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

JANUARY 2006

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

Our 2005 Christmas Tree Sale was a success! Thanks to all our wonderful Christmas Tree volunteers! Without you, there is no Christmas Tree Sale! Special thanks go to the businesses, groups, and organizations who helped make our sale possible:
Safeway Tuff Shed L'Arche Nehalem Board of Directors Value Village Hands On Portland volunteers	Central Catholic High School students Jesuit novices Holy Redeemer Parish Confirmation Group Imago Dei youth group Umpqua Bank employees

Tree lots: 2 Sale days: 17 Total hours open: 240 Volunteer shifts filled: 80 Volunteers: 175+ Volunteer hours: 830+ Trees sold: 950+ Net Proceeds: $19,000+ !!

CORE MEMBER NEWS

• Joni Smith celebrated her 50^th birthday in December! Many friends and family members joined to express their good wishes and appreciation for the gift of Joni’s life!
• New core member Erin Wheeler is forming relationships with the core members and assistants in her new home at Nehalem House and is enthusiastic about participating in community life. • Adam Richards hardly missed a day at the tree sale. He was a great welcoming presence for customers. • Marilyn Petruzzelli and Joni Smith enjoyed Christmas brunch with the Susan Mitchell and the Holy Names sisters at Genesis House. • On Christmas day, Rodney Gabriel was treated to a movie outing with former assistants Justin Wilcox and Denae Overman, who then joined the community for Christmas dinner. • Ben Miller, Robyn Dowell, and Cindy Leonard all enjoyed time with their families during the holidays.

 

LIFE IN THE HOMES

• Diane Dunham, who has been a UP summer volunteer, live-in assistant, and paid respite person over the past five and a half years will become Community Coordinator with Amy Barcia in January.
• Thanks to Debbie Noonan, who came in October to be an assistant at Neahkahnie House. During her three month probationary period she has discerned that the assistant role is not a match for her. She is grateful for her time in our community, and we appreciate her generosity and courage in following her heart. She will be leaving in mid January. Former assistant Justin Wilcox, will be returning to Neahkhanie House to replace her. 
• Seton Orscheln has been our half-time Community Coordinator since October. She has discerned that she is not able to devote the time that is needed for her Master’s Program and continue on in this role. In January she is transitioning to a ten hours a month consultant role. She will help with assistant formation and support of spiritual life in the homes.

 

JOURNEYS

• January 16-22, Dan and Amy Barcia will be attending a L’Arche Covenant Retreat with long-term L’Arche members from communities throughout the US and Cananda. Keep them in your prayers as they discern their vocation as a married couple. 
• Susan Mitchell will be attending the L’Arche USA Community Leaders’ retreat January 21-27

• Sat., Jan. 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Volunteer Appreciation Open House
• Wed., Jan. 18, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Anniversary Celebration for Annie Orscheln (one year) and Susan Mitchell (16 years)
• Wed., Jan. 25, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night

• Monday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m., Nehalem House: Fund Development Plan Task Force
• Wed., Jan. 11, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Community Council