Winter Relief

Winter Relief is an emergency shelter for unhoused neighbors during the winter months. The program provides so much more than shelter.  Through this ministry relationships are formed, barriers are broken down and folks from very different walks of life learn and grow together. SPUMC joins with about 45 local congregations each winter to ensure that our unhoused neighbors have a safe, warm place to live. Our congregation hosts about 40 men and women at the church for two weeks each year. The overall ministry is organized by The Arundel House of Hope.


Next Winter Relief Dates:

November 4-11, 2024 and February 10-17, 2025


Winter Relief Thank You

The Winter Relief mission in our church just ended and we would like to thank the 200 plus volunteers that participated and put in over 1,000 hours to make the Winter Relief week a success. We not only provided our 16 guests a place to sleep, three meals a day, snacks, laundry services, showers, transportation to jobs, and fellowship, but were able to give each guest a goody bag with gift cards. We also provided manicures by Pastor Narae, dental services by Dave Dietrick, and barber services by Old Tyme Barber of Severna Park. Our guests played bingo, were entertained by our MYF group, had an ice cream social, and played corn hole.

But Winter Relief goes way beyond this. It was a special week of making new friends both guests and volunteers, sharing stories, laughing together, and showing all the love of God. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve in a mission for a week right here at our church. It was heartwarming to hear one guest say when he left in the morning, “See you when we get home this afternoon.”

Our volunteers and leadership team served them with their hands, feet, hearts, and time, but most importantly they loved them as Jesus would have loved them. This is truly what Winter Relief is all about. Not only were the guests blessed in many ways, but our entire church was blessed. If you did not get a chance to participate in the Winter Relief Mission this February, please consider getting involved in Winter Relief the week of November 4 – 11, 2024 and February 10 – 17, 2025. We would ask you to keep all of the unhoused population in your prayers.

Thank you,

Carolyn Heim & Pam Sherman