League Of Mercy
From Sawiki
The League of Mercy is an expression of love in the best traditions of The Salvation Army's service. It truly reflects the ideal of The Salvation Army slogan: Heart to God, Hand to Man. Each year thousands of Salvation Army League of Mercy volunteers visit hundreds of thousands of people in nursing homes, mental health facilities, group homes, veterans facilities, hospitals, prisons and private homes where individuals are shut-in and unable to touch an outside world of people. Visits are made to these places with the purpose of providing a spiritual and social ministry to the sick, the handicapped, the aged, and those who are lonely and discouraged, whether in institutions or private homes.
Those eligible for membership include uniformed Salvationists, non-uniformed Salvationists and non-Salvationists volunteers who exhibit a love and compassion for people. Such persons must be recommended by the Corps Officer. Recommendation for membership must be sent by the Corps Officer to the Divisional League of Mercy Secretary who will issue a membership card.
Volunteers will sometimes bring small gifts such as toiletries, stationery and pens, magazines, candy, fruit, even stuffed animals. More importantly they bring warm hugs, friendly smiles, sparkling laughter and listening ears. They visit and offer to pray with the residents or patients, and are ready to share encouraging words from the Bible. Sometimes they bring musical instruments and have a group sing-along in the dining room or activity room. What matters most is that they bring love. Residents feel valued, cared about, alive again.
In some locations League of Mercy volunteers provide weekly activities in nursing homes that may include music, crafts, discussion groups, birthday parties and worship meetings. These activities sometimes mirror the types of meetings held in Salvation Army corps community centers, except they are held in an institutional setting rather than in a Salvation Army building. Residents feel more in touch with the outside world through regular involvement in ordinary activities. They recover the joy of being alive. During the Easter and Christmas seasons League of Mercy volunteers visit thousands of residents of veterans' hospitals, prisons, and state and county homes for children and older adults. Many people who otherwise would spend the holidays alone receive a visit and a gift.
League of Mercy volunteers represent diverse backgrounds, from children who bring youthful enthusiasm and affection, to neighbors who devote a few hours periodically to this beautiful ministry, to Salvation Army members and officers who are trained in grief and AIDS counseling, gerontology and pastoral care. Organized groups and individuals join hands, creating a circle of caring around those who have need of this unique ministry called the League of Mercy.
