Social Ministry Coach Travels to Trinity, Hughesville

Trinity Lutheran in Hughesville has many outreach ministries helping the community; however, the one I experienced was their participation in Family Promise.   Family Promise is a national program that has come to our area.  It’s a non-denominational organization for families in transition.  Part of a national network, Lycoming County is one of more than 159 networks across the United States.   There are over 5,000 congregations and 110,000 volunteers making up these networks.  Within our area, 13 congregations are hosts.  This means that three to four times per year, for one week at a time, host congregations provide overnight lodging, meals, and hospitality for up to 14 people or three families.  They also transport the families to and from their church to the Day Center in Williamsport.

The evening I was at Trinity for supper, three families (11 people) were part of this ministry.  One little boy, about six, was quite pleased that he could recite the Lord’s Prayer quickly.  I timed him and he said the entire prayer in eight seconds.  I was quite impressed that this little guy knew the complete prayer.

This is a wonderful ministry that helps families stay together in difficult times.  Trinity has a room with bedding for each family in their Sunday School area.  Two adults from the congregation must stay overnight in case there are any problems or concerns.  Trinity also has volunteer groups each night responsible for dinner.  The night I was in attendance the congregation council hosted the meal.   The next night, the Girl Scouts were hosting the meal.

On average, almost 80 percent of the families who participate in these programs find permanent or transitional housing.  Guests without jobs usually find them or enter job training.  Others even enroll in school.

There are a number of congregations in Hughesville that support this ministry through donations of food, time, and money.  If you think your congregation would like to be a host, you will need volunteers who provide a variety of services:  cooking and serving meals, playing with children or helping with homework , possibly a driver(s) for transportation in the morning and evening and staying overnight.

If you live in Lycoming County and want to become a host or supporting congregation contact Melissa Magargle, Executive Director of Family Promise of Lycoming County.  If you live in another county and Family Promise is not in your community, contact Magargle to get additional information and names of people to contact to get started.  Her phone numbers are 570-567-7103 or 570-567-7105 or you can visit their website at www.familypromiselycoming.org or e-mail familypromiselycoming@hotmail.com.

• West Branch Conference – Sundays, January 15, 29, and February 12, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s, Quiggleville
• Middle Creek Conference – Thursday Evenings, January 26, February 2 and 9, from 7:00 -9:00 p.m. at St. John, Richfield
• North Branch Conference – Sundays, February 19, 26, and March 4, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., at Washingtonville, Washingtonville

The Souper Bowl of Caring is an ecumenical, youth-led movement, with more than 2,000 ELCA youth groups raising money for hunger-related charities each year.

The money you raise can be donated to the hunger-related charity of your choice. This year, please consider making a difference locally and globally. Select a local organization to receive half of what you raise, and send the other half to ELCA World Hunger. Gifts to ELCA World Hunger support the projects of this church that respond to hunger and poverty in over 50 countries — including hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries right here in the United States. What an incredible way to make a worldwide impact!

Getting started is easy.

• Register online at www.souperbowl.org or call 800-358-SOUP (7687) to register and receive a free starter kit.
• Collect donations on, or near, Super Bowl Sunday (February 5).
• Report your results to be included in the national total.
• Donate all or a portion of your collection to ELCA World Hunger (P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764).