Unpacking Housing Privilege
This is an insightful and dynamic piece that can help folks grow in their understanding of what housing (or lack thereof) means on a day to day basis in America.
Unpacking_Housing_Privilege[1]
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Summer Employment with the Community Ministry
Community Ministry Jobs Available! Seattle Mennonite is seeking to fill three positions for 4 months, beginning June 1, 2012. One position is a 1/2 time sabbatical coverage position and the other two are 1/4 time hosting positions at a day center for people experiencing homelessness. Please send resume and letter of interest to Ken Kraybill at ken
kraybill
gmailcom kenkraybillgmailcom
for consideration by April 13th, 2012. Please indicate which position(s) you are applying for.
JOB DESCRIPTION #1 – WE ARE SEEKING TO HIRE 2 HOSTS
God’s Li’l Acre Host
Seattle Mennonite Church
Preamble: In June 2008, Seattle Mennonite Church opened a drop-in center as an expansion of its support to persons experiencing homelessness. The center was named God’s L’i’l Acre (GLA) by the community of outside neighbors in Lake City (a neighborhood of Seattle). Activities at GLA include: personal storage, community kitchen, clothing depot, laundry, showers, phone, mail distribution, internet, resources, referral and companionship. The number of guests who visit GLA range from 50-60 people. Guests generally range in age from 35-60 years, who are typically single male from a variety of backgrounds. Many guests could be described as chronically homeless with numerous challenges that make it difficult to find housing and employment. Although challenges may include disability, anger management, experiences of abuse, broken relationships, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental illnesses; volunteers and staff at GLA seek to affirm the creativity, resiliency, generosity, skills, assets and giftedness of each person. The center becomes a place of peace and respite amidst the chaos of peoples lives. In the dynamic of comings and goings of people, the staff of volunteers, interns and community ministers are witness to many experiences of grace. The center practices modalities of person-centred, trauma-informed companionship with persons experiencing homelessness.
Purpose:
The vision of this position is to collaborate with persons experiencing homelessness in developing a holistic and hospitable drop-in center with a high degree of community (guests) ownership and responsibility.
Timing:
June 1, 2012 – September 30th, 2012 – 9 hours per week
Tasks:
- Offering hospitality and companionship to guests at GLA (a morning drop-in center)
- Affirming strengths in individuals as pertains to physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual growth
- Taking initiative in collaboratively/communicating with interns/volunteers/volunteer groups who support GLA
- Monitoring schedule for hygiene services (showers/laundry) at GLA
- Encouraging guest’s ownership of space by identifying tasks and maintenance projects for guests to work on (weeding community gardens, emptying fridges, organizing clothing depot, etc.)
- As people are free to cook their meals at the facility, they are also encouraged to clean-up after themselves
- Ensuring clean-up of center upon closing at noon by encouraging guests to take on tasks
- Referring guests to resources (keeping in mind that the community can resource each other) to address needs of housing, employment and benefits as necessary
- De-escalating conflict and following outlined procedures in addressing serious incidents
- Invite community members to share their gifts and talents whenever possible with one another and the program at GLA.
- Following health and safety procedures at GLA
Expectations:
The Host will be asked to:
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before drop-in is open and keep a regular schedule
- Have regularly scheduled meetings with the Community Minister.
- Maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with local residents and people experiencing homelessness.
- Engage people in ways that model companionship, asset building, and principles of conflict resolution
- Develop a keen awareness of group dynamics and the needs of people in order to respond in the midst of suffering
- Find patience and be flexible in the midst of chaos
Recommended Reading:
- Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, by Craig Rennebohm 2008
- Beyond Homelessness, Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement, by Steven Bouma-Prediger and Brian J. Walsh 2008
- The Twenty Piece Shuffle, Why the poor and rich need each other, by Greg Paul 2008
- Assessing Health, Promoting Wellness, by Ken Kraybill and Sharon Morrison 2007
- Restoring At-Risk Communities, Edited by John M. Perkins 1995
- The Other Side of Sin, by Andrew Sung Park and Susan L. Nelson 2001
- Reading the Bible with the Damned, Bob Ekblad 2005
- Trauma Stewardship, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky 2007
- PATH Guide: Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented Care
JOB DESCRIPTION #2 – SABBATICAL COVERAGE FOR COMMUNITY MINISTER POSITION
Community Minister Sabbatical Coverage Plan 2012
The Community Minister role with Seattle Mennonite Church has two essential areas of emphasis. Firstly, the coordination and participation in offering direct service initiatives with people experiencing homelessness. Secondly, facilitating neighborhood involvement, collaboration and support in addressing homelessness in the Lake City Neighborhood. The task of the Community Minister will be to maintain and support ongoing initiatives in collaboration with persons already invested and energized for the ministry.
Job Description for Sabbatical Coverage
Dates: June 1, 2012 – Sept. 30th, 2012, 17 weeks
Community Minister – Sabbatical Staffing needs
Task Responsible Person Time
Weekly
1. Lake City Task Force – liaison with neighborhood CM 2 hours
projects (shelter, safe walks, litter patrol)
2. Staff Meetings, Pastoral Team Meetings, Stand Ups CM 2 hours
3. Volunteer Coordination/God’s li’l Acre Supervision CM 12 hours
-ensure volunteers are oriented and scheduled
-ensure GLA is adequately staffed with hosts
-help community problem solve and resolve conflict
-purchase supplies (coffee, creamer, sugar), request
supplies from facilities manager.
-host at GLA
-liaison to support groups (bible study, Spa Day, Recovery Groups)
4. Accompaniment – Engaging people in relationship and CM 3 hours
helping people access services, resources, and support.
Includes administering help funds from Seattle Mennonite Church.
5. Administration/email management CM 2 hours
Monthly
1. Lake City Task Force – Develop agenda with CM 3 hours
chairperson, open church and set up space. (2nd Friday)
2. Lake City Development Council – liaison to businesses CM 1 hour
(4th Wed.)
3. MTI Dental Van – Promote schedule, secure volunteers CM 12 hours
hold/transfer dental records, host on day of service
4. Community Ministry Advisory Meetings (Just CM 3 hours
Peace Council) – Develop agenda with chair
5. Leadership Council (Spiritual Life Team) CM 3 hours
6. Write Newsletter Articles, Submit weekly CM 1 hour
announcements for Communicator
7. Community Meals – contact person for weekly meal, CM 5 hours coordinate 4th Sunday menu and serving
Based on the above list of tasks – it is recommended that a sabbatical staff person is hired to work 25-30 hours per week, for 17 weeks.
Recommended Reading:
- Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, by Craig Rennebohm 2008
- Beyond Homelessness, Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement, by Steven Bouma-Prediger and Brian J. Walsh 2008
- The Twenty Piece Shuffle, Why the poor and rich need each other, by Greg Paul 2008
- Assessing Health, Promoting Wellness, by Ken Kraybill and Sharon Morrison 2007
- Restoring At-Risk Communities, Edited by John M. Perkins 1995
- The Other Side of Sin, by Andrew Sung Park and Susan L. Nelson 2001
- Reading the Bible with the Damned, Bob Ekblad 2005
- Trauma Stewardship, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky 2007
- PATH Guide: Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented Care
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Remembering Mark ‘Scooter’ Slye
On Thursday, September 29th, 2011, family and friends gathered at Seattle Mennonite Church to remember Mark Slye. The following words were read by Mark’s cousin Teresa, in memory of Mark’s life of joy and struggle.
“Mark Otis Sly was born February 17, 1966 in Seattle, Washington, the youngest child of Otis and Sharon Enola Slye, and he died August 23 of this year after a long illness. He is survived by his sister Cindy Slye, his Aunt Christine Stempak, his cousin Donald Bruce Hart and other relatives.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary Lou Slye and his parents Sharon Enola Slye and Otis Slye. Mark spent the majority of his life in Seattle and worked at The Home Depot on Aurora Avenue for many years.
Many people in this room know that Mark did not have the easiest life, and that he made some choices in his life that he regretted. Like all of us have.
It’s been years since I last saw my cousin Mark, I don’t even want to say how many. But the funny thing about family is that they’re stamped on you. It doesn’t matter how many years go by, you don’t forget. You remember who they were as children, you know who they are. I remember being a little girl and playing together with my cousins — Mark and his sister Cindy, and my cousin Donald. Our mothers – my mother, my Aunt Chris, my Aunt Betty and my Aunt Sharon — were young and beautiful sisters with their whole lives still ahead of them. And then something happened that affected many people in this room very profoundly; something that I’m not sure they’ve completely healed from – Mark and Cindy lost their mother, Sharon, far too young. And her sisters and brothers lost not only a sibling but a close and compassionate friend.
It’s impossible to say what affect this has on a child, in this case Cindy and Mark; it’s a devastating loss. And I think about that a lot when I think of Mark. I think that whatever his choices were, he was also so strong and courageous. He didn’t have what I had, a safety net. When he made a poor choice, I don’t know if he had someone there to help him fix it. And when he made a good choice, I don’t know if there was someone there to help him celebrate it. He was for a good deal of his life, mostly alone.
I love the picture of him in the program. It is exactly how I remember him, that smile. Mark had a sweet easy smile because he had a big generous heart. He came to live with me and my family for a brief time many years ago when I was in high school. And looking back I think how weird that must have been for him. We were living two very different lives and I was much too young to really grasp or understand that. I only remember thinking how cool it was to have a cousin in my house — I was an only child and always wanted an older brother. But I was completely oblivious to whatever he might have been going through – adjusting to a move, living with different relatives, a new town, strangers. I just wanted to show him off. I wanted him to come bowling with my friends. And he did. And, again, this was at a difficult time for him, I know that now, but he went along with whatever silly thing I was doing – I was naïve. I knew nothing close to what Mark knew about the world and life. But he tolerated my naiveté and was generous and gracious, and always with that sweet smile.
I know Mark’s life was a struggle sometimes, maybe much of the time. I hope, though, that he had some moments of wild joy in his life. I hope he enjoyed companionship and love from his wife. I hope he remembered that he was part of a family and a community, he was someone. And finally, I hope now he is at peace, and I hope we remember his life and take nothing for granted in our own.
In Mark’s final days, he was grateful for the love and care of those who looked after him, especially Gary Brewer who is very involved with Seattle Mennonite Church (Community Ministry) and God’s Little Acre Sanctuary in Lake City. He was also grateful to the Pastor of Seattle Mennonite Church Jonathan Neufeld. He was thankful for the love and care he received from his Aunt Christine Stempak and his cousin and closest lifelong friend Donald Bruce Hart.
He was also thankful for the love, care and compassion he received from Health and Rehabilitation of North Seattle. They are committed to taking the best of care of their patients. Mark’s family is grateful for the staff at Providence Hospice of Seattle (his caseworker-Danielle Dibba and the Chaplain-Kerry Halligan), and all of us are grateful for all the other staff, and his friends here, who did everything they could to make Mark’s last days comfortable.”
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Seattle Mennonite Church recognized by Church Council
The Church Council of Greater Seattle was pleased to announce that the 2010 Gertrude Apel Pioneering Spirit Award for a congregation will be awarded to Seattle Mennonite Church in the Lake City area of Seattle.
Seattle Mennonite Church, pastored by the Rev. Weldon Nisly, has led the way in the work to end homelessness through its Community Ministry. The ministry’s mission is to “accompany marginalized people as they seek physical, emotional and spiritual restoration, which is the holistic hope that God desires for all people.” Led by Melanie and Jonathan Neufeld, this ministry has given hope to both homeless and housed people that we can become a true community if we break down the artificial division between housed and homeless. Consistent with their history of being a peacemaking and reconciling church, Seattle Mennonite Church has gathered a wide variety of ecumenical and interfaith partners, along with the business community, to carry out the two dimensions of social justice (direct service and social change) in a geographic area where their pioneering efforts have made a big difference.”
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SMC Community Ministry Video
SMC’s Community Ministry program was featured in a video produced by Michael Bade for Mennonite World Conference (July 2009). You can view the video at Michael’s website or on UTube.
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Warm space, and dignity, for homeless
Read about SMC’s Community Ministry in this article from Mennonite Weekly Review, written by SMC member Jonathan Hiskes.
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