Showers of Blessings celebrated its 10th Anniversary this April and it was a wonderful celebration of this ministry’s efforts! While I have written many letters over the years extolling the virtues and pleasures of bringing comfort and community to our unhoused neighbors, it is always true that as volunteers we are blessed to be a part of this community. We are grateful to see so many volunteers waiting in front of the Great Hall at 6:30AM to begin setting up for our every-second-Saturday of the month event.
Some of us who started it are still with us. Randy McCoskey, who was homeless back then and is still with us doing the heavy labor of setting up the tables hand keeping things in order continues to aid us. Carolyn Lief is still working in the kitchen and Kristen Maher is still cutting hair. Calvin Johnson is still working with the Showers crew, along with Phil Petrie, Mary Doak, Jasmin Kaeser and her husband Michael. Doug Hulbert and Roylin Loyd are still at the sign-in table greeting our neighbors in the Great Hall, and Mike and I still run around helping out wherever is needed.
Some of us have either moved or passed away and we miss them, especially Uriah who was homeless and died last year and Chris Wilson who died peacefully in Balboa Park years ago. Sadly, Chris was found after passing early one Showers Saturday morning by our dedicated volunteer Sharon Semple.
But we are blessed to have had a steady stream of new (and thankfully younger) people come to join us. And we still have our Methodist Breakfast Crew who 10 years ago offered to buy, cook and serve a scrumptious breakfast for our guests.
Stop on by some second Saturday of the month when able, you never know who will become a companion in community, as we journey towards more dignified treatment of all God’s people, regardless of their personal situation!
The other is a poem written by our own Stacey Harper for our haircutters celebrating the comfort they give:
The Barber’s Ballad
In a town where laughter rings,
And kindness gently sings,
Live barbers bright, with hearts of gold,
Their love for community, a story to be told.
With scissors sharp and combs so keen,
They shape not just hair, but dreams unseen.
Each snip and trim, a work of art,
Reflecting joy from a loving heart.
Their bubbly spirits, a vibrant hue,
Spreading warmth, making spirits new.
They listen close, with open ear,
Sharing stories, banishing fear.
From little tykes to elders grand,
They touch each life with gentle hand.
A sense of belonging, they impart,
Weaving connections, a work of art.
So raise a glass, let voices ring,
For barbers bright, the joy they bring.
Their love for community, a bond so deep,
In hearts of gold, their stories sleep.
-Claudia Dixon
