiperspirant, Gold Bond powder, lotion, and disposable razors. Drop off donations at the church office weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (see location and map on CONTACT page).
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COMMUNITY
...the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10 |
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Over and over again Jesus uses the mysterious phrase, "the kingdom of God is at hand." At Room in the Inn, this is literally true. For the kingdom of God is that place where divisions cease, where love and grace are the gifts that are given and received. We come together close enough to recognize in each others' eyes and voices that we are one family. A community based on the love of neighbor is one where individuals are invited to be themselves in a way that is life-giving to everyone. God's reign of justice and mercy is not simply on its way: it is here, now. If it seems hard to believe, don't take our word for it – come and see.
If you would like to learn more about the city-wide Room in the Inn-Memphis program or possibly get your congregation involved, visit the RITI website.