Thank You!

by Rev. Eric Folkerth

Pictured: Kpumc member Andrew McGregor and Rev. Eric Folkerth

Today, I want to thank you for your continuing generosity. Over and over, I see the generous spirit of KPUMC members and friends, even in this time of pandemic.

Specifically today, I am thinking about our ongoing ministry with the homeless. As you may know, we’ve been using the KPUMC van to try and pick up homeless neighbors off the streets and get them to a warm bed at our sister church, Oak Lawn UMC.

New member Andrew McGregor has been my co-pilot on many of these nights. I’ll be leaving a few hours after I type this to head out again to see who we can gather tonight. We’ve found several folks here in North Oak Cliff and also in West Dallas, Downtown, and Oak Lawn.

It can be heartbreaking because not everyone will say “yes” to come with us. You see Andrew with his flashlight in this picture from last night. Of the four folks we saw under this freeway underpass, only ONE decided to come with us. 

Therefore, please pray for all those who for a myriad of complex reasons choose to try and weather the cold. (My hunch is: More folks will be willing to come inside tonight…but we shall see…)

But Kessler Park UMC’s commitment to this ministry goes well beyond this.

Because the shelter is open four straight days this week, KPUMC is providing several meals. We’ve been utilizing the great food and service at Norma’s Cafe on Davis Street to safely send meals to Hillcrest House for some months now. Colleen Kelley has helped us to keep that ministry going, even in the time of pandemic.

Now, we’ve used that pre-existing relationship with Norma’s to send 240 meals to Oak Lawn this week —two dinners and one lunch. (Other churches and mosques are pitching in to cover the other meals needed…)

Oak Lawn’s pastor Rev. Rachel Baughman texted just after lunch today: “These meals have been amazing!!!”

So, much love and thanks to our neighbors at Norma’s Cafe.

Further, Erika Pelletier has again arranged for dozens of blankets to be donated to this work. Much thanks, love and appreciation to her, and to Nancy Worthington and the good folks at Classic Forms and Products.

Friends, this is all possible because of your ongoing generosity. Even after the world warmed last spring, some of you continued to regularly give to this cause leaving us with the funds ready-on-hand to be able to jump in and respond quickly. Even after this week, we’ll still be in relatively good shape to help again should we have another multi-day cold spell.

So, to be clear, this isn’t a plea for donations. It’s a thank you.

Thank you for your continued kindheartedness toward our homeless neighbors and friends. Even in this time of pandemic —when so much “regular” ministry is impossible to do as we might like— we have been able to continue this important work.

I give thanks to God, as I hope you do as well. And I give thanks for all of you.

Eric Folkerth