Christ House

Our days in D. C. among the communities and ministries of the Church of the Savior are coming to a close. The fourth of July weekend is beginning, and there will be much going on in this city, but not much more chance for us to interact with the people of this remarkable group of churches. We were told that we really needed to go to Christ House before we departed, which is only a half a block from where we stay, to attend their weekly Thursday evening Table Fellowship. 

You may remember that Christ House is a rehab facility for homeless people who are recovering from hospitalizations and addictions. We had attended their Sunday morning worship service and had been quite inspired by the quality and enthusiasm of the music and the prayers. The music is in African American style for the most part and very vital. 

We were welcomed to Christ House Thursday evening by Allen Goetcheus , who is the minister there. It turns out he is Methodist in affiliation. He has been at Christ House since before its beginning. The building was purchased in 1983. It was an old apartment building, which had been vacant for many years. It took two years to remodel and transform it into the center that it was to become. Christ House opened in December of 1985. Many of the staff members have been there since then or for many years. Allen's wife, Janelle, is the medical director for Christ House as well as a number of other related health care agencies. They live there at Christ House, along with several other staff members who have apartments in the building.

The second floor is where the patients live and are cared for. There are about 35 men and women (mostly men) who live there. The average stay is about 30 days. On the second floor are their bedrooms, treatment and examination rooms, and offices for case workers and other treatment team folks. It is run much like a hospital...except, it has more of a family feel than any hospital or treatment facility I've experienced.

The first floor has a large community room where meals are shared and worship is held and some meetings are held. There are also offices and smaller meeting rooms on that floor. They have a shower program for the homeless not living there on that floor. Up to ten people per day can come take showers and receive clean clothing, provided they have a case worker and are hooked up with specific programs. AA meetings are held for the patients and neighborhood folks about four times per week. The people under care there suffer from hypertension, diabetes, mental illness, addictions, cancer, AIDs, and often have many more than one problem.

They not only receive treatment, but then receive placement in other facilities, like nearby Karios House. The idea is to help them become self sustaining, or find adequate, sustainable living situations off the streets.

The Table Fellowship started off with a lot of joyful music. We were seated with a group of men who had led the music the previous Sunday. Three of them were singers, and one was the electric bass player. (The main music leader was the blind piano player.)  After the introductory music, Allen began a communion liturgy, saying "God wants you to have this bread." We passed the bread to one another. Then came the main meal. It was perhaps the best meal we'd eaten here in D. C. ..stuffed chicken, vegetables, potatoes, and strawberry chiffon pie! After the meal there was a short scripture reading and a few people were asked to volunteer to respond to it. There was no shortage of responders among all the men.  After that there was a lot more music. They actually gave us a hymnal as a gift to us. 

 The service ended with the passing and sharing of the cup...then all stood hand in hand, singing, "Bind us together, Lord." I felt fortunate to take the hand of Michael, who had just spent two months in the hospital, and nearly died. Many expressed great thankfulness for his presence there that evening. One of the common prayers we've heard around here from so many of the former addicts and homeless men is.."Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning." They truly understand that each day is such a gift!

Christ House depends on the contributions of many individuals and churches to keep doing this ministry. They also utilize a number of volunteers. As a place to volunteer, I find it very appealing, because of the contagious hope and faith found among the people there. As Janelle explained to me, "Each person here is a resurrection story."

The photos above are of Christ House. There is another "Jesus" sculpture in the front of the building, done by the same artist that sculpted the "Servant Christ," in front of the Festival Center and at Wellspring Conference Center. The Jesus at Christ House is looking upward, toward the second floor where those being served live and are being healed. A second sculpture that you see is a metal collage of people shapes, representing the people in the Christ House neighborhood. We were so glad to culminate our stay here in such a joyful and meaningful way.