A Middletown church has raised $1,244 for local housing efforts through a Christmas puppet show that reimagines the Holy Family’s search for shelter in Bethlehem.
The United Congregational Church gave the money to The Housing Hotline, a Newport-based nonprofit that helps people facing homelessness and housing insecurity in Newport County.
The funds came from donations collected during three performances of “The Nativity of Christ” last week. The show featured big puppets, music, and light-hearted comedy, bringing the community together.
The donation was presented to James Winters, Founder and Director of The Housing Hotline. While speaking to the audience at one of the shows last week, Winters described the donation as “the biggest Christmas gift” and “such a blessing.
Rev. Patricia Berry, the church’s temporary pastor, said it made sense that a puppet show about the Holy Family looking for housing in Bethlehem would support local housing needs.
“It seems fitting,” said the Rev. Berry, the church’s Bridge Pastor, “that a puppet show reimagining the Holy Family’s search for housing in Bethlehem would support the local housing crisis here.”
The Housing Hotline, a nonprofit founded in 1978, has helped 130,000 people. They provide rent help to stop evictions, utility assistance to prevent shutoffs, and motel vouchers for those without homes.
The puppet show brought back a church tradition after seven years and kicked off the church’s 330th-anniversary celebrations.
United Congregational Church is at 524 Valley Road in Middletown. You can watch the puppet show on the church’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@unitedcongregationalchurch1695.
