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. 

Hear from Saint Luke’s member Daryl Moore about Habitat for Humanity:

How did you first get involved with this partner?

Saint Luke’s partnership with Atlanta Habitat For Humanity is about fulfilling dreams – dreams that prospective Habitat home buyers have of owning their own homes. That partnership extends to fellow church congregations and, most importantly, to the Habitat home buyers whose house we help build. Saint Luke’s has been partnering with Dodd-Sterling United Methodist Church to build a house each year for 24 years, with additional churches joining Saint Luke’s and Dodd Sterling beginning in 2013.

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

A simple, decent, affordable place to live for everyone – that is the goal of Habitat For Humanity. But that is only part of the story. This amazing ministry is transformational, bringing a completely new dimension into play with the home buyer and the home buyer’s family members! Pure joy and gratitude – that is what we see in the faces of each home buyer throughout the build and especially on the day when the house is dedicated and the keys are handed over. 

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

Our home buyers starting in 2004 – Michelle, Patricia, Rosalee, Kimberly, Sonya, Latonia, April, Christina, Poch, Kong, Wanda, Valory, Jerry, Shyuana, Diawara, Kechial, Ericka, Sonja, Lisa, Antwonette, Nilaja

Didn’t we just host Family Promise? Yes! And now we get to do so again starting the Sunday after Thanksgiving…and also the week of January 2. The pace will slow after that. Specifically, we next host November 28-December 5…a great way to start Advent and share our Thanksgiving blessings. COVID is driving homelessness up again, so we especially need your help now.

Like last time, we will only have one overnight host, although couples remain welcome. We again need move in and move out crews on the Sundays. We are also asking that one family per night drop off dinner for the guests. Unlike our traditional approach, we are asking that the dinner provider NOT dine with the guests to maintain COVID social distancing. 

We are still requesting grocery and gas gift cards. These will be used 4 ways: 1) for the coordinators to purchase breakfast, lunch, snack, milk, tea, etc. 2) for the guests if we have a night where no one volunteers to provide dinner, 3) gas for guests, and 4) occasional urgent needs for other homeless children and parents in the community who are not in our program (yet).

Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/SLPC-FP2021-11

If you need any help signing up online, just email or call Betsy King @ 404.431.3852 [email protected] or Catherine Kitchens [email protected]. Beth Underhill will lead move in and move out. Thank you!