NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

L'Arche Nehalem 8501 SE Stephens Portland, OR 97216
(503) 251-6901 Fax: 251-6952 e-mail: mail@larche-portland.org web site: www.larche-portland.org

NOVEMBER 2004

Our mission is to create a place to call home
for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them.

NEWS

2004 L'Arche Nehalem Tree Sale, Sat. November 27 - Sun. December 19 After our very successful tree sales last year at our traditional location at SE 82nd and Burnside and our expansion to a second lot in the Hollywood area at the Value Village parking lot at NE 44th and Hancock, we're ready to do it again. Thanks to board members Neil Evans, Matt Weisensee, and Maureen Cleary who are hard at work on making this an even more successful sale and to Doug Westberg who is busy with graphics and press releases. But with this expanded sale, which is so important to our annual fundraising, we still need you, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your church group to help as volunteers. Call the office at 503 251-6901 to sign up for volunteer slots or to talk about your ideas for recruiting volunteers.

• Joan Eads, the L'Arche U.S.A. Zone Coordinator, who also accompanies L'Arche Nehalem, will be making her annual visit Monday, November 8 through Thursday, November 11. During that time, Joan will meet with members of the daily life community in the houses, with various committees, and with other groups that support the community.
• Congratulations to Marilyn Petruzzelli and Adam Richards who each won medals for their participation in the Special Olympics regional bowling finals October 23!
• Mark your calendar to attend An Evening About Membership, Wednesday, November 10, 7:00 p.m. at Neahkahnie House, an introduction to the new L'Arche USA membership process. U.S. Zone Coordinator Joan Eads will be our guest. Come and hear how you can express your call to contribute to the life of L’Arche Nehalem in ways that fit your particular gifts and level of commitment, as well as how L'Arche in turn might enter into a supportive covenant relationship with you.
• The L'Arche Nehalem Reflection group, which started its work two years ago as a part of L'Arche's international Identity and Mission process, had its first meeting of the final part of the process and reflected on the calls we are discerning for L'Arche as we move into the future. Joanne McClarty continues to provide imaginative facilitation for the group&emdash;as well as a meeting room with a cozy fireplace in her home.

• On October 27 the assistants and leadership team spent a retreat day together to share with one another the stories of our individual spiritual journeys. The experience was one of deepening in relationship with one another. After sharing our sacred stories with one another, we reflected on how we can share the rich diversity of our personal spirituality to nurture and enrich the faith life of our community.
• Occasional Saturday Morning Coffee House: Sat. Nov. 6, 10:30 a.m., Nehalem House &emdash; Take a break&emdash;join members of the community and friends for coffee, bagels, and conversation.

• Joni Smith enjoyed spending October 22-26 with Sarah Dulaney at Sarah’s family home in Richland, Washington. During their visit Sarah’s mom invited neighbors, friends, and a teen group to meet Joni and learn about L’Arche. Thanks, Sarah and Joni, for spreading the word about life in L’Arche community!!
• November 12-14 Sarah, Anna Koza, Monica Ranaghan, Justin Wilcox, Friederike ("Freddy") Kahle and Susan Mitchell will join other assistants from our L’Arche Western US region for the annual Assistants’ Enrichment Weekend at Pilgrim Firs. Sue Mosteller will lead the weekend. Thanks to all who are helping to support life in the homes to make it possible for assistants to attend this gathering.

CELEBRATIONS Sat., Nov. 6, 10:30 a.m., Nehalem House: Coffee House Wed., Nov. 10, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Community Night: Focus on Membership Wed., Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Prayer Night

BIRTHDAYS Nov. 22: Alison Hilkiah

WISH LIST Old garbage cans for yard debris at Neahkahnie House An electric hand mixer for Nehalem House

BOARD ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS:

Board Meeting, Wednesday, November 3, 7 p.m. (Nehalem House)

Fundraising Committee, Wednesday, November 10, 7 a.m. (Marsee’s Cafe)

Executive Committee, Wednesday, November 17, 7 a.m. (Marsee’s Cafe)

"When we are disarmed and dispossessed of self, When we open our hearts to the God-Man who makes all things new then he takes away past hurts and reveals a new time where everything is possible." Athenagoras, former Patriarch of Constantinople, quoted by Jean Vanier, Letter from Trosly, April, 2004