Church Under the Bridge (CUB)

Bringing Salt and Light to Austin's Street Population

At Church Under the Bridge at 7th and I-35 you will find live music, an open microphone, and a down-to-earth message for Austin's street population. After that, it's time for Sunday dinner, where those who are without homes (and often without hope) are served a hot meal. But they do not eat alone. The rotating schedule of churches and volunteers who host CUB always serve meals with a side order of fellowship, something craved by many living on the street almost as much as food.

Attending CUB services can be both encouraging and disturbing. Encouraging, because the ease with which regular CUB volunteers interact with street people reveals that relating with the profoundly down-and-out is not always a dangerous, threatening or awkward thing. Disturbing, because their needs seem infinitely greater than any one persons ability to meet them. It's easy to wonder if those working with street people are often left with feelings of powerless, helplessness or futility.

"It is discouraging a lot of the time." says one volunteer, "I might not ever have an opportunity to see any fruit in the lives of these people. But is that what we are called to do—to measure our progress? The Scripture tells us to minister to the poor—and being involved with "Church Under The Bridge" is one very basic way that I can live out my faith. My only hope is that the people I encounter get a glimpse of God’s love through one kind act.

Ways to get involved:

• Distribute clothes and other items directly to the homeless 4-5hrs a month: Every 2^nd Sunday of the month. We meet at the FLC by the kitchen and depart for CUB at 10:30am returning around 2:00pm.. All are welcome.
• Help on Tuesday night’s 4-5hrs a month: Directly help with the homeless Bible study and dinner from 6:00 to 9:00 at the Mission Possible Headquarters.
• Sort clothes 2-3 hrs a month: Clothes are sorted the Friday before our visit in the FLC during the day around 2:00pm and then again before our departure from 8:30 am – 9:30am.
• Sort hygiene kits 1-2 hrs a month: sort the hygiene items into Ziploc bags.
• Pick up clothes 1-2hrs a month: Pick up clothes and other items at different locations here in the Round Rock area and return them to the church.
• News letter and bulletin articles 1-2hrs a month: Write articles and inform the congregation of our progress and our needs.
• Donations: Checks can be made to FUMC RR marked for CUB.
• Donation List: Underwear, socks, men’s jeans, back packs, blankets, pillows, white t-shirts, hygiene kit items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, combs, razors, tooth brushes, tooth past, band aids)

To find out how you can get involved in CUB, contact cub@fumc-rr.org or call Dan Rybaski at 789-4451. Check out the news article about how your generosity has helped make it possible to expand our ministry.