FAMILY PROMISE (INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK OR IHN)


What are the needs we have when we are preparing to welcome and serve IHN families for a two week stay at Southport UMC?
Families – in April we started the rotation by welcoming 3 families with 12 family members. Over the 2 week period we hosted families, with some moving in and out of the program, and ended serving a total of 6 families with 20 family members.
Servants - We were blessed to have 65 SUMC team members who served 550 hours. The volunteer times ranged from 1.5 hours to 85 hours. 85 hours for one person is overgenerous and could easily be lightened with more available and willing servants. Our goal is to have at least 2 team members on site when the guests are present. 
The following explains some of the opportunities to serve with the IHN ministry.
Grocery Shopping - prior to guests’ arrival as well as picking up groceries during the rotation
Set Up - Sunday school rooms in the east wing are set to be family bedrooms with beds, bedside stand, lamp, Kleenex and curtains
Drivers – there are 14 trips to the day center downtown to pick up our guests for the evening and return 14 times in the mornings to take them for the start of their day. An IHN van is provided.
Breakfast - In the mornings we provide items for the guests’ breakfast and to pack their lunch.  Morning team members prepare tea and coffee for the adults to get them started.
Clean Up - rooms are re-set for their original purpose and IHN supplies and furnishings are stored until our next opportunity to serve. 
 Evenings - We spend 14 evenings with the families, however most evenings they go to their rooms early to spend time together as a family. SUMC team members stay overnight in a sleeping room to be available as needed.

Laundry – bed linens, towels and wash cloths are laundered as needed throughout the 2 weeks with a large amount done after our guests leave.
Dinners – dinners are prepared, served, and enjoyed with the families each evening. Occasionally we adjust timing so that we can accommodate a family’s schedule with any school and sports functions the children may have.
Clean Up - rooms are re-set for their original purpose and IHN supplies and furnishings are stored until our next opportunity to serve. 
As you can see it takes a generous-sized servant team to accomplish all of the above tasks and with willing, helping hands, everyone shares the benefits of serving many homeless families with no one being over-committed. 

OUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME IHN GUESTS IS
SEPTEMBER 23 THROUGH OCTOBER 7

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