HISTORY
In September, 1997, a council member from
Messiah Lutheran Church, noticed that the house just north of the church
property had a "FOR SALE" sign in the yard. He mentioned it at the next council
meeting, but unfortunately council members felt the church could not afford the
additional expense. Before the end of the meeting, Messiah's pastor left his
council members with one thought: "whenever a house is up for sale near the
church, it is always a good idea to buy it." By the end of the day, Messiah
Lutheran Church was on its way to homeownership.
Luther Haus, (its' given name), begged for a special ministry within its walls.
The church could use it for meetings and youth sleepovers, but Luther Haus
needed a calling. Messiah's youth director had the answer - the house could be
used as part of Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN).
At the start of 1998, Messiah's pastor, vicar and two newly-designated
co-coordinators, sat and discussed the possibilities of becoming part of the
Interfaith Hospitality Network. Outside of a few couches, Luther Haus remained
empty. It would take a lot of work before the "Haus" became a home to the IHN
families, but the congregation at Messiah was ready for the challenge.
After an open house, several Temple Talks, and a guest visit from IHN Director
Gwyn Stetler, Luther Haus had kitchen tables, bunk beds, linens, sofas, food
staples, cleaning supplies, personal care kits and hundreds of other items
needed to successfully house three families. The members of Messiah committed
time, donations, and energy to the project so that on June 6, 1998 the first
families arrived.
The families immediately appreciated the Luther Haus environment, Each family
had an upstairs bedroom, an opportunity to shower or bathe, and an opportunity
to do laundry in the house. Volunteers brought plenty of food, snacks and
smiles. Church youth visited Luther Haus and planned activities for the
children. Adults and children enjoyed the opportunity to sit outside, to play in
the yard, to lounge in the living room, or to drink coffee at the kitchen table
- in essence, Luther Haus truly felt like home.
With the opening of the new center on October 2, 2005, IHN families no longer
will be staying at Luther Haus. The families will be at the new center
24/7 which is much better for them. |
