Weird Bragging Rights Here

For the time being this has to stay here.

I am my Stakes Just Serve Coordinator/Director. (We will not go into how frustrating I find this calling) I am also,of my own accord, on the managing board of an interfaith seasonal homeless shelter. 5 LDS wards from the neighboring Stake volunteer their time and means to it. As a religion we are active representatives of service. (Not yet for my Stake- Still working on this one).

The shelter needs mats desperately. The ones they have are 14+ years old, with a minimum shelf life of a decade at best. We fund raise, write donor letters, etc. Yet we could not cover the cost of the mats. A couple months ago I reached out the church Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake. At their request and with their help and support our Stake submitted a funds request to cover the mats. Last week the grant came through. It is in excess of 10,000 dollars. The full amount we requested is sitting in a special account to be paid when the order is complete and filled.

That in itself is staggering to me. We talk about it here, but to have your name on the paperwork, to have Salt Lake phoning you on and off for clarification. Hearing the top Humanitarian people mention “this is the direction the church wants to go” – (meaning these interfaith, community building efforts) has stunned me.

This morning the Area Rep called. We have an upcoming Stake Conference (It’s our second GA visit special one in 5 months – I guess we are really in need of something here.) Anyway the church would like to present a plaque to the Pastor of the church that heads up the organization and whose building has taken the brunt of this effort for the past 15 years. The Pastor will also be asked to speak in the Conference and talk about the Shelter etc.

Now if for some reason the date for our conference and the Pastor’s don’t connect up. The Area Rep is just going to move the plaque and address moment to the next nearest Stake Conference in the area. The reason the Area Rep chose our Stake is because they want our Stake to get off their butts and serve (hopefully at this shelter) or something equally as worthy.

I didn’t call or make this request. All of this is coming from pay grades higher than mine. I don’t know how it will all play out in the end, but I thought our team would enjoy hearing the story. When I feel like it’s a story that can be told I will let everyone know.

When we debate whether the church and it’s funds do any good – I have to remember I am standing in the middle of watching efforts towards those desire happening right in front of me.

Please, please don’t share this. I don’t want the funds or anything wonky to happen. Beans spilled too early can do that you know.