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Water Ministry
The Water Ministry provides hospitality to homeless people who come to the church’s door. We do this by nourishing our guests, getting to know them, and treating them with dignity.
Organized in 1989, the Water Ministry has seen a considerable increase in the number of guests it receives in the last couple of years.
Our volunteers can be adults of any age, although we also encourage occasional volunteering from youth (ages 14 and up). We currently have around 25 regular and occasional volunteers. On a usual day we have four to six volunteers and 20-35 guests. Our volunteers organize showers and laundry, cook and talk to our guests. Patience, humor and empathy help.
What do we do?
Four days a week, from September to June, we offer our guests showers, laundry facilities, lunches, and a place to rest and talk. We also offer the occasional party. We provide, to the extent we can, clean underwear and socks and donated clothing. In addition, we are sometimes able to help individual guests with some basic needs — transport, prescriptions, new shoes, and so on.
How can I get involved?
We are open to our guests between 11 am and 1 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (in and around Room 205, on the second floor of the church). We welcome volunteers on a regular basis (e.g. weekly or monthly) as well as occasional “fill-ins.” We would like volunteers to be able to come at 10:30 am and stay until 1:30 pm, but if that is not possible, please contact us and we’ll make sure you find a place at Water Ministry.
There are also opportunities for those who cannot volunteer at these times — contributing to lunches, helping with the Christmas party, collecting supplies and donating supplies (toiletries, detergent, used towels, new socks and underwear, etc.) all help our work. Donations of supplies are also collected in the Common on Sundays.
We also welcome anyone who could help us develop our contacts with other homeless services in the city.
Finally, we are happy to have people just drop in, enjoy a coffee with us, and see what we do.
One of our volunteers wrote the following sentiment: “The Water Ministry is, without a doubt, the most amazing place I have set foot in in DC, and it puts a lump in my throat every time I think that I might [not have time for] volunteering... It is a transformative and hope-filled place where I find God.” We like this thought, and hope that you might have the same experience among these great people.
Help Make a Warmer Winter for a Water Ministry Guest
Each year the Water Ministry gives a special gift to our guests at Christmas time. This year we are giving each person a pair of winter gloves and a Smart Card to ride the bus. Transportation is always a challenge for persons with no home or little income. In winter, a ride on the bus can provide help getting to much needed services as well as a warm place to sit for a while. Your donation of money in any amount will help defray the cost of these gifts. Your $10 gift will purchase a pair of gloves; $25 will buy a Smart Card. Please make your check payable to St. Columba's noting Water Ministry Christmas Gift in the memo line, and place in the offering plate on Sunday or in the church office weekdays.
Schedule: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Staff Contact: Rose Duncan