"the beat" is a quick look
at some of the things that have happened recently
"Green Acres"
It is common for people in our neighborhood to go by street-names (nicknames). We asked someone if people have given us a street-name. Very quickly, he came back with, "Of course! You're Green Acres!"
Atheletes in Action
Recently, a student from UK's Atheletes in Action called to say that she and some friends wanted to get involved in the city. We connected them with the 7th Street Neighborhood Center and Kids Cafe. Since then, several UK students have teamed up with the after school program and are developing mentoring relationships with the neighborhood kids.
Peeps from a Pimp (and other gifts)
We have received many gifts in return for sharing veggies from First Church. One in particular was a bit surprising. A new man had started showing up across the street, and appeared to be "working" with the "women who work." As I went to share veggies with one of our neighbors across the street, one of the women asked, "Are you giving out food?" "Well, I'm sharing food with our friends and neighbors." And I introduced myself. We exchanged names and greetings, and I offered one of the bags of veggies I was holding. When I came back down the stairs from visiting the person I had originally set out to visit, this man asked me what I thought about Peeps - those odd little marshmellow chicks? The church down the street had passed out boxes and boxes of these apparently donated Peeps. I expressed that I thought they were weird. They all laughed and agreed, but he offered me a box and said that's all he had to offer in return for the veggies. It was a very strange but treasured gift from an unexpected aquaintance.
City Prayer Walk
In September, a few of us walked through our city in prayer. It was a beautiful sunny day, and it was refreshing to see and experience the city in this light. We saw areas of joy and pain, of need and care, areas of oppression, areas of transition. It helped us know how to pray for our city in more specific ways.
Pancake Breakfasts and Front Porch Conversations
We have continued to have our pancake breakfasts every Saturday morning for anyone (family, friend, neighbor) who wants to eat breakfast with us. During nice summer mornings, we often ended up in conversation on the front porch. Sometimes there are only a handful of us. Sometimes there are 30. Lately, a lot of kids have started coming. It's been a great way to start the weekend and to have a place for people to fellowship with people they normally don't encounter in day to day life. We talk about what's gone on in the past week. Sometimes we further process what we studied the previous Wednesday in Bible study, especially in the context of the happenings of the week. Sometimes we play a game like Jenga or Taboo. Sometimes we talk about serious things. Sometimes not. But it's always good.
Podcast from The Mission Society
The Mission Bootcamp
This is our primary focus during the fall and winter months. We are two weeks into this 9-month training course, and it has been a fantastic experience. We hope to have trained 50 people by the close of our 5 year term.
The Ink Tank
YouTube Video
Shepherd's Lunch
Some FUMC members have started the Shepherd's Lunch, which happens every other month. Instead of going out to eat after church, they have a potluck with a love offering. The money goes into an account to help immediate needs of people. So far, a formerly homeless person got food and toiletries to set up his new apartment, medicine was bought for a woman who couldn't get it herself, a key was purchased for someone who was locked out of his apartment, some local kids were paid to mow the extremely overgrown yard of a woman who is disabled, and it paid for the apartment application of a friend who is mentally ill who is transitioning into independent living. Thank you to all who contribute to the Shepherd's Lunch.