I sent this letter out yesterday, talking about the Peace Property I mentioned a few posts ago.
Well, I received a phone call today with the Mennonite Conference’s response. In the board’s confusing lingo, this is what they said: “The board was energized by your proposal and saw great promise in it. At the board meeting July 10, 2010 the PNMC board decided to focus on your proposal in moving forward…” In summary, the Mennonites have accepted our proposal! Yea!
As stated in the proposal, the property, for the present, will still be owned by the Mennonite Conference until we are able to purchase it. What the PNMC has decided is that they would set up a “task force” group to assist us in establishing the management and in making this proposal become reality. I am very enthusiastic about this because it means that I don’t have to do all the “heavy lifting” myself. I’ll have experienced and sympathetic persons helping us establish the property as a base for peace and ministry in East Multnomah County.
They have also told us that Bethel may meet on Sunday mornings beginning in August and at the same time Anawim may begin opening up a day shelter two more days a week. Other parts of the proposal—the peace center, the community options and the winter shelter—will follow along in a timely fashion.
For those of you who have offered finances to assist us—thank you! You, along with all those who sent letters, were essential in making the vision seem realistic. If you made a financial pledge, we ask that you begin sending in that money beginning in August, and then each month after that, in accord with your pledge.
And if there are individuals or congregations who have been considering assisting us financially, we could still use your help! Whether a one time gift or monthly support, we could use whatever help you can offer to assist us in maintaining the property as well as paying for the property as a whole.
Also, in order to open up more times as a day shelter, we will need more volunteers, so any local folks who would like to help us out with that, please let us know!
There’s a lot of details yet to work out, and I will be sending more updates as necessary. This is only the first step completed in a long process!
Thank you all for your prayers and support! This was very much a team effort and every single prayer was necessary! Thank You Father for Your grace toward the poor and the immigrants, the hungry and the homeless, the beaten and the faint of heart! May we use Your gifts with faithfulness!
Showing posts with label Peace Mennonite Church Property. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peace Mennonite Church Property. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Radical Changes in Anawim
I sent out a letter requesting pledges for finances so that Anawim might obtain management over the Peace Mennonite property. One of the churches we sent the letter to asked for more information about our financial accountability. This is my response:
The fact is, up until this point, Anawim has only received less than 10,000 a year. With this budget, plus "in-kind" donations, we have been able to maintain three places of worship/meals and a community house. Now, with this new opportunity, should the Lord provide it for us, it will no longer be a "family budget" ministry, with minimal financial accountability, but a larger income. With this in mind, we are meeting with an accountant tomorrow to try to set up guidelines for financial accountability, and to set up our books in a proper way, which has not been necessary before.
If you have any recommendations of what you think we ought to have for financial accountability, please let us know. We have not, up to this point, been "money people". We've been collecting donations and getting them out the door as quickly as possible-- housing, feeding and spiritually feeding people with all of our energy. And while not cutting back on any of our ministry, we plan to add more ministry in. For this we need not only finances, but we need counsel to help us provide balance to our finances, our volunteers and our ministry growth. Any help you could give us would be welcome.
The fact is, up until this point, Anawim has only received less than 10,000 a year. With this budget, plus "in-kind" donations, we have been able to maintain three places of worship/meals and a community house. Now, with this new opportunity, should the Lord provide it for us, it will no longer be a "family budget" ministry, with minimal financial accountability, but a larger income. With this in mind, we are meeting with an accountant tomorrow to try to set up guidelines for financial accountability, and to set up our books in a proper way, which has not been necessary before.
If you have any recommendations of what you think we ought to have for financial accountability, please let us know. We have not, up to this point, been "money people". We've been collecting donations and getting them out the door as quickly as possible-- housing, feeding and spiritually feeding people with all of our energy. And while not cutting back on any of our ministry, we plan to add more ministry in. For this we need not only finances, but we need counsel to help us provide balance to our finances, our volunteers and our ministry growth. Any help you could give us would be welcome.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
An Opportunity For Peace
This is a letter I sent out to many supporters of Anawim and community leaders in Portland.
,Anawim Christian Community
June 9, 2010
The Need of Rockwood
Rockwood is the north neighborhood of Gresham, and it is in desperate need. It has the highest crime rate in Oregon, and it has dragged Gresham to be called the most violent city in Oregon. There is gang activity, a large amount of thefts, a high rape rate and shootings are common.
In the East Multnomah County in general, homelessness has risen. In Gresham, there are approximately 300 homeless folks, when only 15 years ago there were about a hundred. These homeless folks are not, for the most part, people who have transitioned in. Rather, these are folks who were raised in Gresham, fell into bad times and stayed there, even though services for them are few, and they have not exactly been welcomed by the community.
Location, Location
One of the half dozen churches offering services for the homeless in Gresham is in the midst of Rockwood. Just about a mile away from the central crime area, nestled between low income and middle-income areas, stands the building of Peace Mennonite. It is known in the neighborhood by the large Red Barn in the midst of its 2 ½ acres. Peace tried to connect to the middle-income folks, but most of those who went to church attended the large drive in churches in Gresham and Boring. Peace’s congregation lost their energy and closed in May, 2010.
However, Anawim Christian Community, a community church for the poor and homeless still meets in that building, still serving the needy in East Multnomah County.
A Vision
There is the possibility of Anawim obtaining the former property of Peace Mennonite Church. The Mennonite Conference makes the decision as to who manages the use of the property. Anawim has a vision, not only for their own congregation, but for the community of Rockwood. First of all, we would make the property available for community use. We would have a produce drop off for the community and open the large area of soil for community gardens. We would establish a peace center, which would help educate and train people in non-violent ways of dealing with conflict. We would have a number of different ethnic churches, as well as a new congregation especially formed to target the needs of Rockwood.
We would also be able to assist the needs of the homeless-- needs that aren’t currently met. In cooperation with other churches, we can open up a day shelter for them three days a week, which would allow them a place to be outside of community eyes, to get a shower, to meet some basic needs and even to find some work. In the winter, with other church partners, we would be able to open up a small overnight shelter for singles, which would be the first of its kind in East County. And we would continue to provide a unique worship opportunity for the homeless.
Making The Vision Happen
This vision is only an opportunity. The Mennonite Conference still has to give us permission to manage the property. However, there are two ways you might be able to help us.
1. We need to show that we can financially support the property. That will cost approximately 2500 dollars a month that we don’t have right now. If we could obtain pledges from churches or organizations as to what they might be willing to give us to see this vision come to pass, we can assure the Mennonite Conference that we would be able to maintain the property and utilities for the usage we want to see happen.
2. We would like to obtain letters from community partners stating that they support this vision. If you live or minister in the Rockwood/Gresham area and would like to see a community center established for the well-being of the community, please send us a letter in support of this vision.
Thank you for your support. If there is anyone else whom you think might want to support this project, please pass this letter on to them as well.
Steve Kimes
Pastor of Anawim Christian Community
3733 N Williams
Portland, OR 97227
503-888-4453
stevekimes@aol.com
,Anawim Christian Community
June 9, 2010
The Need of Rockwood
Rockwood is the north neighborhood of Gresham, and it is in desperate need. It has the highest crime rate in Oregon, and it has dragged Gresham to be called the most violent city in Oregon. There is gang activity, a large amount of thefts, a high rape rate and shootings are common.
In the East Multnomah County in general, homelessness has risen. In Gresham, there are approximately 300 homeless folks, when only 15 years ago there were about a hundred. These homeless folks are not, for the most part, people who have transitioned in. Rather, these are folks who were raised in Gresham, fell into bad times and stayed there, even though services for them are few, and they have not exactly been welcomed by the community.
Location, Location
One of the half dozen churches offering services for the homeless in Gresham is in the midst of Rockwood. Just about a mile away from the central crime area, nestled between low income and middle-income areas, stands the building of Peace Mennonite. It is known in the neighborhood by the large Red Barn in the midst of its 2 ½ acres. Peace tried to connect to the middle-income folks, but most of those who went to church attended the large drive in churches in Gresham and Boring. Peace’s congregation lost their energy and closed in May, 2010.
However, Anawim Christian Community, a community church for the poor and homeless still meets in that building, still serving the needy in East Multnomah County.
A Vision
There is the possibility of Anawim obtaining the former property of Peace Mennonite Church. The Mennonite Conference makes the decision as to who manages the use of the property. Anawim has a vision, not only for their own congregation, but for the community of Rockwood. First of all, we would make the property available for community use. We would have a produce drop off for the community and open the large area of soil for community gardens. We would establish a peace center, which would help educate and train people in non-violent ways of dealing with conflict. We would have a number of different ethnic churches, as well as a new congregation especially formed to target the needs of Rockwood.
We would also be able to assist the needs of the homeless-- needs that aren’t currently met. In cooperation with other churches, we can open up a day shelter for them three days a week, which would allow them a place to be outside of community eyes, to get a shower, to meet some basic needs and even to find some work. In the winter, with other church partners, we would be able to open up a small overnight shelter for singles, which would be the first of its kind in East County. And we would continue to provide a unique worship opportunity for the homeless.
Making The Vision Happen
This vision is only an opportunity. The Mennonite Conference still has to give us permission to manage the property. However, there are two ways you might be able to help us.
1. We need to show that we can financially support the property. That will cost approximately 2500 dollars a month that we don’t have right now. If we could obtain pledges from churches or organizations as to what they might be willing to give us to see this vision come to pass, we can assure the Mennonite Conference that we would be able to maintain the property and utilities for the usage we want to see happen.
2. We would like to obtain letters from community partners stating that they support this vision. If you live or minister in the Rockwood/Gresham area and would like to see a community center established for the well-being of the community, please send us a letter in support of this vision.
Thank you for your support. If there is anyone else whom you think might want to support this project, please pass this letter on to them as well.
Steve Kimes
Pastor of Anawim Christian Community
3733 N Williams
Portland, OR 97227
503-888-4453
stevekimes@aol.com
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