“A guest is a gift from God” is a saying in Tbilisi, Georgia. Let it be so in St. Paul, too, right here at our church! After careful consideration and discernment, our church is stepping boldly into the opportunity to host immigrant families as part of the Faithful Hospitality project. Between February 26, 2024 and March 31, 2024, MPUC and two other churches will each host 20 to 30 asylum seekers, primarily family groups with children. We will utilize the lower level of our building. Our partner for this venture is Interfaith Action, and they are providing all the bedding, equipment, and transportation to and from the day program at Central Presbyterian Church. Our role is providing two hosts each night from 6:30 pm until 7:30 am. No food is needed, just a place for these guests to stay overnight for a month. Our Preschool is fine with this venture, and it does not affect their schedule. Also our current guest has moved out, so our hosts can sleep in the basement apartment. Our coordinators are Margo Dickinson 651-815-2821, margo.w.dickinson@gmail.com, and Marijo Hickok 651-238-5031, garymarijo@yahoo.com. We urge you to prayerfully consider giving an evening and/or overnight to this important work and volunteer on this SignUp Genius. As the song goes, “Gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love!” So step up, leading with love, as God calls us to respond to this urgent need! Read on for more details.

Details

• Our guests have already applied for asylum and are applying for work permits.

• Evening activities would likely be a combination of providing snacks, interacting with families, playing games, and responding to questions. We need to respect that evenings may be the only down time and private time our guests have, so we need to be flexible in how to honor that.

• If we can commit to two people a night for at least  three nights per week, Interfaith Action can provide assistance in getting volunteers. We are reaching out to Macalester College and other churches in the Sanctuary network for volunteers. Friends and neighbors are welcome, too! Reaching out for volunteers is a way to extend our reach, develop relationships and deepen existing partnerships. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old, though teenagers can accompany an adult. Background checks will not be required because volunteers will not be alone with any children. We will provide orientation for volunteers. 

• Volunteers will use the existing Sanctuary bedroom and bathroom/shower. Guests can use the lower level bathrooms (women’s has 3 stalls; men’s has 2 stalls and urinals). Central Presbyterian has shower facilities for a large group like this. 

• All meals are provided at Central Presbyterian by Interfaith Action, and they will also provide snacks for the evening. 

• There is a stipend of $5,000 for each monthly stay for us to use to clean and provision the rooms, etc. We are committing to one month for now to see how things go.