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

MAY 2007

Our mission is to create a place to call home

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

NEWS

Ì L’Arche USA Celebrates 10 Years

Representatives from the 15 US L’Arche communities gathered in Federal Way, Washington, for a week in April to strengthen relationships, network, and celebrate L’Arche USA’s 10th anniversary.

Seven members of L’Arche Nehalem participated. Zone Coordinator Joan Mahler and Assistant Zone Coordinator Clarissa Schoenberg had primary responsibility for planning and coordinating the week. The first day, our own Amy Barcia and Rev. David Perry met with those members who help facilitate spiritual life in their communities. These spiritual animators developed goals for nurturing and deepening spirituality in our communities and across the L’Arche USA Zone.

L’Arche Nehalem Board President Jerry Deas, Community Leader Susan Mitchell, and L’Arche USA board member Kate Marshall participated in the three-day General Assembly gathering that followed. A highlight was L’Arche International Coordinator Christine McGrievy’s sharing about how L’Arche communities around the world (134 communities in 35 countries) are meeting the challenges in very diverse cultures to support people with developmental disabilities taking their rightful place in society.

Mark Your Calendars

May 17, Thurs., 6-8 p.m., home of Monica Ranaghan: SPRING SOCIAL Consider yourself invited! RSVP to 503-251-6901.

June 30, Sat., 5:30-9:30 p.m., University of Portland: 20TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE Assistants and core members from the other communities in the Western U.S. Region will be with us. Please join us—it promises to be a very festive evening!

August 11, Sat, 6:00 p.m., place TBA: JAZZ FOR PEACE BENEFIT CONCERT Advance discount tickets available for $50/pair (save $20) while 100 tickets last—first come, first served! Every ticket benefits L’Arche! To purchase your tickets for this world-class event, call Doug at 503-251-6901, or click

LIFE IN THE HOMES

H Welcome to Karin Thomsen, our new part-time respite person at Nehalem House. She lives just a few houses up the street.

H We’ll also be welcoming Anne Richards, our UP summer volunteer who will be at Neahkahnie House from May 11 through early July.

H Gardening Help Needed!

It’s Spring weeding time again! Contact Susan (susan@larche-portland.org or 503-251-6901) if you have time to help weed the flower beds in our yards at Nehalem House and Neahkahnie House.

BIRTHDAYS	ANNIVERSARIES
May 8: RoseMary Lyons May 15: Clarissa Schoenberg	May 1: Dan Barcia (7 years) May 3: Doug Westberg (8 years) May 13, 2000: Dean Willett’s death May 31: Joni Smith (20 years) June 1: Cindy Leonard (20 years)

CELEBRATIONS

^{Please join us if you can!}

U Wed., May 9, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night

U Thurs., May 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m., home of Monica Ranaghan: Spring Social

U Wed., May 23, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Dan Barcia’s 7^th Anniversary

U Wed., May 30, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Joni Smith’s and Cindy Leonard’s 20^th Anniversaries

MEETINGS

¤ Thurs., May 10, 7:00 a.m., Marsee Bakery: Board Formation Committee

¤ Wed., May 16, 7:00 a.m., Marsee Bakery: Board Executive Committee

¤ Wed., May 16, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Community Council

¤ Fri-Sun., May 18-20, Dumas Bay Conference Center, Federal Way, Washington: L’Arche US Western Region Board Formation Weekend

¤ Wed., May 23, 7:00 a.m., Marsee Bakery: Board Finance Committee

WISH LIST

ü Wheelbarrow

ü Bicycle

ü Use of vacation home or cabin

People with developmental disabilities are so spontaneous and true! Their thirst for friendship, love, and communion leaves no one indifferent: either you harden your heart to their cry and reject them, or you open your heart and enter into a relationship built on trust, simple, tender gestures, and few words. Hidden in those who are powerless is a mysterious power: they attract and awaken the heart.

^{Jean Vanier, An Ark For The Poor}

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/

POSTAGE RATES GO UP MAY 14^TH!

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.

^{back to top} |^{back to archives}