<![if !vml]><![endif]>   NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

FEBRUARY 2005

Our mission is to create a place to call home

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

NEWS

Changes…Changes…And More Changes!!

L‚Arche Nehalem can attest to the reality that change is the only constant in life.  We are finding many opportunities to be grateful--for those who have shared themselves with us and are moving on, and for the new life that comes from welcoming people to share in our mission:

<![if !supportLists]>à   <![endif]><![if !vml]><![endif]>Friederike (Freddy) Kahle, who has volunteered three days a week since September as part of her degree in social work, is returning to Germany February 5 to complete her program.  In February, Tam Ha, last summer‚s University of Portland summer volunteer, will help out several hours a week in our homes as part of UP‚s year-round Volunteer Service program.

<![if !supportLists]>à   <![endif]>Former assistant Alison (O‚Neal) Hilkiah, who returned to provide paid respite help for us, has become the Financial Aid Advisor for the Adult Learning Program at Warner Pacific Univ.  She is being replaced by Annie Orscheln, who recently moved to Portland and has had experience helping out at L‚Arche Seattle.

<![if !supportLists]>à   <![endif]>Sarah Dulaney completes her second year as an assistant at the end of February, and will leave to pursue her passion for dance and her goal of becoming a physical therapist.  Ben Luginbuhl, who recently graduated from Goshen College, Indiana, arrives February 1.  He will overlap Sarah for a month in order to be integrated into the Nehalem House team when she leaves.

<![if !supportLists]>à   <![endif]>Mary Ann Ramey completes her role as our Community Leader at the end of February.  She will attend the International Identity and Mission Reflection Group meeting in Belgium and then begin as Community Leader for the L‚Arche Mobile, Alabama, community April 1.  Susan Mitchell, snjm, will become Acting Director for L‚Arche Nehalem March 1 and will be a candidate in the discernment process for L‚Arche Nehalem‚s Community Leader for the next four years.

LIFE IN THE HOMES

Community members have been involved in many enriching experiences:

<![if !supportLists]>H    <![endif]>Adam Richards and Marilyn Petruzzelli have resumed their participation in Portland Parks and Rec‚s Wednesday bowling program. 

<![if !supportLists]>H    <![endif]>In early January, Lisa Ciranny and Robyn Dowell traveled to Orange County, California, to represent L‚Arche Nehalem at the Open House for our region‚s newest L‚Arche community, Wavecrest.

<![if !supportLists]>H    <![endif]>Anna Koza‚s parents, Frank and Donna, recently hosted the members of Nehalem House for Sunday Brunch in their home after the Sunday Mass at Holy Redeemer.

<![if !supportLists]>H    <![endif]>Rodney Gabriel made a big move January 31 from ElderPlace Gresham to the Laurelhurst ElderPlace site.  For Rodney (and the Neahkahnie House team), this means building a whole new set of relationships with people in his life:  day program, transportation, medical care.  Rodney is a great model of entering into new experiences with a sense of positive anticipation!

JOURNEYS

February is a full month for members of L‚Arche Nehalem to participate in L‚Arche-sponsored events:

<![if !supportLists]>F  <![endif]>Dan Barcia will attend the inter-zone retreat in Honduras February 8-18.  Representatives of L‚Arche communities in the US and Canada will join members from the Southern Zone (Honduras, Mexico, Santa Domingo, Brazil).  Dan will be a great connection with our sister communities in the South.

<![if !supportLists]>F  <![endif]>Susan Mitchell will be in Montreal February 8-18 as part of the team facilitating the L‚Arche Leadership Development Program for members of L‚Arche communities in the US and Canada.

<![if !supportLists]>F  <![endif]>Ben Miller, Joni Smith, Denae Overman, and Justin Wilcox will be attending the L‚Arche Western U.S. Regional Core Member Retreat, February 11-13.  

<![if !supportLists]>F  <![endif]>Mary Ann Ramey continues as chair for the L‚Arche U.S. National Reflecting Group meeting in the third and final year of L‚Arche‚s Identity and Mission process.  Joanne McClarty will facilitate.

---

---

<![if !vml]><![endif]>FEBRUARY BOARD CALENDAR                                                                                     

9                 Executive Committee               7:00 a.m.             Marsee Bakery

10              Fundraising Committee          7:00 a.m.             Marsee Bakery

24              Finance Committee                  7:00 a.m.             Marsee Bakery

24              Formation Committee             12:15 p.m.           Phone conference

---

CELEBRATIONS

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Wed. Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Volunteer Appreciation Party

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Sat. Feb. 5, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Thank You to Alison

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Tues. Feb. 8, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Fat Tuesday Dance Party for Sarah‚s Birthday

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Wed. Feb. 9, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Prayer Night

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Wed. Feb. 16, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Party for Rodney‚s and Amy Barcia‚s Anniversaries

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Sat. Feb. 19, 11:00 a.m., Nehalem House: Brunch to bless and mission Mary Ann

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Sun. Feb. 20, Swimming Party for Justin‚s Birthday--call Neahkahnie House (251-6940) for info

<![if !supportLists]>U     <![endif]>Wed. Feb. 23, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Missioning & Blessing for Sarah

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>