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Room in the Inn (RITI) – A Meaningful Connection to the Homeless by Mike Tyson

ROOM IN THE INN (RITI) — A Meaningful Connection to the Homeless

by Mike Tyson

One of my more rewarding volunteer activities this year was spending the morning of April 3rd at the Homeless Connect at First Presbyterian Church.  This is an annual event where the homeless in Fort Worth can receive on-the-spot services ranging from health care to assistance with food, housing and jobs.

It was my good fortune to work as an appointment taker at the haircutting station, where up to 20 hair stylists volunteered their time to transform completely the image of more than 100 homeless clients.    Many hair stylists took “selfies” with their clients who not only sported a new look, but a huge smile!

One of the best things about participating in this event was seeing many of our friends who have been guests at RITI this past year.   After an exchange of greetings, they always asked, “How is everyone at St. Stephen?” generally followed by, “I miss seeing you each week and look forward to returning to St. Stephen this summer.”

Which brings me to the subject of sharing the RITI volunteer experience with you:

I became involved in RITI last summer, shortly after joining SSPC.  RITI has been significant to me—not only because it has provided a meaningful connection to the issue of homelessness by giving it faces, names and life stories that could be any of ours—but also because it has built friendships with SSPC members with common concerns.  This is an important mission of St. Stephen, and I encourage you to do yourself a favor by getting involved.

In case you’re not familiar—RITI is our outreach project to homeless in our community.  During the hottest and coldest months of the year, our guests are provided a comfortable place to sleep in a friendly environment, as well as a good dinner and breakfast the following morning.  The summer session of Room in the Inn will begin Tuesday, July 1 and will continue each Tuesday evening/ Wednesday morning through August 26/ 27.

Read More »Room in the Inn (RITI) – A Meaningful Connection to the Homeless by Mike Tyson

Reflections on the Annual Homeless Count

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 by Mike Tyson

Last Thursday, nine St. Stephen members assisted with Tarrant County Homeless Coalition’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of the homeless. This survey is essential for our community to apply for over $16 million in grants, mostly federal, that we receive every year to address the needs of the homeless. Hundreds of volunteers turn out for the count. Mike Tyson wrote this report about his team’s research. Read More »Reflections on the Annual Homeless Count

Chapter II: The Cowtown Christ Gets Her iPhone Fixed

The Cowtown Christ Gets Her iPhone Fixed

Isaiah 61: 1-3

Romans 3: 21-26

Luke 5: 17-26: 

Then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed… When Jesus saw their faith, He said [to the paralyzed man], “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”…Jesus answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk?’ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man—“I say to you, stand up, take your bed, and go to your home.” 

 And immediately [the paralyzed man] stood before them…. Luke 5; 17-26, edited.

 

The Other Fort Worth

A few years ago former Fort Worth city manager Charles Boswell started talking about “The Other Fort Worth”—the Fort Worth where the economy wasn’t developing, where the jobless rate plummeted, where violence and crime were high, and where the dropout rate from school was the worst. He was challenging people to think about the other side of the coin, and he always emphasized that for Fort Worth to be truly successful, “The Other Fort Worth” needed to succeed as well.

It was a vision for what the Bible calls SHALOM, the health and wholeness that God wants for us all. For any community to be healthy and whole, then everyone needs to benefit.

Read More »Chapter II: The Cowtown Christ Gets Her iPhone Fixed

Chapter I: The Cowtown Christ Loses Her Job

By the Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church
Fort Worth, TX

February 17, 2013
First Sunday in Lent
Luke 4: 1-11

The Cowtown Christ is a series of sermons that reimagines the ministry of Christ as if it was taking place in Fort Worth today. Please remember that this is a work of fiction, happening in a fictionalized Fort Worth. While many events, facts, places, institutions, and characters are real people, The Cowtown Christ, her followers, most of those she meets, and her adversaries are completely fictional, as are any of the events that take place in her life. 

The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesse, The Cowtown Christ.
“The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1

Jesse grew up a child of Mexican immigrants. They lived a few blocks off Berry Street in a tiny neighborhood along with other Mexican immigrants. Her parents both worked hard, and so did she from very young.Read More »Chapter I: The Cowtown Christ Loses Her Job

A Board Member Says Good-bye

Yesterday was my last official meeting as a board member of the Presbyterian Night Shelter. Executive Director Toby Owen presented me with a beautiful plaque that is a photo montage of the clients PNS serves—homeless men and women, children from the Women and Children’s Unit, even a couple of staff members. Board President Steve McLauren asked me to close the meeting with prayer. I found myself choking up a bit. I thanked God that during the turmoil of the last six years, the PNS Board has remained focused on its purpose: serving the needs of the homeless in our community. I thanked God for an incredible board, forged by fire; and for an amazing staff, after years of uncertainty.

Read More »A Board Member Says Good-bye

Night Time at Room In The Inn

The three men stood elbow to elbow to demonstrate how closely the sleeping mats are spaced at the Presbyterian Night Shelter.  “Sometimes they roll over and throw their arm across you,” said one man, and the others nodded in agreement. “You have to put your shoes under your head or they’ll steal them.”Read More »Night Time at Room In The Inn