Dorinda (left), Karen (center) and Clara (right) come to the Elizabeth Gregory Home in Seattle for respite, food and to do laundry.
services area in a corner of the church basement— a $250,000 project. Te money came from a large giſt from an individual, grants and financial reserves from the congregation. “We are going to be
inundated by more and more women,” Moe-Lobeda
from the church, has room for eight women. It’s owned by the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), an affordable-housing agency. Because University is so strongly
living out its mission to serve homeless people, the congregation received the Gertrude Apel Pioneer- ing Spirit Award from the Church Council of Greater Seattle last year. Te congregation was already
working with partners on feeding and housing programs for homeless teens when Moe-Lobeda arrived 19 years ago. “To see a congregation totally committed to a particular population of our society in that way was very impressive,” he said. University is a good fit for Moe-
Lobeda, who previously worked with those who are homeless at Luther Place in Washington, D.C.
Lessons learned Trough the years there have been hard times that have threatened the existence of the Elizabeth Gregory Home’s transitional housing arm. Prior to the recession, the congre- gation raised $200,000 to house 11 women in an apartment complex
Author bio: Pritchett is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island and grew up at University Lutheran Church.
January 2016 37
near the church. When the eco- nomic decline forced staff layoffs and the home approached the brink of closure, another of many financial appeals was made to the congrega- tion and community. An extra $10,000 was raised from
the congregation, which had already been giving approximately $60,000 annually to the Elizabeth Gregory Home. Te less expensive LIHI location was found, and the transitional housing program survives in that form today. In 2015 a large part
of the Elizabeth Gregory Home day center was torn up to make way for showers and a medical
Gary works in the Sanctuary Art Center at University Lutheran Church.
said. Te future, he added, looks “fabulous,” referring to the congre- gation’s strong continued service to homeless people. Lessons have been learned. While
the Elizabeth Gregory Home has figured out how to deal with the ebb and flow of funds, parishioners and partners have learned to give to the cause generously and consistently. Tere always seems to be a way.
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