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Theology on Tap (TOT) Shares Meal and Fellowship with Echo Village
Last week, TOT prepared a meal in St. Luke's Community Kitchen that they then delivered and served to the residents of Echo Village, a pioneering initiative by House of Hope CDC, which offers a safe, private, and supportive environment for individuals experiencing homelessness. According to their mission statement, ECHO Village is: ... rooted in the belief that housing is a human right. We are committed to treating every resident with dignity, trust, and respect, providing access to resources and opportunities that empower them to rebuild their lives and transition to permanent supportive housing.
After the event, participants were asked to reflect on the activities of the evening and share their thoughts about what struck them about the day. Here are a few selections from their feedback …
It was great to be able to sit with new folk and swap stories. Reminded me of days when I lived on the edge and how very blessed I am. It was also great to see the sort of creativity that went into the living space design. And, I didn’t expect to see the raised gardens and the motivation of residents to make the community space their own, both in terms of flowers and vegetables. Mike Cerullo
To say the least, our visit there was surrounded by genuine hospitality and appreciation that was shown to us by every resident we encountered. As we were leaving, one resident shook my hand and said, “thank you for coming and for the great meal, but most of all for ‘seeing’ us”. I felt truly blessed. Betsy Fornal
I loved the conversation and camaraderie of all my friends cooking together in the kitchen. I think it meant a bunch to have all of us sitting down, having dinner and having a respectful adult conversation with the residents. Brent Bostick
A heartfelt thank you to the Men’s Club from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in East Greenwich for hosting the very first Pasta Night at ECHO Village! These amazing volunteers provided all the food, drinks, and dessert so that our guests could come together around the table for a warm, delicious meal and an evening of community. Moments like these remind us how powerful it is to gather, share, and connect. We are so grateful for your generosity and for helping us make ECHO Village not just a place to stay, but a place to belong. Feedback from Echo Village via Facebook.
According to Brent Bostick, leader of TOT, the group hopes that this event is just a first step in building a bridge between St. Luke’s and this homeless community.
THANK YOU TOT for demonstrating the breadth of love that flows from sharing food and fellowship with our neighbors…a hallmark of our St. Luke’s feeding ministries.
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