3 minute read
Warming hearts and people during frigid weather
from The Contact 2-7-24
by okumc
When temperatures dropped well below freezing, most of us turned up the heat, made soup, and kept the extra pairs of cozy socks handy.
A few groups did just the opposite. They opened their doors and their hearts to ensure the most vulnerable in their communities had a warm place to stay - including those warm socks and meals.
Three churches
Tahlequah FUMC deployed Operation Warmth, where they served around 1,800 warm meals and provided a welcoming space for an average of 33 people per night.
“Our commitment to serving goes beyond the tangible provisions,” explained pastor Rev. Shana Dry.
“It is rooted in our motto derived from 1 Corinthians 16:14: ‘Let all that you do be done in love.’ This mantra echoes in every aspect of our work. Each time we serve, we carry this message, and we serve each and every individual with genuine love throughout their stay at Operation Warmth.”
Grace UMC in Clarmore offered a 24-hour warming station for four days, serving 17 people. Of those, 11 came through for a home-cooked meal, to warm up, shower, and to take advantage of the clothing closet.
“Six spent the night, and four stayed the entire time, including worship, Sunday School, and a funeral,” said pastor Tim McHugh.
“Of course, the once-feral church cat has now found its home wandering the halls and offices of the church during the day and keeping watch over the perimeter at night.”
Okmulgee FUMC hosted 40 people per night, with an average of 60 per day for food and showers. According to Rev. Sheri Smith Lashley, they recruited volunteers and raised money from local banks and business, and from members of the public. They also provided clothes and did laundry for those who needed them.
It takes a village
Each community that offered a warming station did not operate in a vacuum. Okmulgee FUMC worked with Red Cross, the county’s emergency management operation, Creoks, and the Muskogee Nation to provide warm breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus cots, for eight days, 24 hours a day.
Tahlequah FUMC worked with St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Cornerstone, Roots (Life) Church, First Baptist Church, Echota Behavioral Health, Oklahoma Department of Health, Cherokee Nation Harm Reduction, Cherokee Nation Public Health, Tahlequah Police Department, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, National Indian Women’s Health Resource Center, Help in Crisis, City of Tahlequah Emergency Management, City Council, Tahlequah Area Coalition For the Homeless/Day Center, Zoe Institute, Cherokee County Democratic Party, NeoHealth Systems, Humane Society of Cherokee County, Osiyo Men’s Shelter, Hosea House Ministries, Cherokee Nation Council, La Hacienda Vieja, El Vaquero, Rafa’s Burrito Co., Lift Coffee Bar, Sunrise Donuts, Bryant’s Daylight Donuts, and Local Laundromat.
They served 150 individuals who were unsheltered, sheltered with limited supplies, those inbetween in-patient programs, families facing eviction, and more.
Grace UMC partnered with Red Cross, Salvation Army, Community Action, Grand Lake Mental Health, Rogers County Emergency Management, City of Claremore and Oklahoma Emergency medical Response Team. Chick-fil-A provided food, as did multiple community members.
More than a building
These three churches all have one thing in common: they have a building - with heat and a kitchen. Some have showers. Some may not. Church staff and volunteers worked with community leaders to provide a necessity to community members. They didn’t need muchjust a warm building and more than a few warm hearts.
