Welcome

Clean Up at Friendship House

I wanted to give credit to the folks from Elma Baptist for the beautiful job they did at Friendship House in June. The yard had gotten away from us and was such a mess! They arrived with a trailer load of beauty bark, some plants, tools, lots of smiling workers. They spent the better part of a day weeding, cleaning, trimming and mowing. (Our mower was an unwilling helper, so they weed wacked a lot of lawn. I still smile when I come to work and see how great it looks.

Thank you folks!

Dear Friends:

If you are like me, it’s been difficult to fathom the days we are currently living in… It’s hard to know what business is open, if we can get our essentials at the local grocery store, and if those we care about are safe.

I’m writing this today to let you know that each day the staff is meeting and praying for our communities and nation, for our local, state and federal leaders and first responders, for our donors, and for those we serve.  I’m also writing to let you know that yes, the Union Gospel Mission and Friendship House are still open.

We do have protective measures in place – limiting group size, practicing stringent hygiene and many other things in order to keep our doors open at some capacity.  Meals are still being served, showers and clothing is still being given out, shelter beds are occupied and filling.  And yes, we are still first and foremost sharing the hope and peace that we can have in Christ.

We hope you will pray for those we serve, particularly for protection.   It was in no one’s mind that we might be faced with a pandemic like this, and to have to face that while living on the streets is difficult to comprehend.

Please pray for the staff and Board too – we continue to need God’s wisdom on how to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs that continue to come through our doors during this unique time, and for God’s continued strength and protection for each one of us and for our families too.  Our staff is stretched, but we know God is able.

We also hope you won’t forget about giving financially, and with donations such as food, clothing, and hygiene products.  We understand if you don’t want to drop your financial donation off at our facilities – you can always send your check to the Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 859, Aberdeen WA  98520, or you can give online at www.ugmgraysharbor.org.  If you have other donations you need to drop off but have concerns, please just call us and tell us when you will be at our facilities, and we will meet  you at our doors.  Phone numbers are 360-533-1064 (Mission on Heron Street), and 360-533-2221 (Friendship House).  We have never been able to keep these doors open without faithful donors, and that will not change.  We need you to continue to be a part of “reaching hearts and changing lives”.   Please feel free to call myself or Laurel at the Mission or Paula or Diana at Friendship House if you have any questions.

We so appreciate you and continue to pray that your needs will be met and that YOU will know His peace.

Gary T. Rowell
Executive Director