“We offer an open table, where there is room for everyone. We hold solidarity, inclusion, and community as key values while we work together toward stability and wholeness.”
Drew Woten, (Master of Divinity/2020 at Duke University), serves as a local UMC pastor and the executive director of Open Table Ministry, a nonprofit that works alongside unhoused people in Durham, NC.
Duke Univeristy is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment of the United Methodist Church.
“The individuals we serve live outside, in vehicles, or in other places not meant for habitation,” says Woten. “Folks are directly impacted by the elements and extreme weather events—which are often sudden and severe. It can be difficult to communicate potential danger to our unsheltered neighbors who sometimes lack access to phones or the internet. Even though their personal footprint is relatively small, the unsheltered community often bears a disproportionate impact of adverse weather events.”
Open Table Ministry seeks to be nimble and responsive, working alongside the unsheltered community in Durham to identify what members need during specific seasons, from clothing to survival gear to weather-dependent resources like sunscreen or blankets.
Open Table offers programs like mail services, ready ID, and emergency winter shelter when the temperature drops below 32 degrees, prioritizing families, children, and individuals who are medically vulnerable. The nonprofit also maintains the “Free Store” each week, an outreach event where volunteers serve between 40 to 50 individuals to help provide showers, clothing, and personal items. The store relies heavily on the local community for volunteers and donations, with nearly 66 percent of the items distributed being donated goods.
Open Table is seeking to overcome homelessness through the power of community, says Woten: “We named ourselves Open Table Ministry because we wanted people to know all are welcome here. We offer an open table, where there is room for everyone. We hold solidarity, inclusion, and community as key values while we work together toward stability and wholeness.”
Woten finds encouragement in this hard work through inspiring and courageous volunteers and partners. “Our team works diligently to provide clothing, blankets, and survival gear, but too often unsheltered individuals are unable to access the resources to adequately clean and care for items they receive,” he says.
“I have been encouraged by community partners who are exploring the possibility of acquiring a mobile laundry truck or installing laundry facilities for Durham’s unsheltered community to access. This opportunity would allow folks the dignity and respect to care for their clothing and possessions.”
Duke Divinity School website, Durham, NC
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Ministerial Education Fund is at the heart of preparing people for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The 13 United Methodist seminaries help students to discover their calling through the challenging curriculum. The fund enables the church to increase financial support for recruiting and educating ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
