Our parish’s work to provide a welcoming space to migrants transiting through DC and the organizations helping them figure out their next steps continues – with a new partner! We are now sharing Saturday hosting duties with New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in downtown DC, so our schedule has changed a bit and for now we are hosting every other week. Our volunteers prepare and serve food, distribute donated clothing, direct people around the building, run errands to pick up supplies, and create a friendly environment for people living through extreme stress. How can you help?

Volunteer!
Sign up for a slot on one of our upcoming hosting days: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4ea8ae22a02-welcome

Donate supplies or money!
We especially need new underwear, both men’s and women’s (sizes small and medium) and new or gently used casual shoes (sturdy, good for walking in). If you would like to contribute funds, you can do so online (in Realm, mark your contribution Refugee Support) or via check (with a note in the memo line).

We have created an Amazon Wish List that makes it easy to donate critical supplies for our migrant ministry and have them delivered directly to St. Thomas’ Parish.
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2LEQWIR88WN7M

Feed people!
Do you like grocery shopping or cooking for a crowd? Get in touch with Carol Coonrod (cscoonrod@gmail.com) and Elizabeth Terry (elizterry@gmail.com) if you’d like to be part of the team planning and preparing meals.

Be a tour guide!
This is a new initiative – As many of our guests won’t leave DC until the evening or perhaps even a day or longer later, we’d like to offer them some opportunities to get a glimpse of the nation’s capital before they move on. If you have a car and would enjoy taking a few of our guests on a brief sightseeing trip on a Saturday afternoon, get in touch with Carol and Elizabeth (see above for email addresses).

Worship with us!
At around 11;30 am on the dates we host, we offer a brief bilingual service where we can give thanks for our guests’ presence with us and pray for their safety on the road ahead. Drop in and join in this blessing – and whether or not you are able to be with us in person, please continue to keep our guests and all migrants and refugees around the world in your prayers.