Imagine you have cancer, and the best place for treatment is far from home. While you undergo treatment, you have to live across the country--or even across the world--from family, friends, and all your familiar comforts and support. On top of all that, you need to figure out where to stay, and how you'll afford a hotel or apartment for weeks or months.
Hospitality Apartments grew out of a desire to meet this need. For more than 40 years, this nonprofit (one of Covenant's missions) provides free housing to patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Texas Medical Center for up to three months. Along with Covenant, Hospitality Apartments are supported by 20 churches representing 9 denominations.
On Monday, a group of Covenant members and friends brought a home-cooked meal to share with patients and their families. The event was well-attended on both sides, with more than 15 Covenant volunteers and roughly 40 patients and families. While members and patients alike enjoyed the lasagna and shamrock cookies, the highlight for both seemed to be the visiting that happens when we sit down and break bread together.
People have asked me if these dinners are depressing, and it is a sobering reality check to see people who are in various stages of visibly fighting their disease. But somewhere between the blessing and the brownies, I have consistently met fascinating people and had great conversations. I always leave feeling better than when I came.
The dinner is one of two annual events Covenant undertakes in support of Hospitality Apartments; the second is a midsummer ice cream social. Keep an eye on your newsletter, or get in touch with the Missions Committee, if you'd like to join us for that.
- Melissa, Covenant Missions Committee
See all photos from this event.
Copyright (c) 2014, Covenant Church
Hospitality Apartments grew out of a desire to meet this need. For more than 40 years, this nonprofit (one of Covenant's missions) provides free housing to patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Texas Medical Center for up to three months. Along with Covenant, Hospitality Apartments are supported by 20 churches representing 9 denominations.
On Monday, a group of Covenant members and friends brought a home-cooked meal to share with patients and their families. The event was well-attended on both sides, with more than 15 Covenant volunteers and roughly 40 patients and families. While members and patients alike enjoyed the lasagna and shamrock cookies, the highlight for both seemed to be the visiting that happens when we sit down and break bread together.
People have asked me if these dinners are depressing, and it is a sobering reality check to see people who are in various stages of visibly fighting their disease. But somewhere between the blessing and the brownies, I have consistently met fascinating people and had great conversations. I always leave feeling better than when I came.
The dinner is one of two annual events Covenant undertakes in support of Hospitality Apartments; the second is a midsummer ice cream social. Keep an eye on your newsletter, or get in touch with the Missions Committee, if you'd like to join us for that.
- Melissa, Covenant Missions Committee
See all photos from this event.
Copyright (c) 2014, Covenant Church
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