Today, Dollar General had 70 Valentines Day stuffed animals left in stock that we purchased to gift to our homeless family next week. The plan is to assemble lots and lots of black t-shirt treat bags. Then tie with a ribbon one of the animals onto each. Since 2001, Servants of the Father of Mercy have been, "Delivering tens of thousands of miles of smiles."
NPR REPORTS
However, in 2022 an Oregon church has sued the town where it's located over a new local ordinance that restricts the number of free meals the church can dole out each week to those in need.
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon say in a federal lawsuit against the city of Brookings that the ordinance limiting them to two free meal giveaways per week violates their constitutional right to free religious expression.
"We've been serving our community here for decades and picking up the slack where the need exists and no one else is stepping in," the Rev. Bernie Lindley said in a statement.
"We have no intention of stopping now and we're prepared to hold fast to our beliefs. We won't abandon the people of Brookings who need our help, even when we're being threatened," he added.
Brookings Mayor Ron Hedenskog and City Manager Janell Howard did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
#brookingsoregon #homeless
Simon (standing way in the back) is one of many African vocation requests the Servants of the Father of Mercy have received over the years. With so little time left, the young men are encouraged to serve the poor and homeless right there in their own country or village. Prayers that they and their families are ready for the Bridegroom when he returns like a thief in the night. Filling their lamps with the oil of Christian charity.
