I was thirsty and you gave Me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave Me a room,
I was shivering and you gave Me clothes…”
“…I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me — you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:36, 40
2009-10 Room in the Inn Dates
December 14&15, January 4&5, February 8&9 and March 8&9
What is Room in the Inn?
Lake Forest Church is entering its 10th season of partnership with the Urban Ministry Center as a host site for Room in the Inn, a ministry of comfort and refuge for our home-seeking neighbors. As a host, Lake Forest provides a safe, warm and welcoming shelter for 12 men and women. Yet, more than a meal and a bed, we hope to provide our guests with the intangible gifts of respect, relationship and understanding.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways listed below for individuals and community groups of Lake Forest to serve in this ministry, both directly and indirectly. You can sign up on Sunday, November 15 or Sunday, November 22 in the lobby at the display table or email Julie Elliott at missions@lakeforest.org with the month and jobs in which you would like to serve.
After you sign-up you will be contacted by Regina Singletary or Julie Elliott or another task coordinator and given helpful guidelines to ensure our neighbors are welcomed.
For questions, call Julie Elliott at 704-948-1760 or email her at missions@lakeforest.org.
Help Prepare for Our Guests
- Prepare beds, rooms and dining area: Set up tables, chairs, bedding, curtains, etc. This would be done on Sunday afternoon or evening. A coordinator will be available to coach and support the group.
- Donate a $10 Burger King gift card: You can place these in the Jean pocket on Sundays or bring to the main office in an envelope marked RITI.
- Donate a $10 phone card (any company): You can place these in the Jean pocket on Sundays or bring to the main office in an envelope marked RITI.
- Donate an inexpensive ($5-$10), gift-wrapped watch: You can place these in the Jean pocket on Sundays or bring to the main office in an envelope marked RITI.
Be With Our Guests
- Prepare dinner - Monday or Tuesday evenings: Prepare elements of dinner (appetizers, meat, cooked vegetables, salad, desserts) and bring it to the church to serve our homeless neighbors. You will eat dinner with them and help them know they are welcome guests.
- Serve dinner - Monday or Tuesday evenings: Work in the kitchen and serve our guests, stay and eat with them.
- Be an overnight host - Monday or Tuesday evenings: Spend the night with our guests and support Regina with hosting them.
- Launder guest clothing - Monday or Tuesday evenings: Pick up guests laundry in the evening, launder, return items to church that evening.
- Pick-up guests in Charlotte - Monday or Tuesday evenings: Pick up guests at the Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte and drive them to LFC.
- Make breakfast - Tuesday or Wednesday mornings: Prepare breakfast at the church or bring breakfast in for our guests. Hot breakfasts are greatly appreciated.
- Make lunches - For Tuesdays or Wednesdays: Provide a bag lunch for each of our guests to take with them. These should be pre-assembled and dropped off at the church the afternoon or evening before they are needed.
- Drive guests to Charlotte - Tuesday or Wednesday mornings
- Play the keyboard - Monday or Tuesday evenings
- Cut and style hair - Monday or Tuesday evenings
Clean-Up After Guests Leave
- Tear-down - Wednesday mornings: Come in on Wednesday following our hosting. A coach will direct this team at the church.
- Launder Linens - Wednesday mornings: Pick up and launder bed linens then return later in the week to store at Lake Forest .