Extend hospitality with us!
Every Sunday in December, Christ Church (along with over 100 other churches and organizations) provides emergency winter shelter for 12 unsheltered neighbors (men, women, and/or families).
Parishioners offer hospitality to those who have no place to call home. This is a great volunteer opportunity for families, especially those with young children.
Volunteers are the heart of this ministry.
Every week we need people to fill the following roles:
- Set up (4 - 6 volunteers; 4:30 - 6 pm)
- Dinner (4 - 6 volunteers; 5:30 - 7 pm)
- Overnight Hosts age 21+ (2 volunteers; 7 pm - 7 am)
- Van Drivers (2 trained volunteers; pick up van at Christ Church at 4:45 pm on Sunday and 5:45 am on Monday to drive guests to and from the Roof Above Center.)
- Breakfast (2 volunteers)
- Supply bag lunches (1 - 2 volunteers)
View the Room in the Inn Volunteer Manual »
Parishioners describe their Room in the Inn experiences:
“I've spent many Sundays setting up for Room In the Inn for the past two years. I enjoy doing this because by doing so I know I am helping twelve homeless neighbors each week to have an experience of "home" that is somewhat rare for them. I do not get to spend dinner with the guests or even get to meet them but I am still so satisfied knowing that I am helping others by giving my time to make their time and stay at Christ Church as perfect as it can be. Volunteering through Room in the Inn allows me to meet and spend time with other members of our church that I don't regularly get to be around and it makes it all the more fun! Room in the Inn is my way of giving back to those less fortunate than I am and I am glad to do it! It's been a great learning experience for me and others, I'm sure, to realize how blessed we are and how our help to others is so beneficial and appreciated.” – Stewart Parkhurst
“I talked with several guests last night at Room in the Inn (RITI). I could not have had a more meaningful and faith based Sunday night. We talked about faith. We talked about how life is hard sometimes for all of us. We talked about how God is always there—wherever we are. We shared stories of times we reached for God and He responded. We talked about times we forgot to ask for God’s help and how the journey was harder without asking God to walk with us every step of the way. We laughed. We assured each other that with God’s help and our cooperation, our lives will work out for the best. We were thankful for all of the many blessings in our lives. When reading Jesus Calling the next morning, the passage said, 'Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life....In fact, my light shines most brightly through believers who trust me in the dark.' There was lots of light last night at RITI.” – Catherine Flemming
Our family has volunteered three times as overnight hosts for Room in the Inn. Without a doubt, it has been a profound experience for us individually and collectively. Each time since the first one, it has been our sons who have urged that we serve again. Both boys have shared how Room in the Inn has helped open their hearts and minds to our neighbors and changed their prejudices into love and understanding. Collectively we have come together as a family and reflected on our lives and our neighbors with much gratitude and humility. We are all equal in the eyes of God.” – The DeVries Family