Wesley Memorial hosts this program for one week four times a year. Beginning about a month before the guests arrive, coordinators begin the process of securing volunteers for the various jobs that need to be done. The next time you see the large board outside the worship venue that you attend, please stop by and see if there is a job that you could do. Most jobs just take an hour or two but it will leave a lasting impression on you.
If you want to get a jump on the rest of the volunteers, call the Volunteer Connection at Wesley Memorial 884-2204 or Annette Barger through Wesley Memorial’s office. They will be glad to get you connected.
...Welcoming families from Interfaith Hospitality Network
Wesley Memorial is Making a Difference by...
This organization is responsible for providing safe, temporary housing for families who, through a variety of circumstances, find themselves without permanent living accommodations. Client families stay with us for a week in converted Kerygma rooms in the youth area and take their meals in the canteen. Members of Wesley Memorial volunteer in a number of ways beginning with setting up the rooms on Sunday afternoon, then providing dinner and breakfasts each day, driving the families to the “day house”, playing with the children, helping with homework, washing bed clothes, volunteering to provide a medical presence, staying overnight with the families to be the “Wesley presence” to provide any assistance during the evening. During the day, the program provides a social worker to assist the families access services that they need including helping with resumes, doctor’s appointments, etc.
At a recent Interfaith Hospitality Network dinner in Greensboro, the speakers were former clients of the program. One of the most profound stories that were given was from a man who spoke about how he came to the program. He had a very good job, wife, and children. Within a few months he lost his job, his house to foreclosure, wife and began to live in his car with his children. He was accepted into the program and after a short time found another job which allowed him to rent a small apartment and begin the process of re-establishing his life and family. Today, he is well on his way to providing a secure home for his children that he shares with his new wife. His comment was that a lot of us could be in the same situation with just a few turns of bad luck.
The program is very valuable to the clients but you will be surprised at the number of volunteers who find personal value for themselves in making it happen. You may think that that is just a throw away statement. However, Ginger Somers and her children – Wesley volunteers – shared their thoughts after they returned from serving the other night. Here is what they had to say:
For the last few years, Wesley Memorial has volunteered to be a host church for the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
"I believe I help the kids in Interfaith Hospitality by playing with them and helping them forget about school and the hard things they are facing. It is amazing how well they handle my brother and I coming in and them not being embarrassed at all about their situation.
Interfaith is a wonderful program because it takes families that are just like mine whose lives have been turned upside down and helps them return it to normal. It is amazing how well the program keeps the kids on schedule, keeps them going to their regular school and offers transportation. I also think it is great that they have the Day House where they go during the day no matter which church they spend the night in. That offers them a permanent address and place to keep most of their belongings. I have made many friends and memories - I hope they will remember me, because I will remember them! I love my being a part of Interfaith Hospitality!"
Anna Grace Somers
age 11
Interfaith is a wonderful program because it takes families that are just like mine whose lives have been turned upside down and helps them return it to normal. It is amazing how well the program keeps the kids on schedule, keeps them going to their regular school and offers transportation. I also think it is great that they have the Day House where they go during the day no matter which church they spend the night in. That offers them a permanent address and place to keep most of their belongings. I have made many friends and memories - I hope they will remember me, because I will remember them! I love my being a part of Interfaith Hospitality!"
Anna Grace Somers
age 11
"For the last two years my family has volunteered as van drivers and dinner host with Interfaith Hospitality on Monday nights. It is fun meeting everybody and talking with them. We always have a great time and play with the kids. At my age, I feel like this is a great thing I can do to help out my community and church. I know by showing
compassion and concern for their situation I am serving Jesus.
Interfaith is a great program and I know it has changed and impacted many lives, including mine."
Jackson Somers
age 15
compassion and concern for their situation I am serving Jesus.
Interfaith is a great program and I know it has changed and impacted many lives, including mine."
Jackson Somers
age 15
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the
world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and
yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in
word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:17-18
We strive for this word of God with our families' involvement with Interfaith Hospitality! There is no doubt our small role with Interfaith has deepened our connection as a family by serving.
Spending time with the families in the program, learning of their lives and situations that have brought them there is more than "thought provoking" - it immediately and abruptly reminds each of us that at any moment our lives can change dramatically! Being part of this program has impacted conversations, prayers, concerns, and priorities within our family.
Many times the adults within the program are initially reserved, unwilling to have "dinner conversation". However, having our children there and the way they interact with the wide age range of children in the program always lightens the mood with laughter and sometimes, silliness! It is refreshing to see children have so much in common regardless of material items and environment - so much of their lives and concerns - school, homework, test, etc. are mutual topics. Many times we return later in the week to visit with the families - either to complete a conversation with a parent: for the kids to complete a movie they were watching: or another round of kick ball!
When the call to service is heard and taken to heart race, age, gender, environment and habit are no barriers. We are grateful our family was called to serve with Interfaith Hospitality. We are proud WMUMC is a part of this life altering program - it is just one of the many ways Wesley Memorial is making a difference!
Ginger and Jack Somers
world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and
yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in
word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:17-18
We strive for this word of God with our families' involvement with Interfaith Hospitality! There is no doubt our small role with Interfaith has deepened our connection as a family by serving.
Spending time with the families in the program, learning of their lives and situations that have brought them there is more than "thought provoking" - it immediately and abruptly reminds each of us that at any moment our lives can change dramatically! Being part of this program has impacted conversations, prayers, concerns, and priorities within our family.
Many times the adults within the program are initially reserved, unwilling to have "dinner conversation". However, having our children there and the way they interact with the wide age range of children in the program always lightens the mood with laughter and sometimes, silliness! It is refreshing to see children have so much in common regardless of material items and environment - so much of their lives and concerns - school, homework, test, etc. are mutual topics. Many times we return later in the week to visit with the families - either to complete a conversation with a parent: for the kids to complete a movie they were watching: or another round of kick ball!
When the call to service is heard and taken to heart race, age, gender, environment and habit are no barriers. We are grateful our family was called to serve with Interfaith Hospitality. We are proud WMUMC is a part of this life altering program - it is just one of the many ways Wesley Memorial is making a difference!
Ginger and Jack Somers