Nehalem Newspage August 2004

NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

L'Arche Nehalem 8501 SE Stephens Portland, OR 97216
(503) 251-6901 Fax: 251-6952 e-mail: mail@larche-portland.org web site: www.larche-portland.org

AUGUST 2004

Our mission is to create a place to call home
for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them.

NEWS

You are invited to a Creativity Workshop given by Sr. Mary Bertoli, snjm, in which core folks, assistants, and anyone who wishes to join in will be experiencing the art of Tissue Paper Collage. No prior art training is necessary, just an openness to tapping into your creative spirit! The workshop will be at Neahkahnie House on Saturday, August 21 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Please call 251-6901 or 251-6940 and let us know you are coming so we can be sure to have enough supplies for everyone.
The community rejoiced in a visit from former summer assistant (1998-2000) Kelly Hebert last month. Kelly was injured in a car accident in September of 2001 that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down. She is now living in Phoenix with her family. She had brunch and dinner at Neahkahnie House with her mom and was lovingly received by core members and assistants who appreciate her strong and wonderful spirit. Thanks for coming, Kelly!
The community will welcome Anna Koza as a new assistant at the end of August. Anna grew up in Portland and just finished a year with City Year, an Americorps program in New Hampshire. She brings us experience living in community and a creative, energetic spirit. Welcome, Anna!

LIFE IN THE HOMES

Deborah Warren, who has been an assistant at Nehalem House for the past year, will be transitioning to Seattle at the end of this month, where she will begin a Master’s in Social Work program at University of Washington. We are all grateful for Deborah’s presence and energy with us this year and will miss her very much! We will be giving her a blessing and send-off Wednesday, August 25, 7:00 p.m. at Nehalem House&endash;please join us!
We are also very grateful for the presence of Tam Ha, our University of Portland summer volunteer, who has spent the past two months at Nehalem House. Tam will be carrying her L’Arche experience with her as she begins her sophomore year in Biology at U of P this fall. Thanks and blessings, Tam! Visit us often!

Prayer Night

Wed., August 11, 7:00 p.m.

Nehalem House

JOURNEYS

The whole caboodle from Nehalem House, plus Justin Wilcox, Robyn Dowell, and Cindy Leonard had a fun-filled vacation to Tacoma in mid-July. They experienced a day trip exploring Seattle, where Joni Smith was crowned with the largest and most elaborate balloon hat ever. Jeff Deeks caught a fish at the Washington Rainbow Festival, which included such attractions as a fire truck "cherry-picker" basket folks could ride in, games, hot dogs, skydivers, and, much to Cindy and Robyn’s delight, an Elvis impersonator! (We’re sure Dean [Willett] was there in spirit!) The whole gang also enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the home of the Warren family, Deborah’s parents. Thanks go to the L’Arche Tacoma community for their hospitality, the Warren family, and to Denae Overman, who organized the vacation.
While the rest of the crew was in Tacoma, Lisa Ciranny and Ben Miller traveled to the Oregon Coast for the Micah Retreat. This is the second year they have attended together. Rodney Gabriel and Dan and Amy Barcia also took a day trip to Mt. Hood, which was Rodney’s vote for a vacation destination. After a morning spent walking around the Timberline Lodge area and watching the "skippies"¹ snowboard, they had a leisurely lunch and enjoyed the drive home. ¹Rodney’s word for "kids."

CELEBRATIONS

Wed., Aug. 4, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Mary Ann’s second anniversary at L’Arche Nehalem

Wed., Aug. 11, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Prayer Night

Sat., Aug. 21, 1:00-3:30 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Art Workshop with Sr. Mary Bertoli, snjm

Wed., Aug. 25, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Deborah’s farewell and missioning

BIRTHDAYS

ANNIVERSARIES

Aug. 19: Matt Weisensee

Aug. 5: Mary Ann Ramey (2002)

Pat Boose joined the Board (2001)

WISH LIST

Supply cabinet for the office (perhaps a large plastic chest like you see at office stores with
different-sized transparent or translucent drawers, or a metal stand-up storage cabinet with lots of shelves?)

Each one of us is called to be competent; we are all called to make real efforts to grow humanly and spiritually and to serve others. That requires humility, openness and a desire to listen to others. To be together to serve the good of all, not to prove that we are superior.

Jean Vanier, Letter from Trosly, April 2003

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