'Compelled to Serve' - Remembering the Homeless

.
Because the 'City of Peace' conference of November 7th joined Roanoke civic leaders together with representatives of an interfaith clergy and community members, Congregations in Action was invited to co-host a service on December 18th to commemorate National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.  Carol Tuning, Human Services Coordinator for Roanoke's Homeless Assistance Team and Chair of the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care expressed her gratitude for our help:

On behalf of the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Advisory Council on Homelessness, we would like to thank you for participating in the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Service. This was a very important event for our community. It affords those who are affected directly by homelessness an opportunity to remember their loved ones and allows agencies in the region to have a forum to advocate and create awareness about homelessness.

Your participation was very poignant and will hopefully leave meaningful impressions on all in attendance. We appreciate the time and energy you invested in preparing special music and commemoration and hope that you will consider returning in the future for this annual service.

Again, thank you. We wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

Carol Tuning, Human Services Coordinator

Chair, Blue Ridge Continuum of Care

Consequently, I'd like to in turn, extend my own appreciation to Pastors Gary Robbins and Tim Harvey for their ministerial guidance, in addition to Fred Porter, Susan Starkey, and Phillip DeNise for graciously contributing their combined talents and ability to the ceremony.