By Pastor Scott Rosekrans
It was the fall of 2020 when I got the call. A man named Peter told me he was part of a group in Port Townsend building tiny homes. Fine, I said—how can I help?
They had built several 96-square-foot homes but had nowhere to put them. He had heard our church had extra property and wondered if we would consider hosting a tiny home village. Without hesitation—or checking with the trustees—I said yes.
Then he asked if they could move their building operation onto our property. Sure. Why not?
In January 2021, I was asked to bless the new village, dubbed Peter’s Place, as the first twelve residents moved in.
Around the same time, we started a clothing closet and food pantry as more people came by the church during the week seeking help. My volunteers—or disciples, as I now call them—suggested opening the closet and pantry on Saturday mornings to better serve our new neighbors. Once again, I said yes.
If you remember that time, you know what came next. A pandemic, and instructions from Bishop Elaine Stanovsky to suspend all in-person worship until further notice.
After a call with a very concerned District Superintendent, I reasoned that this was not the time to close the church. Instead, we put protocols in place to protect both my disciples and those who relied on us for food and clothing. He agreed and urged caution.
Now, as we enter our sixth year of serving the least of these, I can say that, to my knowledge, we haven’t lost anyone to COVID.
As Methodists, we love numbers and statistics, so one of our missionaries keeps monthly records to track our progress. In February 2021—our first month—we had 16 visits to what we call our General Store.
We count visits rather than individuals, since some come once and others return as needed. By the end of 2021, we recorded 364 visits, averaging 33 per month.
Each year, those numbers grew as word spread and needs increased. We finished 2025 with 1,092 visits, averaging 91 per month—an increase of more than 200 from 2024, reflecting both a weakened economy and rising food insecurity on the Peninsula and beyond.
And as if that weren’t enough, we also started a Saturday soup kitchen to feed our hungry shoppers.
Support from the community and neighboring churches has been incredible. People contribute financially, shop for us with their own hard-earned money, and show up eager to help.
Several volunteers who don’t attend our church regularly give countless hours simply because they want to be part of something bigger than themselves.
I’ve been told the Holy Spirit sends people to you to love, and once you’ve loved them as best you can, the Spirit sends more. I’ve come to believe this deeply. And this I know:
Hope Happens Here.
Scott Rosekrans serves as pastor to the people of Community United Methodist Church in Port Hadlock, Washington.
