The Good NewsLetter - A Time For Everything
Good afternoon neighbors,
It is our pleasure to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our new facilities! We are more equipped than ever before in providing aid to our neighbors throughout the community. With new and improved facilities comes more space and more room for residents as well as personal growth.
We hope that you will all get the opportunity to visit our new facilities and contribute to our progress through volunteering or simply by socializing with some of our residents. In addition to new facilities there will also be new and exciting ways to volunteer. Stay up to date on all this and more about the future of Good News at Noon by following our Facebook, Instagram or visiting our new and improved website at goodnewsatnoon.org. Thank you again for all of your support through this transition!
Before you dive in to the insights and lessons below, we would like to highlight a few needs for our shelter as we prepare to move into our new building. If you are considering donating to Good News at Noon we would greatly appreciate any items included on the list below as well as any other contributions you might make through our website linked at the bottom of the page!
Shelter Needs...
- Bedside trashcans
- Cleaning supplies
- Mops, brooms, swiffer's, etc.
- Lysol spray and/or wipes
- Paper Towels
- Pine Sol
Thank you,
Nick Price
PR Coordinator
Good News at Noon
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap
a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Director's Notes
Matthew 13:58 And He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. As I reflect on 2022, it is obvious to me Matthew 13:58 is NOT referring to GN@N. God has done so many great & mighty things to get us moved onto a new campus (debt-free) & create a model of ministry to the homeless & poor of our area that we expect to transform many lives in the coming years. If you have not already, please come by for a tour at 884 Dorsey St, but wait until mid-January. (Anyone who has moved a family of 4 or more can appreciate what it means to move a family 80+!) But come with the eyes of your heart wide open - Jesus may want to do a mighty work in & through you at GN@N.
Sincerely,
Ken Gossage
Executive Director
Good News at Noon
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Stories From The Shelter
The Wednesday evening was cold and early-dark. One group member was late coming from work, one had left two nights before with no communication, and one had forgotten we meet every week at 6:00. The rest were tired (from long hours working at Burger King and in the frigid packing room at the chicken plant), another was angry at the one who had left, and one of us was attempting to restructure plans for our time together.
Typically the meeting begins with a review of our day. While a tired one moaned about being in group, the angry one started yelling (loudly and with choice adjectives) about the missing one. “How can she do that to us?” “What is she thinking?” “That’s it! I’m done with her!” The third one opened the door for the late arriving one at the same time the “runaway” texted to tell me she was in the lobby. At this point, no amount of restructuring on my part would redeem our time together.
I asked if they would like the prodigal to come in so they could share their concern, hurt and confusion. Such a risk for us all! What was I thinking?! “Yes, have her come in!”, they all agreed. I wanted to warn her. I wanted to protect her. I wanted her to walk the plank, as well. The quiet one said how worried she’d been for two nights. The late one agreed. The tired one said nothing. The angry one? The angry one yelled, cursed, cried and yelled, cursed and cried some more and physically moved seats to be further away.
At this point all of her venom was addressed to the printer, but stabbing the intended just the same. Each time she yelled, I would say to the reckless one, “What she is really saying is, ‘I love you.’” This continued for many minutes. In between curses and angry words being spewed from the corner, I would remind her of our love and concern. I would remind her we are a community, a family, sisters. The late one started crying. Another was shaking her head in agreement. I was imploring God for resolution.
As I stood to hug our prodigal, I held her tightly and told her we would be here for her. The crying one stood to embrace her and the quiet one followed. Would she just leave? Could we leave it at that? Amidst the heavy-laden emotions, a gentle voice that was once so angry called from the corner, “Come here little girl. I love you. Be careful.” As the two dear friends enfolded each other, I was again astounded at God’s hand on Good News at Noon and His children here. Policies and procedures are necessary, and programs are beneficial. A new building is an enormous gift. I am reminded, though, that God doesn’t need anything to soften a heart. He doesn’t need to restructure a meeting. He doesn’t have a formula for forgiveness. He is simply alive and ever-present to those who seek Him, to those who need Him and to those who love Him.
Sincerely,
Denise Johnson
Program Coordinator
Good News at Noon