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

JULY 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 L’Arche Nehalem is 21 years old! Whether you’ve been a member for over two decades or are a new friend, you are an important part of our community and its living history. Come celebrate our Anniversary on Saturday, July 19th from 2-3:30 pm at Nehalem House (107 SE 86^th). We’ll have ice cream sundaes and tell stories about Nehalem’s past and present.

Ì The big event for everyone in our homes in June was the Regional Gathering in Tacoma, Washington. All 5 L’Arche communities in our Western US Region converged for our annual reunion weekend of celebrating and sharing with each other. This year our special guest was Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche, an incredible person and an inspiring speaker. It was delightful to celebrate his 80th birthday with him on his final visit to North America. He looks forward to beginning a less active season of his life. We are grateful that our entire board of directors was able to attend the gathering. It was a very enriching time of deepening in the mission of L’Arche.

Ì Carol Miller, Cindy Leonard’s grandmother, died on June 8 after a long period of failing health. Carol was a long-time supporter of L’Arche Nehalem and shared in our community celebrations. We extend our prayerful support to Cindy and her family.

Ì Please pray for friend and past board member Kate Marshall’s father, Tom, who passed away June 30.  His wife and all of his children were able to be with him the night before, praying, singing, and telling stories.  Kate says that “It could not have been any better.  We felt blest and graced by God’s presence.”

Ì We’re also asked to pray for the community of The Arch (L’Arche Clinton, Iowa).  A former core member, Gary Johnson, passed away June 28.  His brother, Kenny Johnson, is also a core member at The Arch.

LIFE IN THE HOMES

H Cindy is on vacation with her mom the first week of July.

H Robyn Dowell is sporting a bright green cast on her right arm after taking a spill last month. Many friends have signed her cast, most notably Jean Vanier!

H House Swap--We will be hosting members of the Seattle L’Arche Community at Nehalem House July 20^th to the 24^th, while seven of us folks from L’Arche Nehalem vacation in Seattle and stay in one of the L’Arche homes there.

CELEBRATIONS

Please join us if you can!

e Wed., July 9, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night

e Sat., July 19, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Nehalem House: L’Arche Nehalem 21^st Anniversary Ice Cream Social

e Wed., July 30, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Rodney Gabriel’s 78^th Birthday

BIRTHDAYS	ANNIVERSARIES
July 16: Adam Richards (35) July 26: Erin Wheeler (26) July 27: Rodney Gabriel (78)	July 1: Marilyn Petruzzelli (6 yrs.) July 2006: Dave Heard joined the Board. July 2007: Joe Condon joined the Board.

MEETINGS

¤Thurs., July 17, 7:00 a.m., Cadillac Café: Executive Committee

¤Wed., July 30, 7:00 a.m., Peet’s Coffee: Finance Committee

THANK YOU!

© We appreciate the high school volunteers who came to both houses as part of their Portland Plunge experience in June. They learned about L’Arche and worked hard to clean our homes and yards. Thanks to Sarah Atwood of JOIN who placed the students with us.

WISH LIST

ó Our gratitude and prayers go out to Brandi Crawford, who has decided to return to Salem to be near her family. As a result, we have space to welcome another Live-in Assistant. Please get in touch with Susan Mitchell at 503-251-6901 if you know anyone who might be interested in exploring this possibility.

ó We’re looking for someone to sew some curtains for two bedrooms at Nehalem House. Please contact Susan for details (503-251-6901).

ó We need to replace our community flex car which is becoming high-maintenance, and we’re looking for a donated car. Our ideal car would be a compact, 4-door, automatic transmission, in good condition. Your donation would be fully tax deductible, as allowed by law.

ó We are always looking for spaces for assistants to use on their days away: a room, an apartment, a vacation home, anything you might have to offer. Please contact the office at 503-251-6901 with leads on any of the above.

We give dignity to each other by the way we listen to each other, in a spirit of trust and of dying to oneself so that the other may live, grow and give.

Jean Vanier, From Brokenness to Community (thanks to L’Arche Canada)

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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