WPC Hosts Winter HOMELESS Shelter
From January 4–11, 2026, WPC hosted the Community of Faith Mission's (COFM) winter shelter. COFM is a faith-based, non-governmental emergency shelter ministry that provides shelter and meals for those in need throughout Williamsburg, James City County, and Upper York County from November through March. The shelter rotates weekly among local churches, and this past season marked COFM's fourteenth year of operation. WPC has participated in eleven of those seasons, pausing only during the pandemic.
A Week of Hospitality
During our hosting week, WPC welcomed more than 30 different guests, serving an average of 17 people each night. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening, volunteers provided a home-cooked dinner, showers, a warm and secure place to sleep, a hot breakfast, and a bag lunch before wishing guests well at 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The shelter operated in the church's basement area.
Our guests represented a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and many expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warmth and hospitality shown by WPC members and volunteers from our partner congregations.
Those partner churches included Williamsburg Baptist Church, Life Church, First Baptist Church, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, and Stonehouse Presbyterian Church.
In addition, WPC members reciprocated by fully staffing the shelter at Life Church and St. Martin's Episcopal Church on December 22, 2025, and January 20, 2026.
Many Hands Made This Ministry Possible
The Hunger and Homeless Team of WPC's Christian Outreach Ministry coordinated the program under the leadership of site leaders Joe Avellar, Jim Winthrop, Jim Austin, Tom Moul, and new site leader Jay Hardy. WPC's Facilities staff also played an important role in supporting the shelter's operation.
More than fifty WPC members and friends volunteered their time and energy to make this ministry possible. We are deeply grateful for their compassionate service:
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