Ground Keeping and Radical Hospitality

Duke Memorial United Methodist Church (DMUMC) is located on a beautiful spot in the center of Durham. Built in 1907, our lovely town has grown up around it: close to the performance art center, amtrak, shopping, ballpark and more.

This location gives DMUMC an ideal spot to meet the needs of so many: recent immigrants to the United States, preschoolers from local families, youth exploring music and so much more. It also makes an inviting spot for un-sheltered to find a safe spot to sleep.

To make all these groups feel comfortable and safe, DMUMC has a group of 'radical ground keepers'. The goal is to check the church grounds each morning to make sure it is clean and wake up anyone who spent the night there. Instead of chasing them away or reprimanding, the focus is to make sure they are comfortable. The training is to gently wake them up, invite them to coffee, let them know about the churches services.

I went on my training walk this morning. My heart was full. There was no one sleeping there. There was very little garbage to pick up. I did find out that the church added an outdoor bathroom to give a respectable option for folks. I heard stories of providing chats over coffee on cold winter days, of job reference lunches, and a history of leaning towards assuming the best in people.

Next Tuesday, I will start my weekly rotation. Thank you Duke Memorial for this opportunity to practice being kind.

Cheers,
Ginny

How about some Lukas Graham "Mama Said"