The Men’s Shelter on Phinney Ridge has technically been full for a while now. We tried to limit the number of men this year to 20. This helps maintain a quiet and relatively peaceful room in Emmanuel’s old Fellowship Hall. But the need is great this year and there are perhaps as many as 24 men registered to stay with us. If everybody shows up, then it is a little crowded. But the men are doing well this year and understand the need for a peaceful place to stay off the street better than anyone.

I’m beginning to eye that old grand piano in the corner again as a possible space for another man or two. Three seasons ago when we tried to house as many men as we could and the number reached over 30 many nights, that spot under the piano was regarded as a good spot if you weren’t claustrophobic. It was kind of like having your own room. The piano isn’t played much anymore and dates back to the time when Emmanuel had a piano in every room. We’ve always been a very musical church. I don’t think it would be missed much if it were to get moved. One might reason that it would only mean housing two more men at most. That might not seem like much unless you happen to be that person who is looking to not sleep outside in the Seattle winter.

It’s good to see many servers coming round for a second, third, fourth, or seventh time. And donations are up again. I am looking forward to Thursday night when the Ethiopian Church, which meets in our building Sunday afternoon, serves for their first time. I haven’t had much of a chance to get to know them, and serving with people is the best place to get to know them. If two or three are gathered together in His name (we serve in His name), then He is in their midst. That makes it nice.

Next week is photo week.

That’s the News from the Men’s Shelter on Phinney Ridge.

Ben Paul