Broomfield UMC

More Than a House 

Written by Shereen Fink, Director of Servant Ministries,
shereen.fink@broomfieldumc.org

More than a house…

Last Saturday I had the honor of participating in a family welcoming event for Habitat for Humanity (http://www.flatironshabitat.org/). What makes this extra noteworthy is the home being built is for one of our very own BUMCers: Aaron Moore! I’m sure many of you know Aaron Moore who works in the church office. One of her (many) responsibilities is scheduling the use of the church facilities. 

Last Saturday’s event was particularly touching for me. I didn’t realize the degree to which Habitat for Humanity is faith-based. Aaron’s future home had the first floor framed. Those attending the family welcoming day were given Sharpies to use to write blessings on the beams before the drywall is put up. This was a very touching activity. Each of us had an opportunity to etch God’s blessings on Aaron’s home so that no matter what the surface of their lives looks like on any given day, they know the underlying foundation is filled with God’s blessings on their lives and their home.

I’ve learned more about Habitat for Humanity lately as I’ve talked with Aaron about her journey toward home ownership. In addition to properly using terms like “framed” (smile), I’ve learned that Aaron herself is working to build her own home! Each recipient above the age of 18 is actually required to put in a certain number of hours of ‘sweat equity’ to help with the cost of building homes. 

As Aaron’s BUMC family, we also have an opportunity to help build her home. We have a BUMC Build Day scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26. Aaron’s home is one of four townhomes, so we will actually be sharing God’s love through construction with four families that day!

We need a team of 12 volunteers, ages 18 and over, who can commit to work from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Jan. 26.  (Youth ages 16 and 17 may participate, but will need their waiver form signed by a parent or guardian, and they will not be allowed to be on ladders or to use power tools.)

We also need volunteers to prepare lunch for the crew that day.

Here’s how to sign up:

Volunteers for food – sign up beginning Sunday, Dec. 16 at the church.

Volunteers for the build team:

1.      Go to www.flatironshabitat.org and click on the green Volunteer Now button in the left sidebar of the home page.

2.      If you are a new volunteer with Habitat, fill out the registration information, and in the Groups/Teams section, and be sure to check the box for Broomfield United Methodist Church. (If you have previously registered, but have not check the BUMC box, please add that to your registration information.)

3.      Proceed to the volunteer calendar, and click on Broomfield United Methodist Church for Jan. 26. There you will find all of the information about the “build day,” including a map and directions to the site.

Originally posted on the BUMC Blog on Dec. 7, 2012.