Room in the Inn originated in Nashville, TN when Fr. Charles Strobel opened the door of the church he was serving, to several unhoused neighbors sleeping in their cars on a cold winter night in 1985. The model has spread to over 100+ congregations in Nashville and 36 other cities

In the Louisville Metro area, Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral opened their doors at the beginning of 2025 and served 450 women and children. This year Grace Immanuel United Church of Christ in the Butchertown area will join them. At both sites 15 unhoused neighbors were served each night. Sometimes the same neighbors return every night; other times new people take the place of those who don’t return. The neighbors are screened by other agencies, and this year, male guests will be served at Grace Immanuel UCC.

In 2027, it is hoped that a church in Jeffersonville will open its doors to serve neighbors on this side of the river. Jeffersonville churches are asked to volunteer at one of the two Louisville churches this year in preparation. Both churches are staffed each day from 4:30 pm to 7:00 am beginning January 8 to February 28. The staff will receive a short training session by Room in the Inn organizers. Each day there are three volunteer shifts: 4:30-10 pm; 9:45 pm-5 am; and 5-8 am. At least two volunteers are there at all times to assist in welcoming guests, making and serving dinner and breakfast, ensuring the evening’s program proceeds smoothly, that everyone makes it to bed and wakes up on time, and cleaning up after departure. If you are not able to volunteer for a shift, you are needed to provide a hot meal for dinner or breakfast each day.

Folks from St. Luke’s UCC and First Christian Church have already signed up. Please let Rev. Karen for additional information and/or contact Andrea Woolley at First Christian Church to volunteer, 502-295-0285. What better Christmas gift can you give to an unhoused neighbor than a warm place to sleep, two hot meals and the company of a friend who cares about them? Those churches are just across the river, less than 2 miles from our church. “As you do it to one of the least of these, you do it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)