News

University United Methodist Church Building 16th House With Family in Need

University United Methodist Church volunteers will put down their hammers briefly Tuesday as they share experiences from their 15-year effort to help make affordable housing possible in San Antonio. UUMC representatives will speak to other members of the faith community during Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio’s Faith in Action Team (FIAT) meeting.

The congregation began construction on its 16th house with HFHSA when the fall building phase kicked off August 21. This is a milestone that no other single congregation in San Antonio has yet to reach, said Jennifer Gonzalez, HFHSA Faith Community Relations associate.

“Since 1995, with one exception, University UMC has fully funded and constructed a Habitat home in partnership with a family in need every fall. The exception occurred when the congregation built two Habitat homes in the same year,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said UUMC staff and volunteers will share their Habitat story and why their congregation continues to stay engaged in the Habitat ministry during the noon lunch meeting Tuesday at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 San Pedro Ave.
“Jesus came to serve us all,” said Ruth Thompson, who serves as UUMC’s Habitat Coordinator. “…We are applying what we are told in the Bible. It’s a huge honor for the church.”
Church organizers say they provide the funding and more than 250 volunteers needed each year to build a house, and they don’t plan on stopping their involvement any time soon.
“We hope we have as much fun building the next 16 [houses] as we did the first 16, said the Rev. Charles Anderson, directing pastor for the church.
Those interested in hearing UUMC’s story and finding out more about HFHSA’s program may still RSVP for the lunch through Friday, Sept. 4. A $7 donation is asked for each lunch.