Micah Ecumenical Ministries

 

Shiloh Old Site was a founding member of Micah Ecumenical Ministries, which is an innovative, faith-based effort of a group of downtown Fredericksburg churches (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Episcopalian). Micah reaches out in empowering ways to those who are struggling with a variety of personal obstacles. Micah's goal is to reach out with love and mercy, providing strength and resources for overcoming obstacles and moving forward in constructive ways.

Micah has developed models that are served as an example to others in various parts of Virginia and elsewhere.

Shiloh Old Site provides volunteers, board members, funding, meals, and hospitality.

Deaconess Dorothy White heads up our congregational volunteers (including those who prepare and serve the weekly Wednesday morning breakfast). Some of the breakfast crew are pictured above. Dorothy (3rd from the right) and her volunteer family from Shiloh Baptist Church host breakfast for the homeless of Fredericksburg the first Wednesday of every month. Dorothy retired in 2004 from being the President of University of Mary Washington’s cook and a housekeeping supervisor. Here is what she has to say:

 

“I was looking for something to do after I retired and that’s when feeding the homeless became available for our church. I wanted to do something that would allow me to give back to the community and I think that Micah Ecumenical Ministries is one of the greatest things I ever got involved in. That’s how I started.

"At the beginning we got some very good volunteers that would get there at 6 a.m. and help prepare the meals and set up. The first time we hosted breakfast for the homeless we only had 5 guests come, and now we have had as many as 55 come on a Wednesday morning. Sometimes we have more food than we have guests that come, but it has not been a strain on our church to do this because we have so many people donating food — even from other churches. I could not be doing what I am doing if it wasn’t for my volunteer family. I call us a family because we all work together.

"One of the reasons that I really enjoy working with Micah Ecumenical Ministries is because at one time my son was homeless for 6 months and the Catholic homeless shelter took care of him in D.C. and helped him and fed him for 6 months.

"I feel that by doing this I am giving back to the community. It has enriched my life tremendously because it’s like I’m reaching out to my own children. It’s like I’m taking care of my own family. I can’t express how much I enjoy doing it. I feel like sometimes I am so close to being in the same situation and sometimes I feel like I am less fortunate, but I’ve been so blessed.”

 

 Joan Olson serves as our congregational representative on the Micah board. And our pastor serves on the Micah clergy committee.

You can visit Micah's own web site by clicking here.