Micah Ecumenical Ministries
Eight churches in Fredericksburg; Trinity Episcopal Church, St Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Georges Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg Baptist Church, The Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg Methodist Church, Shilo Old Site and Tower of Deliverance founded tax exempt Micah Ecumenical Ministries Inc. in 2005 with the vision to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)
There are several ministries under this umbrella which are staffed by many volunteers and three paid staff: Executive Servant Leader, Meghann Cotter; a Volunteer Coordinator, Community/Church Liaison Sarah Bush; and a Mental Health Case Worker, Amy Newburger who is half time with Micah and half time with RACSB.
The Micah Center, located at 1013 Princess Anne Street, is open 9:30-11:30 am Monday–Friday and provides breakfast, showers, clean clothes and a bag lunch for the homeless in our area. The homeless may also receive, if needed, a tent, sleeping bag, tarp, batteries, insect repellent, first aid items, etc. which are necessary for survival when living outdoors. The Center is also a preventative care resource- offering blood pressure, blood sugar checks, asthma screening, anxiety and depression screening, health education and doctor referral. In addition, the Hospitality Center facilitates a respite care program that provides short-term housing for terminally ill or recovering homeless individuals who have been discharged from the hospital. Volunteers are always needed to meet the many needs of this ministry. How do you begin the process of becoming a volunteer at the Micah Center? You may contact Sarah Bush, Micah Community/Church Liaison by phone (540-479-4116) or e-mail. She will send you a volunteer and skill assessment form and the scheduled dates for the orientation and training session. For additional information visit the Micah website.
The Cold Weather Ministry needs volunteers to collect money for sleeping bags and tents from each church and volunteers to work at the at the Old Little River Falls Cold Night Shelter, 750 Kings Highway Fredericksburg, from November-March on the nights when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Volunteers register the guests, prepare a simple supper and stay until about 10:00 pm. Volunteers do not spend the night. Each church is responsible for one night a week. If you are interested contact the church office.
The Newcomer Welcome Ministry provides first arrival provisions, as well as continued support for refugee families coming to Fredericksburg through the Refugee Service Center, which is sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Micah Ecumenical Ministries owns the newcomer arrival home at 2308 Normandy Ave, Fredericksburg. Families stay 3-6 months and volunteers are needed to help collect furnishings/provisions for the next new family. The Case Manager also lives in the house.
The Journey Ministry pairs guests at the Micah Center with committed volunteers, and together they work through an individual success plan that guides guests in the steps to self sufficiency.
If interested in helping with any of these ministries, please contact the Trinity Church Office. For more direct contact with Micah Ecumenical Ministries, get in touch with Meghann Cotter.
