February Mission Emphasis: Family Promise
Family Promise is an old friend with a new name. Family Promise is the new name for Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), a ministry of Austin’s Foundation for the Homeless (FFH). Family Promise/IHN is the mission effort supported by communion rail and other designated gifts given in February.
Family Promise is a shelter program that provides transitional shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Congregations work in collaboration to provide year-round shelter, meals, and support to families as they work toward achieving goals of permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Shelter services are available to homeless families for up to 90 days.
First Church has for many years offered hospitality to Family Promise/IHN families. Families are placed for one week in participating church facilities where clean beds, hot meals, showers and laundry services, and more are provided by church members. Shelter is provided by 28 host congregations with the assistance of 19 support congregations. Families rotate to a different facility each week. Due to the number of participating congregations, Austin is able to operate two host sites a week. First Church hosted January 15th to 22nd, and will host again beginning March 25th.
Your gifts will provide support for the continuation of this ministry at First Church. Your generosity is appreciated.
January – Christmas Eve Brunch for the Homeless
February – Family Promise (Interfaith Hospitality Network)
March – One Great Hour of Sharing
April – Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT)
May – Moscow UMC Seminary
June- New Missionary
July – Pastor’s Fund
August – Native American Ministries Sunday
September – Disaster Relief
October – Feed My People
November – Harvest Sunday
December – Mobile Loaves & Fishes
