October 17, 2016 Volume XXVI, No. 10 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
METROPOLITAN CHURCH
A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
Twenty-Five Years of Service to the Homeless On Sunday October 23, we will observe Homeless Awareness Sunday, an opportunity to pause and reflect on the ongoing needs of our homeless neighbors, lift up our call to serve, and recommit ourselves to this important work. Metropolitan Memorial 9am - Worship (Dayspring Choir and Children’s Sermon) 10am - Coffee/Fellowship 10:10am - Children & Youth Sunday School 10:30am - Worship (Chancel Choir, Organ and Children’s Sermon) 10:30am - Adult Study Wesley (5312 Connecticut Ave., NW) Rockin’ Gospel Choir 11am - Musical Prelude 11:15am - Worship Service For questions about Worship, contact Pat House, phouse@ nationalchurch.org. For questions about the Christian education program, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, Director of Christian Education, jcraswell@ nationalchurch.org.
When the St. Luke’s Shelter opened in December 1991, followed by the opening of Metropolitan House just two months later, our congregation became the first institution, public or private, to shelter the homeless in Upper Northwest DC. In the coming year, as we mark twenty-five years of continuous service to the homeless, we give thanks to God for the many volunteers and supporters who have made this ministry possible and for the ways our lives have been touched by the hundreds of men and women who have been our guests. We are proud of the longevity of this service, but equally proud of the ways this work has expanded and evolved in light of changing needs and standards of care. Both shelters now operate year-round, providing 24-hour access and a less-structured environment that encourages independent living skills, with Metropolitan House serving women and St. Luke’s House serving men. Through our partnership with Friendship Place, residents receive intensive job and housing placement assistance. And through the generosity of donors to our Residents Assistance Fund, we can provide help with security deposits and other up-front costs that can be barriers to those otherwise able to transition into rental housing. With these changes, the average shelter stay has been reduced to 6 months or less, allowing us to serve many more individuals. And our success rate in transitioning residents into jobs and permanent housing is more than ninety percent. We invite you to join us on October 23 – to participate in our annual Help the Homeless Walk (see below), which will be conducted after both services of worship, and to take the opportunity to learn more about the work of Metropolitan House and St. Luke’s House as well as our advocacy for affordable housing, the Campus Kitchen food recovery program, and the Grate Patrol which aids individuals living on the streets of DC. Discover more ways you can help on page 5. Blessings, Ann Michel Tyler Rusch Help the Homeless Walk Sunday, October 23 - 10am and 11:30am, Metropolitan Memorial On Sunday, October 23, The Metropolitan Church will host our annual Help the Homeless Walk, held in honor of Tyler Christian Rusch, a young member of our church who was actively involved in our homeless ministry and who was killed in a tragic automobile accident in 2003. This event has come to symbolize our congregation’s commitment to serving the homeless, and over the years, it has raised almost $300,000 to support our transitional housing ministries.
There will be two start times at 10am and 11:30am, so you can walk after either church service. Persons of all ages are encouraged to take part. The Mann School Track will be used by the youngest children and anyone else who prefers a shorter walk. There will be a three-quarters mile course through the neighborhood for those who prefer a longer route. Sunday School students will participate with their classes during Sunday School hour. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $15 for people under 25 years of age. Registration will be on the Newark Street side of the church just outside the office foyer.