Building a House, Inspiring a Home

Local Methodist Church will partner with local Habitat for Humanity to build a home in Harrisburg

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area has announced that the Calvary United Methodist Church on Locust Lane will be joining Habitat by sponsoring a new build in the uptown section of Harrisburg.  The build will be one of three new builds planned for Woodbine Street, with all three projects set to begin later this summer. The Calvary Build is a part of Habitat’s Energy Efficient Affordable Home Neighborhood in Uptown and will be Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area’s first Energy Star home. 

In agreeing to become a partner in providing a new home to one of Habitat for Humanity’s partner families, Calvary believes that this action will help fulfill the church’s mission to bring people to God and God to community.

“There is no more profound and more faithful witness to a loving and redeeming God than the effort to change the lives of our neighbors in need and assist them to secure the basic resources needed to sustain life,” comments Calvary Pastor Ron Parks.  “Habitat will help us focus and convey God’s generosity by providing our church family and community with a strategy to make a real difference in the lives of a local family. It is in this type of labor of love that the meaning of the word ‘church’ is truly expressed.”

With weekly fundraising efforts, Calvary United Methodist Church is well on their way to completing their pledge of $75,000. 

 “Calvary United Methodist Church has been a leader in our community for many years, with strong outreach programs such as their Cupboard at Calvary Food Pantry.  This newest effort to build a home, change the lives of a family and bring their ministry into our streets is just another way that this congregation continues to share it’s love,” said Eve Wachhaus, Executive Director Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area, “We at Habitat are excited by the creation of this new neighborhood because it provides affordable houses while bringing green building technology so that we can be good stewards of our energy resources and so that energy savings can be passed onto our families in-need.”

Calvary’s build of a new home is just one part of a busy upcoming year for the local Habitat.  Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area is scheduled to build three new homes this year in Harrisburg, rehab two homes that once were condemned, and fix up more than 15 homes for residents through their Home Repair Program.

Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical ministry that welcomes all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its inception in 1986, the Harrisburg area affiliate has built nearly 60 houses, built 87 homes internationally and completed over 150 Home Repairs by providing simple, decent and affordable shelter with families in need. For more information, visit www.harrisburghabitat.org.