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 30 men and women at the church for two weeks each year. The overall ministry is organized by The Arundel House of Hope.

We will welcome guests again February 9-16, 2026. We offer cots, meals, showers, laundry, warm fellowship and most importantly the love of God to our guests. There are many ways you can be involved such as serving as a host volunteer (working directly with the guests), helping with meals, providing transportation, doing laundry, helping with some of the activities and so much more. It is a great way to serve on a mission without leaving town. There is a role and a time slot to fit every schedule.

If you have any questions please contact Carolyn Heim.

THANK YOU, WINTER RELIEF VOLUNTEERS!

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 26 guests a place to sleep, three meals a day, snacks, laundry services, transportation to jobs, and fellowship, but were able to give each guest a goody bag with gift cards. They were greeted at the beginning of the week with Fall placemats and notes in their bag lunches made by our Vacation Bible School children. We had a nurse there every day that would assist with their medical needs, manicures were done by Pastor Narae and barber services by Old Tyme Barber of Severna Park. Our guests played bingo, were entertained by our MYF group and also by a trio of Meg Moore, Bob Barlow and Mike Heverly. They also enjoyed the bonfire, snacks and smores at Debbie Harden and Scott Beauparlant’s home.

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 “we love this church and all that you do for us.”

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 November, please consider getting involved in Winter Relief the week of February 9-16, 2026. We would ask you to keep all of the unhoused population in your prayers.

Thank you,
Carolyn and Don Heim

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