Press Release: Fresno

A Lutheran Day of Service Comes to Fresno

Justice project celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation

Fresno, May 1, 2017 – 100 Lutherans in red shirts will be volunteering throughout Fresno on May 3^rd in celebration of the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation.    Activities include: handing out free “Lutheran coffee” at the corner of Shaw and Fresno, a food pantry at Our Saviour’s Lutheran, sandwich making and distribution to local homeless individuals and a free performance and talk by Agustin Lira at Hope Lutheran Church.

"Feeding the hungry and advocating for our neighbors is how Lutherans make our faith visible in the world.” said the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, Executive Director of the Welcome Ministry. "Lutherans throughout Fresno will also be visible in their red shirts that celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation,"

The Reformation, which began with Martian Luther’s nailing of the 95 theses on October 31, 1517, inspires Lutherans to support their neighbors and care in gratitude of God’s love for them.  This year, Lutheran’s throughout the world will be celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation. 

The Lutheran Day of Service in Fresno, was made possible by a grant from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to promote a wider understanding of the Reformation message and its significance for faith and life in the 21st century.

"Far too often the only Christians who are visible are the ones who are angry, Lutherans want to be known for their service, justice and celebrations," said Pastor Rohrer.  "The Reformation reminds us that God loves all people in this beautifully diverse world, regardless of politics, immigration or economic status.”

Schedule of Events:

May 3^rd Lutheran Day of Service:

            6-8am   -  Free Lutheran Coffee Giveaway - @ Shaw and Fresno intersection

            9:30   -  Coffee Reception and Registration – Hope Lutheran Church

            10am – 10:30 am  - Blessing of Hands with Bishop Mark Holmerud

12:30-4 PM – Lutheran Hunger Network Food Distribution – Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

3:30-4 PM – Visit to Rep. Devin Nunes’ Office

5 PM Community Dinner - @ Hope Lutheran Church

6:15 PM  6:15 PM  Musical Keynote - Agustin Lira  (@Hope Lutheran)

May 4^th – 6^th: SPS Synod Assembly at the Convention Center

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The Welcome Ministry seeks to provide a faithful response to poverty and to improve the quality of life for individuals in our community through hospitality; the arts; education; food; and referrals.  Their health and vision projects have provided over 4,000 pairs of prescription eye glasses to homeless individuals in San Francisco and Kailua-Kona.     Learn more at: www.sfwelcome.org

More information about the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation: https://www.elca500.org/about/

More information about the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly in Fresno:

http://spselca.org/index.php/2017-synod-assembly-tabs-2/

Press Contact:
Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer: streetvicar@gmail.com, 415-827-2587

February Newsletter

Singers of the Street Debut CD Wins Awards

 

The Singers of the Street

, Welcome's homeless choir (made up of homeless, formerly homeless and homeless advocates), has won two awards for its debut CD.  Winner of Best Americana Album with Akademia and a Bronze Medial in the Global Music Awards.  Sales from the CD help to cover the lunches provided after each weeks rehearsal.
You can find the CD here: iTunes     Amazon

During the holiday season, our choir literally took to the streets to spread cheer.  You can read about our adventures here. 

SFPD Community Chaplaincy

a new project to enable a faithful response to be dispatched by 911, to  respond to the vulnerable, provide support during death notifications and to help decrease tensions between the police department and the community

Welcome's Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, was recently sworn in as a voluntary chaplain to the San Francisco Police Department.  The first LGBTQ individual to serve in this role, Pastor Megan is working with the SFPD to create a new community chaplaincy program that will provide free training for faith leaders. 

Welcome is currently working to raise the funds needed to create a new non-profit called "Friends of the SFPD Chaplaincy," because we believe that volunteer faith leaders can help support officers who are often being called to police quality of life issues. 

You can learn more about this project at: www.sfpdchaplaincy.com
To learn more about the in-kind and financial donations Welcome is collecting, click here.

 

Homeless Vision Project
free eye glasses for individuals in need

Welcome continues to partner with SF CARES and Project Homeless Connect to provide free prescription glasses for San Francisco's homeless.  In addition to providing about 1,000 pairs of glasses to individuals between large Project Homeless Connect events, Welcome has pledged to raise $30,000 to provide all the glasses given away at their large events at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.  This will result in an additional 3,000 pairs of prescription eye glasses being provided to individuals in need.   

The first $10,000 has already been sent to Project Homeless Connect thanks to matching funds from the Google Foundation through HandUp.  Your support will help us raise the additional $20,000 needed to reach our goal. 

You can learn more about the vision events here:

Providing free presciption eye glasses to the homeless in San Francisco.

With your help no homeless San Franciscans will hear the word "no" when they seek prescription glasses.

Thank you for your Support! 

Your continued support helps Welcome serve the homeless in San Francisco and beyond.  If you are able to support our work, please consider making a donation online through Network for Good.  Or by sending a check to Welcome, 3201 Ulloa St, San Francisco, CA 94116.