STORIES

We’re happy to share the following stories and experiences, as written by individuals and ecclesias who have participated in outreach initiatives.

Our hope is that by sharing these stories, others will be encouraged and inspired to do the same whenever the opportunity arises (Galatians 6:10).

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Bags of Love
January 2021
Church of the Blessed Hope, Ohio
Sub Zero MissionPainesville Township, Ohio
The Garden’s “Bags of Love” Winter Appeal Report The Garden’s 20 sleeping bags, plus Blessing Bags, were donated to Sub Zero Mission, located locally: 760 North Ridge Road, Painesville Township, OH 44077 (subzeromission.org).  Sub Zero Mission helps those affected by homeless stay warm during the winter months by providing hats, coats, gloves, boots, sleeping bags, …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Schooleys Mountain Ecclesia
Nourish NJMorristown, New Jersey
Here is the photo when we dropped the sleeping bags off at Nourish NJ on behalf of Schooley’s Mt. Ecclesia. They were so, SO excited the sleeping bags were rated for sub-zero temperatures. Nourish NJ badly needed cold-weather sleeping bags. Before we dropped these 20 sleeping bags off they had nothing to keep the homeless …
Bags of Love
January 2021
Baltimore-Washington, CYC
Stepping Stones ShelterRockville, Maryland
A few members of the Baltimore-Washington CYC, visited the Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville, MD, to donate the sleeping bags. We were met outside by the executive director who was very grateful for the bags. This shelter provides housing for families affected by homelessness.
Bags of Love
December 2020
Vancouver Ecclesia
Cloverdale Community KitchenSurrey, British Columbia
We donated 3 of the sleeping bags to a family in need. The other 17 we donated to a community kitchen that provides food and shelter to the homeless. Everyone was so grateful.
Bags of Love
December 2020
Simi Hills Sisters’ Class
Interface Children & Family ServicesSouthern California
The Sisters of the Simi Hills Ecclesia (Southern California) were able to deliver 40 Bags of Love/Care Packages to Interface Children and Family Services a few days before Christmas. Interface supports six different shelters in our county; some of the shelters are for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and some are for youth …
Bags of Love
December 2020
Oregon Coast Ecclesia
Grace Wins HavenNewport, Oregon
We delivered our sleeping bags to the local Homeless Shelter yesterday, Grace Wins Haven in Newport, Or. It was starting to rain and there were lines of people needing help, standing outside. This was best photo we could get as people are only allowed inside one at a time. It is called shelter, but really …
Bags of Love
December 2020
Boston Ecclesia
Women's Lunch PlaceBoston, Massachusetts
Greetings in The Lord, The Boston Ecclesia donated the sleeping bags to a Boston area day community called Women’s Lunch Place. They serve women who have experienced trauma, abuse and loss. We felt that perhaps these women may be open to hearing the Good News. The postcards with the Bible verse were filled out with …
Bags of Love
December 2020
Southern New Hampshire Ecclesia
Greater Nashua Mental HealthNashua, New Hampshire
Because I work with elderly/disabled in subsidized housing, I’m in continual contact with our local service agencies and their case managers. I knew right away who could and would distribute the sleeping bags most effectively to the people who needed them the most. The Greater Nashua Mental Health Center works with clients both staying in …
Bags of Love
December 2020
Comox Valley Ecclesia
Care-a-VanComox Bay, British Columbia
Bags of love was a perfect initiative for our family. We had seen a “Care-a-van” out and about supporting people affected by homelessness and those at risk of homeless in our area. They have medical staff and are all volunteers. They rely heavily on donations and were thrilled to be offered these ‘bags of love’. …
Bags of Love
December 2020
Lancaster Ecclesia
Water Street Rescue MissionLancaster, Pennsylvania
Our tiny (10 member) ecclesia decided to participate in the sleeping bag project last year. I contacted the Water Street Mission, which has been in Lancaster forever—used to be called the Water Street Rescue Mission—, and they were delighted to accept the bags. My husband and I delivered the bags in the middle of December, …