How 3 Memphis-area churches are increasing their role with Room in the Inn
The long-tail of COVID-19 continues to be felt in Memphis economically, resulting in a still-rising rate of unhoused individuals and families across the Greater Memphis area.
In response to a growing need, three congregations have altered existing facilities or built facilities to host guests through Room in the Inn: Calvary Episcopal, Germantown United Methodist, and Christ the King Lutheran.
Established in Memphis in 2009, the organization coordinates volunteers and church facilities in order to set up overnight accommodations for those who need a safe space to sleep during frigid winter nights.
"It is at the heart of what the Christian church should be doing," said the Rev. Chuck Neugebauer, the senior pastor at Christ the King.
After successfully raising funds, Christ the King built a new fellowship hall. Within the building are accommodations for 14 or 15 people. Members of the congregation have volunteer as "innkeepers," and other churches send their volunteers to Christ the King to staff overnight shifts with guests.
The efforts to host guests align with teachings in the Christian faith, Neugebauer said, "and building without a heart is useless."
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Recruiting volunteers to serve as innkeepers is an enduring challenge, but Neugebauer has seen his congregation become more involved in their community.
"Once you do it, you love it," Neugebauer said. "You recognize that you’re perfectly safe, and you’re doing something that is so meaningful for those that are on the streets."
At Calvary Episcopal, the church has been hosting guests for eight or nine years, said Betty Jo Dulaney, who works on Calvary's Room in the Inn ministry.
The path to becoming an Room in the Inn host started with observation, Dulaney said. Members at Calvary toured Emmanuel Lutheran Church years ago, and toured their set-up for Room in the Inn's overnight guests.
"I think if people just come and see what it's like, going to another congregation in your neck of the woods," Dulaney said. "You can go and see the way it's done. It's simply offering hospitality, dinner, a place to sleep and breakfast."
Calvary started hosting guests within their "Great Hall." Volunteers made the makeshift space work, but like Christ the King, they wanted something more specific to needs of the guests.
After a successful grant application, funds were made available to renovate the former Hospitality Hub building, which sits right next to Calvary. After necessary permits were approved in December 2022, Calvary was able to build a more fitting environment of overnight guests.
The space, Dulaney said, is more welcoming and more equipped for families. The number of women and children needing shelter has substantially increased in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic; for kids without housing, the space offers a place for them to play, and just be kids for a minute.
"Now there’s a relaxed space for everyone, laundry, and four showers. It’s been a game changer, and it’s a more dignified way for people to be in your space," Dulaney said.
Both Dulaney and Neugebauer believe other congregations interested in hosting Room in the Inn guests will be surprised at how easy hosting is, and how impactful it can be.
"Even though our whole congregation is not involved in the ministry, it’s changed the atmosphere of our church, Neugebauer said. "We are more caring and giving, and recognizing of the humanity in others."
Micaela Watts is a reporter with the Commercial Appeal covering healthcare, hospitals, and resource access. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis churches helping Room in the Inn do more for Memphis' unhoused
