Samaritan House News
What Lessons Have You Learned From the Homeless?
Ann Arbor has a lot of homeless people, but I can understand that. If I were homeless, I'd want to be in Ann Arbor too, because people here tend to be generous. There are many homeless people downtown, but there are also a number of freeway exit ramps or shopping center traffic light exits where they regularly stand. Of course, I cannot give every person money every time they ask when I'm walking downtown, or when I am at a ramp or traffic light. It feels rough to pass them by, but I just can't, especially since I lost my job last August.
Sometimes I will give something just because I happen to have an extra dollar that day or I am just in the mood. But sometimes it's stronger than that. Today was one of those days.
The light at the exit ramp was green and I drove on by, but the image of the man hunkered down in the cold with his sign, "Homeless and hungry -- please help" stuck in my mind. I've often passed that man but never given anything. I felt very strongly, though, that today God was telling me to go back to that man and give him something. I just finished a 5-week temporary job, so I have a little more money than usual. I had just come from the grocery and thought about giving him one of the boxes of cereal I had bought (about the only thing I bought one could eat without cooking). I kept driving toward home, but the farther I went, the more I knew God wasn't going to let it go... he was urging me to go back. So finally I turned around.
On the way back, it came to my mind that I had gotten a roll of quarters to wash the car. With all the salt on the roads, this is an important thing to do to keep your car from rusting out. I felt led to give the man the roll of quarters.
If I have time, and today I did, I prefer to talk to the people I give money to...ask them their name, hear a bit of their story. So I parked the car beyond the ramp and walked back to the man.
I said, "Hello."
He replied, "Hello," and before I could say anything else he quickly added, "You're a religious man, aren't you?" I was surprised that he came up with such an assessment so quickly... he hadn't even seen me coming.
"Yes I am," I replied. "But how did you know?"
He said, "I could tell by your spirit." Boy, that really made me feel good. Often I wonder there's any evidence visible of Christ living in my life; it was a great reassurance to hear this.
I asked him to tell me his story. His name is Victor, and he said his 60th birthday was this past Monday. He used to live in an apartment in a nearby town (same metro area), but his company closed the factory and moved the factory to Mexico. After that he was in the hospital twice with heart problems, one of them being a heart attack. Eventually his unemployment benefits ran out, so he couldn't afford the medical bills. That gave him a bad credit rating, so that created additional difficulties because he couldn't pay those bills. He is a veteran, and eventually his GI benefits ran out too.
Our church has a homeless ministry, and they have said that so many of the people who are homeless have become that way due to job loss or medical bills they cannot pay. Or, as in the case of this guy, both. He said to me, "Why can the American government give so much money to people all over the world, but not take care of us, its own citizens?" He was especially upset how little the government helps veterans. Many homeless people are also veterans. These people go fight for us in wars, and then they end up homeless later in life. Something is wrong with that picture.
Victor is a black man, and he told me a story of when he was growing up. Back then, he said, the white people called him 'ni**er' and he called them 'h*nky'. One day he did that in class, and got in trouble for it. When his dad found out, he took Victor to a trunk at home where some pictures were. He pulled out a couple of photographs from the 19th century, one of an American Indian woman and one of a white guy in a tall black hat and a big long, curled moustache. His father said, "See that man? He's your great-great-great grandfather. And this Indian is your ancestor too." His father continued, "Don't you ever judge a person by their appearance. You judge them by their character." Victor said it was a lesson he never forgot.
When I gave him the roll of quarters, he gave me a hearty hug. Before I left, a young Asian woman in an SUV opened up her window and gave him a beautiful red, heart-shaped box of chocolates. When I left, he hugged me again.
It is good to talk to homeless people. It keeps them from being just those beings on the street begging; when you hear their stories, you realize that it could be you on the street. Some people take the attitude that there are "legitimate" ways for homeless people to get help, and many of them are not getting the true help they need if you just give them money. For example, "If you give them money, they might just spend it on cigarettes and alcohol."
But I picked up a valuable attitude from my church: What they do with their money is between them and God; what I do with my money is between me and God. How do I know if they really need it for food or they are going to blow it or they're just moochers? If I had the fullest selfless love, I'd get involved in their lives and help them get on their feet. But I'm busy, and giving money and sometimes hearing their stories is something I can do that at least goes part way.
When I worked downtown, I used to eat lunch with a homeless guy there about once a week. I couldn't give him money all the time, but I shared my lunch with him as we talked. He was a Korean War veteran, and a schizophrenic (he told me so the first time I met him, and he did have some active conversations with invisible people when I was with him). He gave me this big long speech many times something about how the government ruined the value of money...I never did understand what he was talking about, as many times as I heard the rant and asked questions to try to understand, but I could tell he enjoyed the company. And he never asked me for money again, after that first time. Perhaps it works both ways: I was no longer just some person on the street who has money to hand out.
What life stories have you learned from talking to homeless people?
~~~
This account is from a blog I subscribe to, www.revelife.com Where do you see homeless people in Chautauqua County? Have you talked to them? Do you notice them? We have helped them through Samaritan House.
Just one of the many stories of the poor, or is it a catapult to move us to help? Think about it….
January 2009
Moving into the new year, we know the needs are great of families all over the country. Our main objective at Samaritan House is to help meet those needs with the donations that come in from donors who have a heart for giving a helping hand up. Requests for necessities have never been greater than they are now.
After all the hustle bustle of the holiday season there will still be families needing our help, so please remember that as you are thankful for what you have, there are families that still need your help.
I’ve noticed that after the first of the year comes along, donations decline. I believe we tend to think that we’ve given our “Christian-giving campaign” a good shot during the holiday time, but then we tend to forget that “one shot-giving” doesn’t last for most families struggling to pay bills. They still have to get through the tough western NY winter that doesn’t end December 25th.
Deuteronomy 15:7-9
When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost. Don't listen to that selfish voice saying, "It's almost the seventh year, the year of All-Debts-Are-Canceled," and turn aside and leave your needy neighbor in the lurch, refusing to help him. He'll call God's attention to you and your blatant sin.
The year of release.
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart. We mistake, if we think thoughts are free from God's knowledge and check. That is a wicked heart indeed, which raises evil thoughts from the good law of God, as theirs did, who, because God had obliged them to the charity of forgiving, denied the charity of giving. Those who would keep from the act of sin, must keep out of their minds the very thought of sin. It is a dreadful thing to have the cry of the poor justly against us. Grudge not a kindness to thy brother; distrust not the providence of God. What thou doest, do freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2Co 9:7. (De 15:12-18) BibleGateway.com
Please search your heart and ask yourself this question: “How do I respond when I see someone less fortunate than myself?” Do I say to myself, “why don’t they just get a job” or does compassion arise from my heart and say, “what can I do to make life better for this person? How can I be a part of helping this person? What can I do?”
You have to get to know someone before you can have an understanding of their situation.
Helping the poor is a hands-on ministry, reaching out means doing something. We need to put some action to what we believe.
Be a good listener, take action when we know it will be helping and not enabling. BE JESUS!! (after all, HE lives in us, so we need to reflect HIS character!)
It’s a huge step of Faith to reach out and BE JESUS to a world that’s failing around us, but let me encourage you in this, the rewards are great, try it and see!
Blessings for 2009!
Maureen Schafer, Dir. Samaritan House
716-962-2246
www.samaritanhouse.us
After all the hustle bustle of the holiday season there will still be families needing our help, so please remember that as you are thankful for what you have, there are families that still need your help.
I’ve noticed that after the first of the year comes along, donations decline. I believe we tend to think that we’ve given our “Christian-giving campaign” a good shot during the holiday time, but then we tend to forget that “one shot-giving” doesn’t last for most families struggling to pay bills. They still have to get through the tough western NY winter that doesn’t end December 25th.
Deuteronomy 15:7-9
When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost. Don't listen to that selfish voice saying, "It's almost the seventh year, the year of All-Debts-Are-Canceled," and turn aside and leave your needy neighbor in the lurch, refusing to help him. He'll call God's attention to you and your blatant sin.
The year of release.
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart. We mistake, if we think thoughts are free from God's knowledge and check. That is a wicked heart indeed, which raises evil thoughts from the good law of God, as theirs did, who, because God had obliged them to the charity of forgiving, denied the charity of giving. Those who would keep from the act of sin, must keep out of their minds the very thought of sin. It is a dreadful thing to have the cry of the poor justly against us. Grudge not a kindness to thy brother; distrust not the providence of God. What thou doest, do freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2Co 9:7. (De 15:12-18) BibleGateway.com
Please search your heart and ask yourself this question: “How do I respond when I see someone less fortunate than myself?” Do I say to myself, “why don’t they just get a job” or does compassion arise from my heart and say, “what can I do to make life better for this person? How can I be a part of helping this person? What can I do?”
You have to get to know someone before you can have an understanding of their situation.
Helping the poor is a hands-on ministry, reaching out means doing something. We need to put some action to what we believe.
Be a good listener, take action when we know it will be helping and not enabling. BE JESUS!! (after all, HE lives in us, so we need to reflect HIS character!)
It’s a huge step of Faith to reach out and BE JESUS to a world that’s failing around us, but let me encourage you in this, the rewards are great, try it and see!
Blessings for 2009!
Maureen Schafer, Dir. Samaritan House
716-962-2246
www.samaritanhouse.us
North County Branch
Extension of outreach site gives chance to be good Samaritan
By SHIRLEY IBACH
POSTED: December 14, 2008
The Rev. Amy FitzGerald sets up the Barbie playhouse donated by a Fredonia woman. The Samaritan House is located at the Dunkirk First United Methodist Church, 17 E. Sixth Street.
The Rev. Amy FitzGerald sets up the Barbie playhouse donated by a Fredonia woman. The Samaritan House is located at the Dunkirk First United Methodist Church, 17 E. Sixth Street.
~~~~
For a look at the challenges faced by a family of four living at the poverty level, go to www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour2.htm
The Rev. Amy FitzGerald sets up the Barbie playhouse donated by a Fredonia woman. The Samaritan House is located at the Dunkirk First United Methodist Church, 17 E. Sixth Street.
~~~~
For a look at the challenges faced by a family of four living at the poverty level, go to www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour2.htm
A Barbie Dreamhouse. It may have been at the top of the Christmas wish list for every little girl at some time during her life. This year, through a thoughtful donation, one little girl's wish will come true.
According to Deuteronomy 15:11, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
The extension of the Sinclairville Samaritan House in Dunkirk hopes to fulfill this goal by offering clothing, furniture and small household goods to those in need. For the Christmas season, they have also been accepting toy donations to hand out as Christmas presents, such as the Barbie house donated by a Fredonia woman.
"The Dunkirk First United Methodist Church has taken on the added responsibility of being the northern extension of the Samaritan House," the Rev. Amy FitzGerald said. "Many people in Dunkirk and surrounding areas do not have the luxury of a vehicle, so utilizing this great program is denied them, as they have no way of traveling to Sinclairville."
The Sinclairville Samaritan House began in 2004 with the efforts of Maureen Schafer and the congregation of the Park United Methodist Church.
"Samaritan House is a Community Outreach Ministry, serving the community, by lending a helping hand with clothing and household goods at a low cost. Families in need are served at no cost," Schafer said.
Operating totally on donations and volunteer help, the Sinclairville house is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m.
"Our goal is to reach out and be a helping hand to folks in need of household goods, furniture, appliances and clothing," Schafer said. "On an average day, we see 300 plus articles of clothing leave the building, and requests for appliances and furniture are never ending."
The need in the northern end of the county is no less great. The Dunkirk church was continually receiving requests for help from the community, and Schafer eventually suggested it become a part of the organization.
"I think many people would be stunned at the amount of families, single-parent households and seniors that are living in apartments with virtually no furniture," FitzGerald said. "On a daily basis, our church receives 5 to 10 people a day seeking help."
According to FitzGerald, most of the people who seek help are the working poor, families or singles mothers who may not qualify for other aid.
"Most who come in here are not on Social Services but are struggling through, on their own," FitzGerald said.
The North County Samaritan House center, headquartered in the Dunkirk First United Methodist Church at 17 E. Sixth St., is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The new branch operation also provides a number of services besides offering clothes, furniture and household goods, including English as a Second Language and English-Learning-Spanish classes are scheduled 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
"The needs are great throughout Chautauqua County, where more than 17,000 families have incomes below the poverty level,'' FitzGerald said, "and as the economy gets worse and people lose jobs, the need is just going to increase."
Pastor FitzGerald said those who wish to donate clothing, food, household and appliance items, or to assist as volunteers, are asked to contact the church office at 366-2230. The church is in need of housegoods especially, like plates, glasses and silverware, as well as hats, gloves and jackets.
"Anything you need in an apartment, basically," FitzGerald said. "We'll take anything."
The church also participates in the Angel Food Ministries, a nationwide program providing low-cost foods.
"For $30, anyone can purchase a regular order with a food value of $60," FitzGerald said. "This is also a good Christmas present idea, as we all know of a family who is struggling to make ends meet."
The Angel Food program is hosted at the Dunkirk Senior Center once a month on Saturday. Volunteers are needed to hand out food. There are no eligibility requirements to receive food.
More details on Angel Food and other services are available by contacting the church office, or by e-mail at dunkirkfirstumc@verizon.com.
"If you are cleaning house, moving, or getting some new furniture or appliances, please keep the church in mind as a place to donate your treasures," FitzGerald said. "As we keep busy shopping, baking and wrapping all our gifts for the family, let us remember the reason for this season. Our ministry is not inside the church to each other, but outside, to our neighbors and our community. We have finally stepped up to the plate." Rev. Amy FitzGerald
According to Deuteronomy 15:11, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
The extension of the Sinclairville Samaritan House in Dunkirk hopes to fulfill this goal by offering clothing, furniture and small household goods to those in need. For the Christmas season, they have also been accepting toy donations to hand out as Christmas presents, such as the Barbie house donated by a Fredonia woman.
"The Dunkirk First United Methodist Church has taken on the added responsibility of being the northern extension of the Samaritan House," the Rev. Amy FitzGerald said. "Many people in Dunkirk and surrounding areas do not have the luxury of a vehicle, so utilizing this great program is denied them, as they have no way of traveling to Sinclairville."
The Sinclairville Samaritan House began in 2004 with the efforts of Maureen Schafer and the congregation of the Park United Methodist Church.
"Samaritan House is a Community Outreach Ministry, serving the community, by lending a helping hand with clothing and household goods at a low cost. Families in need are served at no cost," Schafer said.
Operating totally on donations and volunteer help, the Sinclairville house is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m.
"Our goal is to reach out and be a helping hand to folks in need of household goods, furniture, appliances and clothing," Schafer said. "On an average day, we see 300 plus articles of clothing leave the building, and requests for appliances and furniture are never ending."
The need in the northern end of the county is no less great. The Dunkirk church was continually receiving requests for help from the community, and Schafer eventually suggested it become a part of the organization.
"I think many people would be stunned at the amount of families, single-parent households and seniors that are living in apartments with virtually no furniture," FitzGerald said. "On a daily basis, our church receives 5 to 10 people a day seeking help."
According to FitzGerald, most of the people who seek help are the working poor, families or singles mothers who may not qualify for other aid.
"Most who come in here are not on Social Services but are struggling through, on their own," FitzGerald said.
The North County Samaritan House center, headquartered in the Dunkirk First United Methodist Church at 17 E. Sixth St., is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The new branch operation also provides a number of services besides offering clothes, furniture and household goods, including English as a Second Language and English-Learning-Spanish classes are scheduled 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
"The needs are great throughout Chautauqua County, where more than 17,000 families have incomes below the poverty level,'' FitzGerald said, "and as the economy gets worse and people lose jobs, the need is just going to increase."
Pastor FitzGerald said those who wish to donate clothing, food, household and appliance items, or to assist as volunteers, are asked to contact the church office at 366-2230. The church is in need of housegoods especially, like plates, glasses and silverware, as well as hats, gloves and jackets.
"Anything you need in an apartment, basically," FitzGerald said. "We'll take anything."
The church also participates in the Angel Food Ministries, a nationwide program providing low-cost foods.
"For $30, anyone can purchase a regular order with a food value of $60," FitzGerald said. "This is also a good Christmas present idea, as we all know of a family who is struggling to make ends meet."
The Angel Food program is hosted at the Dunkirk Senior Center once a month on Saturday. Volunteers are needed to hand out food. There are no eligibility requirements to receive food.
More details on Angel Food and other services are available by contacting the church office, or by e-mail at dunkirkfirstumc@verizon.com.
"If you are cleaning house, moving, or getting some new furniture or appliances, please keep the church in mind as a place to donate your treasures," FitzGerald said. "As we keep busy shopping, baking and wrapping all our gifts for the family, let us remember the reason for this season. Our ministry is not inside the church to each other, but outside, to our neighbors and our community. We have finally stepped up to the plate." Rev. Amy FitzGerald
September News
Vollunteers Are Needed!
Some areas of need: Office Assistance, Mentors with a heart for the poor & their needs at hand, Pickup & Delivery people with trucks or vans to haul furniture occasionally, Sorters & Cleaners on Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons, Cashiers with knowledge from yard sales or flea market type work, Skilled Maintenance people to help with upkeep of the building.
General Qualifications: Passion to help and love the poor & needy in our land, sharing the Love of Christ!
Please call the office for a detailed list of ongoing projects if you are impressed of the Lord to help out. 962-2246
GED Classes - Wednesdays @ 12:30 in the basement meeting room, provided by BOCES call: 716-763-1801 ext. 3013 or 1-800-526-3297 ext. 3013 to register.
Bookbag Report
Thanks to your outstanding response with donations of bookbag supplies we are thrilled to announce that we prepared and gave out over 75 Bookbags this year! Locally to Cassadaga Valley students, and through our Dunkirk Branch, and through the North County Social Services Agency workers. We also shared some of the leftover supplies with Camp Findley for their summer camp programs & office supplies. Thanks for your donations!
FYI
Here are some other missions that we help out with:
Red Cross First Response Team – Immediate disaster help.
Sonshine Ministries – Nursing Home Mission
St. Pauly – USA & Overseas Mission http://www.st-pauly.com/
Bears for Soldiers – Salamanca based Ministry to Soldiers in hospitals.
Stuffed Animal Giveaway @ Lake Erie Speedway – Local driver, 11 year old Darrin Waldron, gives out stuffed animals with his driver # to kids at the track.
Safe House – Supplies for Jamestown Mission
Park Food Pantry - gives out ‘bag of free clothes tickets’
Camp Findley – Needs List Supplies http://www.campfindley.org/
Dunkirk Samaritan House – Clothing & Household Goods
Department of Social Services – Helping families with household needs through their Case Workers.
Faith Based Initiative – Networking with Agencies, Organizations & Churches who help families in need.
Community Helping Hands – Networking to serve our County.
http://www.communityhelpinghands.org/
Some areas of need: Office Assistance, Mentors with a heart for the poor & their needs at hand, Pickup & Delivery people with trucks or vans to haul furniture occasionally, Sorters & Cleaners on Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons, Cashiers with knowledge from yard sales or flea market type work, Skilled Maintenance people to help with upkeep of the building.
General Qualifications: Passion to help and love the poor & needy in our land, sharing the Love of Christ!
Please call the office for a detailed list of ongoing projects if you are impressed of the Lord to help out. 962-2246
GED Classes - Wednesdays @ 12:30 in the basement meeting room, provided by BOCES call: 716-763-1801 ext. 3013 or 1-800-526-3297 ext. 3013 to register.
Bookbag Report
Thanks to your outstanding response with donations of bookbag supplies we are thrilled to announce that we prepared and gave out over 75 Bookbags this year! Locally to Cassadaga Valley students, and through our Dunkirk Branch, and through the North County Social Services Agency workers. We also shared some of the leftover supplies with Camp Findley for their summer camp programs & office supplies. Thanks for your donations!
FYI
Here are some other missions that we help out with:
Red Cross First Response Team – Immediate disaster help.
Sonshine Ministries – Nursing Home Mission
St. Pauly – USA & Overseas Mission http://www.st-pauly.com/
Bears for Soldiers – Salamanca based Ministry to Soldiers in hospitals.
Stuffed Animal Giveaway @ Lake Erie Speedway – Local driver, 11 year old Darrin Waldron, gives out stuffed animals with his driver # to kids at the track.
Safe House – Supplies for Jamestown Mission
Park Food Pantry - gives out ‘bag of free clothes tickets’
Camp Findley – Needs List Supplies http://www.campfindley.org/
Dunkirk Samaritan House – Clothing & Household Goods
Department of Social Services – Helping families with household needs through their Case Workers.
Faith Based Initiative – Networking with Agencies, Organizations & Churches who help families in need.
Community Helping Hands – Networking to serve our County.
http://www.communityhelpinghands.org/
News Article
Clothing items are displayed at Dunkirk's new Samaritan House center at First United Methodist Church. From left are: Vicki Cortes, First Methodist Pastor Amy FitzGerald, Carmen Cortes, and Melysa Jewel.
DUNKIRK -- Samaritan House, a community outreach program based in Sinclairville, is now more accessible to North County communities.
An extension of Samaritan House has been established in Dunkirk through partnership of Sinclairville's Park United Methodist and Dunkirk's First United Methodist churches, according to an announcement of pastors James Bailey at Park United, and First United's Amy FitzGerald.
The North County Samaritan House center, headquartered in the Dunkirk church at 17 E. Sixth Street, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Pastor FitzGerald said those who wish to donate clothing, food, household and appliance items, or to assist as volunteers, are asked to contact the church office at 716- 366-2230.
Like Sinclairville's Samaritan House, the pastor said, the new branch operation also provides a number of services, including ESL (English Second Language, and English-Learning-Spanish classes, scheduled 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Also, Ryan Dwyer, the church choir director offers instructions on reading music at 6 p.m. each Tuesday.
In addition, the church continues its participation in the Angelfood Ministries, a nationwide program providing low-cost foods. More details on Angelfood and on other services are available by contacting the church office, or by e-mail at dunkirkfirstumc@verizon.com.
With the support of the Park UM congregation and Pastor Bailey, Samaritan House was established in 2004 at Sinclairville by Maureen Schafer, a Park UM member, and director of the outreach ministry. Samaritan House is operated entirely by volunteers.
The Sinclairville operation, housed in the old Park UM church building at 2 East Ave., is open from 2-7 p.m., on Wednesdays and Fridays. Information on the Samaritan House program is available at http://www.samaritanhouse.us/.
The Dunkirk site will make it easier for families and individuals living in northern areas of the county, Schafer said. The needs are great throughout Chautauqua County where more than 17,000 families have incomes below the poverty level.
An extension of Samaritan House has been established in Dunkirk through partnership of Sinclairville's Park United Methodist and Dunkirk's First United Methodist churches, according to an announcement of pastors James Bailey at Park United, and First United's Amy FitzGerald.
The North County Samaritan House center, headquartered in the Dunkirk church at 17 E. Sixth Street, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Pastor FitzGerald said those who wish to donate clothing, food, household and appliance items, or to assist as volunteers, are asked to contact the church office at 716- 366-2230.
Like Sinclairville's Samaritan House, the pastor said, the new branch operation also provides a number of services, including ESL (English Second Language, and English-Learning-Spanish classes, scheduled 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Also, Ryan Dwyer, the church choir director offers instructions on reading music at 6 p.m. each Tuesday.
In addition, the church continues its participation in the Angelfood Ministries, a nationwide program providing low-cost foods. More details on Angelfood and on other services are available by contacting the church office, or by e-mail at dunkirkfirstumc@verizon.com.
With the support of the Park UM congregation and Pastor Bailey, Samaritan House was established in 2004 at Sinclairville by Maureen Schafer, a Park UM member, and director of the outreach ministry. Samaritan House is operated entirely by volunteers.
The Sinclairville operation, housed in the old Park UM church building at 2 East Ave., is open from 2-7 p.m., on Wednesdays and Fridays. Information on the Samaritan House program is available at http://www.samaritanhouse.us/.
The Dunkirk site will make it easier for families and individuals living in northern areas of the county, Schafer said. The needs are great throughout Chautauqua County where more than 17,000 families have incomes below the poverty level.
July News
School Supplies needed:
It’s time to gather school supplies for the kids returning to school! We have plenty of bookbags gathered together, now we need the supplies to fill them. If you would like to help out by donating any of the following items it would be greatly appreciated!
v Paper (loose leaf)
v Composition Books
v Spiral Notebooks
v Folders with pockets & center prongs for loose leaf paper
v Pencils
v Pens (blue or black ink)
v Erasable Pens
v Glue & Glue sticks
v Crayons
v Highliter Markers
v Colored Pencils
v Pencil Sharpeners
v Erasers
v 1 ½” 3-ring binders
v 2” 3-ring binders
v Notebook divider pages
v Index cards
A box will be available in the church foyer for supplies to be dropped off. Please have your donations in by August 15.
Book bag pick up days: August 20 & 22.
Furniture needs:
We have many calls for furniture coming into the office, if you know of any furniture or beds that can be donated, please bring them to Samaritan House. We also need these items in the north county branch of Samaritan House.
Sometimes people who are moving or replacing furniture don’t know what to do with the old when they bring in the new! Samaritan House is a great choice for these items, we make sure they get to people who need them. So, let folks know we are here to help them with their donations of furniture to get them to families in need of these items. J
Maintenance Needs:
We are still looking for a Skilled Carpenter to help out with some carpentry projects here at the building.
Volunteers are always needed for sorting and cleaning.
Summer Hours:
~OPEN~
Wednesday & Friday
10-2
~Closed~
August 27 & 29
September 3 & 5
It’s time to gather school supplies for the kids returning to school! We have plenty of bookbags gathered together, now we need the supplies to fill them. If you would like to help out by donating any of the following items it would be greatly appreciated!
v Paper (loose leaf)
v Composition Books
v Spiral Notebooks
v Folders with pockets & center prongs for loose leaf paper
v Pencils
v Pens (blue or black ink)
v Erasable Pens
v Glue & Glue sticks
v Crayons
v Highliter Markers
v Colored Pencils
v Pencil Sharpeners
v Erasers
v 1 ½” 3-ring binders
v 2” 3-ring binders
v Notebook divider pages
v Index cards
A box will be available in the church foyer for supplies to be dropped off. Please have your donations in by August 15.
Book bag pick up days: August 20 & 22.
Furniture needs:
We have many calls for furniture coming into the office, if you know of any furniture or beds that can be donated, please bring them to Samaritan House. We also need these items in the north county branch of Samaritan House.
Sometimes people who are moving or replacing furniture don’t know what to do with the old when they bring in the new! Samaritan House is a great choice for these items, we make sure they get to people who need them. So, let folks know we are here to help them with their donations of furniture to get them to families in need of these items. J
Maintenance Needs:
We are still looking for a Skilled Carpenter to help out with some carpentry projects here at the building.
Volunteers are always needed for sorting and cleaning.
Summer Hours:
~OPEN~
Wednesday & Friday
10-2
~Closed~
August 27 & 29
September 3 & 5
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
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
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