All Saints’ believes in bringing comfort and love to those who need it most, in the example set for us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are privileged to have Deacon Jeffrey Boyce in our church, who is active in the Bishop’s Homeless Task Force. Jeffrey works closely with homeless advocacy groups and commissions from the local to state level, and is pivotal to All Saints’ mission of compassion and hospitality to the most vulnerable in our community.
During the July heatwaves when temperatures hovered in the upper 90’s and higher, Jeffrey and Father Jim loaded up Jeffrey’s flatbed truck with cases of water, and drove to over ten homeless encampments weekly throughout Tacoma, making sure every resident had the water they needed to stay hydrated under these dangerous conditions. It was beautiful to see the relationships and bonds of trust Jeffrey has forged with the homeless community. Knowing many by name, he carries each of them in his heart, and donates so much of his time to helping make their lives a little bit better.
Jeffrey also spearheaded All Saints’ outreach to homeless vets at Tacoma’s Veterans Village. This amazing complex was set up through the Tacoma Rescue Mission’s coordination with the City of Tacoma and non-profit organizations dedicated to bringing the necessities of food and shelter to homeless veterans. This program uses grants and donations to create a stable village where these brave men and women can live with dignity, housed in weather-resistant tents, with a mess tent for preparing meals, sanitation facilities, and onsite resource support.
Thank you, Jeffrey, for being an example of Christ’s love, and for your tireless commitment to the equality of all people—especially those who have so little among us.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” — Colossians 3:12
