STEPPING OUT Sharing the love of Jesus one step at a time
June 20 was World Refugee Day, and this year’s theme was “Together we heal, learn, and shine.” I can’t think of a more fitting theme as we enter this summer. We all (refugee and non-refugee alike) need to heal and learn from the past 18 months so that we come out on the other side shining. Yet the most important word in this entire theme is “together.” To heal, we need others to help us in the process. To learn and grow, we need the wisdom and experiences of others. And we shine when the image of God is clearly reflected among us all, in all its diversity. While many of us will be spending some much-needed time away with our friends and families this summer, there are several opportunities for us to engage with our community in between vacations. These are great opportunities to expand where we seek healing and learning and whom we invite into the process. May the image of God be reflected more clearly in all of us.
Lisa Woicik Lisa Woicik Outreach Minister
REFUGEES
FOOD ASSISTANCE
New Good Neighbor Team: Every minute, 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution, or terror. World Relief is expecting an influx of refugee arrivals starting this fall, and we are forming a Good Neighbor Team (GNT) who can walk alongside one newly arrived refugee family this fall. Learn more at UPPC.org/events. INFO SESSION: August 8 | 12:30 pm | Wayside and Zoom
Without access to the free or reduced lunches offered during the school year, many children in our community go hungry. Check out these opportunities to provide free meals to families over the summer:
Safe Haven Weekend Team: UPPC’s Safe Haven Weekend Team stands ready on an assigned weekend or weekday to house (in a home or hotel), feed, and transport refugees released from the Northwest Detention Center to the airport or bus station. The team is looking for new members willing to provide one of these services one day/weekend per month. Contact Kathryn Castle (info@safehaventacoma.org) for info on how you can get involved.
2021 Summer Meal Distribution: Sign up to hand out meals on Fridays this July and August at UPPC.org/events. 2021 Summer Meal Preparation: Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals that will be delivered to families in August. More info UPPC.org/events.
BACK TO SCHOOL School Supply Drive, Aug 1-15: Help ensure kids receive the supplies they need to return to school. Grab a supply list and drop off purchased supplies at UPPC by August 15. More info at UPPC.org/events Back to School Fair, Aug 18-21. Families Unlimited Network is looking for volunteers to help distribute school supplies to families Aug 18-21. More info to come in August.