Signs of Hope - Partners in Ministry

Last night, the reported temperature outdoors in Baltimore was 19 degrees. There were many persons across the city who slept outside, and many others who slept in places where there was inadequate heating. Many of these persons were children. Many awakened this morning and stepped outside into the deadening cold. Some did not own a coat to provide adequate warmth. The day after Thanksgiving, has come to be known in commercial circles as “Black Friday,” and is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. This year's news reports showed people lining up at stores across the country hours before doors opened in order to be ahead of the line in taking advantage of sale items. Monroe Street United Methodist Church in southwest Baltimore offered an alternative to “Black Friday” for persons who could not afford to shop. The church, in partnership with Glen Mar United Methodist Church in suburban Howard County, held a coat give-away on Monroe Street. Persons lined up around the church to receive free coats, and over 53 families were helped through the generosity of these two congregations. Monroe Street reports that as it has done for a number of years, Glen Mar Church has made a commitment to sponsoring at least 8 families for Christmas in the southwest Baltimore area surrounding Monroe Street Church. Signs of hope are seen in the partnerships in which churches share in ministering to those who have the least among us.