redistribute 2025

Do Not Be Afraid

REDISTRIBUTE is Common Ground Midtown’s annual Advent tradition of following in the footsteps of Jesus to join in the reconciliation of the world through sacrificial love.

Each year, as a church body and in a spirit of sacrifice, we join in this reconciliation by REDISTRIBUTING our resources to those most deeply in need.

This year our Advent theme is, “What do you fear?” Luke’s Gospel begins with the words, “In the time of Herod,” a brief phrase that reveals the fearful, oppressive, and uncertain world Jesus entered, a world not unlike our own. Yet amid that fear, the angels proclaim, “Do not be afraid.” Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi did not deny their fear; they moved through it with courage, trust, and hope. We, too, are invited to do the same: to face our fears with faith and to let hope take root in love and action.

Today, in Indianapolis, we recognize that fear and uncertainty manifest in many tangible ways, including through the growing crisis of homelessness. In early 2025, more than 1,800 people were counted as unhoused in Marion County, a number that continues to rise. Many live in shelters, transitional housing, or on the streets (tents, cars, etc). These unhoused neighbors face economic instability, health challenges, or the deep wounds of racial inequity. These realities mirror the world Jesus entered, which was marked by scarcity, displacement, and injustice.

This Advent, CG Midtown’s Redistribute project invites us to respond to that reality with courage and compassion. Rooted in the angels’ message of “Do not fear,” Redistribute calls us to share what we have, to stand alongside our unhoused neighbors, and to affirm their dignity as beloved children of God. Together, we proclaim that Christ’s birth is still good news of great joy for all people, especially those seeking safety, stability, and hope.

As we light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love during Advent, we long for those same lights to shine in our city, transforming fear into generosity, isolation into community, and scarcity into shared abundance. Redistribute 2025 aims to make room for Christ by making room for one another.

meet our redistribute 2025 partners

STREETS TO HOME INDY - Anchor Partner

Streets to Home Indy, launched in June 2025 by the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP), unites the City of Indianapolis, the Mayor’s Leadership Council on Homelessness, and a broad network of civic, private, and faith partners. This historic, unprecedented collaboration seeks to end chronic homelessness by 2028 through a shared, citywide commitment to housing and healing.

In its first phase, Streets to Home Indy will help the 300-350 unsheltered neighbors move from the streets into stable housing through rapid re-housing, rental assistance, and wraparound supports like healthcare and employment services. Faith communities play a vital role (mobilizing resources and advocacy) embodying the spirit of Advent by transforming fear into hope and working towards a city where every neighbor is met with dignity and love. Join us in prayer and financial giving to Streets to Home Indy.

YOUR REDISTRIBUTE GIFT to this project, alongside other faith communities, will help raise $270,000 toward the collective $2.7 million faith-and-philanthropy goal necessary to launch Phase I and bring homes to 300-350 of our unsheltered neighbors.

SANCTUARY INDY

Sanctuary Indy is a Christ-centered nonprofit creating permanent supportive housing in a micro-community format. Unlike short-term shelters, Sanctuary’s vision is to pair dignified housing with long-term wraparound care: mentoring, vocational support, wellness programs, and community life.

Designed for individuals who have experienced homelessness for a year or more, often with disabling conditions, Sanctuary’s first phase will build 27 micro-homes on a wooded campus to foster community, modeling a sustainable approach that can be replicated across the city. Sanctuary Indy offers a vital piece of the larger effort to end homelessness, not only providing shelter, but walking with people toward belonging and renewal. Join us in prayer and giving to support Sanctuary Indy.

YOUR REDISTRIBUTE GIFT to this project could help provide:

• $25 - Tent for Two People

• $35 - Week of Lunches for One Person

• $100 - Full Tank of Gas for Outreach Van

• $250 - Full Day of Outreach

• $1,000 - Month of Programming for a Tenant

• $10,000 - Concrete Foundation for New Tiny Home