Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Saratoga California
  • Home
  • About
    • About the Prince of Peace Community
    • Ministries >
      • Sunday Morning Ministries >
        • Hospitality >
          • Coffee Host Instructions
          • Communion
      • Community Outreach >
        • Homeless Ministries
      • Faith and Christian Education
      • ELCA Advocacy
      • Do More Good - PoP + Zion
      • Mission Endowment Fund
    • Staff
  • Connect
    • News >
      • Email Sign-up
      • Share News
    • Small Groups
    • Children
    • Junior High
    • High School
    • Music
    • Photos & Media
  • Quicklinks
    • Prayer/Pastoral Care Request
    • Email Sign-up
    • Breeze Portal Sign In >
      • Breeze How To Videos
    • Prince of Peace Worship & Events Calendar
    • Enroll now for Summer Camp
    • Share an announcement
    • Rotating Safe Car Parking Shelter >
      • RSCP FAQ
    • Meal Ministry Volunteering
    • Retreats & Mission Trips
    • Adopt a Highway
    • Theology Pub Alerts
    • Table Talks
  • Worship
    • Worship Bulletin
    • Online worship services
  • Kids to Camp Fundraiser
  • Visit
    • Worship times
    • Facilities Rental & Weddings >
      • Weddings
      • Hall
    • Community groups
  • DONATE
    • Donate Now
    • Pledge
    • Ways to give
    • No Fee PayPal Charitable
    • Pay for Events

Addressing Homelessness in our Area

The true spirit of Christmas

12/24/2024

0 Comments

 
A meaningful memory of Christmas Eve 2023, resurfaces Christmas Eve 2024, and is beautifully written down for us:  by Drew A, Prince of Peace Dir. of Youth and Service
Christmas time for church staff, like me, can be overwhelming. Between services and concerts, pageants and presents, family and friends, this season of quiet and patience can often times feel like a whirlwind. When I began working at this church, I remember feeling like Christmas didn't start for me until all the work was done and I could finally relax. Even Christmas Eve, which for a long time established the most spiritual moments I have experienced, felt busy, and sometimes it felt like I was missing the spirit of the Christ child  while I checked every box. 

This past Christmas Eve was different though. The Rotating Safe Car Park shelter (RSCP) program was on our site in December, which led to even more things going on, and an even busier Christmas Eve. There was a moment where I felt like there was too much to do. At that moment I looked up and saw Ron (name changed for privacy), a great man and a former RSCP guest, who just a few weeks prior was able to find permanent housing. Ron was beaming and his grin went from ear to ear. We hugged and talked about his new apartment. I was overcome with joy and was so happy that Ron came back to join us for our Christmas Eve service, as a friend, and as someone who benefitted so much from this program.

I grabbed Ron a bulletin and was about to help him find his seat, when he reached into his pocket. This man who had just solidified his housing handed me 3 gift cards for local gas stations for the RSCP program to use to help the guests in need. 

At this moment on Christmas Eve I was again feeling overwhelmed, but not by busy schedules or too much going on, but by the presence of the Holy Spirit in this moment with Ron. All of the hard work seemed so easy now, and seemed so unbelievably well worth it. Ron showed me the spirit of Christmas, and just as importantly, showed how important this program is, and how it can quite literally change someone's life. While not every guest of RSCP will have the same story as Ron, it is these stories that keep me passionate about this program, that keep me motivated to do the work I do, and to hold in perspective how important this work truly is.

I hope this story illustrates the type of impact, both on our guests and volunteers, that this program has. Thank you for your support!
0 Comments

October 17th, 2022

10/17/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
RSCP Guest, Sharon, gets the keys to her apartment on September 26, 2022!! 
​
Thank you to all the RSCP partners, volunteers, and Amigos de Guadalupe case managers -- this would not be possible without this unique and dedicated team effort!
0 Comments

Living Lutheran Featured RSCP

8/15/2022

0 Comments

 
Living Lutheran magazine featured Prince of Peace's Rotating Safe Car Park in their August 2022 edition. 

Read the full article here
0 Comments

Drive for Family Shelter Demonstrates Generosity

9/15/2021

0 Comments

 
You are making a difference - Celebrating your generosity!

We recently completed our essential good and school supply drive for the San Jose Family Shelter families:
  • Over 1400 items donated valued over $4,100.
  • Over $3,300 in essential goods
  • Close to $800 in school supplies
The Family Supportive Housing staff and the San Jose Family Shelter families are very grateful for your generous gifts. Thank you for your kindness and support!

Coming in November: Christmas gift card drive
0 Comments

Thank You Volunteers!

3/2/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Monday, March 1, we said goodbye to our guests as they rotate to our next RSCP partner site. Our homeless ministry had 25 POP members and 5 members from partner organizations working morning and evening shifts for the months of January and February. Then more members gave us incredible meal support through POP’s very own Meal Ministry which included coordinated meals with Sacred Heart and Congregation Shir Hadash. Did we ever think that handmade masks would be “essential” and then generously supplied by our own POP talent? As the weather became colder, additional members knitted scarves and hats to offer our guests. 

​This community of faith sometimes seems like it knows no bounds… yet we know we do. We remain bound by the restraints of the pandemic. We get tired. We wish we had a quicker way or a different way to solve the homelessness issues. Still, as a community that enjoys being together, we carry on to lift up one another and our RSCP guests. 

0 Comments

Music for the soul

2/22/2021

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

A new partner brings showers to guests

2/15/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
You may have noticed a shower trailer in front of the Fellowship Hall. It is here at POP on a trial basis. Most shower facilities available to the homeless have shut down during the COVID pandemic. When the Women’s Village House Shelter closed, their portable shower was donated to a group that has wanted to develop it into a ministry to serve the homeless. They began by offering it to the safe car park shelters like RSCP.
0 Comments

Another Success Story!

1/14/2021

0 Comments

 
​This week, another guest called the RSCP number to tell us that he is now “renting a room from an angel.”  He called to tell us how much he especially appreciated the welcoming and supportive volunteers at Prince of Peace. He hopes he is able to pay it forward someday soon.  

RSCP's mission is to create safe and welcoming spaces where guests who are living in their cars can sleep, stabilize, recover, and gain access to social services. This care for our neighbors who are home insecure is accomplished through the collaboration of faith-based communities, local city governments, and other service organizations. ​
0 Comments

Stories from a Rotating Safe Car Park Shelter

1/7/2021

0 Comments

 
A regular place to park overnight makes a difference. Here are a few recent stories from Rotating Safe Car Park Shelter.
​
Four months ago, a guest arrived at the RSCP.  He needed work, car repairs and a place to live. During his rotations with the RSCP, he worked hard with his case manager and referral services to find a job, repair his car, and this month obtained low-income housing. He now rents his own studio apartment.


Seven month ago, a guest arrived at the RSCP. She struggled to stabilize. She parked next to another guest who was a reassuring and supporting presence.  The guest remained in good standing with the RSCP as her Dad, her case manager, and others continued to support her. After time in a supportive county shelter, she is a positive presence back here at POP for a week, while she transitions to permanent supportive housing.
0 Comments

Christmas Gifts Delivered to Family Shelter

12/24/2020

0 Comments

 
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Donate to RSCP & Prince of Peace's Homeless Ministries Here
    Learn more about Rotating Safe Car Park (RSCP)

    RSCP Leadership Team

    Karen, Norman, Ulrike, Drew, Pastor Sara 

    Community Service Agencies

    West Valley Community Services

    Amigos de Guadalupe
    ​
    Destination Home

    Homefirst Santa Clara County

    Links and Articles of Interest

    The Obvious Answer to Homelessness
    A Student Documentary on the Saratoga Housing Crisis
    Christian Century article on RSCP
    Mercury News coverage of RSCP
    Homeless in College
    For Californians living in their cars, a church parking lot can briefly be home
    $50 million donation to homeless initiatives

    Step up Silicon Valley

    ​Homeless in Silicon Valley Blog & Resource Page
    ​​

    ​SPUR Housing Policy (SF Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association)

    Storied Streets

    Archives

    December 2024
    October 2022
    August 2022
    September 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    January 2020
    May 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Regular sunday worship

INDOORS @ 10:00 am Sundays
Also ONLINE New premier every Sunday

Address

12770 Saratoga Ave.
​Saratoga, CA 95070

Telephone

408-253-7167

Email

o[email protected]

Social media

Office Hours

Office hours Monday through Thursday 10am-3pm or by appointment.
Please call before coming by.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • About the Prince of Peace Community
    • Ministries >
      • Sunday Morning Ministries >
        • Hospitality >
          • Coffee Host Instructions
          • Communion
      • Community Outreach >
        • Homeless Ministries
      • Faith and Christian Education
      • ELCA Advocacy
      • Do More Good - PoP + Zion
      • Mission Endowment Fund
    • Staff
  • Connect
    • News >
      • Email Sign-up
      • Share News
    • Small Groups
    • Children
    • Junior High
    • High School
    • Music
    • Photos & Media
  • Quicklinks
    • Prayer/Pastoral Care Request
    • Email Sign-up
    • Breeze Portal Sign In >
      • Breeze How To Videos
    • Prince of Peace Worship & Events Calendar
    • Enroll now for Summer Camp
    • Share an announcement
    • Rotating Safe Car Parking Shelter >
      • RSCP FAQ
    • Meal Ministry Volunteering
    • Retreats & Mission Trips
    • Adopt a Highway
    • Theology Pub Alerts
    • Table Talks
  • Worship
    • Worship Bulletin
    • Online worship services
  • Kids to Camp Fundraiser
  • Visit
    • Worship times
    • Facilities Rental & Weddings >
      • Weddings
      • Hall
    • Community groups
  • DONATE
    • Donate Now
    • Pledge
    • Ways to give
    • No Fee PayPal Charitable
    • Pay for Events