Room in the Inn had its beginning in one church in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1985. Charlotte's Urban Ministry Center established a RITI program in 1996, stating, “The simple goal is to keep homeless people from freezing on cold winter nights. A greater goal is to provide a loving relationship to homeless, at least for a night.” The center encouraged faith communities and colleges to participate, annually, from December 1 through March 31. PUMC became a support church in 1998, hosting homeless neighbors one night a week in the four-month period. In 2000, PUMC included one additional night a month, before increasing to two nights a week in 2001. Volunteers pick up fourteen homeless men, women, or children from the Urban Ministry Center, to drive them to PUMC in time for dinner and an evening of fellowship. At least two church members spend the night with guests. After breakfast the following morning, a PUMC member returns guests to UMC. Guests represent a variety of ages, from infants to the elderly. The Hyatt Charlotte at SouthPark provides laundry service, while a large number of PUMC volunteers fulfill the myriad of other necessary assignments. Adult Sunday School classes, Methodist Men’s Fellowship and United Methodist Women, Scouts, and PUMC youth are the primary source for volunteers, but it is important for all PUMC members also to be in mission to the RITI program.

PUMC History