Communities are defined by their stories. So when a community is being formed, you always look for those moments that will become milestones discussed with a warm smile many years down the road. Sunday, June 29th was a story day for The Porch, and even though really huge things didn't necessarily happen we came away with stories that we will all share.
Speaking of milestones and stories, God's timing never ceases to amuse me. You see, June 29th, 2007 was the day that we arrived in New York City, clueless and terrified. Well, maybe not terrified, but definitely apprehensive about starting something new in a place so unfamiliar. So exactly one year later, The Porch met for the fourth time, we had the largest crowd so far (maybe 75 people by conservative estimate?), and the Lord did not spare us from the rain this time.
But it was this very rain that brought us together. You see, we just bought a cheapo fold-out canopy from Rite Aid (never again!) and finally decided to set it up on Sunday as a little shelter of sorts. It served mainly as the "art table" on Sunday, where we were planning on having this great creative circle and music time. Of course, God's plans for the day were a little different than ours. After everyone feasted on burritos and dressed up in various dresses (yes you heard me correctly), a sudden torrential downpour forced all of us under the canopy. There were probably 20 of us, plus several dogs, backpacks, guitars, art supplies, you name it all crammed together in a 10-square-foot space, huddling for whatever refuge we could find. Then, as the canopy leaked all over us and the rain blew in relentlessly, Mark and Puerto led us in a community sing-a-long. Guess we had the "circle time" after all!
Eventually the rain stopped and we spent the rest of the steamy day hanging out in the mud hole that was our gathering spot. It was still a glorious time - the high drag fashion show continued unabated, music rang out from time to time, and we made many new friends. We were reminded that we can make our big plans, but God still calls the shots (Proverbs 16:1). We ended up with a story about a day so colorful, wet and beautiful that it will forever be etched into our memories. And that is far more than we could have ever planned for our one year in NYC anniversary!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Thank you so much to all who have donated recently, you are helping more than you can imagine to keep a beautiful, wonderful and strange thing rolling on. If you feel inclined to donate, you can easily do so via the magic button on the right side of the screen, and please remember that "Anything Helps!" We are also looking for donors for in-kind type of stuff, as we have a growing wish-list as things start to expand.
- Wish list right now:
- Socks (NEW, mens, crew, preferably black but white is ok too)
- Gold Bond foot powder
- Dental floss and sewing needles
- First-aid type stuff, i.e. bandaids, alcohol swabs, antifungal and antibacterial cream, etc
- Large, sturdy waterproof backpacks, like hiker type. We always seem to run into people whose packs have been lost or stolen
- FOOD! If you are in the NYC area, and you and/or your church or other organization are interested in serving meals, we are looking right now for groups who can commit to 1 Sunday a month.
- Legal assistance. Anyone with familiarity on New York state Religious Corporations law?
- A rent-free building on the LES (ha ha ha right? But hey, it's a wish list! Actually, we're perfectly ok with not having a building, and we don't even really want one right now. Just trying to think ahead, cuz it be cold in the winter here brutha)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
June 15th at The Porch
Father's Day at The Porch was a lovely thing. It's always nice to get through your second week, because anyone can do something once. We had a good group, not as many as last week since we weren't at Tompkins, but more of a community vibe that is already starting to form. Some highlights from the day:
- Much meat was grilled on the ghetto-fabulous barbeque.
- The First Annual Porch wiffle ball tournament went off in classic fashion. Team Failure pulled off an unlikely last-inning comeback to win 6-5 over Team Haggard.
- Luke continued his relentless water soaking of nearly everyone involved.
- God parted the East River, which allowed us to pass on dry ground across to Greenpoint. Ok, maybe not, but he did stop a torrential downpour at the fervent prayers of Kelly and Luke, allowing us to grill in peace and not in a swamp.
Oh yes and of greatest importance, we (as a community) decided that we will have our Sunday meal/gatherings at East River Park instead of Tompkins, from now on. It's a little mellower at East River, and gives us a chance to relax comfortably without the constant insanity of TSP. So from here on out: The Porch, Sundays at 1 pm, East River Park by the 6th Street footbridge. Hear it, know it, love it.
- Much meat was grilled on the ghetto-fabulous barbeque.
- The First Annual Porch wiffle ball tournament went off in classic fashion. Team Failure pulled off an unlikely last-inning comeback to win 6-5 over Team Haggard.
- Luke continued his relentless water soaking of nearly everyone involved.
- God parted the East River, which allowed us to pass on dry ground across to Greenpoint. Ok, maybe not, but he did stop a torrential downpour at the fervent prayers of Kelly and Luke, allowing us to grill in peace and not in a swamp.
Oh yes and of greatest importance, we (as a community) decided that we will have our Sunday meal/gatherings at East River Park instead of Tompkins, from now on. It's a little mellower at East River, and gives us a chance to relax comfortably without the constant insanity of TSP. So from here on out: The Porch, Sundays at 1 pm, East River Park by the 6th Street footbridge. Hear it, know it, love it.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Porch
June 8, 2008, exactly one year ago (thanks to the leap year), we piled into our car and waved goodbye to the hardest place I’ve ever had to leave. That Friday afternoon came way too quickly for me. The year of planning for the move had not prepared me for the blow I took as I watched my friends and house disappear in the side view mirror. I spent the next several months mourning my losses but all the while God was revealing to us what was so obviously being prepared for us before our arrival to the city.
141 NYC was only a few months old and Brian and I were already feeling a tug on our hearts to begin the church. We kept dismissing the idea because we didn’t feel ready. We were struggling to find people to give socks to, let alone invite to church. Our opposition came to a halt when we literally bumped into Chris and Shannon from Portland. As soon as we told them about our opposition and struggles with meeting people they took us to a part of Tompkins park that we never new existed. We were introduced to many people as the Pastors who are starting up a church in the park, and so it began.
I felt unprepared and had no idea what a church for our friends were to look like. Grueling over the logistics for the next week a friend of mine called me out of the blue with a word from God. While praying for me she heard the word “porch”. She had no idea what it meant, only knowing me for a short while she decided to call me anyway. As soon as she said the word it all made sense to me. Back in Portland two summers ago we were blessed by a woman named Shannon and her family. They opened their porch to the community every Sunday afternoon, which brought those who live in houses and those who don’t, together. With no inhibitions we played music, sang, shared stories, and ate the food that Trader Joes donated to the church. It was clear, the soul of Shannon’s porch, (and Ken’s balcony) is what we have to capture.
On June 8, 2007 I left all of this and more with the hope and faith that God would replace my losses and restore my heart. While Portland is irreplaceable, exactly one year later I felt it beneath me. I found encouragement as it stood firm as my pillar of strength. On our way to our first church gathering Brian said to me, “Didn’t we leave Portland the same time last year?” I couldn’t remember the date but as I looked out the window of our train and saw the city before me, I smiled at the thought. Remembering the side view mirror and of crying all the way to Salem I thought, “how cool would that be if today were the same day?” (I later went home and in my notes found that that it was in fact June 8th.) My nervousness grew as we pulled into our 8th Street stop. I took Luke’s hand, a deep breath, and stepped into what would be one of the most joyful days of my life.
We walked towards Tompkins park and my mind kept going to a plan B. “What if no one shows? We’ll just rush the food home and eat it for the next week.” With it being 96 degrees out and knowing that the crew went to Coney Island the day before, I had my doubts. But as soon as I caught a glimpse of the benches I saw Chris and Shannon and about 25 of their friends. They had woken up on the beach that morning and braved the traffic and still made it to the park before us.
The set up team consisted of Brian and Chris walking over to the pizzeria while friends of Chris’s would randomly drop off drinks and food. When they got back Chris gave the welcome by saying, “Come and get it!” Brian and I provided the hospitality by serving the food and shortly after a little old Italian lady came over and performed a drama skit. “Why do you live like this?” she asked. “Your bodies are ruined by tattoos, your mothers are crying because of you!” She proceeded to point her finger at an amazing person who two days ago was resuscitated from an overdose and say, “I don’t like your life!” At this point the sermon was given and a few words were shared between the Pharisee and myself. I asked her if she believed in God, she said yes. I asked her if she knew about Jesus, she said yes. I continued to explain to her that the Jesus we believe in would be sitting with us if he were here today, not pointing his finger. She grew angrier by the minute. Chris asked her, “what happens to those who cast the first stone?” She became outraged and decided to sit on the benches across from us and scowl for the next hour.
A great discussion followed where we talked about why people hate the homeless. Shannon and Meg then lead us into worship as they sang and played guitar. Luke continued on with the water gun wars and the rest of us played with Shannon’s rats and rolled the tobacco that Chris brought, throwing them at people’s heads. Throughout the day there were about 50 people who came through. Some sat and talked with us about God, others about music, or life. Some sat and said nothing at all. Our time in the park was magical. A breeze would cool us when the heat became unbearable and the cops didn’t hassle us once. I felt the Holy spirit leading the day with the Soul of the Porch Jam and the Grace of God. Even the angry words of a pharisee lead to a wonderful conversation. It was an amazing and beautiful beginning to a church that will teach us more about life and God.
(A special thanks to Ken Loyd, Home PDX, Chris, and Shannon for making this day happen, and to Vivian for reminding me that God is in control, and to everyone else that has been a part of our journey!)
-Kelly
141 NYC was only a few months old and Brian and I were already feeling a tug on our hearts to begin the church. We kept dismissing the idea because we didn’t feel ready. We were struggling to find people to give socks to, let alone invite to church. Our opposition came to a halt when we literally bumped into Chris and Shannon from Portland. As soon as we told them about our opposition and struggles with meeting people they took us to a part of Tompkins park that we never new existed. We were introduced to many people as the Pastors who are starting up a church in the park, and so it began.
I felt unprepared and had no idea what a church for our friends were to look like. Grueling over the logistics for the next week a friend of mine called me out of the blue with a word from God. While praying for me she heard the word “porch”. She had no idea what it meant, only knowing me for a short while she decided to call me anyway. As soon as she said the word it all made sense to me. Back in Portland two summers ago we were blessed by a woman named Shannon and her family. They opened their porch to the community every Sunday afternoon, which brought those who live in houses and those who don’t, together. With no inhibitions we played music, sang, shared stories, and ate the food that Trader Joes donated to the church. It was clear, the soul of Shannon’s porch, (and Ken’s balcony) is what we have to capture.
On June 8, 2007 I left all of this and more with the hope and faith that God would replace my losses and restore my heart. While Portland is irreplaceable, exactly one year later I felt it beneath me. I found encouragement as it stood firm as my pillar of strength. On our way to our first church gathering Brian said to me, “Didn’t we leave Portland the same time last year?” I couldn’t remember the date but as I looked out the window of our train and saw the city before me, I smiled at the thought. Remembering the side view mirror and of crying all the way to Salem I thought, “how cool would that be if today were the same day?” (I later went home and in my notes found that that it was in fact June 8th.) My nervousness grew as we pulled into our 8th Street stop. I took Luke’s hand, a deep breath, and stepped into what would be one of the most joyful days of my life.
We walked towards Tompkins park and my mind kept going to a plan B. “What if no one shows? We’ll just rush the food home and eat it for the next week.” With it being 96 degrees out and knowing that the crew went to Coney Island the day before, I had my doubts. But as soon as I caught a glimpse of the benches I saw Chris and Shannon and about 25 of their friends. They had woken up on the beach that morning and braved the traffic and still made it to the park before us.
The set up team consisted of Brian and Chris walking over to the pizzeria while friends of Chris’s would randomly drop off drinks and food. When they got back Chris gave the welcome by saying, “Come and get it!” Brian and I provided the hospitality by serving the food and shortly after a little old Italian lady came over and performed a drama skit. “Why do you live like this?” she asked. “Your bodies are ruined by tattoos, your mothers are crying because of you!” She proceeded to point her finger at an amazing person who two days ago was resuscitated from an overdose and say, “I don’t like your life!” At this point the sermon was given and a few words were shared between the Pharisee and myself. I asked her if she believed in God, she said yes. I asked her if she knew about Jesus, she said yes. I continued to explain to her that the Jesus we believe in would be sitting with us if he were here today, not pointing his finger. She grew angrier by the minute. Chris asked her, “what happens to those who cast the first stone?” She became outraged and decided to sit on the benches across from us and scowl for the next hour.
A great discussion followed where we talked about why people hate the homeless. Shannon and Meg then lead us into worship as they sang and played guitar. Luke continued on with the water gun wars and the rest of us played with Shannon’s rats and rolled the tobacco that Chris brought, throwing them at people’s heads. Throughout the day there were about 50 people who came through. Some sat and talked with us about God, others about music, or life. Some sat and said nothing at all. Our time in the park was magical. A breeze would cool us when the heat became unbearable and the cops didn’t hassle us once. I felt the Holy spirit leading the day with the Soul of the Porch Jam and the Grace of God. Even the angry words of a pharisee lead to a wonderful conversation. It was an amazing and beautiful beginning to a church that will teach us more about life and God.
(A special thanks to Ken Loyd, Home PDX, Chris, and Shannon for making this day happen, and to Vivian for reminding me that God is in control, and to everyone else that has been a part of our journey!)
-Kelly
Monday, June 9, 2008
Porch First Sunday Photo Bonanza!!!
Here's some pics from Sunday:
Our friendly neighborhood Pharisee lady!!!
Our friendly neighborhood Pharisee lady!!!
Viva The Porch!!
I am happy to break the relatively lengthy silence of this blog with some news - The Porch has begun! So now, the question that you are most likely asking is: "What in the heck is the Porch? Why do you guys feel it necessary to keep naming things differently? What is the meaning of life?" Well, I intend to answer all the above questions, except for the meaning of life, which you can figure out on your own.
It's really a long story, and Kelly is preparing a fabulous post that will describe our crazy journey of the last several weeks with the eloquence that only she can provide. In the meanwhile - I'll give you the "bullet points version:"
- A few weeks ago we randomly met up with our dear friends Chris and Shannon from Portland while walking around the Lower East Side. Hilarity ensued, along with plans to start a church - right NOW - in Tompkins Square Park. How's that for fast-forward on the whole planning thing?
- After several intense, midnight-oil burning meetings (or not) a plan was devised for the birthing of this as-of-that-moment-unnamed church gathering.
- This past Sunday, June 8th (interesting 1 year to the day from when we left Portland) we arrived at Tompkins, 1pm, to a crowd of about 25-30 of our beautiful new friends, waiting for church in the park. Over the course of the next 3-4 hours we fed about 50 people, made a lot of new friends, heard some great music, played with water, got harassed by a lovely Pharasical woman, got not-harrassed by the cops, had many deep and many shallow conversations, nearly melted in the sweltering pre-summer record NYC heat wave, and generally made much merriment. Next week we're gonna have a barbeque down at the East River Park and play wiffleball. Waddya think of that?
- Oh yeah, The Porch. Well I'll let Kelly explain that too, since it was her idea. But everyone seems to be down with it, so that's the name, for now - The Porch. So just to clear things up:
- 141 NYC is the name of the non-profit/ outreach
- The Porch is the "church in the park"
- Tortuga House is where we live in deep south Brooklyn. Come over some time, sit on the floor, and meet our kitty who is not female, as we suspected.
Well that about sums it up for now, and helps to clear my conscience about not updating the blog enough. Have a wonderful day, because wherever you are right now, it's probably not as hot as NYC is today.
It's really a long story, and Kelly is preparing a fabulous post that will describe our crazy journey of the last several weeks with the eloquence that only she can provide. In the meanwhile - I'll give you the "bullet points version:"
- A few weeks ago we randomly met up with our dear friends Chris and Shannon from Portland while walking around the Lower East Side. Hilarity ensued, along with plans to start a church - right NOW - in Tompkins Square Park. How's that for fast-forward on the whole planning thing?
- After several intense, midnight-oil burning meetings (or not) a plan was devised for the birthing of this as-of-that-moment-unnamed church gathering.
- This past Sunday, June 8th (interesting 1 year to the day from when we left Portland) we arrived at Tompkins, 1pm, to a crowd of about 25-30 of our beautiful new friends, waiting for church in the park. Over the course of the next 3-4 hours we fed about 50 people, made a lot of new friends, heard some great music, played with water, got harassed by a lovely Pharasical woman, got not-harrassed by the cops, had many deep and many shallow conversations, nearly melted in the sweltering pre-summer record NYC heat wave, and generally made much merriment. Next week we're gonna have a barbeque down at the East River Park and play wiffleball. Waddya think of that?
- Oh yeah, The Porch. Well I'll let Kelly explain that too, since it was her idea. But everyone seems to be down with it, so that's the name, for now - The Porch. So just to clear things up:
- 141 NYC is the name of the non-profit/ outreach
- The Porch is the "church in the park"
- Tortuga House is where we live in deep south Brooklyn. Come over some time, sit on the floor, and meet our kitty who is not female, as we suspected.
Well that about sums it up for now, and helps to clear my conscience about not updating the blog enough. Have a wonderful day, because wherever you are right now, it's probably not as hot as NYC is today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
