NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

L’Arche Nehalem, 8501 SE Stephens, Portland, OR 97216

Office: 503-251-6901 Fax: 503-251-6952 E-mail: mail@larche-portland.org Web site: www.larche-portland.org

NOVEMBER 2006

Our mission is to create a place to call home

for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them.

NEWS

Ì Board members, staff, and friends enjoyed a day of inspiration, creativity, and togetherness Saturday, October 21, at L’Arche Nehalem’s annual Board Retreat. The day was facilitated with verve by Sr. Guadalupe Guajardo from TACS (Technical Assistance for Community Services). The gathering considered the spirituality of fundraising and the case for giving to L’Arche Nehalem. We thank Sr. Guadalupe and welcome all the great energy from all those who attended!

Ì Former assistant John Hartwell requests our prayers for a successful surgery on his shoulder which is scheduled for November 3. He'll have a lengthy recovery and will be unable to drive for several weeks. He'd appreciate a call or visit: 1311 NE Davis #4, Portland, 97232 (971-404-9948).

Ì News From The (L’Arche Western U.S.) Region. L’Arche Wavecrest in Orange County, California, is preparing to move into the new home they have recently purchased. They will be able to welcome two new core members and another assistant to live in the community. They have been renting a house since they opened their first home two years ago with three core members and two assistants.

Ì Welcome to new office assistant Mary Jones. Mary, who will be providing office support for us 10 hours a week, is also the Administrative Secretary for Ascension Parish, where our office is.

JOURNEYS

Ž Elizabeth Morrisey, Denver Velasquez and Ben Luginbuhl will travel to Pilgrim Firs Retreat Center in Port Orchard, WA, November 7-9 for the L’Arche Western Region’s annual Assistants Enrichment. The theme of the weekend will be: “What it means to be a member of L’Arche.”

We are looking for someone to live at Neahkahnie House and share community life as a supporting member. In exchange for room and board, you would be available during the night five or six times a month to assist core members and respond in case of emergency, then help them with personal hygiene, dressing, and breakfast the following morning.

You could be a student or be employed outside the community. We need someone who shares the values of L’Arche and wants to share in our mission of creating home and building relationships of mutuality with people with developmental disabilities. Please contact Susan Mitchell, snjm, Community Leader, for more information: susan@larche-portland.org , or 503-251-6901.

L’Arche Nehalem’s Board of Directors is actively seeking new people to join the Board or serve on Board committees. We need people with experience in the areas of developmental disabilities services, fundraising, outreach, financial management, human resources, property management, and spirituality. Board members attend board meetings six times a year and must be active on at least one committee. You can be on a committee without being on the Board. The Board meets on Wednesday evenings (odd-numbered months) from 7-9 p.m. Board committees meet monthly. If you would like to explore the possibility of serving on the Board or a Board committee, or if you know someone who could serve the community in this capacity, please contact Susan.

LIFE IN THE HOMES

H On separate weekends, both Neahkahnie House and Nehalem House spent a Saturday morning at the Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie’s Island. Robyn Dowell picked a huge pumpkin, while Ben Miller, Cindy Leonard, and Rodney Gabriel opted for cuter models. Nehalem House painted their pumpkins with much gusto. Stop by and see the masterpieces!

H Adam Richards recently enjoyed a visit with his family, including Pa Frank and Grandma Bobby, down from Alaska, and his brother Ryan, who lives in Astoria.

H Blessings and farewell to Neahkahnie assistant Sam Moniz. Sam will transition out of his assistant role on November 15, and embark on a train journey around the West before settling back in New Mexico. Thank you, Sam!

ANNIVERSARIES

Nov. 5: Erin Wheeler (1 year)

CELEBRATIONS

Please join us if you can!

U Wed., Nov. 8, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Blessing for Sam Moniz

U Sat., Nov. 11, 12:00 noon, Nehalem House: Potluck Lunch and 1 year anniversary celebration for Erin Wheeler. Please RSVP to Nehalem House (503-254-4558) if you can attend.

U Wed., Nov. 22, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night

THANK YOU! Y Thanks to L’Arche Seattle community member Mary Gaudette, who will be sharing her Gresham home with us once again for an Assistant Retreat Day November 29.

WISH LIST ü Microwave oven for Neahkahnie House ü Twin or double mattress/box spring set for Nehalem House

MEETINGS

¤ Fri., Nov. 10, 7:00 a.m., Marsee Bakery: Board Formation Committee

¤ Wed., Nov. 15, 7:00 a.m., Marsee Bakery: Executive Committee

¤ Wed., Nov. 15, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Community Council

To celebrate is to give thanks for the gift that God has given us in having brought us together from a place of loneliness into a place of belonging. I know that you have accepted me and I you. I know your gifts, and also your darkness. Yet I accept you, not expecting more, and not weeping because you are not exactly what I wanted you to be. So, to celebrate is to give thanks for all that you are, and all that we are together.

Jean Vanier, quoted in Spink, Kathryn: The Miracle, the Message, the Story: Jean Vanier and L'Arche; Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2006, p. 68. (Thanks to L’Arche Canada)

Did you check out the new interactive Jean Vanier quote library on our home page?

Or sign up for an inspirational daily thought or weekly story from Jean Vanier's writings via email at www.larche.ca/en/home/eletters/

Getting a paper copy? Would you like to save us a stamp and receive the Nehalem Newspage electronically? Please drop us an email at doug@larche-portland.org or call us at 503-251-6901.

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