Saint Luke’s is getting back in the refugee resettlement mission and we have already been assigned a family (Mother, Father and two young boys, ages two and five)  to welcome next Wednesday!

We are partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and five other Presbyterian churches in our area to support an Afghan family who was forced to leave their country.  These families are already here in our country and many are still housed in temporary housing or on military bases.  Our current housing crunch is making the task of resettling these families very difficult, which makes our work even more vital.

Our first step in preparing to support a family is to collect the various household items which will help make their apartment a comfortable home.  To facilitate the donation process among the churches, we have developed a Sign-Up Genius with all of the required items listed.  Please look through the list of items and see if there are things that you can provide.  You can supply new items or used items that you may have that you no longer need or that you have replaced.  With all of us working together, we hope that this will go smoothly!

Click on the link here to access the Sign-Up Genius:

www.signupgenius.com/tabs/13574DE0FA4CDEAC5A09-ircinatlanta  

Note that the sign-up form has multiple tabs at the top of the page for the various groups of household items.  Please check them all to see how you might contribute!  Also note that for now we are assuming a family size of four persons;  that may change once we know more about the specific family assigned to us.  We’ll handle that if necessary when the time comes.

We will be in touch with you about how these items will be collected.  Dave Huffman (former Saint Luke’s member) will be the apartment setup coordinator.  If you have any questions you can contact Ellen Womack at 770-595-7057 [email protected] or  Dave Huffman of Pleasant Hill Presbyterian, at 770-378-4226 or email him at [email protected] .  

Thank you for your prayerful consideration in this mission as we work to help these vulnerable children of God.

We are thrilled to be gearing up to the 16^th Annual Tartan Trot scheduled for February 12, 2022. We are calling all youth to get involved in making race day one of the best ever by recruiting as many participants as possible. We are offering prizes to those that are able to get at least 10 to sign up and will raise the stakes as the numbers increase. Participants can include in-person as well as virtual. Details of the contest are below. Feel free to contact TJ McGoldrick ([email protected]) with any questions.

Requirements

Minimum 10 Runners Sign Up To Take Part In Contest

Awards

10+ Runners Receives Tartan Trot Beanie

20+ Runners Receives Tartan Trot Water Bottle

25+ Runners Receives Tartan Trot ¼ Zip Pullover

Youth with most runner sign-ups will receive discount on summer trip of their choice 

Youth that reached 10+ and Overall Winner will be recognized on Race Day

How To Participate

Youth to create team name and send to TJ McGoldrick

Participants signed up under Youth Team Name will count towards contest

When images of the airlifts from Afghanistan made the news in August, several former Six Star Refugee Partnership (our refugee services partner) board members began discussions on how we can help with the current Afghan Resettlement efforts.

On November 16^th, Shannon, Nancy Moore, Dan Joyce, Mary Guerrant, Allison Thornton, Bill and Ellen Womack participated in an IRC (International Rescue Committee) webinar November 16^th.   Participants included members from six other Presbyterian churches.

IRC has committed to resettling more than 800 refugees in Atlanta.  Families are currently being housed in military bases being vetted awaiting placement. While awaiting relocation, support staff from many organizations are working to verify document claims and they are receiving all immunizations. Memorial Drive Ministries (another of our outreach partners) executive director, David Roth is one of many who has volunteered to help in this process.

Saint Luke’s Outreach has committed funds to beginning the process of sponsoring a family as soon as IRC can identify a family for us. We have invited other congregations in our presbytery to partner with us. What we will need initially from congregations will be “Must Have Items” needed for set up of an apartment, including household furnishings, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom supplies. Soon, we will share a Sign-up Genius link to list items needed so multiple groups can sign up and avoid duplication.  If you have questions or would like to assist, please contact Ellen Womack.

Matthew 25 makes it clear that our call as Christians is to give Food to the hungry, Drink to the thirsty and Welcome the stranger.  Saint Luke’s members have always been amazing at responding to needs as they arise, and our hope is that this will be another opportunity to be able to welcome new neighbors in need to our community.

Hear from Saint Luke’s member Mary Guerrant about her love for Saint Luke’s Outreach Partner, Corners Outreach:

How did you first get involved with this partner?

Corners Outreach was a brand-new partner when I returned to Session last year.  Since no one had responsibility I offered to take it on.  I  understand the relationship sprang from you and others asking how Saint Luke’s can help students and teachers dealing with pandemic-related academic challenges.

What is your greatest joy from being a part of this mission partner?

Greatest joy thus far has been the opportunity to work one-on-one with elementary students, virtually and in-person, often in need of academic assistance as ESOL students.

  
What do you want others to know most about this mission partner?

Corners Outreach envisions one community where every person thrives, no matter their color, status or background.  What a worthy goal, and one particularly meaningful during these times.  Corners Outreach strives to equip underserved students of color, and their families, to lead full lives.    

Hear from Saint Luke’s member Betsy King about Habitat for Humanity:

How did you first get involved with this partner?

I got involved in FP in North Carolina with our old church. I was the coordinator there. 

What is your greatest joy from being a part of this mission partner

The greatest joy is seeing children have a warm, safe place to live while their families get back on their feet. 

What do you want others to know most about this mission partner?

Family Promise vets the families in the program  very carefully and offers job training, budget training and so many other things to keep the families from becoming homeless again.  

How has being a part of this mission impacted your life? Your view of Jesus’s call to us as Christians?

Jesus said to help the least of these and Saint Luke’s has opened its doors to those in need. 

Is there a person you have met through this mission you wish others could meet?

I think people should meet  Andrea Brantley the director, Wanda Hunter social worker  and Btittany Mason. They have really brought Family Promise back to life with their commitment and zeal for the program.