I HAVE BLESSINGS IN EVERY SINGLE STEP. OCTOBER 2018

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1 I HAVE BLESSINGS IN EVERY SINGLE STEP. OCTOBER 2018

2 1321 E. Lancaster Avenue Fort Worth, TX (817) ugm tc.org A local united Christian organization and ministry dedicated to providing love, hope, respect, and a new beginning for the homeless of Tarrant County. BOARD OF DIRECTORS listed with church affiliations Chairman: Charlie Allen Christ Chapel Bible Church Vice Chairman: Mary Jane Edwards Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church Treasurer: Eddie Broussard Watermark Community Church Secretary: Columba J. Reid St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church President & CEO: Don Shisler Saint Mark Episcopal Church Chaplain: Fr. V. Stanley Maneikis St. Alban s Episcopal Church Bill E. Bailey, Christ Chapel Bible Church James O. Branch, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Rickey J. Brantley, Arborlawn United Methodist Carl R. Brumley, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry Chilton, Christ Chapel Bible Church Ronald Clinkscale, First Presbyterian Church Fred Closuit, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry D. Eason, First United Methodist Church Gene Gray, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Crawford Gupton, Christ Chapel Bible Church Pat Hawkins, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Barcus Hunter, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church DON SHISLER President/CEO THANKFUL FOR HOPE AND FOR YOU! It s easy to be thankful when things are going well. In fact, it s so easy, sometimes we take our blessings for granted. One thing I ve noticed during all my years at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County is the abundance of gratitude among our residents not just to the Mission, but to God. You might wonder how someone can give thanks when they re homeless, addicted or recovering from a serious illness like Christina in this issue of The Mission. The answer is simple: They have hope. And that changes everything. Hope lets you see how far you ve come from where you were and how far you can go with perseverance, loving support and trust in our Lord. When you grasp that, gratitude flows. You ll find a few notes of thankfulness from UGM-TC residents a couple of pages in. Frankly, we could have filled a whole newsletter with notes like these! But if you really want to experience thankfulness, I have an even better idea. Why not come to the Mission and help out this Thanksgiving or any time? You ll see how your gifts and prayers raise the hopes of men, women and children and you ll get a sincere thank you in every smile! In Christ, Robert J. Keffler, Christ Chapel Bible Church Otis Lemley, Without Walls Church John Mitchell, Watermark Community Church Terry Montesi, Christ Chapel Bible Church Peter Philpott, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Caroline Stephens Samis, Christ Chapel Bible Church President/CEO For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Corinthians 4:15 NKJV J.D. Stotts, White s Chapel Methodist Church Allison Wagner, Christ Chapel Bible Church W. David White, Christ Chapel Bible Church J.W. Wilson, St. Stephen Presbyterian Church Robbie Zimmerman, Trinity Presbyterian CONTENTS OCTOBER Christina finds compassion and care 4 5 Giving thanks at the Mission 6 Events, volunteer needs, social media 7 Chaplain s page 8 Dispensing TLC at Healing Shepherd Clinic

3 there are people with a smile and a heart who are willing to help you. YOU GAVE CHRISTINA HEALING AND HOPE! COMPASSION AND CARE HELP SAVE A LIFE Christina s job literally saved her life. She was working her housekeeping shift in a hospital when she suddenly experienced a strange tightening in her face. She went to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. You could have died if you hadn t come in here when you did, the doctor told her. After emergency surgery, Christina had a positive prognosis but a lengthy and difficult recovery ahead. She had lost her apartment and moved in with relatives. They used me, she says. They took my food stamps and didn t give me anything to eat. Christina suffered a setback and returned to the hospital. Christina s life was saved a second time when she came to stay at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County and received care from our Healing Shepherd Clinic. They care about my well-being, she says, not about taking something from me. Working with Christina s doctors, clinic staff monitor her progress and keep track of her medications. They ve been really helpful, Christina tells us. They gave me advice on how to boost my energy because I don t want to be addicted to pills when I get better. I walk and I drink more water now. While waiting for her appointments, Christina talks to other patients and sees how Healing Shepherd Clinic makes an impact on the homeless community in North Texas. Some people think you re nothing because you have no home, but that s not true. The clinic gives people stability. It s easier when there are people with a smile and a heart who are willing to help you. Christina s recovery is ongoing, but her positive attitude is a big help. People ask me, Why are you always smiling no matter what you re going through? Because of God s love. I have blessings in every single step. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 NKJV To watch Christina s story please visit

4 Our Residen You Make Our Thanksgiving Special! Hard to believe, but Thanksgiving will be here in a matter of weeks! How are you planning to celebrate? We hope you ll have a memorable day filled with family, food and maybe a football game. James I m thankful for God, my friends who have supported me, UGM-TC for the opportunity to rebuild my life and my parents who taught me how to be a good person. Thanksgiving Day will be memorable for UGM-TC residents, too. While it may not be the same as former holidays spent with family, there will still be plenty of delicious turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and, of course, pie. Best of all, we ll serve it with plenty of love. For many of our residents, this will be the Thanksgiving that bridges the gap between their old lives of poverty and despair and their new lives of stability and hope. At UGM-TC, the holiday is so important, we celebrate it for two days, including a special luncheon for our former residents. It s always wonderful to connect with them and see if there s any additional assistance we can provide. As always, we thank you for your generosity and ask for your continued support and prayers. For more ways to give back this holiday season, turn to page 6.

5 Greg I m thankful for UGM-TC because it has ample opportunities if you use it correctly to help you get back on your feet. I m also very thankful it has given me the opportunity to get right with God and hopefully be able to give back to the people who give so generously here. ts Give Thanks For Toyneisha & kids I m especially thankful for all the children s activities, all the movies with popcorn, how they have outside vendors come in and throw parties for the kids and make every child feel special: not like they are in a situation or a shelter, but like they matter. That just puts a smile on my face all the time. My kids are so happy and excited all the time. John I m thankful for the opportunity to get back on my feet and to be spiritually connected with my God.

6 SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 4 TH ANNUAL HEART FOR THE HOMELESS FEATURING HUDSON MOORE Tuesday, November 13, 2018 River Ranch Stockyards Visit for more information KEEP IN TOUCH Far more is going on at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County than we could ever fit in a newsletter! Here are some simple ways to se e how you make a difference every day and be the first to hear about big news and special events: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter (@ugmtarrantco) Follow us on Instagram (@ugmtarrantco) Include your address on the enclosed response form to receive Mission news and opportunities via Have you considered including Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County in your VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Make Thanksgiving placemats for the dining hall. For our Thanksgiving meals, we dress the dining hall tables with individual placemats that residents and guests can take with them for a keepsake of the event. It s especially nice when the placemats feature a personal message or Bible verse! Host a donation drive for Thanksgiving meal items. We do two days of Thanksgiving meals, so we greatly appreciate help with turkeys and canned food items. Items such as green beans, yams, cranberry sauce and corn, as well as stuffing and instant mashed potatoes, are always welcome! For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at or lkinney@ugm-tc.org. estate? plans

7 WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? CHAPLAIN STANLEY MANEIKIS We take our blessings for granted, which is evidenced in rampant ingratitude. I look to the scriptures for guidance. The word thanksgiving occurs in the Old Testament 31 times, the New Testament 9 times; the word thanks occurs 64 times in the Old Testament and 45 times in the New Testament. Well then, how many times do those words occur in our daily lives including mine? Aside from the National Day of Thanksgiving, being a paid holiday for food, family, friends and football, there is a larger meaning for me. I am thankful for: The new man whom Christ created in me, a long time ago, and never is forgotten. The love of my wife and sons so freely given over many years, with not much time and money in return. God s provision in my times of plenty and of need. The patience and support of my Bishops. Serving the Christian Community in its many parts and places. IT IS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME, O MOST HIGH PSALM 92:1 NKJV The Grace and Mercy of God and His people which encouraged me through many years of professional Christian Ministry. The healing power of God to keep me on my feet, doing the things I love with the people I love and who love me. My ancestors who came to this country, the land of free and home of the brave. The Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution that guarantees freedoms and protections for our citizens. And finally for UGM-TC as a home for any of us, sharing with one another. I hope you don t think this is an obituary, but this list is entirely too short! And by the way, what are you thankful for? ALPHA UPDATE ALPHA is a Bible-based course offered on Thursday evenings that gives our residents the opportunity to explore the meaning of life through Christ in a relaxed, friendly setting. The ALPHA Jesus Lifestyle course ends with a celebration. You are invited to attend the ALPHA Celebration at UGM-TC on Thursday, December 6, beginning at 6:45 p.m. with praise and worship. We have an amazing band which leads the singing of old favorites, from a song book created for ALPHA Thursdays. The celebration includes a recommitment to Christ and offers Holy Baptism to residents. As part of ALPHA, residents may learn their Spiritual Gifts. We use Haugk s Spiritual Gifts Inventory. At least 110 residents learned about their 5 out of 20 top Spiritual Gifts. These spiritual gifts should direct ministry, employment, education, relationships and volunteer activities for residents. For many residents, this is the case. If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact Chaplain Maneikis at or smaneikis@ugm-tc.org. PRAYER REQUESTS WITH THANKSGIVING JUST AROUND THE CORNER, PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER THAT: Returning thanks over the food set before us becomes the norm, even when alone. We encourage one another to talk about becoming more thankful. We can and will say, Thank you, God for what You have sent my way. The attitude of gratitude sweeps through our people and country.

8 Patients know we genuinely care about them. STAFF PROFILE: LORI PURGETT, R.N., HEALING SHEPHERD CLINIC Part-time registered nurse Lori Purgett is deeply thankful for her job at UGM-TC s Healing Shepherd Clinic. I can t imagine doing anything else, she says. Lori discovered her calling for ministering to homeless people in her previous job at a Dallas County Hospital. I feel like they re underserved. At the Healing Shepherd Clinic we strive to treat people with respect and dignity and help improve their quality of life. It s very rewarding. Lori is one of two part-time RNs at the clinic, which also has a part-time nurse practitioner, an administrative assistant and a number of doctors who volunteer their time. The clinic provides free health care exclusively for adults staying at the Mission an average of 100 patients a week, Lori estimates. The two most common ailments among UGM-TC residents, according to Lori, are high blood pressure and diabetes. Some people here have had no health care for decades, she tells us. Patients are encouraged to take responsibility for their conditions and given support as needed. Some people are on over 20 medications a day, and I help them fill their pill box every week. The best part of working at Healing Shepherd Clinic, Lori says, is being connected to the Mission s ministry. It s nice to be able to tell a patient that you re praying for them. She tells us that patients are grateful for the compassion they re shown, even writing thank you notes. I feel like we ve formed a nice relationship with our patients. They know we genuinely care about them. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STORIES! E. LANCASTER FORT WORTH, TX