Sermon

this morning I had the incredible privilege to preach at my home church here in Seattle.  I preached on two verses – Micah 6:8 and Luke 18:1-8.  Thought I’d share my sermon here too. 

 

When you are given the random opportunity to speak, it kind of means that you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So today, we’re going to talk about about the awesomeness of Florida State football! Oh I kid. No, today I want to share with you two of my favorite verses in the Bible. They were read earlier, and you may not have picked up on how they relate. So stayed tuned – its how I plan to keep you awake.

In Micah 6:8 we have the answer to the question, “But really, what does God want from me?” Does God want a brand new baby cow? Or, how about 10,000 rivers of olive oil? No? Okay, how about my first born child. Surely, that’s what God wants from me. I mean, let’s face it, first born children truly are the best! No. All God wants from us is to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly. Sounds easy, right? Should be. But let’s think a little about what those three things really mean.

To do what is right: Other translations read, “to do justice.” But what is the work of justice? Doing what is right, doing Justice, means not just preaching, not just clicking like on a Facebook post, or handing out literature on a subject. It means going day after day after day after day. Yes, after day, and doing the tough stuff, even when – no, especially when, others are ignoring you or thwarting your efforts. Its not giving up, not standing down, in the face of fear or power, when you know something is right.

Its like we see with the widow in Luke 18.

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. ² “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. ³ A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ ⁴ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, ⁵ but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

⁶ Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. ⁷ Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Did you hear that? “THIS WOMAN IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!!” And so the unjust judge granted her justice.

This is what my favorite theologian and teacher David Wildman calls “The Ministry of Erosion.” You just keep pushing on, working each day for justice, for what is right. You don’t give up. Even when the struggle for justice seems long, and daunting, and nearly impossible. You don’t give up. You keep showing up, each and every day. So that when the powers that be turn us away, or shut us down yet again, we just keep going. We want to get to the point that someone yells out, “TRINITY UMC IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!! So I will give them justice.” Amen??

And what does our day to day justice look like? It looks like feeding the hungry through our soup kitchen and the sandwich makers. It looks like opening doors, playing games and staying overnight at Julia’s Place so families don’t have to sleep outside. Did you know that over 20 families have been able to stay together as they were work more sustainable housing, because of your efforts at Julia’s Place? Amazing! When coal trains are coming, and Monsanto is conniving – Justice at Trinity looks like Rain Gardens, increased recycling efforts and community forums. When our LGBTQ sisters and brothers have been shunned, Justice at Trinity looks like a spot in the Pride march so our church can be a visible sign of acceptance, and making this a safe and open place of worship.

Trinity – you are doing the work of Justice. One small step at a time.

So we do these things. But why? Because the Lord asks us to LOVE MERCY.

Throughout the Old Testament and particularly the Psalms, when you find mention of mercy it is times that God has shown up, has listened, or has not forgotten those in need. Is that our act of mercy? Loving by listening? Are we loving by showing up?

I’m currently reading this great book that I would highly recommend, called Torn by Justin Lee. The book is Justin’s story of coming out as gay in an very conservative and evangelical community. He chronicles his struggles with his identity and the church’s reaction to his coming out. There was a chapter where he shared about how, each time he would come out to someone, they would immediately start trying to “convert” or “change” him – recommending him to ex-gay therapies and Bible studies. But what Justin needed, was someone to listen to him. He talked about a lunch with a well-meaning campus minister who spent the whole lunch using Bible verses to try to convince Justin “to change his ways.” But that minister left the table knowing nothing about Justin except for the fact that he was gay. People weren’t taking the time to listen to his pain in his own realization that he was gay, and his struggle in reconciling the fact that was gay and a Christian. Justin compares this time in his life with the story of Job – whose world has crashed in on him. While Job loses his family, his land and his health, his friends sit around and say, “Well, what did you do to piss of God?”

“The more Job insists that he is trusting God, the more they argue that that can’t be the case, because God wouldn’t let a righteous man suffer the way he’s suffering. Clearly, they say, God must be punishing him for something, and its only his own arrogance that’s keeping him from acknowledging it. He insists that they’re wrong, and they just use that as more evidence against him. But the story serves as important reminder to all of us that sometimes, when people are hurting, they don’t need our advice and theological theorizing as much as they need our understanding and comfort.”

Sometimes, God needs us just to be that friend that sits in the ashes and just doesn’t say a thing. Sometimes, that’s the act of mercy.

That leaves us with the third edict from Micah. To walk humbly with our God. What does it mean to be humble? It means: To not think too highly of one’s self.

Because you know what? We make mistakes. We don’t always get it right. We aren’t perfect. But that’s not what God is asking for of us. God only asks that this journey be made with a little humility. I think we can do that best when we realize that we don’t have to do it alone. Because nothing keeps us humble like the opinions of others, right?

Trinity – keep doing the work of Justice. Keep loving with mercy. But don’t do these things alone!

Join a committee. (how very Methodist of me, right? Kathleen paid me to say that) Attend a rally. Make a meal. Dig in the rain garden. Participate at Julia’s Place. SHOW UP. Because when we do these things, these little, day to day things, and when we do them TOGETHER we become stronger. At the risk of sounding cheesy and contrite, we make our world just a little bit better, each and every day.

Amen.

Benediction:

 

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” – Brennan Manning

So walk out of these doors and DO Justice, LOVE Mercy, and most of all – walk HUMBLY with your God. Amen.

Full Circle

A couple of weeks ago I sat in a beautiful sanctuary, full of the kind of people most churches would never expect.  Listening to a woman many in certain segments of the faith community have shunned.  A woman that, as a teenager, I adored.  Jennifer Knapp was a Dove-award winning Christian artist, full of soul and spunk.  I had all of her cds and went to more than a couple of her concerts.  In fact, my very first “real” blog was titled after a lyric from one of her songs.  I was also a different person back then.  Conservative.  Quite conservative actually.  Evangelical.  I listened almost solely to Christian music, had Christian friends, went to Christian camps, read Christian books.  I was immersed.

And let me be clear.  I’m not bemoaning my upbringing.  I’m not looking at my past in shame.  I am proud of the way I grew up, of the faith community and church family that surrounded me and helped mold me into the woman I am today.  But in the same hand, that doesn’t mean it was not without its faults.

My faith journey has been one of many twists and turns.  One that has led me to a place where I now call myself a Liberal (living in a liberal city, working a liberal job, with liberal friends, reading liberal books).  And again, I am proud of the journey.  I am grateful for the community that has surrounded and shaped me.  For those in college, seminary and in my Young Adult Missionary community who have challenged me and encouraged me to keep asking questions.  Because of them, I am who I am today.  Again, an experience not without it faults.

So there I sat, in the sanctuary of a United Methodist church, listening to Jennifer Knapp tell her story about coming out as a lesbian after years as Christian music artist.  She shared how difficult that was not only because of her profession, but also because of her own faith.   For those who follow(ed) the Christian music industry, you may remember that at what seemed like the height of her career, Jennifer basically disappeared.  Moved to Australia, stopped singing, and wasn’t heard from (professionally) for years.  Her return to the States, and the music industry, came with a confirmation that she was in fact a lesbian, but that didn’t change the fact that she was also still a Christian.  Churches, pastors and other big names in Christianity immediately dismissed her, shunned her, called her a sinner and told others that to listen to her was to follow in her sin.  But sitting there that night, listening to her story, her honesty, I was moved.

“My faith has taught me that I am a person of value.”  Jennifer shared.  And I thought to myself, Is that not what my faith, my church family, taught me as well? Is that not exactly what we hope every person who walks through any church doors feels – that they are a person of value.?  If so, then why are we preaching anything else?  Jennifer’s faith did a great job in teaching her that she is loved and valued by God.  So that even in her struggle with her sexual orientation, she shared, she knew that acceptance by God was a non-negotiable.

“The biggest question I have for myself is, ‘How do I become the kind of person who loves others well?’ My tradition of faith taught me how to love.  I just forgot to check their gender first.”  That got a few chuckles.  “What happens when we assume someone else’s experience is wrong because it is not like ours?”   Those words sent me back to my teen and very early adult years.  A time when I would have been a person of faith who assumed that because she was different, because my “tradition” told me she was wrong, she was.

It has taken a lot of personal work to get to a place where I no longer believe that.  I now find myself in a place that I can confidently say God loves all.  Period.  No “so long as” or “if they confess.”  Created fearfully and wonderfully made, we are created to love God, and love one another.  And if we can’t do that, and if we can’t do that well, then what is the point really? Love is not pointing out what we perceive to be another’s faults.  Love is accepting the person as they are, recognizing their value and worth, and helping them to realize that in themselves as well.

So sitting and listening to Jennifer Knapp’s story, her journey that mirrored my own, even in its biggest differences, encouraged me to continue to love others, no matter the cost.   If I am going to follow a God that welcomes all, then I too have to welcome all.  I too have to believe in the full inclusion of all members in the Body of Christ.  And more than just believe in it, I feel am being called to help work for that holy goal.

At the end of Jennifer’s talk that night, she issued a challenge to everyone, “Break the silence if you have the luxury.  Ask yourself, ‘What does my silence say?’  This can be your opportunity to break the silence. I spent two years missing music and being afraid that someone would ask me (about my sexual orientation).  But wanting to avoid that conversation is disingenuous.  My calling in my life is to tell my story and share my music.  Can you break the silence?”   She was speaking to those in the Christian faith who, by not saying anything at all on the issue of homosexuality in the Church, chose a side whether they realize it or not.

So here I am.  Coming out.  I am coming out as an ally to my LGBTQ sisters and brothers.  I say here and now that no longer will I remain silent when others hurl words of hate and bigotry.  I will stand up whenever and wherever possible to let all know that they are welcome in the Church and into the arms of God.  I will work to build bridges of reconciliation, healing and justice for all those on the fringes.  And I will start by not being silent.

 

The Church

I’ve been thinking a lot about big “C” Church lately.   All of my favorite Methodists (okay, notall of them, but quite a few of them!) are in Tampa for General Conference (or GC12 as it is now commonly known on Twitter!) `I’ve been following the blogs and Facebook status updates of those who have gone to act as delegates, volunteers, witnesses and voices for this great thing we call The United Methodist Church.  For those out of the Metho-dork realm, GC12 is a convening of representatives from the majority of conferences of the UMC around the world.  It is during this time, held every four years, that the important decisions of policy, language and structure are decided for the world-wide UMC.   There are a few very important issues that are being discussed, debated and prayed over in this 10-day period.  Issues on the inclusion of the LGTBQ community, restructuring language in our Discipline to be more inclusive and divestment from companies that invest in war and oppression, to name a few.

As I read the posts of David, Mary and others, I long to be there.  I feel this strong urge to go and represent what the Church means to me.  To be a witness to the decisions made on my behalf.  To stand alongside those who have been hurt but are still hopeful for change.  Many of my friends went not as voting members, but simply (or should I say powerfully) as a voice.  A voice for those whose voices have been shut out, an advocate for inclusiveness, a witness to all that we hope for for the Church.  And I think it is incredibly brave.  There are many different voices and opinions at GC12.   And there is a lot happening in the votes this year that will redefine so much for the Church.  But what I am amazed at, is that despite so many differences, so many barriers, there is still a conversation happening.   Mary has been sharing so honestly about her conversations, even the difficult ones.  But her blog this morning made me tear up.  “It is because this place is so often so full of love that I can continue to be a United Methodist. THIS is the Connection! This is the place where we come together.”  And it gives me hope…

I have a friend from seminary, whom I still keep in loose contact with via Facebook.  A friend that, even during our seminary years, I didn’t always agree with.  I have seen posts on his page (as I am sure he has seen on mine) that have often made me wonder, “why are we still FB friends?  We have nothing in common!”   He has been actively following GC12 via Twitter and the official GC newsfeed, and then posting his views and comments on his page.  Many I have not agreed with.  But then….in the midst of a struggle happening in Tampa, a divisive issue coming to light, glaring pain and all, I read this on my friends page, “It doesn’t matter which side of the issue you are on, that type of behavior (speaking of bullying and blatant exclusiveness) is unacceptable.”  And later, “we can continue to hope for fellowship.”   And in that moment, I was so proud to be this man’s friend.  Despite our differences in theology, rhetoric, political stance, etc…..there is something deeper and stronger that connects us.  To be a part of the Church doesn’t mean we all agree all the time.  It means we love unconditionally, work for justice and peace…together.

I see this in my own church, here in Seattle.  We don’t always agree.  We aren’t always on the same page.  We come from different backgrounds, have varying passions and opinions.  But no matter our differences, there is something so common amongst us, that we cannot help but love one another.  There is something so bold, and yet so quiet, that ties us together that even when our words clash and our heads hurt from discussing and conferencing and meeting and listening…even with all that, we continue to stand unified in our love for Christ, for the Church and for one another.

In the words of Pastor Kathleen following every Sunday sermon,

“May it be so.  Amen.”

Tagged!

I was tagged by the oh so fabulous Heather and since I haven’t done one in awhile, I thought, “Hey, why not!?”    I’m not tagging anyone else, but if you want to play, leave me a comment and I’ll send you 7 questions.

1. What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

“Prioritize.” ~My Dad.  He taught me the importance of prioritizing things in my life: money, time, tasks.  I specifically remember one day in my room, complaining to him about how I just didn’t have enough time to get it all done.  (ha!  Oh to be 14 again!)  I was having to choose between two different trips that were happening at the same time and I desperately wanted to be a part of both of them.  My dad talked about how learning to prioritize at that point in my life would help me so much in the future.  Learning to really look at what I valued and choosing wisely where to place my time, money, efforts, would make a difference.  So, thanks dad!

2. What did you think you would be doing when you reached the age you are now?

Oh Lord!  I guess it depends on at what point you would have asked me?  When I was a pre-teen I thought I’d be married with a gaggle of children.  Late teens/college – I thought I would be living overseas, working with children.  Guess I’m nottoo far off that mark. 

3. What would you do tomorrow if you could do anything?

Sleep in!  Ha!  Just kidding (well, not really)  If I had the power to do something tomorrow that I can’t do now?  I would work myself out of a job.  I would rather not have to have the job I do.  I would make more housing and sustainable employment available to families.

4. If your favorite author asked you to name their next main character, what would you name them?

If Barbara Kingsolver asked me to name her next main character I might fall out!  That is a hard one.  I don’t know about a name, but I’d love to read a story written by her set in Pacific Northwest.  I love how connected her characters are to their location – how it weaves its way into her stories.  And I just love the culture of the PacNW.  A match made in heaven!

5. What is your bedtime routine?

As soon as the 11 o’clock news comes on I know its time to start my bedtime routine.  Brush my teeth, wash my face, decide what I am going to wear tomorrow (though I rarely set it out) – this includes deciding which earrings I am going to wear – that is not a gametime decision!  Then I usually check email/Facebook one last time.  Closing my laptop and turning off the TV are the sounds of bedtime that send the dogs bounding up the stairs to their beds.  I get in bed, give my back a good pop, kiss my sweet husband good night and curl up on my side.  Detailed enough?

6. What counts as comfort food at your house?

Mac n’ Cheese and ice cream.  Lately, I’ve been exploring family recipes as well – so my Papa’s bread, which is taking some time to craft.  And my great Aunt Doll’s Cheese Crispies – a Christmas Eve tradition!

7. If you inherited a billion dollars, would you still want a career?

Yes.  My passion is working with people, and I don’t think that would go away with money.  I would just probably have a career as a full-time volunteer somewhere.

8. What is the last kind thing you did for another person?

I helped a friend pick up and move some furniture yesterday.  She just got her own place after living in a community home for 3 years.  She is so proud to have a home of her own, and getting to help her move in was an honor for me.  It was neat to be part of something she has waited for for so long.

9. What is the last rude thing you have done?

Oh goodness.  Probably cut someone off in traffic.  There is a commercial here that makes fun of passive-aggressive Pacific Northwest drivers.  I’m the gal that blows past those people, too annoyed to wait for them to figure out what is going on.

10. What is the first book you recall owning?

I don’t know, but I do remember the first collection of books I remember actively seeking out and then treasuring: the Anne of Green Gables series.  Oh how I was in love with those books!  I coveted the kind of relationship Anne and Diana had.

11. How many books do you read at one time?

Usually two.  There is almost always a book that takes me like a year to read.  I just read it in between other books.  I have a problem not finishing a book, so even if I start something and don’t like it, I can’t not finish it!

My husband and I played the “We’re so lucky” game the other night.  Talking about how incredibly blessed we are: to have jobs that we love; to have each other; to have a home; a family that supports and love us…the list goes on and on.  The game was spurred from a conversation about the pending benefit cuts in our state’s budget.

Washington State is proposing massive cuts to financial aid.  They are proposing to eliminate all funding for Disability Lifeline, and to cut TANF, Food stamps, and health care. This after they have already cut those budgets twice.  Right now, an individual on Disability Lifeline receives $266 a month. Tell me, how in the world do you live on $266 a month?  Food stamps have been slashed, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) has been cut, both in the last year.  And they are facing more cuts.  That means more disabled individuals will lose their subsidized housing, when they lose their only source of income.  That means more mothers will have to choose between food and shelter.  That means more hungry people, trying to find a meal.

I work with these individuals. I work with these mothers who have fled domestic violence, and have to depend on government assistance, because, try as they might (and believe me, they try!) they cannot find a job.  I work with these individuals who have such severe physical or mental disabilities that they are incapable of earning a living wage.  I know these people by name, who depend on whatever assistance is available, just so they can live.

With these cuts, more men, women and children will be on the streets.  Right now, the average wait to get into a domestic violence shelter in King County is over a week.  The average wait to get into an emergency family shelter is 3 weeks.  Three weeks!  For an emergency shelter.  I am currently working with a mother who has 7 children.  Seven beautiful, well-behaved, smart kids who didn’t ask to be homeless.  They have been waiting for a month for a spot to open up somewhere.  Anywhere.  Their mom has been fighting, to no avail, to get on some kind of government assistance, just until she can get a job.  In the last three weeks she has applied to 22 different jobs, with only one call back.  She didn’t ask for this.  I know of a grandmother, who is caring for her two grandchildren.  The three of them live off the meager $266 from Disability Lifeline – less really, if you factor in that her subsidized housing is 30% of her income.  If she loses her check, she will losing her housing.  And then what?

Then what Washington?

I know that I am lucky.  Damn lucky.  I have been blessed with my health.  Both my husband and I have stable incomes.  And if, God forbid, something were to happen – if one of us were to fall ill, lose a job, our savings, our home – we know without a doubt any number of family members would step in.  Friends would offer us a place to stay.  Yes, we are so so lucky.

But what about those who don’t have stable family?  Those whose friends are in the same boat they are in?  Those who have lost a job, a spouse, their savings, their hope?  Where is their luck?

It makes me weep with anger.  It makes me want to scream.  It really makes me want to force those Olympian decision makers to try to live off of the scant incomes they are getting ready to cut for one month.  Hell, see if you can live off of that for one week!

And so I urge you – do what you can to effect change.  Say something.  Write a letter.  Call a representative.  Rally.  Donate food to a food bank.  Talk to your church about opening your doors at night as a shelter.  Go visit a shelter and let the people there know that someone actually gives a damn.

And remember, and be thankful every day, for your own stroke of luck, recognizing that at any moment, it too could turn.

 

Refresh Everything

In this season of giving and giving joyfully, let me offer you a way that you can give safety and peace of mind to a homeless mom.

My work place, Mary’s Place, is in the running for a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.  This is a super cool thing from Pepsi to fund good ideas that make a difference in local communities around the country.  There are different grant levels, and the top ten winners from each level, wins the grant.  Winning is based on voting.  So we are reaching out to the far corners of the earth (Hello Squatbean in Germany, Christy in Nicaragua and Aaron in Hong Kong!!) trying to drum up more votes!!

If we were to win the grant, the money would go to the Family Program, which is the area in which I work!  We are the only day center in King County that welcomes homeless moms with their children without a refrerral.  We see families who have just stepped off the Greyhound, having traveled across the country fleeing their abuser.  We see mothers who have a job, but their rental home was foreclosed on, and with only a week’s warning, found themselves living in their van.  We see grandmothers taking care of their grandchildren, when the mother is unable to do so any more.  We see these moms desperately working every day to find shelter – safe shelter – for their children.  In Washington, it can be up to a 4 week wait to get into an emergency family shelter. In the meantime, what are these families to do?  When they come in to Mary’s Place, we make sure they are fed, clothed, clean and safe.  We give them a hotel to stay in until a bed at a shelter opens up. Everyday we are seeking out new resources for shelter, clothes and diapers.  We connect these moms with DV advocates, schools and counselors.  And with a grant dedicated strictly to the Family Program, we could increase these services.

Would you please consider voting?  It is so easy.  Simply go to the Refresh site (www.refresheverything.com for those who aren’t link followers), and create a log-in.  It seriously takes less than 2 minutes.  Then search for Mary’s Place, we have the picture of the mom with the super cute baby!

(see!  SUPER cute baby)

Then vote.  You get 10 votes a day to spread out among all the good ideas, but you can only vote for each idea once a day.  So remember, vote every day. This is a popularity contest, and we’re hoping to win, so if you decide to spread out your vote, please vote just in the other grant levels!!  Then, spread the word.  The more votes from more areas around the country, the better!!

It couldn’t be easier.  Vote every day.  Help give peace of mind and saftey to a mom who so desperately needs it.

http://www.refresheverything.com/marysplaceseattle

To the Good Samaritan Tom

To the Good Samaritan Tom who was walking around tonight in the snow with his dog Billy, thank you.

Thank you for walking around with a snow shovel.  What a useful little tool.

Thank you for pushing the truck that was in front of us on that big hill safely off to the side.  He was a little scary.

Thank for then walking up to our car, and asking if we needed help.  We did.

Thank you for using your most awesome snow shovel to scrape the ice off around the tires so we could slide a little less hazardously over to the side. It was a little scary.

Thank you for helping to direct us safely into a parking spot. At least we were off the sidewalk.

Thank you for letting me pet Billy, the dog who is afraid of people in hats.  Which is unfortunate when it is snowing, because everyone is wearing hats.

But mostly, thank you for helping to keep us safe.  Your rock, Good Samaritan Tom.  You and your dog Billy.

Fall in the Pacific Northwest

Along with all the incredible, burning colors, the smells of hot cocco and fireplaces in use for the first time this season, Fall brings to Seattle visitors!  Here are a few pictures of my joyous Fall thus far!

Back in October, Kris and I drove down to Portland one day.  My aunt and uncle had flown out for the week to visit their daughter, my cousin Jamie.  I sadly didn’t get any pictures of us together.  Kris and I had a great time walking around downtown Portland.  We found an incredible bookstore that was 5 stories high and took up two city blocks.  So awesome.  It was great to see family out here.

Jamie had a break from Seminary and came up to spend it in Seattle.  I got to spend an evening with her and Will.  It was SO good to catch up with good friends!!  Jamie was our wedding photographer, and was in my mission class.   Always love spending time with her.  That makes two YAMs who have come to visit Seattle.  Only 12 more to go!

One day while I was at work, Kris got this great shot of the Olympic Mountains, overlooking the Ballard neighborhood.  The Fall in the Pacific Northwest can bring some incredibly beautiful, clear days!

 

A shot of downtown Seattle, with Mt. Rainier in the background.  Every time the mountains are out, it never ceases to catch me off guard.  I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful city!!

Kris and I took a walk around the Queen Anne neighborhood one unusually warm day.  The colors were so beautiful!

My unexpected joy this month was getting to see my beautiful cousin Mary Grace.  She and her husband Andrew had been up North visiting his brother, and were flying out of Seattle.  I got to have dinner with them and their incredibly precious 6 month old Owen.   Back at the hotel, I got to see his latest accomplishment – crawling!  I haven’t seen Mary Grace or Andrew since last Christmas, and this was a great surprise!!

 

In a couple of weeks, good friends from Kentucky, Nate and Stacy, are coming for a long weekend.  Then my mom and dad are coming out for Thanksgiving!  Fall has been a fun time so far, and I expect it to only get better!

Home Sweet Home

It has been a long road baby, but we’re finally home.

Mary’s Place has had quite the struggle in our search for a new home.  It has been an uphill battle to secure a home for the day center.  We have been championed by many, many amazingly incredible people and organizations.  For all the heartache and severe frustrations, there have been more moments of awe, more miracles than we can count, and more blessings than we imagined.  I am proud to say that out of the tears, out of the abandonment, out of the heartache, we have emerged stronger, more passionate, and more surrounded by incredible community.  At last, Marys’ Place has a home.   Two, in fact.

In 2012 Mary’s Place will be moving into the Hope Center, a project of Gethsemane Lutheran Church that is about to break ground.  The Center will house Mary’s Place/Church of Mary Magdalene, Gethsemane Community Services, Soup and Movies (a great Saturday program that offers just what their name suggests – along with a safe place to be during the day), and more affordable housing through Compass Housing Alliance.  It will be an incredible building that will offer so many levels of service to the homeless and low-income community.  We will have a long-term lease at the Hope Center, and the space is being built to cater to the needs of our day center. It is nothing short of a miracle to be welcomed into this building.

While we are waiting for this wonderful place to be built, we still had to find another temporary home.  Enter “The Miracle on Bell St.”  Through the hard and diligent work of tireless advocates, we have moved into a wonderful space in the downtown Belltown district.  This puts us back in the bus ride-free zone, closer to other service centers, and in a space all our own.  We have been welcomed in by the Belltown community, for which we are so thankful.  We have seen our supporters continue to stand beside us, and have made so many new friends in the process.  We could not be more excited to be in our new home.

It has been a long journey.  But we are finally home.

Worth sharing

I struggle with sharing stories from work in such a public arena.  (not that I have that many followers!)  But there are some stories that need to be shared. 

The Seattle Times is doing a series on homeless families entitled Invisible Families.  They started their research back in April, and spent a good bit of time at Mary’s Place talking with my director and myself.  We connected the reporter with one of our families we thought would be willing to share.  She was, and her story is incredible.  It is the struggle of so many in this city, and in this nation today. 

Please check out the story video, the story of June Lloyd and her two sons.