Exodus 17, Psalms 90 and 91

Introducing another face of homelessness:
Today we had no less that eleven different calls/in person visits of people who have just received eviction notices. At least two of these contacts had three small children each. One case involves a couple in their early eighties who are being evicted. They are unmarried because the joint income would be diminished if they are to make it legal. I know this couple because they occasionally worship in our services.

I could easily post their ‘face of homelessness’ but opted to spotlight another conversation from today. A case worker for an eighty year old lady called in her behalf asking for some options in her dilemma. The elderly lady has no family to speak of. Sometime ago she suffered a stroke and is paralyzed on one side. She is able to live alone with help of in home care twice weekly.

The apartment in which she resides was sold and the new owner has issued alternatives. Either move into a recently remodeled unit next door, or move within thirty days. The unit next door will be almost four hundred dollars more per month that she currently pays. The cast worker said she personally looked at the newly ‘remodeled’ unit and it only had newly installed cheap Linoleum floor and paint. Certainly not worth almost double her past rent, in her opinion. Either way, the lady is on a fixed income and couldn’t afford the increase.

The tenant had been writing the check for past twelve months and had mistakenly paid thirty dollars extra each month. The cast manager went to the office to inform them of over-payment, and in her own words ‘was almost escorted to the door.’

Bottom line, the apartment from which she is being evicted now has three hundred and sixty dollars surplus. , and an elderly paralyzed woman will still be homeless in a few short days. Just in time for winter!

After interacting daily with those with difficult situations, addictions and mental challenges, I look forward to Saturday morning worship. That is a spiritual high point of my week. Even then we are not without hard decisions at times. Through it all, God is faithful. Miracles occur at God’s Living Room. Join us as we celebrate a beautiful time with the family of God. Maybe this is involved as personal holiness.

I tell men and women of all ages it’s not too late to turn it around. They can’t do it alone, but someone still believes in them.

Thankfully, this young man survived homelessness and hopelessness. And his daddy had been praying every day to see his kid again. By the way, you know him as the prodigal son. He only existed on the pages of a story Jesus told. But… you and I meet him every day, as we minister to the least of these.

Sunday is my true time of Sabbath, and I am grateful to be scattering gospel seeds along my path.

One of the vital services performed by Shades is the purchase of birth certificates for anyone who needs it. These documents are necessary for housing, jobs and many other reasons. Many of those who come to us are homeless and alienated from any family connection. So they don’t have access to this information, Jimmy secures the document and keeps a duplicate on file.

Plan now – Anniversary Celebration! Rev Walter Cross will be preaching at Shades of Grace Friday, October 20th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday morning, October 21 at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the beginning of 10 years at 313 E Sullivan Street.

On July 1, 2014, I was appointed by the United Methodist Bishop to serve the streets of Kingsport, Tennessee.

As we prepare to begin our 10th year of ministry, we offer thanks and praise to God for more miracles than we could ever imagine. We are equally grateful for all our partners and friends who helped the ministry be where we are today. I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and experiencing many more virtual worship services. God be with you all. Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation is living proof of our living God who loves each one unconditionally and gives us all a reason to keep pushing forward in faith.

Join us online Sunday and revisit this very unique and enlightening worship event. And invite a friend to tune in too! I believe you will be inspired.

Ministry at God’s Living Room is a most life changing and rewarding experience. It is at times the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences. Only the Lord knows the true impact on lives of the least of these. There aren’t enough words to describe this storefront house of worship.

The one thing that has never changed in our ever evolving congregation is the acceptance of ALL people. I have said many times if everyone is not welcome, then no one is welcome. It’s all or nothing. I firmly believe this commitment of caring for the least of these is the reason for our miraculous success and growth in the city. I’m thankful to represent Jesus in the United Methodist Church.

We formerly live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in real time. We continue streaming at that same time by edit\redaction and upload of previous Saturday service. Through it all, no aspect of our outreach and ministry ceased. We remain strong and vibrant as we seek to live into the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of our world. We are a safe sanctuary that welcomes and embraces ALL persons in the name of Jesus!

People come to the doors of Shades of Grace at all hours. People come in every size, shape, color, condition, circumstance, and imaginable lifestyle. They come happy, high, hungover, ill, angry, rejected, satisfied, lonely, confused, unloved and feeling unworthy.

When they come, we do not ask them to answer questions or try to determine whether or not they are worthy.They simply come because the word ‘church’ is on our windows. And Jesus says “Come.” We feed them, clothe them, give hot showers, medicines, and pray with those who are open to it. But all is done in Jesus’ name. They know we will meet them where they are and not necessarily where we want them to be. A song we sing simply says, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, Christ is the open door.”

God loves all people. We are called to love all people. God is love. We’re simply scattering seeds and the Holy Spirit helps them grow. The end result belongs to God. We will continue to welcome, accept and embrace all people in the name of Jesus Christ. We are the church. We are the people of God. This is the kingdom of God. It’s where I desire to be. Grateful for a storefront house of worship called Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation. It is called God’s Living Room.

“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.

The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Please share this ministry. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL.
As Oscar often says, “Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”

Challenging all to exercise and walk. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible…Let’s get it done! Keep moving.

May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we walk each other home. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!

You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1

Wednesday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Regina Shelton, Will Shewey and Dr. Joe Smiddy
Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.