May 2008

We are gearing up for the busy summer season ahead of us.
Volunteers are needed to keep up with all the work!
Work days are scheduled for Tuesday & Thursday 10:30-4:00. Call ahead to make sure we are working in the Sinclairville building on a day you want to volunteer your time.
Wednesday and Friday 2-7, during open hours Volunteers are needed to help also.
Volunteer time can be any amount of time you choose. If you have an hour you could spare to help out at Samaritan House it is greatly appreciated, and you’d be surprised how much can be accomplished in an hour!
Check the website calendar page for definite work days and any closings. http://www.samaritanhouse.us/ or call the office phone 962-2246 and listen to the message for closings.

The needs are great all over our County. 17,000 families live below the poverty level income line in Chautauqua County!

Expansion into Northern Chautauqua County is in the works, with Dunkirk UMC partnering with us to reach out to the North County Communities.
Warehouse space has been donated to us for the furniture and appliance donations coming into the Dunkirk area.
Dunkirk UMC is going to expand their clothing area, and use their garage for donations of household goods.

When the plans changed last year to start a Samaritan House in Fredonia, we knew it was God closing that door, so we have waited, and served the North County families from our home base in Sinclairville. The needs are great in the Spanish community of Dunkirk as well as the English community.

Outreach in any community takes laborers to do the work, and money to cover expenses. It’s not a “one man job”! It takes a team of co-laborers to reach a community’s needs. We each have different gifts to share the love of Christ with the poor in our land. Let’s work together to help our neighbor’s in need, and build the Kingdom of our Lord!
The Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 25
31When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.

Maureen Schafer
Samaritan House Director