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

APRIL 2008

Our mission is to create a place to call home

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

NEWS

Ì Thank You to Dan Barcia who has been selected to be the L’Arche Western US Region’s representative to the Zone Solidarity Commission. This group will help communities in our Zone understand and deepen our solidarity relationships with L’Arche communities in Latin America and Canada.

Ì Congratulations to former assistant Melissa Florer-Bixler and husband Jacob who are expecting their first child.

Ì Joan Mahler’s father, Warren Mahler, passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm on March 28. Please hold Joan, her mother, Eleanor, and her family in your prayers.

The Interfaith Disabilities Network of Oregon is sponsoring a conference on May 2 entitled: “Beyond the Ramp: Engaging People with Disabilities in Faith Communities.” It is for clergy, people with disabilities and their families, congregational lay leaders, and professional service providers. You can access a conference brochure with further details at http://www.jfcs-portland.org/pdf/IDNOConference_brochure0408.pdf. Please let others you think might be interested know about this great opportunity.

LIFE IN THE HOMES

H Adam Richards enjoyed a “Fantasy of Flight” outing in March to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville.

H Erin Wheeler and Marilyn Petruzzelli recently participated in a Parks & Recreation Bowling Bonanza, topped off by lunch at Chipotle restaurant.

H Many core members spent sacred time with their families over the Easter weekend. Those remaining in the community roasted a 20 lb. ham and held a feast. We’re still benefitting from the leftovers!

JOURNEYS

i April 7-11, Susan Mitchell will be attending the L’Arche Western US Regional Council in Orange County, California. She will be meeting with the other Community Leaders in our Region for sharing, planning, and mutual support in fostering relationships among our communities. A highlight will be attending L’Arche Wavecrest’s community night and seeing their newly purchased home.

i We will send 2 pairs of representatives to Seattle University for “Sharing our Hearts” April 3-5^th. This retreat is a chance to inform students about L'Arche spirituality. The three days will include prayer/reflection, a keynote lecture about L'Arche given by Father Peter Byrne of St. Ignatius Parish, classroom visits, creative social activities, a bowling adventure and a fabulous dance party. Meredith Zubel will accompany Erin Wheeler, and John Gallagher will accompany Adam Richards, who had his bag packed three weeks ago in anticipation!

HELP WANTED

@ Have you considered spending time in one of our homes as a respite volunteer? That often involves coming for dinner and then staying for the evening to support the house on a day when most assistants are away. It’s a great way to build and maintain relationships with the core members. We provide all the training you need. Neahkahnie House does not currently have any respite volunteers, and we’d love to help you get started! Contact Alison Hilkiah at Alison@larche-portland.org or call 503-251-6901.

@ It’s not only flowers that are blooming… a healthy crop of weeds has come up in our yards! We welcome your volunteer labor to help with yard work. Please call Nehalem House at 503-254-4558 or Neahkahnie at 503-251-6940 to set up a time to come.

BIRTHDAYS	ANNIVERSARIES
April 26: Ben Luginbuhl April 29: Cindy Leonard (51)	April 29, 2001: Robyn Dowell

MEETINGS

¤ Wed., April 2, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Community Council

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

¤ Wed., April 16, 7:00 a.m., Peets Coffee: Executive Committee

¤ Wed., April 23, 7:00 a.m., Peets Coffee: Finance Committee

CELEBRATIONS

Please join us if you can!

e Wed., April 9, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Celebration of solidarity with our twin L’Arche community in Queretaro, Mexico

e Wed., April 16, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night

e Wed., April 23, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Ben Luginbuhl’s Birthday

e Wed., April 30, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Robyn Dowell’s 7^th Anniversary

THANK YOU

© Joni Smith wishes to thank former assistants Justin Wilcox and Denae Overman, who sent her a Curious George coloring book.

© Thank you to Rosemary Lyons, who has blessed us with 6 years of service on our Board. She has been on the Formation and Facilities Management committees, and served a term as Board Secretary. Thank you, Rosemary, for your faithfulness and commitment. We will miss your presence as you step down, but we are grateful for all the support you have provided to L’Arche Nehalem.

When I was in Bangladesh, I learned a beautiful lesson. After I had given a conference for a group of parents and friends of people with disabilities, a man got up. He said, "I have a son, Vincent, who has a severe disability. He was a beautiful child when he was born, but at six months he had a terribly high fever which brought on convulsions. It affected his brain and his nervous system. Now, at sixteen, he has a severe mental disability. He cannot walk, or talk, or eat by himself. My wife and I suffered a lot. We prayed to God to heal our Vincent. And God answered our prayer, but not in the way that we expected. He has not healed Vincent, but he has changed our hearts. He has filled my wife and myself with joy at having a son like him." Reality is not always changed. But by a gift of God our barriers and preconceived ideas fall, and doors are opened within us.

Jean Vanier, Our Journey Home (Thanks to L’Arche Canada)

RELATED LINKS

Beyond the Ramp: Engaging People with Disabilities in Faith Communities, May 2

Conference Brochure also has contact info for IDNO (Interfaith Disabilities Network of Oregon)

TASK (Treasuring, Accepting and Supporting Kehillah), a program of Jewish Family & Child Service

(Founding Member/Sponsor of IDNO)

(Ed.: I happened on this fine organization googling IDNO)

OPTI (Oregon Parent Training and Information Center)

Their website includes a fine Calendar of non-OrPTI events

L'Arche USA Zone rolls out brand new website!

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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