NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

L’Arche Nehalem, 435 SE 85^th Ave., Portland, OR 97216

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

MARCH 2008

Our mission is to create a place to call home

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

NEWS

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

There are many ways to observe this month… You could start by having conversations with friends, co-workers, and neighbors about your involvement with L’Arche! Notice people with disabilities as you are out in public spaces and say hello. Pick up a book by Jean Vanier or Henri Nouwen to renew your own awareness. Be creative!

Ì Thank you to Clarissa Schoenberg, who is leaving her role as Assistant Zone Coordinator. She has been serving L’Arche for over 15 years, first as a Nehalem board member, then as Nehalem’s Director, and up to the present in her work for the L’Arche USA Zone. Clarissa, we are so grateful for the many ways you have shared your gifts with us! Many blessings on the next season of your life!

Ì Marilyn Petruzzelli has been hired as a research assistant for a study being conducted at PSU by board member Katie McDonald. She is helping with the design of the study and loves the work.

LIFE IN THE HOMES

H All of the assistants were able to spend time deepening in relationship and envisioning their future work together at a Team Retreat Day in February. Heartfelt thanks to Amy Barcia for designing the reflection time, cooking a delicious meal for the assistants to enjoy, and supporting the Neahkahnie core members while the assistants were away.

BIRTHDAYS March 1: Dan Barcia

ANNIVERSARIES March 2000: Jerry Deas joined the Board

HELP WANTED

@ We are grateful to those who have made their homes available in the past to assistants who desire time to rest away from our houses. We are again looking for space for assistants to use on their days away… a room, an apartment, a vacation home, or anything else you might have to offer.

@ Have you noticed the signs of spring? It’s that time of year when we welcome your volunteer labor in our yards and gardens! If gardening is your hobby, please call Nehalem House at 503-254-4558 or Neahkahnie at 503-251-6940 to set up a time to come.

@ We have a need for Substitute Caregivers who are able to work in our community on an as-needed basis, usually only 10-20 hours a month. If you are interested in being paid for spending some time with our core members, or if you know anyone who might be attracted to our mission and who is available especially on Mondays, please contact Alison Hilkiah at the office (503-251-6901).

JOURNEYS

i Ben Miller and Joni Smith enjoyed participating in a Core Member Retreat Feb. 19-21, supported by former assistant/current Regional Coordinator Patty McNally, current assistant Meredith Zubel, and Community Life Coordinator Alison Hilkiah. They joined members of other L’Arche communities from our Western US Region at The Palisades in Federal Way, Washington, a retreat center that is beautifully located and very accessible. The enriching activities were based on the theme “Taste and See (and hear and smell and touch) the Goodness of the Lord.” The retreat was a delight to the senses, including a meditation on chocolate!

i The Tacoma L’Arche community has once again invited us to send an assistant/core member pair to the Trappist Abbey in Lafayette, to join them in their annual Lenten Retreat. Marilyn and Tamara Yates are traveling to the Abbey March 3-6th.

CELEBRATIONS

^{Please join us if you can!}

e Wed., March 5, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Root beer floats and Hawaiian music to celebrate Amy Barcia’s birthday

e Wed., March 19, 4:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night: Our annual Holy Week Foot-washing Service followed by a simple supper. We would love to have you join us for this special ceremony. Please let us know you’re coming so we can plan enough food for the meal.

MEETINGS

¤ The Community Council will meet Wednesday, March 12th at 7:00 pm. Please pray for God’s dream for L’Arche Nehalem to unfold and for God’s spirit to guide us as we meet.

¤ Wed., March 26, 7:00 a.m.: Finance Committee

¤ Wed., March 27, 7:00 a.m., Grand Central: Executive Committee

¤ Mon., April 7, 11:00 a.m., Park Avenue Café: Board Formation Committee

THANK YOU

© Thank you to Kathlese and David Mastroieni and their family for bringing dinner and spending the evening at Nehalem House. Thank you also to Fran Smith, Pat McConnell and John Phillips for dinners you provided in the last month.

© Thank you to faithful respite volunteers Kate Marshall, MaryLou Betzing, and Melissa and Jacob Florer-Bixler for your presence at Nehalem House.

WISH LIST

ü Bike lock

ü Computer. Call Doug in the office (503-251-6901) for specs.

The two pillars of L’Arche are the poor, with whom we want to share our lives, and God, who alone can transform and heal our hearts.

Jean Vanier, An Ark For The Poor

RELATED LINKS

Henri Nouwen Society

Jean Vanier Books at Amazon.com

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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