“I’ve learned over subsequent years that sudden changes can be and are a reality of life,” said Pastor Will Shewey.
Shewey is the owner and operator of Shades of Grace, a local United Methodist Congregation located in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee.
Shewey grew up in a small town near the Blue Ridge Mountains. “The small town’s best-known claim to fame” said Shewey, “is the ‘home of Dr. Charles Pepper.” Dr. Pepper is claimed inventor of the famous soda with the same name.
Shewey remembers growing up in a mostly poor neighborhood. His mother and father attended two room elementary schools. His father eventually saved up enough money to buy land where he built Shewey’s childhood home and tended to the land. His mother worked hard and long hours at a sewing factory in order to keep food on the table.
“We were about as poor as anyone else, but didn’t realize it,” said Shewey. “Most of the neighbors were in the same socio-economic situation.”
After finishing high school, Shewey attended night school at a local community college as he worked at a manufacturing plant making minimum wage. Him and two of his class mates eventually received notices from Selective Services requiring them to sign up for the draft. All of them passed their physical exams and were to be sent to basic training for the Vietnam War. However, the draft was cancelled a single day before they were scheduled to report to basic training.
“I’ve learned over subsequent years that sudden changes can be and are a reality of life,” said Shewey. “I chose to continue as a civilian.”
Shewey was a very shy child, but felt at home in church. A friend had asked him to join in him in going to a church revival meeting. “There I felt my heart strangely warmed,” said Shewey, “and experienced a settled peace about what my career would be.” This, and an emotional push from his father helped him find his calling.
After completing night school, Shewey moved to Miami, Florida where he became a freelance designer of the fresh flower industry creating designs for many celebrities like Elton John. While in Florida, he served as a pastor to inner-city congregation.
Shewey then decided to travel the world. He lived in Trinidad, the West Indies, and Grand Cayman all for a short time. “After traveling in more than 40 countries,” said Shewey, “I settled on the reality that I am a pastor at heart.”
Shewey has now served traditional congregations in three states. His latest congregation is the Shades of Grace United Methodist Congregation in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Shades of Grace focuses on serving the lost and forgotten people of the area. “My first congregation was a store front mission,” said Shewey, “and the experiences there helped shape my desire to perform this type of service for a host of forgotten people.”
Shades of Grace tries to reach out to people who may not be able to attend traditional types of congregations. However, through the years it has become a safe haven for the homeless and helpless of downtown Kingsport.
“When I requested permission from our Bishop and the United Methodist conference to start a storefront church,” said Shewey, “I had no idea it would involve or assist homeless people.”
The congregation now offers a variety of services to aid the homeless community. They offer daily hot meals serving over 25,000 meals each year. They also aid in purchasing photo IDs, birth certificates, prescription copays, and continuing education classes.
The Salvation Army is another organization that attempts to aid the homeless in a similar manner, asking for donations from the general public. However, the Salvation Army has recently faced lawsuits concerning religious discrimination as it is Protestant Christian organization looking to only aid like-minded individuals.
Shades of Grace avoids these types of conflicts by making their services available to anyone. They offer optional Bible studies, memorial services, cremation services of the unclaimed and also offer to pay for the making of tomb stones in their cemetery. These services, along with weekly Sunday service are all optional to those seeking help.
“We operate under the denomination’s safe sanctuary police,” said Shewey, “Which means safety first of all participants.” All of their religious services are free of charge and completely voluntary.
“Our idea is that many followed Jesus for the loaves and fish he provided,” said Shewey, “But he made no mandate that they do anything in return. He simply invited them to follow and left the decision to their discretion.”
The homeless community is a harboring place for diseases and infections. Shades of Grace takes many precautions as to not let this get any more out of hand than it should.
“Our staff and volunteers are seeking to keep everyone safe and prevent spread of these viruses into the homeless community,” said Shewey. “We wash hands frequently, pray a lot, and have gloves and masks available for each one.”
With the recent surge of the COVID-19 virus reaching the Kingsport area, Shades of Grace is taking even more precautions while still helping the homeless community as much as possible.
The congregation is no longer open to the public as a gathering/meeting place, but is still serving hot meals to the community by curbside. “We are limiting the number of volunteers in the food preparation area to four persons currently,” said Shewey. “Additionally, we are trying to provide some brown bag type lunches to minimize the handling of food by more than necessary hands.”
Shades of Grace is also livestreaming their Sunday services along with their Bible studies. They are also checking temperatures at the door of anyone looking to shower in their facilities. If any participants show signs of fever or other symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, they are asked to go a free clinic in the area.
Shewey believes the city of Kingsport is becoming concerned with the homeless community now more than ever, even having the mayor stop by on multiple occasions to discuss some growing concerns and solutions. Shewey also believes that the city made great progress by hiring a social worker assigned exclusively to the homeless community.
However, Shewey also has some concerns with the way the city is handling the homeless community. “Last summer the city nailed blocks on park benches and created quite a controversy,” said Shewey. “I do believe there can be more positive and proactive acts that will create harmony rather than dissent.”
