Happy New Year!  It's January so you know what that means - it's time to sign up to support St. Margaret's winter relief efforts.

Yes, volunteers are asked to register to set up; to bring, cook, and serve food; to transport folks to and from our designated points, etc. It takes precious time away from our busy schedules, but showing a kind face, listening to the stories of loss, and being a representative of Christ's love to others who so need to see it is worth all of your time and hassle.

I would like to share a story about a young lady that was one of our guests during Winter Relief 2016.  She was living on the streets and abusing drugs and alcohol. She had been able to stop drinking so that she could qualify to enter the Winter Relief program. About halfway through the week, she was found to have a drug in her possession. The segment coordinator was called and upon her arrival, the guest was told she had to leave the program one of three ways. She could leave on her own, by police, or be taken to a rehabilitation center in Annapolis. As I remember, it was 10 o'clock at night and very cold. The young lady chose to go to the rehabilitation center. 

About eight months later, I was at a local restaurant and my waitress asked if I was from St. Margaret's Church.  Of course I said, "Yes!"  She recognized me and proceeded to throw her arms around me, introduce herself and then asked if she could sit down. I realized it was our guest from 2016. She had also remembered my grandson and what fun the guests had planning board games with him. We talked about her time in rehab and how grateful she was for the night she was taken from St. Margaret's. She shared that she had hit rock bottom and that evening was a turning point for her. She had been clean of drugs and alcohol for six months and is a resident of the Light House shelter in Annapolis. She is helping others with their addictions as a way to"give back."

It is stories like this that drive me to continue helping with winter relief year after year. Most of the people are just like you and me, but just down on their luck. After visiting with many of them, I recall the saying "There but for the grace of God go I." 

I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and see how something like this effort can transform both your life and the lives of others. We will be housing, feeding ,and making comfortable 30 men and women in the formation building. I will be available each Sunday during coffeehour at a table before our week of Feb. 12 thru 19 to help sign up volunteers, request and receive contributions, and answer any questions. You can also go to the automated Sign Up Genius page.