Mountain Sky staff partner with AfterHours to help homeless in Downtown Denver

Story and Photos submitted by Dawn Lemons
Program Assistant and Resource Coordinator
Congregational and Community Vitality, Mountain Sky Conference

In this time of social distancing and connecting remotely, the sharing of lunch and communion in a park seems like a lifetime ago. Yet, we are reminded of the importance of making room at Christ’s table for all of His children.

While we are considering new ways to connect and new ways to serve, let us remember the simplicity of sharing kindness with others. The Mountain Sky Conference and Mountain Sky United Methodist Foundation joined together on March 5 for their quarterly “Day of Service.” 120 paper bag meals were prepared and shared with the homeless at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. Rev. Tyler Kaufman of AfterHours offered communion.

One of those who gathered at the conference office to prepare lunches was Kristi Kinnison, Executive Director of The Mountain Sky United Methodist Foundation. Her words remind us that there are blessings in both giving and receiving:

“The act of generosity and giving, as we know, has two sides. The giver and the receiver. As United Methodists, we are so driven by service that we have forgotten, or (are) almost shamed into asking for help ourselves, and therefore receiving. We must learn how to open the door to receive gifts so that the spiritual practice of giving is available to all who have something to give.”
In these times of a “new normal,” it is good to be reminded to keep our hearts and hands open to both give and receive blessings in the many forms those blessings might take.