A 2020 Advocate Advent Update

                                                              The Red Door Ministry continues to be a ministry of faith, worshiping and serving.

The Church of the Advocate / Red Door has always been a place of hope, sanctuary and hospitality.  During the pandemic, that calling has only deepened, as has our commitment to it.  Even in extraordinary times, The Red Door proclaims that all are welcome, all are worthy and all should be nourished in body and spirit.

-The Red Door is a place to be in community with others, to find acceptance and create lasting friendships.  The courtyard fence where we hand over meals and support, has become an altar rail where holy exchange takes place. 

 -You will find all who are living on the margins breaking bread and working alongside those who are well-resourced.

-There are no judgments. We all have something to share.

We are creative and work to fit our responses to our community to respond to their needs.  Everything we do follows the requirements for masks, distance, and cleaning.

WORSHIP    First and above all we are a community in faith. We have ended our outdoor worship services and are limiting our worship to those of us who are involved in ministry on Sundays. We look forward to the day when we can open the Red Door and welcome everyone in for worship and fellowship!

FOOD MINISTRY    We continue to serve over 60 lunches each Sunday to our COA friends and our neighbors in need who know a hot meal will always be available at 2:00 pm.  On Tuesdays we prepare and deliver 65 evening meals to the Red Roof Inn as part of a collaborative of Asheville organizations that feed the homeless of Asheville who have been provided a safe and secure place to live during these pandemic months. 

GOOD WORKS! CREW    Our small and steady band of workers are constantly upbeat and join clergy and volunteers to make up a team each Sunday. They indeed do good work and present the face of conscientious generosity to all.  For all the challenges of their lives they come to work each Sunday with a joyful energy that is contagious.  We are beginning to have some worksites express interest in resuming landscaping services.

RED DOOR DISTRIBUTION    We have met our objective to maintain enough personal supplies, clothing, shoes, sleeping bags and even tents to distribute to people living on the streets and with lots of needs.  It touches all of us to interface with each person and share in gratitude for the items we are able to share with them.  As colder days approach we hear the plea to help them be warm.  Most know that social distancing has decreased the amount of emergency shelter space available. The reality of pandemic restrictions is felt by all we serve.  Huge need faces us in this ministry.

Please take time to view this wonderful video presentation of all the ways your support enables the work of the Church of the Advocate/Red Door Ministries:   https://youtu.be/V9l267y9N2k

As we approach the 2020 Holiday Season, we know our work of this year has only been possible with the continuing economic gifts from our constant supporters.  Thank you for your constancy in being a supporter of Church of the Advocate/Red Door…even when we haven’t asked.  As we end 2020, if you have one gift left,please share with us and allow us, through our ministries, to extend your care for those in need.

May God’s blessings be upon all of us.

May our faith be strengthened and our hearts expanded

to join with Christ’s love for this fragile and beautiful world.

   In Christ’s love,

Vicar Dena B. Whalen (The Rev. Dr.), Deacon Timothy M. Ervolina (The Rev.), Brother John Huebner (OSF, Franciscan Missionary Friar), Bill Dockendorf (Warden)

                                                           The Church of the Advocate,  Red Door Ministry - Asheville NC