Opportunity Details | MBK Chapel

MBK Chapel

Individuals/Groups interested in serving at My Brother's Keeper Chapel, must first connect with Sam Doyle and set up a zoom/in person meeting to discuss chapel guidelines and expectations. If you have not done this, please email Sam at sdoyle@missionwaco.org to set up a time. 

 

Please note if you see that 1 person is already signed up, you will want to sign up for a separate day. We allow 10 for spots for groups that are interested in serving with us. 

 

My Brother’s Keeper Shelter

Emergency and Transitional Housing for the Chronically Homeless

 

CHAPEL SERVICES

 

During your visit to Mission Waco your group will be leading either a chapel service or fellowship time at our shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.  The shelter is located at 1217 Mary Ave. 

Set Up

There is a small day room in the rear of the shelter that is used for chapel, or the back patio/parking area can be used in nicer weather.  The Night Monitor can assist you with getting set up in the day room. Spending time at MBK has become a favorite cross-cultural experience

for our visiting and local church groups. 

 

Groups

The room is small, so please limit your group size to 10-15 people if the weather is cold or rainy.  Usually about 15-30 shelter residents attend.  If the room is crowded, have some of your group step out in the hall and give space priority to the homeless.  Others in your group can visit with other residents on the front porch as they arrive for late check-in, or we can also provide guidebooks for remaining group members to participate in a separate prayer walk focused on issues related to homelessness.

 

Chapel Structure

The chapel services are held Sun.-Sat. from 6:30-7:15 pm. Please arrive by 6:20 pm so that you can start on time.  Plan on leaving the building 7:30 pm at latest.  The style is very casual and can follow whatever format you like.  Some of the components other groups have used are devotional, praise/worship music, special music, prayer (corporate and for/with individuals), discussion/feedback, skits or drama, etc. If you have a singer, great, or if you want to be creative, wonderful!  We encourage you to avoid being too “preachy” and to take a more an informal and relational style. Leading chapel is usually a great experience for our leaders and you will do fine! Please remember to be flexible.

 

Refreshments

• Refreshments are encouraged, but not required. Please consider bringing a light dinner or snack and water.  Please clean up before you leave including washing dishes and sweeping floors if needed. We ask that you take all extra food out with you as we do not have storage space!
• As the weather gets better, you are welcome to use the outside patio, including the BBQ pit. 

Policies and Procedures

·         Sign in/out: The adult group leader must sign in and sign out through the volunteer console. You can also do this through your phone by accessing the confirmation email and clicking “Mobile Sign In” 

·         Waivers: If you bring someone new, please have them complete a waiver ahead of time. You can have them fill it out and email to brouse@missionwaco.org and have them indicate who they are serving with. Click here for an adult waiver. Click here for a child/youth waiver.

• Confidentiality. While volunteering, please refrain from taking photographs or recording videos of any kind while in the shelter. This is to ensure the confidentiality of all participants.
• Food. As a rule, food is not allowed on shelter grounds, except during chapel. All food that is left over after chapel must be taken with you, as we have nowhere to store it in our facilities.
• Requests: Never give out money or items at the shelter to a shelter resident; (Items are turned in to the monitor when they come in!)  You are welcome to contribute to our benevolence fund at the Meyer Center (social services center), or contact one of our staff members if you have a question about the needs of a specific participant.
• Kids. Minors under the age of 18 should remain accompanied by an adult at all times while in the shelter. Please notify us beforehand if they are coming, so that we can notify our residents.
• Try to avoid any conversation that involves “tattling” about a staff member or about the rules of the shelter.   If you encounter this, direct them to talk with our staff or supervisors.
• Safety: We have people with a wide variety of backgrounds staying at the shelter. Be aware that any of our shelter participants are subject to having any number of criminal backgrounds (which could include being a registered sex offender). Be assured though, that the chapel area is on camera, visible to monitor up front, and recorded. Please use the buddy system when at the shelter, especially if your group includes children or youth.  The MBK evening is a great opportunity for interaction, but please instruct your group to use common sense regarding personal safety (i.e. stay with group or buddy at all times, don’t leave the building unless with your group, notify leader before entering sleeping areas or bathrooms). Stay in groups of 3 or more when having conversations. This provides accountability for all involved.

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MBK Chapel