Update – May 2021
Some Updates from Grace and Main
The steady proliferation of folks getting vaccinated around our community has continued and, for this, we give thanks. Slowly, cautiously we’re finding ways to see each other and take joy in each other’s presence. The warmer weather makes it much easier, of course, but so does the inkling of hope around the edges of all these vaccines that things seem to be getting better than they have been in the last year or so.
This update includes our “quarterly numbers.” That is, we’ve got a bunch of numbers about the first three months of 2021 as we’ve continued our work in our neighborhoods in our own unique ways. You’ll find them below, but suffice it to say: the last year has been hard, but God has been faithful.
As always, I welcome your questions and thoughts. Please feel free to reach out and, if you find yourself encouraged by what we’re working on and want to see if continue and grow, consider becoming a supporter.
Grace and Peace,
Joshua
In the first three months of 2021, we provided 707 meals through grocery bags, subsidies, the Urban Farm, meal pickups and dropoffs, and a few other methods.
In the first three months of 2021, we provided 1,508 nights of shelter through our network of housing resources including hospitality spaces, rent/utility subsidies, and a few other methods.
In the first three months of 2021, we provided pastoral care and spiritual direction 601 times lasting 253.9 hours.
In the first three months of 2021, we provided 517 rides and spent 88 hours personally giving rides. These rides include trips to the doctor, pharmacy, grocery store, and work.
It’s a beautiful time of year in our neighborhoods.
Things are picking back up around our Urban Farm after a nice winter’s rest.
A Short Prayer for Persistence During Times of Fatigue
O God of Both the Seen and the Unseen,
whose love is unending, unrelenting, and lavish;
abide in us and help us to rest as you showed us, but also give us strength when we must persist in the face of challenge, adversity, and struggle;
in order that we might know and model comfort in your loving presence whether we rest or work.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Some Stories Worth Rereading
In October of 2015, I wrote a story called “The Winter’s Lie and Lisa’s Ring” about the generous, loving willingness of one of our folks to sacrifice for someone else and how it showed all the stories about there not being enough to go around to be lies.
In May of 2018, I wrote a story called “Marcus Has Everything” about a friend who had shoes held together by plastic, grocery bags but who somehow also “had everything.”