BD Newsletter

By Brad Durham

First United Methodist Church and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church co-hosted a night at the Park Theater for people experiencing homelessness and underprivileged children. Guests at the party enjoyed free popcorn, cookies, and drinks. In addition, children were given gifts of stuffed animals and adults received a gift bag containing a gift card, winter hat, hand warmers, and a flashlight. The movies viewed were A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS featuring Jim Carrey.

A few of the gifts that were leftover at the Park Theater will be given out to guests at the McMinnville Cold Weather Shelter in the near future. 

THANK YOU TO THE HOSTS AND SUPPORTERS

Thank you to Pastor Ryan Heatherly and First United Methodist Church who also hosted a concert and meal for people who are experiencing homelessness prior to the movies at the Park Theater. It was part of First Methodist’s commitment to celebrating Happy Birthday for Jesus, which is the reason for the season. 

Thank you to Rev. Charles McClain and St. Matthew’s Church for paying the fee to use the Park Theater and supplying gifts for the children. Thank you to Joe Harvey for helping direct the event at the Park Theater.

A big thank you for everyone who donated to support the Christmas Party. The movies, refreshments and gifts made this a special night for many people in McMinnville.

For Your Information…

McMinnville First United Methodist Church hosted a McMinnville Cold Weather Shelter for men on Wednesday night, December 11, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 AM the next day. This is an ongoing collaboration with St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, HOME and volunteers.

The McMinnville Cold Weather Shelter for men will open on a contingency basis – based upon two factors. When the temperature is 28-degrees or below (or 25-degree wind chill factor), the Cold Weather Shelter will open. The other factor will be if there is a sufficient number of volunteers to operate the overnight shelter.

Please spread the word so that any male person experiencing homelessness in McMinnville and Warren County will have the opportunity to come inside during severe cold weather.

If you or anyone you know wishes to volunteer, please have them contact First United Methodist Church at (931) 473-4419. 

A Message from Pastor Ryan Heatherly…

We would like to invite fellow church & community peers to join a community effort to shelter unhoused neighbors on the coldest nights. Please share as appropriate.

This coming weekend ( Dec. 20-22) is currently forecasted to be below 28 degrees, so we should plan to open 3 consecutive nights, provided we have enough volunteers. https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/89e6c7bcef61709cb3d08151c449da1f0ec0f9ae78cb6632d1ba4281752e8c71

Being a weekend, hopefully we can utilize more volunteers in various roles. Breakfast should not be required Saturday, given the normal HOME schedule. Let us know if you have 1-2 men willing to stay Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or for various other roles. Any meals should feed about 10 in number. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, 5-6 men stayed overnight + 2 volunteers. See attached for more information. Email or call me if you can help.  Email: ryan@mcminnvillefumc.com Phone: 931-473-4419