I recently received a story from a St. John the Divine parishioner who faithfully serves at Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS), a ministry formed in 1999 in response to the health and social service needs of newly arrived immigrants and refugees living in the community surrounding the Church of the Epiphany. The original purpose was, and continues to be to help families meet their basic needs, on their path to self-sufficiency.
Anne Bike related the following:
"As Janet and I were leaving, one of the families arrived outside, and Marvin, one of the long time ECHOS volunteers helped bring one of our sacks out to the family that was waiting outside. They were so grateful, it was such a treat to see that we can help, even if it is not through our normal Food Fair participation. God is still with us, and He is still working through us to help our ECHOS families... The good news is that by helping ECHOS we are helping the population of people that are on the brink of being homeless. If a family has to make a choice between paying rent, paying an electric bill, paying a medical bill, and eating where do they turn? ECHOS is a place that does help people navigate all of those very tough choices with faith and dignity... The ECHOS Food Pantry is just one of the services that they provide. They also help families with financial aid to pay an electric bill or a medical bill, if they are out of work, and they help with health care services, and education..."
ECHOS, a long-time community partner of St John the Divine, holds a monthly Food Fair under normal circumstances. See ECHOS: http://echos-houston.org/client-services/food-pantry/ for details. ECHOS is currently open M-Th 8 AM - 2:00 PM and Friday 8 AM - 12:00 PM to receive donations. If you're a St. John's parishioner, and want to become a member of the team serving on the first Saturday of each month; contact Anne Bike for details. annebike1@gmail.com
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