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.

A Big 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 23 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. We also provided manicures by Pastor Narae, and barber services by a local barber. Our guests played bingo, were entertained by our MYF group, went to a bonfire with S’mores at Debbie Harden and Scott Beauparlant’s home, 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 was heartwarming on Sunday evening to see our youth group and guests up on stage singing together. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve in a mission for a week right here at our church.

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 12 – 19, 2024. We would ask you to keep all of the unhoused population in your prayers.

Thank you,
Carolyn Heim
Pam Sherman