Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)


Serves children and their families during housing transition
To host our IHN families takes a lot of volunteers.  Maggie and I were happy to have a few new servants this past rotation in February along with those who have served before.  We want to thank all of God’s wonderful servants for their time and compassion shared with the families during their stay at Southport UMC.  Without their willingness to serve, SUMC would not be able to host such a meaningful ministry. To all involved, we THANK YOU, and look forward to serving with you again in the fall. 
God Bless!
Paul and Maggie Lucas

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 February we started the rotation by welcoming 2 families with 8 family members. Over the 2 week period we hosted 2 more families, with some moving in and out of the program, and ended serving a total of 4 families with 16 family members.
Servants – we were blessed to have 53 SUMC team members who served 508 hours. The volunteer times ranged from 1 hour to 90 hours. Ninety 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.

Following are 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 transformed to family bedrooms with beds, bedside stand, lamp, Kleenex and curtains
IHN Van Drivers – SUMC drivers provide transportation each morning and evening to our guests as they go to the Center each day

Evening Host – our Evening Hosts stay at the church with the families and provide any needed support. Most families prefer to go to their rooms in the evening for family time and early rest
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.
Overnight Hosts – we would like to have 2 hosts spend the evening at church with the families to provide support assisting with breakfast and sometimes lunch packing
Laundry – bed linens, towels and wash cloths are laundered as needed throughout the 2 weeks with a large amount done after our guests leave
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 serving team to accomplish all of the above tasks and with willing, helping hands, everyone shares the benefits of serving many children and their families with no one being over-committed.

OUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME IHN GUESTS IS
SEPTEMBER 29 THROUGH OCTOBER 13




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