On the night of March 20, I hope to be sleeping outdoors. And it’s not training for my Long Trail hike. Well, maybe it is, but the main reason is for our 1st Annual Rutland Neighbors’ (formerly Companions in Wholeness) Winter Sleep Out!

Rutland Neighbors, you will remember, is the group of which Grace is a part, helping to feed, clothe and connect with our unhoused (and tenuously housed) neighbors in Rutland — because, ya know…Jesus.

If you haven’t dropped by our Strongs Avenue location (where the Methodist Church meets on Sundays — formerly Mintzer Brothers), come on down, we’re open in the morning Monday through Thursday. If you haven’t seen it, you’ll be amazed —coffee and meals being served, warm clothing being provided, pantry items distributed to those in need. All in an atmosphere of fun, friendship and welcome!

Anyway, back to the sleeping outdoors. The event is one night where folks choose to sleep outdoors.  They do this to call some attention to what we can do and are doing to help our local unhoused folks who face these challenges every day. Ellie McGarry, our director, says, “This event is about awareness and solidarity — helping our community understand what it means to sleep outside in the cold and why Rutland Neighbors exists.”

We will be gathering on the evening of Friday, March 20 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (who have generously offered campout space) and we’ll hear speakers, share food, and offer each other encouragement… then we’ll flop our sleeping pads and bags under the large tent or maybe under the pavilion there, and try to get some sleep. Hopefully the weather that night will not be too wintry…

The thing is, we get to make this choice, and it’s for one night. Our unhoused neighbors don’t have the same choices and privileges, day after day, night after night. Rutland Neighbors is working hard with low funds (our state funding was cut) to provide big help. If our sleeping outside one night can get some attention, invite volunteer energy, and raise money while also reminding people that we have neighbors facing these stark challenges and obstacles even to their basic survival, it will be worth it!

Please find a Sleep Out-er to sponsor (even just $10), and/or consider joining us yourself for the Sleep Out. Visit rutlandneighbors.org to learn more, to register or to donate.

I hope to be there on March 20, and I hope my layers of wool and my down sleeping bag will keep me warm! — Blessings, Terry