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BY BARBARA COWARD
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT

St. Luke?s UMC, in the Glover Park section of Washington, D.C., decided to remodel its building a few years ago. It turned out that the renovations not only changed the bricks and mortar of the facility, but are transforming lives as well.

The church ended up with some under-utilized space on the second floor and decided to use it for an outreach ministry. It created Shalom Place, which provides economical hospitality and service-learning opportunities to small groups who want to further understand and experience social justice through volunteer and educational opportunities.

'It is a learning experience, hands-on and educational,' said Brian Ross, a Wesley seminary student who is the communications and program fellow at Shalom Place.

Since its opening in July, a number of religious and secular organizations have participated in this new ministry.

The groups have been mostly middle school-aged youth groups, from different denominations, who visit from places up and down the East Coast, although the word is spreading even farther.

A group of college students from the University of Wisconsin will come next year as well as some students from a middle school in Denver.

Other religious groups encouraged to participate include confirmation classes, seminary classes, and mission councils. The church also welcomes secular organizations such as social advocacy groups, peace and justice organizations and lobbying groups, as well as Scout troops and foreign-study students. Basically, any group with a social justice mindset is invited, church leaders said.

As part of the volunteer experience, participants have a number of options, including working at a soup kitchen or food pantry, serving breakfast for homeless individuals, helping out at places like Habitat for Humanity or Martha?s Table, or working at various shelters in the city.

Since the goal of the ministry is to help participants make the body/mind connection by combining volunteer work with learning, there are also a number of workshops for study and reflection to help participants learn more about the social justice issues facing the world.

'They are both equally important,' said Ross. 'If you don?t do the reflective work, like learning about the statistics on homelessness, it might not sink in.'

One of the programs offered is an 'Introduction to Urban Poverty,' which is part of the orientation. Members learn about the causes of poverty, who is affected by poverty and homelessness, and ways in which change can be generated in the local community and at all levels of government.

Another workshop is 'Poverty and the Bible,' a gbwc_superusered reflection and discussion on what the Bible says about poverty and the poor. Using several Bible quotations and questions to gbwc_superusere discussion, participants benefit from an understanding of God?s heart for the poor.

In 'One Person?s Story,' participants hear from a guest speaker who talks to the group about his or her experience of homelessness. The group receives the opportunity to engage with and ask questions of someone who has been homeless. The intent is to 'put a face' on homelessness.

The aim of 'Poverty and the Political Process' is to expose groups to the political process and get them thinking about ways in which they can affect positive change through governments at all levels. The workshop includes a

lesson about the government the night before participants visit The United Methodist Church?s Board of Church and Society and sometimes visit the offices of their Congressional representatives.

With so many opportunities for service all over the country, why come all the way to D.C. when there are similar opportunities to volunteer back home?

'The poverty issues in D.C. are unique,' Ross said. 'There is the juxtaposition of homelessness in an expensive city that is our nation?s capital. It is almost like a blind eye or soft underbelly that folks don?t like to recognize.'

Moreover, it is that combination of active volunteer service with reflection that distinguishes Shalom Place.

'We?re hoping this is a transformative experience, that the participants have a chance to experience poverty hands-on, do some good for their fellow humankind, and discover a new perspective or way of living,' said Ross. 'We also hope

participants will think about these issues when they go back home and ask themselves, ?What am I called to do for my fellow man or woman??'

Shalom Place welcomes groups of 10 to 24 people. The average stay is two to seven days, and the cost is $20 per night, per person. Early registration is recommended. For more information on the programs of Shalom Place or to take a virtual tour, visit www.shalomplacedc.org.