W.A.R.M. COLD WEATHER SHELTER

One thing is for sure, hosting a shelter takes the work of many hands, hearts, and sometimes, masks. While hosting the W.A.R.M. Cold Weather Shelter at Westminster, we fed and housed between 34 and 41 guests, with a maximum of 30 guests resting overnight at Westminster and the remaining guests sleeping at the overflow site, Waynesboro Mennonite Church.

Although it is difficult to count the exact number of volunteers, based on pictures and communications, we estimate that around 100 volunteers served at the shelter, whether by being physically present or making an impact through donations of food and financial support. Along with Westminster’s members, the Property, Witness, and Fellowship Ministries, WOW Kids, the youth group, and many ministries providing meals and support, we were grateful for the partnership of churches such as First Baptist Church, Smyrna Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Second Presbyterian Church, and Calvary United Methodist Church.

In addition to churches, we deeply appreciate the donations received from First Presbyterian’s Food Bank, Disciples’ Kitchen, Daisy Troop 3975, Cub Scout Troop 73, the Clothing Closet, 7-Eleven, and area neighbors who heard about the shelter through the direct mail sent prior to the shelter dates.

Last, but certainly not least, we deeply appreciate the W.A.R.M. staff and their faithful leadership throughout the week. None of this would have been possible without them.

As the week progressed, so did the spread of illness, with flu cases reported among guests, W.A.R.M. staff, and volunteers. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25, when we serve “the least of these,” we serve our Lord. This week, the vulnerability to illness became especially evident, reminding us that “the least of these” can be any one of us, depending on our circumstances or season of life. As we served those without homes and battling illness, we came face-to-face with Jesus and caught a glimpse of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Again, thank you, Westminster, for your faithful support of the W.A.R.M. shelter from January 27 to February 3, 2025.

Serve and Love Well,

Pastor April