Warmup #1 for 2012
We are getting ready for an important meeting this Saturday, 10am at FN. We’re trying to gather as many of the “stakeholders” of our congregation as we can. We have a lot of history and a lot to discuss. Hopefully this blog serves as a way to get some ideas out there to focus us.
Each day this week, there will be a new post here to get us warmed up for Saturday, then I’ll put the notes up from the meeting so we can get more action afterwards.
The first part of the meeting this Saturday shall be a gratitude activity. We’re going to post important memories of highlights of the past few years and try to plot them in chronological order.
Help us get started. Please comment with an important memory of our congregation since you’ve been involved.
7 Years of Art Shop! What an amazing way to connect to our community and offer a place to sell and purchase fair trade, handcrafted gifts for the holidays. About 300 different artists have sold at this event (over half of which are not COH community members), and we guess that several thousand shoppers have come through our doors.
Strangely enough, our last stakeholders meeting jumps out to me. It took place not too long after the hive. We had sent off a lot of stakeholders in the process, and as such, the meeting was slimmer than perhaps we were accustomed too. I was a bit disheartened at the turnout, wondering where a lot of my brothers and sisters in the covenant were, and hoping most had real reasons for missing this call for all hands on deck and weren’t at home watching a dopey TV show and being apathetic, which is what I feared. I think I wasn’t the only one who had some fears – a lot of real talk was had that night, and we had to perhaps look at parts of ourselves that weren’t the way we wanted them to be and make some calls about what to do. I’d say it was maybe a low point but I don’t think that is true. It was a point that we needed God or else we could not move forward. And God showed up, big time, at the meeting and after and in the months to come. It was a real milestone in our journey as FN.
im thinking about the BGXs ive been too. not only has my family benefitted directly from the abundance, but ive witnessed so many people getting the goods they need to clothe / play with / read to their children. Its a mind blowingly simple and compassionate way to be the church in our place and time.
Lots of things pop in my memory from the last couple years. The astounding number of weddings and babies have been a huge blessing to us. Mariko leading playgroup on her own through its rough patch and then all the amazing parents who came alongside and keep building community with our neighbors. Vanessa kept a group of us praying early in the morning this year and God responded clearly and we keep telling the stories. At some point a few years ago we broke through the 50 participants number at the BGX’s and now we are surprised if less than 100 families come get stuff. That team loves each other and the work we do together, and the Sowell’s hard work at pushing the BGX through its weird transition year made a huge impact.
We continue to offer a safe place for A..A meetings. We started off with one meeting thats going into its 4th year and we have a second meeting going into its second year. We have done a good job allowing anonymity exist and trusting those who suffer from addiction.
I remember:
Vanessa
- Charlie in the foyer with a smile + a program
- the human chain for the Circle Thrift move and all the volunteer days there
- Joseph’s Good Friday vigils
- our gifted musicians leading us to worship better and more than I ever have before
- our space packed on First Fridays
- the stories of resurrection in our lives this past Easter PM
- anticipating and preparing for Leotah’s Place
- the hive huddles in between PM’s
- all the amazing drum “shows” (during and outside of the PMs)
- having Amiri and Helena down with us in the PM
… and so much more! Looking forward to remembering together and plotting these.
my best thought is the consistency of love and true community that has lasted despite extremely tough and trying times. The authenticity of so many people who really do care for each other and want to bring the kingdom has been tested mightily this year in many ways, and in my experience, the community of frankford and norris has stood the test and refused to quit fighting, and that is a rare group of people indeed.
One thing that sticks out to me about the past year is the Focusing and Organizing of the Kid’s Public meeting upstairs. Lauren Stichter came in and really solidified the time with the Big Kids, which I think really makes an impact on the kids and what they take from their time there. The Big Kid leaders also had a really cool meeting where we envisioned beyond the present, even into 5 to 10 years from now.
lauren stichter’s and meg lemieur’s lent art projects – specifically lauren’s dirty laundry and meg’s paper birds.
also the MLK work day where a bunch of us helped out in the renovation of the downstairs space.
Being a part of / helping to lead (with Martha and Rebekah and great women) many Mother Blessings over the last few years… seeing women make that amazing journey into motherhood, with their community celebrating them, has been so wonderful!
Also, once these new babies are born, the way people come together to support the family with meals for a couple of weeks is love in action and so helpful!
There are so many other things, but those stand out to me.
I have too many fond memories with Circle to count!
Some of my most favorite include: The process of moving F&N downstairs was absolutely beautiful. Every minute of it was so meaningful to me. We worked together as a full congregation to build the space and make it beautiful. I felt for the first time that I could give money and time to something I believe in, and I felt like I am a part of circle of hope.
After my first PM at circle of hope, (in 2008 I think?) Blew had some people over her house, and I missed the train. I had just met her that night and she invited me to stay over night so that I wouldn’t miss my next train! I remember thinking I never met people like Circle people.
The cells I have been in have been unique and amazing.
Babies!
The kids team has come a LONG way! I had to leave the team because of too many committments, but what an amazing team! There is so much structure, and each kid is so valued and loved!
I love worship team SO much! I can’t explain how much I love it. Making music for God and leading people to worship at the same time: it’s awesome
There are many more, but I need to get work done now