Saturday, February 16, 2008

An inspiring parish initiative

Our Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls vestry challenged itself and the parish to mount a service to the community that the community really wanted.

Vestry members, led by a gent named Craig Friedel, met with Mayor Dave Munson and other civic leaders.

We discovered that Sioux Falls had an urgent need for "moving assistance." There are seniors needing to move to assisted living, women and children escaping abuse, folks on wait lists for subsidized housing and others who just can't afford movers and sometimes miss opportunities to improve their living conditions.

So, Craig, the vestry, the parish and tons of other folks Craig persuaded have incorporated and launched the Moving Assistance Program (MAP).

Check it out. Pray for it. If you're local, volunteer (the first move is coming up!). Donate if you have the means [It is a 501(c)(3) - not a donation to The Episcopal Church]. Praise God for guiding and blessing the initiative. At a recent meeting, Craig said, "I can't tell you how many hours of prayer have gone into every step of this."

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Craig is an inspiration to all of us. God Bless You Craig & Pam and all who play a part in this much-needed ministry.

Melissa

Chip Johnson+, SF, CoJ said...

Fr. Tim,

What a great outreach! Good Shepherd and the good people there are to be commended for their initiative.
Chip+

Alice C. Linsley said...

What a wonderful idea! I'd like to send some money to support this and will asap.

Anonymous said...

Bravo! Meeting an important unmet local need in the name of Christ. Something everyone can understand, and requires no overhead or space, and whole families can participate in together. A marvelous idea.

I just wish this ministry had existed a few years ago when my mother had to move out of her apartment and into assisted living. Our family spent countless hours sorting through her interminable boxes of papers and personal items in preparation for the move. It wore everyone out. If this service had existed back then, we'd have gladly taken advantage of it.