5 minute read
MIKE CONKLIN
ANDRE HOUSE
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church’s connection with Andre House in Phoenix, one of its longest-running missions, has new blood.
Christine Schild is Pinnacle's new point person now organizing volunteers to work the shelter’s soup kitchen in the Capital Mall District. Her appointment in August ends a nearly year-long search to find a replacement for Stephanie Webster, who has tirelessly served Pinnacle and Andre House for many years.
For nearly 20 years, the church has helped Andre House prepare and serve meals to greater Phoenix’s homeless and poor populations. Christine recruits volunteers from Pinnacle and maps out monthly visits on scheduled trips.
“Volunteers are vital to our operation,” said Elizabeth Wunsch, Volunteer Engagement & Communication Director for the iconic nonprofit agency. “We’ve had to make major adjustments because of the Pandemic.”
Pinnacle and Andre House have a long, collaborative history providing relief for Phoenix homeless. The church was founded in 1989. The first service October 1 was held on World Communion Sunday. Starting in a temporary location, step-bystep, it has grown into the current, bountiful campus. For Andre House, it was Christmas night in 1984 when its first meal –turkey stew – was served in a city shelter. Then, the base was a house in a working-class neighborhood rented by two Holy Cross Catholic priests from Notre Dame. The food line would expand, with vital help from volunteers, up to 600 plates six nights per week. Additional Andre House services and resources sprang up in response to guest needs, including a house to welcome homeless women, emergency food box distribution to neighbors, free clothing distribution, and education and recreation programs for neighborhood children.
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In August, Pinnacle initiated an illuminating re-boot in the relationship when church staffers paid a working visit, making and serving meals. “The increase in need over what I saw when last there a few years ago was startling— from the encampment of persons experiencing homelessness on the streets all around Andre House to the numbers being served,” noted Senior Pastor Dr. Wesley Avram.
“I was also struck, again, by the extraordinary dedication of volunteers across all ages and the spirit of love with which they participated,” he added. “I look forward to Pinnacle redoubling its commitment to that ministry and remain touched by the number of Pinnacle members who regularly volunteer.”
While there, the Pinnacle group toured non-dining service areas. This included a clothing closet organized to provide Andre House clients dignified space to shop. This means providing the opportunity to choose suitable clothing for job interviews and/or cooler weather.
“When our staff returned, they realized that there was so much opportunity for Pinnacle to partner with the wonderful ministry at Andre House,” said Executive Associate Pastor Erik Khoobyarian.
Rev. Avram suggested asking congregants to donate shoes – a suggestion made from the pulpit the Sunday following the visit. In
Be the hands that feed the hungry.
First Tuesday, Second Sunday, and Fourth Saturday
subsequent weeks, dozens of pairs were delivered, both gently used and brand new, along with socks and underwear.
As it turns out, Christine’s new role as mission point person comes at the same time Andre House has a new Executive Director in John Delaney II, who assumed this position Sept. 1. He is the first lay person to hold the post, but faces a familiar challenge: Strengthening the volunteer network.
Kelly McGinn, of Pinnacle's Park Center who was on the staff visit, called it an “emotional” experience. “Until you go there and see for yourself the gratitude expressed by all walks of life, it’s hard to explain.”
To learn more about how you can make a difference and serve those experiencing homelessness in our community, please contact Christine at andrehouse@pinnaclepres.org.
PHOTOS - Page 10, top, Pinnacle Staff, Kelly McGinn, Ilona KubiaczykAdler, and Erik Khoobyarian; bottom, Brandon Huenemann and Wes Avram.
MIKE CONKLIN, a member of Pinnacle since 2013 with his wife, Diane, was a long-time Chicago Tribune journalist. He left the Tribune to join the DePaul University faculty, where he taught and helped found its journalism department. Now he teaches part-time, writes, volunteers and hikes a lot.
What is the Sing for Life Chorus?
Recently, Jim Gray and Warner Davidson shared during worship about their experiences with Sing for Life. Here are some excerpts from their Ministry Moments:
Jim Gray: Sing for Life is a community chorus designed primarily for seniors who have early or minor memory loss, to provide a friendly, relaxed environment where they can express themselves through singing. Sing for Life is patterned after the very successful Giving Voice Chorus of Minneapolis that has helped launch 48 such choruses across the US, Canada, UK and Australia. The chorus is led by specially trained music professionals, rehearses weekly, and performs public concerts several times a year.
Participants sing familiar and new music with adaptive methods and structured direction. Dementiacapable volunteers are available to assist. Sing for Life Chorus rehearsals include social time, refreshments, and a supportive environment that builds a caring community. Persons with dementia and care partners can experience joy, love, understanding, and meaning through music.
Once assembled, we start with a simple question of everyone such as “As a child, what did you dream of being as an adult?” The responses are interesting. My particular response to that is, “I dreamed of being an entertainer and singing and dancing with Annette Funicello.”
We then move on to a variety of light exercises and simple voice exercises, then sing a few familiar warm-up songs. And once warmed up, we sing a variety of songs: folk songs, patriotic songs, show tunes, or popular songs; often songs from when many of us were growing up or as young adults. Warner Davidson: If you have researched the benefits of singing, you know that music and especially singing has comforting and healing powers. And while one musical instrument is helpful, a whole orchestra works even better at exciting endorphins or feeding the soul.
A recent Facebook post reminded us of a statement by the philosopher Goethe, that states We don’t sing because we are happy. We are happy because we sing. I would never argue with Mahalia Jackson who has sung so well “I sing because I’m happy” - but this is another way of thinking about it. Each time Ruth my wife, Ruth and I travel home after a “Sing for Life” session, they say, “That was really fun, wasn’t it?” We feel happy, uplifted and a bit renewed.
To learn more, visit us online at singforlifeaz.org or email Ilona at singforlife@pinnaclepres.org.
