The Methodist Church in Clark County offers a wide range of services to its members and the community, from emergency funds to housing hotlines. Executive Director Kate Budd said that the Housing Hotline selects people and sends referrals to Family Promise like any other shelter program in Clark County. Grace Church works with IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network), helping the homeless by providing and serving meals (ten times a year) on a rotational basis with other churches in the area. The idea to open a branch came after the national organization held local briefings, including one at Salmon Creek United Methodist Church.
Linda Winnett, executive director of Family Promise of Clark County, described it as “the center, the place where people do their laundry, shower, store their belongings, access the phone and computer, and hang out. Participants do not have to be of a certain faith or participate in religious services to participate in the program.”Grace Church also works with Eagle and Dove, a local program that serves children struggling in school and provides tutoring, meals, and opportunities for social enrichment. Congregant Jean Brown said the church initially agreed to be a support church, providing meals and volunteers to host churches. On Saturday, UMC hosted its spring family wellness event, the “& Car Show,” at the Clark County Government Center. Susan Boegli learned about Family Promise (when it was called Interfaith Hospitality Network) when she was an associate pastor at a church in Salem, Oregon.
She is now on the staff of Desert Spring United Methodist Church as director of Youth Ministries, where she is pleased to share her spiritual gifts of faith, hospitality, and evangelism. Ideally, they should build a network of 13 host churches so that each church hosts people about four times a year. So when the president of the Family Promise of Clark County board of directors, Mike Pervere, contacted her and told her that she was trying to found a local branch, she said “yes” to her presentation at her church. The Methodist Church in Clark County provides an array of services for its members and the community. From emergency funds to housing hotlines and programs like IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) and Eagle and Dove that serve children struggling in school, this church offers life-changing care and comprehensive services. The church also hosts events such as the “& Car Show” at the Clark County Government Center.
