tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45006984459835677832024-02-14T14:55:21.326-06:00Cherith Brook Catholic WorkerCherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-61233954692115050792022-10-21T10:55:00.001-05:002022-10-21T10:55:12.311-05:00Fundraising Flyer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1K2hKgpldlULdsZaUmJffXPRl97IzeFHAP3p1Ib5uwHPyu6zK0dd6ke3oz7f3oQpVItFQwkiVZCdEi4ae8ZS1QQ5NKhyx8brlLL95V5U4unEIcrlGmG-PWGKR3HSlzEmrvERXuuwahIXq60G232hAVhuSBN9Adok-uQIlmEvzIFAypyLqHvYryhU/s1800/355F277E-627B-4339-B1EC-0F646E1E0892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1K2hKgpldlULdsZaUmJffXPRl97IzeFHAP3p1Ib5uwHPyu6zK0dd6ke3oz7f3oQpVItFQwkiVZCdEi4ae8ZS1QQ5NKhyx8brlLL95V5U4unEIcrlGmG-PWGKR3HSlzEmrvERXuuwahIXq60G232hAVhuSBN9Adok-uQIlmEvzIFAypyLqHvYryhU/s320/355F277E-627B-4339-B1EC-0F646E1E0892.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitYzjaRXd1AZ3XaWwOeiTQ-8sKhwjavcTVkJpqlX1dBAC0T0gQ92swWPriZoQrQ2jAY_WLZ-NNAM84I-FETu89kIL-vobyq_rv8lyG8sIz8pfRt987OsX3w43dePkGVxTLvfQbtmzUKg8I_ihDPVTaTptMq6HsGrDcO-ocU8QI4M1N0g4lxlIObrU/s1800/AAC4BDA5-C720-43D9-94D9-54C97F890F6D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitYzjaRXd1AZ3XaWwOeiTQ-8sKhwjavcTVkJpqlX1dBAC0T0gQ92swWPriZoQrQ2jAY_WLZ-NNAM84I-FETu89kIL-vobyq_rv8lyG8sIz8pfRt987OsX3w43dePkGVxTLvfQbtmzUKg8I_ihDPVTaTptMq6HsGrDcO-ocU8QI4M1N0g4lxlIObrU/s320/AAC4BDA5-C720-43D9-94D9-54C97F890F6D.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br />Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-10006590001603039912022-10-21T10:44:00.000-05:002022-10-21T10:44:39.841-05:00We need your help!<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">Dear friends of Cherith Brook Catholic Worker,</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">This fall marks 16 years of a life of hospitality, communal living, activism, homesteading and prayer. We have tended this mustard seed and watched God grow it into a ministry of presence, a small sanctuary of peace in a hostile world. We’ve strived to create a space where people on the margins and people of privilege can, together, reclaim their humanity. “I feel like a human being again,” is one of the most common refrains when folks leave a hot shower, fresh and clean. We still believe that if we welcome people - no matter what race or creed, class, gender or sexual orientation - we will find ourselves “entertaining angels” (Hebrews 13:2). We still believe if we share all things in common, we will be united, black, brown and white together and our leadership will reflect the multiracial and multiethnic community we live in (Acts <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span dir="ltr">4:32</span></span>). We still believe that if we stand behind the marginalized in their struggles for justice, we will all experience liberation (Luke 4:18). We still believe that if we risk loving our enemies, like Jesus taught (Matthew 5:44), we will all be transformed and experience a little heaven on earth.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">We are humbled to be witnesses of these truths, and often in spite of ourselves. There is not a week goes by that I do not think of Paul’s words, “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Truly God has provided exactly what we’ve needed when we’ve needed it: Food for meals, clothing for our closet, coffee for cold mornings, water for showers, volunteers to garden or repair a fence, clean toilets, cook a meal, wash dishes, beekeep, mop the floors, transport guests to protests, sort food and clothing donations, launder clothes, clean a wound, and money to keep the lights on...the list goes on! So many community members and volunteers have graced this place. Each person has been absolutely essential to put love into practice.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">We rarely asked for money directly (I can only think of three times: Once for the downpayment on the buildings, once to pay off the loan and once for the storefront roof). During these years our only “marketing tool” has been practicing the works of mercy, experiments in gospel nonviolence, solidarity in the streets and stories of healing and wholeness that follow. Volunteers have spent countless hours finding the joy of giving their time and themselves for free.Those who have lived here have worked without a salary, living at a personal sacrifice. Now we are asking the same from you, to give joyfully, freely and at a personal sacrifice.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">So, this will be our fourth request. We need $150,000 to rehab the front of our building. Our plan is very practical: to reinstall storefront windows and doors, improve handicap access, add an awning, brick restoration and structural reinforcements. This will make Cherith Brook more welcoming, more environmentally sustainable and more beautiful!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">To date we have raised $49,350.25! We have recruited a volunteer team of architects, a construction manager and structural engineer. It is a committed group and they encourage us. We hope to raise the rest of the money by the end of winter so we can begin construction. Please help us accomplish this goal. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">Let us know if you’d like more details or have people in your sphere of influence that we should contact. We are enthusiastic to speak at group meetings, churches or organizations. Please call Eric Garbison at <span dir="ltr" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span dir="ltr">(816) 241-8047</span></span> for scheduling. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">Checks can be made to “Cherith Brook Catholic Worker” please put “storefront project” in the memo and mail to <span dir="ltr" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span dir="ltr">3308 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO. 64127</span></span>. Pay with paypal by going to your account and sending to <span dir="ltr" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span dir="ltr">cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">In Christ,</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">Ray Callahan,Tammy Brown, Jodi & Eric Garbison, Luis Lara, Christopher Stohrer & Lois Swimmer - The Elder’s Circle</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">Garrett Brown, Nick Pickrell, Rebecca Lindley, Kelly Hannerhoff - Cherith Brook Trustees.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;">Jerry Penland - project manager</div>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-31168880389726037282020-10-20T17:58:00.003-05:002020-10-20T18:01:24.827-05:00Easter 2020 Newsletter <p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 237px; overflow: hidden; width: 276px;"><img height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zxEH2eGe-LpVUXA5P1QmXLkL3E-of5YLvRVtHnTtB0iZHArjWaqhMubZSdKIgo5tOVLjQOMhGYMci21cS5yiabdvO1FhVyQyFkTbaKad8TFCg-Hes8jxnNCC4UDRmAu_H7BZd-Vj=w320-h240" style="margin-left: -21.3127px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9423fba-7fff-84c6-b647-62d550ca260a"><i style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jodi Garbison, a founder of </div><div style="text-align: center;">Cherith Brook Catholic Worker</div></i><span><a name='more'></a></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p></span><div><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fools for Christ… If Only We Were More So!</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re a fool! Sounds like an insult, right?! Can’t really think of many situations where this would be a compliment. Being foolish isn’t usually something to strive for or a goal we hope to achieve. Yet this is exactly what the Kin-dom of God is about. Our shower reflections before COVID-19 focused on the foolishness of following Christ, the foolishness of loving and living well. We have looked at scripture, books, and examples of people who have lived “foolish” lives, marked by actions that didn’t make any sense by worldly standards. The actions of people living “foolishly” have landed them in jail—for some, many years at a time. So why would anybody feel compelled to live so foolishly? What could possibly be worth the cost? </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These questions challenged us to unpack our understanding of following Christ who would rather die than compromise who He is. Christ died embracing the power of nonviolence, the power of loving your enemy, the power of serving rather than being served, the power of being last as opposed to first, the power of welcome, the power of sharing a meal together, the power of reconciliation and forgiveness, the power of standing up for someone being mistreated, the power of finding your voice of outrage against oppression, the power of solidarity. The onlooker might be tempted to say these acts are completely irrational, impractical and don’t measure up as effective means to an end. Living this way is utterly foolish when seen through the lens of our cultural catechism—the prevailing sense of entitlement, self-protection at all costs, consumption, capitalism, newer, bigger, better, more, winning, revenge, retribution. Christ’s life was considered foolish and countercultural then and now. Our call is to be no less foolish than Christ. It cost Jesus everything. Living faithfully now may be just as costly for us.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After reflections, one morning, one of our long-term volunteers met me in the basement. He said, “Ya know, many thought you and Eric were pretty foolish when you sold your house, cars, and possessions to move to a community practicing poverty. They thought it was completely foolish to quit a good-paying job that provided for your family with two young children.” He meant it in a positive way, considering the fruits of those “foolish” decisions are certainly evident at Cherith Brook. Our hospitality transforms us through humility and brings a depth and breadth of “foolish” volunteers who make this place what it is, which redefines our views of success. When I think back on that joint decision to relocate from places of privilege to places on the margins, it seems small yet significant. It’s tempting to point out the risks involved when we moved and to count the cost. However, I’m convinced that it would have cost us more NOT to answer this call to the margins. This foolishness of following a nonviolent Christ is easier for me to participate in than the foolishness of trying to convince ourselves that violence works or that wealth makes us happier or weapons of mass destruction (or a gun) make us safer. It makes much more sense in light of Christ’s teachings to embrace the foolishness of welcome and sharing than the foolishness of buying into a message of food scarcity and fear of others. I know we continue to grow in our understanding and willingness to be fools for Christ. Who would have thought that there were varying degrees of foolery?! I realize the more “foolish” I am in loving and welcoming, the more I experience the transformation of myself, others, and the world. That’s why it’s compelling and it’s worth the cost. May the cost of following Christ, even if thought to be foolish, never determine our willingness to be faithful.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span><!--more--></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Elder’s Circle- </span></b></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Reflections from Tammy Brown</span></b></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Being in the Elder’s Circle has shaped my leadership in many ways. First, it has stretched me to try things I have never experienced before, such as leading discussions at our monthly Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) meetings and learning things I need to know about poverty and systemic injustice. </span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondly, the Elder’s Circle has helped me become a better person, learning more about myself and my capabilities. This group of leaders has encouraged me to step outside of myself and reach toward others, helping me to be a role model that people can look up to and pass it on. </span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0f2c3bc1-7fff-d4c3-3022-7c9b21afc780"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 208px;"><img height="277" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7V4RacLW00evKt5qMBvpQci0ZFuAiQuFoaGOZEIUQuDLLbxBOobWkVAxTUpFcMV-3FBKW8L3hY1E-VauoMvxQDN3ICQ2t1r_lfZDrXS7qXkOmCcrvnn51w9JOVkbni_b5JsQlWz5" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -23px;" width="208" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Tammy Brown, Elder & PPC Leader </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I am learning that leadership is not an “I” but a “We”. As a “We,” united together, we can better address situations of injustice. So part of my responsibility as an Elder is to call people together.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thirdly, it has helped me be more compassionate and get involved so we can all look forward to a better future. Our work in the PPC has reminded me of my grand- parents.They used to tell me about their hardships with prejudice and injustice when I was just a young girl. Sadly, these struggles continue today. As a person of color, people look down on you. They assume things about you. I don’t know why. Being looked at as a second class citizen after whites is an injustice. By serving in the PPC, I am taking a stand with my grandparents and those who came before me, so I can make a difference for my nieces, nephews, and all those who come after me. By marching, protesting, and speaking out for our rights, I can show future generations they have a chance and they don’t have to settle for less. They can reach for their dreams if only they just fight and believe. I am realizing how important it is to speak out of my personal experience with racism and poverty. Last summer I was sent by the Missouri PPC to a leadership training in Washington D.C. hosted by the National PPC. There was a woman from a church in Oregon talking about her experience with homelessness. Hearing her made me realize I have a story too! </span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In summary, Jesus went to the poor—to the prostitutes, tax collectors, and other outcasts. He knew their struggles, just as he knows mine, and he died so we can have life more abundantly. I do this work to keep the faith, believing that one day things in this world will change. </span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> “Before COVID-19, nearly 700 people died everyday because of poverty and inequality in this country. The frontlines of this pandemic will be the poor and dispossessed—those who do not have access to healthcare, housing, water, decent wages, stable work or child care— and those who are continuing to work in this crisis, meeting our health care and other needs.” </i></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—Rev. William Barber, The Poor People’s Campaign </span></b></div><div><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-17face55-7fff-98d0-900e-dc0ffd41c254"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 156px; overflow: hidden; transform: rotate(3.14rad); width: 208px;"><img height="156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TranpGJfexJK1ModjmjsRJSXb-Kzn4061nvpxdVksanC94_8Pdq61ApsgqbUj7_KxS31dlrvnqSyef0G1GHGNWbIQArI_pp1h1KA-vHO2lqP-CMQBOWQU0MTY3ejqQzkzzq8neYh" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="208" /></span></span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 159px; overflow: hidden; width: 208px;"><img height="369" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-85eFy8z0hdmryOM6HM8QJMYcthoGWEhWWbmHSvskU4_1AbQXU9mR323x_LH9vTrsHLtt4K7PNb7CW1Dv2lEfSIf3UIKUniRKfWn0Gcc_nSEglQ2HZYuRC-44dwi5HRcUU2Vuczn" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -79px;" width="208" /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1189e51-7fff-b839-0d7b-734a8dc1beb7"></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(Image 1)—Christopher Rinkleff (left) and Rayyan Kamal (right) wearing their COVID-19 protection while serving breakfast.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(Image 2)—</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The morning crew checking out the new port-o-potty! </span></div><div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Left to right, Micah Chrisman, Darlene Julkowski, Rayyan Kamal, and Eric Garbison.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-a553b981-7fff-1bf0-4a12-539b6152fa9a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span></span></span></p><!--more--></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hospitality During COVID-19 </b></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have moved from welcoming people into the cafe in the morning for breakfast, clothing, showers, coffee, phone use, mail, etc., to handing out grab-and-go meals for about 70 people four times a week. We bring out the produce cart for folks to fill bags for days we are closed. Before, we offered 20 showers a day but now have reduced that to 10. We do this because we invite one person in at a time. We start with temp. and hand washing before someone can shop for clothes. Between each person, we disinfect the shower and let it sit for 10 minutes. This intentional, methodical cleaning regimen has certainly slowed things down, and yet we find ourselves more exhausted because we are hypervigilant in following this protocol. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have very few volunteers, knowing that our homeless friends are more vulnerable when people with resources and mobility come to Cherith Brook from various places. As a result, we are very thankful for folks rising to the occasion by making pre-made sack lunches from home and dropping off resources to share with our friends. We are also humbled and appreciative of people who gave of their finances so we can continue our hospitality! Because of you, </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we haven’t missed a beat in our welcome during this pandemic. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are just a few highlighted acts of service we were able to do with your generosity and volunteerism:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1.) Gave out $15 Price Chopper gift cards to 70 individuals and families.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2.) Rented a port-o-potty</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3.) Served hot meals along with to-go lunches. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4.) Provided COVID hygiene kits and toilet paper.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5.) Hosted mobile medical unit to treat guests.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div></span></span></div>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-76280977528365762062019-12-05T15:12:00.000-06:002019-12-05T15:18:43.568-06:00Advent/December 2019 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeAk8ZlD2mN8YnxHuP08vMVGbFZ1IK-Y3LGruT9Dac28zQRd9ZdGjWMKuzeCbvSgWkwO8DzwBd4ElVjXiydTsIcqgab_VD4BAk6ZCmFA20KLUvyeg_fSYMqrRkjMJN7hTeYeiDy3N6MI/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art illustration of elderly woman surrounded by stars" border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="500" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeAk8ZlD2mN8YnxHuP08vMVGbFZ1IK-Y3LGruT9Dac28zQRd9ZdGjWMKuzeCbvSgWkwO8DzwBd4ElVjXiydTsIcqgab_VD4BAk6ZCmFA20KLUvyeg_fSYMqrRkjMJN7hTeYeiDy3N6MI/s400/unnamed.png" title="Artwork by Brian Kavanagh" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "eb garamond" , serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com | Advent/ December 2019 | 3308 East 12th St. Kansas City, MO</span></div>
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All Is Grace<br /><i>By Eric Garbison</i></h3>
It was Fall 2017 when we asked her to live with us. Winter was coming, she was new on the streets, and we were worried she wouldn’t survive. We never expected her to say “yes”, but to our surprise, she did.<br />
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She introduced herself as “Grace” but we never figured out her real name. Even after two years of asking, sometimes pleading, she kept her story secret. At one point, I confess, it even became a kind of game: me trying to coax her into divulging her identity and her sending me on numerous rabbit trails. While we were never quite certain how to parse out fact from fiction, I suspected her stories held kernels of truth—her truth. Like mixing the pieces of two puzzles together, these stories became her new one.<br />
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We are not social workers, but we did try to get her connected to resources, taking her to the Social Security office and to appointments. If anything, Grace’s story exposes the complications of real destitution. Like most, she didn’t just “choose” to be homeless. She was not mentally and socially able to navigate life on society’s terms, so she lived it on hers.<br />
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Grace was complicated for me. At times, we would enjoy small talk around a favorite song or movie she recalled. I’d smile about the way she wrapped a T-shirt around her head or turned a sweatshirt into a skirt. She had a quirky sense of humor, giggling at her own jokes and inviting us to join her in one of her dinner concoctions.<br />
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But to come clean, by year two I was mostly impatient. Accepting Grace for herself was a challenge. On many occasions I’d struggle with my attitude. How much of her quirkiness should we put up with? Didn’t stove burners left on and doors unlocked pose a threat to all of us? Wasn’t I supposed to be better at this by now? At some point I just settled for knowing she did deserve to be safe, to be housed—to be welcomed.<br />
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Then, on one muggy day in June, Grace left… after two years of living with us. She stomped out the door, frustrated that we asked her to clean her room. She didn’t go far. We saw her around the neighborhood, occupying the steps of a nearby church or sitting in front of the fountain at the park.<br />
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She is still homeless.<br />
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If you haven’t figured it out yet, this isn’t a “success” story, at least by today’s measures, and it's not the story you usually tell in a support letter.<br />
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So why tell it?<br />
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Dorothy Day once wrote, “The older I get, the more I meet people, the more convinced I am that we must only work on ourselves, to grow in grace.”<br />
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It can be a struggle to see Christ in our neighbor or to call our efforts loving when we simply feel obligated or stuck. But at some point you know it's not a matter of fixing some problems, knowing some fact or believing a truth; it’s accepting the gift of the other, where they are and where I am. “It is most surely an exercise of faith for us to see Christ in each other,” Day writes, “but it is through such exercises that we grow and the joy of our vocation assures us we are on the right path.”<br />
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I must accept that this is how God’s love for us, and our love for God and others, works itself out in real-time. Coming on 14 years, I am still learning.<br />
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Friends, we hope that you see that the work we do is no different from the spiritual journey we are all on. It's not a grocery list of measurable successes that outweigh the failures. It's encountering people like Grace in the day to day and recognizing in it a meeting with the mystery of God’s grace.<br />
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<i>We attended a Poor People’s Campaign training on fighting white nationalism and ways to resist racism in our community . Left to right: Chris S., Leanna, Michael, Samantha, Gunther, Lydell, Chris St., Joe, Angie, Jenny, Hanna, Micah, Eric, Steven, Kate, Chris O. Leonard Zeskin (speaker), Tony, Curtis</i><br />
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Thank You!</h2>
For 14 years, your generosity has sustained us. Thank you! Donations go to the hospitality, activism, spiritual life, homestead and maintenance. While live-in members benefit from housing and food, nobody gets income and we don’t pay war taxes. We work elsewhere for personal expenses. Monthly costs include: ave. water bills $274 (20 showers a day, 6 loads of laundry, 200 cups of coffee, dishes for 70, cleaning), food & shower items, (see Needs List), homestead (seeds, straw bales, chicken feed, etc.), maintenance, vehicle expenses, and home insurance.<br />
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<span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(0, 0, 0); clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 196px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 203px;"><img alt="Graph showing Cherith's Brook budget from January to October was $59,103 and their Gifts amount was $36212" height="215.6480543702647" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HvOelotMbp6yfMZoCr9gWvFy4ZZ8_-vSGM8DkAHl0FlOLt6hyvpvfUzdRlngsBNWOAedOhrF2lzKKdMSYz5IFc8M1C-CQ0-kc5YPvJoO1cHN8jwNpEhErnYT25MJ0pwLJuaNfDny" style="margin-left: -6.7346px; margin-top: -10.3973px;" title="Cherith Brook's YTD Gifts & Expenditures" width="215.50710900473936" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-4446bebd-7fff-500e-b470-fecce6c95569"><span style="font-family: "eb garamond" , serif; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
This year’s unforeseen costs included, purchasing 2 new furnaces and central air for our cafe, replacing or repairing 3 freezers, and renovating the house kitchen. We are grateful for the two churches that helped with some project expenses! And yet, we find ourselves low on funds at year’s end. This month, we will pay property insurance, taxes, and solar panel rental. We live very simply and spend carefully, knowing that you have entrusted us with these gifts. Please, consider Cherith Brook for your monthly giving in 2020. We are thankful and look forward to the next 14 years, trusting in God’s provision.<br />
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House Notes</h2>
In last year’s Christmas letter, you read Butch Dobbins’ story. He came to live with us after his house burned. Butch has worked hard to pay off debts and buy a car. He happily shares housing with family now.<br />
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Two years ago we began hosting a group called the Elder’s Circle. How do we recognize organic leaders in our community? How do we call, nurture, and respect the gifts and skills of those personally impacted by poverty and racism? We are moved by their growth. They are building unity across divisions and breaking down power dynamics.<br />
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Twice a year we partner with the Center for Conflict Resolution to offer a class which focuses on: resolving conflict peacefully, Restorative Justice, trauma awareness, and alternatives to violence. Congrats to Michael, Samantha, Emily, Jerry, Chris, Jamie, Angie, Butch, Elston, Diana and Lois for their certificate!<br />
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In 2011 we installed a 10 kW solar panel system on the storefront. Our commitment to the environment translates into saving 2-3 trees monthly!<br />
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We’ve spent the fall reflecting on the letter to James. The main theme is summarized in 2:6, “you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?” Like Jesus’ sermon on the mount, James centers Jesus message in the call to fight poverty, embody equality, and claim our freedom in Christ.<br />
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We Are...</h2>
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A small community of welcome, living in an amazing multi-racial, multi-ethnic neighborhood in Kansas City. Though historically dis-invested, under-employed, and over-policed, we were welcomed into this Beloved Neighborhood and have encountered God’s abiding love. We hope to contribute by living an integrated life of nonviolent love modeled after Jesus and infused with the Spirit. We share food, clothes, showers, garden, and sanctuary with those who struggle materially, while they bring their gifts, skills, faith and friendship to the table. We fight for economic justice, against racism, and a militarized culture. Table- fellowship, prayer, singing, study, activism, and solidarity are important spiritual practices in our pilgrimage toward the Divine Life. We are part of the Catholic Worker movement but inspired by many other movements, prophets, saints, and holy fools.</div>
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Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-14573992686519090272019-07-01T12:00:00.001-05:002022-02-20T09:09:02.888-06:00Summer 2019 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There & Back Again<br /><i>By Micah Chrisman</i></h2>
Dorothy Day once said, “We must talk about poverty, because people insulated by their own comfort lose sight of it.” One thing is clear in the U.S., poverty, racism, militarism, ecological devastation and other critical issues are plaguing our communities whether we choose to see them or not. And since society is constantly telling us to climb the capitalistic ladder at any cost—even at the expense of the poor and disenfranchised—it’s no wonder many in our society choose to forget those who suffer and insulate themselves from the community pain on their way “up”.<br />
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My name is Micah Chrisman and I first came to Cherith Brook four years ago as a summer intern. During my time away, I worked for Communities Creating Opportunity doing antiracism and community development work, then the KCMO Health Department as their Digital Communications Coordinator. I felt God’s calling to downsize my life and resources, to live in solidarity with those on the margins and use my communication and organizing skills for advocacy, which is why I returned to Cherith Brook.<br />
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What drew me to Cherith Brook then and now is our servant leadership approaches to justice work. Rather than serve the house-less and impoverished with top down, bureaucratic strategies, we come alongside those who are suffering and find community driven pathways to build people power. For example, in June we sent nine community members directly impacted by racism and poverty as Missouri Delegates for the national Poor People’s Campaign Moral Congress summit in Washington, D.C. There, we held a 2020 presidential forum where candidates like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris had to answer direct questions from disenfranchised people across the country. They also attended workshops such as, “Organizing the Poor and Homeless”, “Disability Rights”, “Ecological devastation”, and more.<br />
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On the last day, some of the delegation were invited to a congressional hearing on Capital Hill before the Budget Committee. Our very own Lois Swimmer stood with other advocates who testified before legislators about the social inequities affecting millions across the country. They spoke of the 144 million people in the U.S. who are in poverty or are low-income. They spoke of access to untainted water, clean air, and safe, livable communities. Those closest to the issues shared their stories about racism in the workplace, low wages, voter suppression policies, lack of affordable housing and poor living conditions, as well as healthcare access and so much more. Despite living and struggling through these real life issues, they had the audacity to rally for love and justice, to use these experiences and say “No more!” With this knowledge, we plan to continue the work in leadership development and community organizing to address issues in Kansas City.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGg-7_kY0y-OVk-_a09OdLZ7kybSS1BMPyR319O7J9rERhrJrUxbAyHU-lXRlOzJg3cjL6YdGBcEXttEfpF1wAMviUdAkLAsFVH7VbXQEZsZmwba0WMW92Hhikt_q5kIXd04ItNJB2_w4/s1600/IMG_7977.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGg-7_kY0y-OVk-_a09OdLZ7kybSS1BMPyR319O7J9rERhrJrUxbAyHU-lXRlOzJg3cjL6YdGBcEXttEfpF1wAMviUdAkLAsFVH7VbXQEZsZmwba0WMW92Hhikt_q5kIXd04ItNJB2_w4/s320/IMG_7977.jpg" title="" width="240" /></a>At Cherith Brook, we believe in empowering the voices of those affected by systems of oppression. When paired with the rest of our intentional community life rhythms—like breaking bread together, offering showers to those on the streets, sharing our garden harvests with our neighbors, and praying for and listening to those who suffer from trauma—we all experience reconciliation and wholeness. Rather than insulate myself from my neighbors and their issues, Cherith Brook has shown me how to live out the Gospel of Christ by practicing exactly what He preached: radical self-transformation that produces love through community. You and I are part of that community, whether we realize it or not. This self-transformation is a lifelong journey for those of us who come from economic means, but it is the journey Christ has called us to take.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cherith Brook at Poor People's Campaign, D.C. Moral Congress event. From left to right: Marty, Micah, Christopher, Quianya, Chris S., Tammy, Dr. Rev. Liz Theoharis, Lois, Angie, and Charlotte. </span></i></div>
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House Notes<br /><i>by Eric Garbison</i></h2>
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Summertime at Cherith Brook is increasingly enchanting—junior roosters finding their voice, honey bees and soldier flies in chorus, goldfinches dining on sunflowers, native insectaries exploding with celandine poppy, bee balm, coneflowers, culver’s root, duck’s romp in the water buckets, berries that pucker your lips and pecks of plump blackberries, gentle breezes carrying fragrances of lavender, anise hyssop and white sage, garlic braids hanging in the cafe, the pungent smell of compost - all awaken one’s awareness of the Divine Presence. All is grace.<br />
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Personalism is a rich concept we often use in the Catholic Worker way and it's alive and well here. While individualism or libertarian philosophies also focus on “freedom,” personalism better mirrors the gospel claim that freedom comes in community; so we take personal responsibility for the needs of those in our sphere of life - neighbors and strangers, outsiders and enemies. And freedom in Christ does not isolate or idolize self-reliance; it weaves together the fabric of our lives.<br />
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In the Spirit of personalism many come putting their faith in action - mending old fences, unscrambling the pantry, scrambling eggs, cleaning windows, tending beehives, organizing for activism, facilitating learning, pruning pears, listening to the lonely, welcoming a stranger, cleaning fridges, sharing jokes. Perhaps this is what Pentecost means—God’s impartial love organizing us into a new social fabric. Included in this season’s good work is a major remodel of the house kitchen, replacing an aged furnace and installing two 1500 gallon water tanks for rain collection. In gratitude we continue to receive this abundance shared trust.<br />
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There is a surging new leadership among our neighbors and guests. The monthly Poor People’s Campaign meetings grow month by month, now averaging 25. And the level of commitment has matched it - “The meeting is this week, right?” “I’ll be here early to set up.” Can I get another copy of that article to reread?” “I’ve invited my friend.” Pray that we contribute to the growth of Jesus’ Freedom Church of the Poor, that “new and unsettling force” for social change. And pray that we stay the course by “deepening the leadership of those most affected by poverty, homelessess and systemic racism.” Gentrification is already bullying our community in the Northeast. Homeless in camps, out of the way and inconspicuous, are constantly harassed We already know that the city lacks significant number of units for affordable housing and that shelters are at capacity and as described by guests as chaotic, violent and degrading way to live. Why do we continue to blame the poor instead of address the causes?<br />
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Corporate developers seem to have their hands in the pot of limited resources. Just imagine what our neighborhood could do with the 17 million dollar welfare parking lot of the “Two Light” lofts, supposedly “affordable” at $1200 a pop in the entertainment district. Jesus said, when you enjoy your prime parking spot and entertain yourselves to death, “you’ve already received your comfort”. The kin-dom of Abba is for the poor, the hungry, the suffering. (Luke 6:20-26) This fight is bringing together many disparate groups in deeper solidarity.<br />
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We’ve added a Bible Study using a participatory, liberative model. It reminds us that where we read—both in our personal experiences and social context—enrich and enliven the sacred text. This fall we will explore James’ letter that claims the “high status of the poor” as “God’s chosen” in this kingdom on earth. It challenges the “low status” of the rich naming their oppressive practices. And it and speaks to us from the angles of hope and praxis.<br />
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Micah Chrisman and Kate Schulte recently moved. Micah has introduced himself above. Kate comes <br />
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to us after several years at L’Arche communities, including Chicago and Bangladesh. The charism of those communities is a joyous compliment to us, seeing in people with disabilities the gifts of joy, presence, love. Kate will be living in discernment with us in the next few months. Butch,whose house burned last October, has helped with projects, maintenance and car repair and hopes to have his own place this fall.<br />
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Diana is home for the summer and teaching at a Freedom School in Kansas City Kansas. One more month before she heads back to college. Henri always seems to wake with a smile for work, and has found a tribe among coworkers at the warehouse.<br />
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Jodi taught both ESL and GED this past spring and finds deep fulfillment. I have served on the Missouri’s Committee for the Poor People’s Campaign and nurturing leadership in the Elder’s Circle. We enjoyed a staycation knowing the summers together are becoming rarer for the Garbisons.<br />
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<b> Love and gratitude from all of us to all of you.</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-22705430895273314772018-10-18T12:21:00.000-05:002018-10-18T12:21:19.458-05:00Summer/Ordinary Time 2018 - Cherith Brook NewspaperCheck out our new Summer/Ordinary Time 2018 newspaper, out now!<br />
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The Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Newspaper for the summer of 2018. Read more for updates on our communal life, hospitality work, and efforts with the Poor People's Campaign.
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You can view our newspaper embeded below or <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/391129213/Summer-Ordinary-Time-2018-Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker" target="_blank">view and download a copy of the newspaper on a separate page by clicking here</a>.<br />
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If you're on our postal mailing list, you should recieve a paper copy soon. If you're not on our mailing list and wantus to send you a copy, <a href="https://cherithbrookcw.blogspot.com/email" target="_blank" title="Subscribe to Cherith Brook Newspaper">click here to subscribe to our mailings</a>.<br />
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<a title="View Summer/Ordinary Time 2018 - Cherith Brook Catholic Worker on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/document/391129213/Summer-Ordinary-Time-2018-Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" >Summer/Ordinary Time 2018 - Cherith Brook Catholic Worker</a> by <a title="View Cherith Brook Catholic Worker's profile on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/user/10658046/Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" >Cherith Brook Catholic Worker</a> on Scribd
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" title="Summer/Ordinary Time 2018 - Cherith Brook Catholic Worker" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/391129213/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-pXOLffyAuYKiF5lhWsp6&show_recommendations=true" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="0.8957298907646475" scrolling="no" id="doc_13033" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-19190839412931459002018-03-20T10:00:00.000-05:002018-03-20T10:00:31.586-05:00Special issue: Lent 2018/Poor People's Campaign NewspaperCheck out our special Lent 2018/Poor People's Campaign newspaper, out now!<br />
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This special issue of the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Newspaper is focused on the work of the new Poor People's Campaign. Check out what our friends and guests are hoping for with this campaign. The newspaper also features an original stamped art piece by Virginia Davis, an article by Ben Parker Sutter and a book review written by Grace Parker Sutter of <em>Always With Us</em> by Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis.<br />
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You can view our newspaper embeded below or <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/374297958/Poor-People-s-Campaign-Special-Lent-Newspaper-2018-Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker" target="_blank">view and download a copy of the newspaper on a separate page by clicking here</a>.<br />
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If you're on our postal mailing list, you should recieve a paper copy soon. If you're not on our mailing list and wantus to send you a copy, <a href="https://cherithbrookcw.blogspot.com/email" target="_blank" title="Subscribe to Cherith Brook Newspaper">click here to subscribe to our mailings</a>.
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/374297958/Poor-People-s-Campaign-Special-Lent-Newspaper-2018-Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Poor People's Campaign Special/Lent Newspaper 2018 - Cherith Brook Catholic Worker on Scribd">Poor People's Campaign Special/Lent Newspaper 2018 - Cherith Brook Catholic Worker</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/10658046/Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Cherith Brook Catholic Worker's profile on Scribd">Cherith Brook Catholic Worker</a> on Scribd
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.8807429130009775" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_52802" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/374297958/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-0epc0D6itv6xKauq3C5a&show_recommendations=true" title="Cherith Brook Catholic Worker - Summer/Advent Newspaper 2017" width="100%"></iframe>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-38220868595533034892018-03-19T10:09:00.001-05:002018-03-19T10:09:54.851-05:00Garbison Court Case Verdict: Not Guilty on All CountsIt was tempting, after the events of this year, to reconsider the expressions of hospitality offered here at Cherith Brook. We refuse to succumb to that temptation! Now, more than ever, we are committed to welcoming our friends who come each day for healthy food, clean clothes and a hot shower.<br />
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We will continue to offer this address as one folks can use. Close to 100 people use Cherith Brook as their address. Having an address is a way for our homeless friends to benefit from housing and job opportunities, medical resources, parole/court correspondence, family connections, etc. Having an address is an important part, in US systems, to prove your existence, your humanity. We will continue to offer these and other expressions of welcome that don’t compute to systems of fear and oppression.<br />
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We were overwhelmed by the support at court two weeks ago. By some counts we were at 120 and by others, we were at room capacity, 150. Thank you for your ongoing support of us personally and your concern and commitment to justice in all forms.<br />
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In the end, we were found not guilty on all counts. Even with the outcome at the trial, we knew the truth. Either way, we were not defined by the verdict of this case. Instead we hope and pray that the trial exposed and shed light on the absurdity of the actions by police—the aggression and violence toward our particular community this past year and in our neighborhood.<br />
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You journeying with us—standing with us—made the trial and the past 6 months bearable for us as a family. Your solidarity with us helped us heal. Your presence with us bore witness to the strength and hope we have for change. Let’s continue to stand up for people who do not have the resources and support yet experience this kind of treatment on a regular basis.<br />
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Thank you to Jeremy Ruzich for these taking these photos and making them available to us and to you. <br />
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<style></style>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-51903761709198311472018-02-21T14:38:00.000-06:002018-02-21T14:38:30.577-06:00Update on Garbison Court Case<p>Dear Friends,</p>
<p>On a Thursday night in May of 2017, the police converged on Cherith Brook looking for a “spotted suspect” near our house. It included about six officers with weapons drawn and circling the house. It was very dramatic and alarming. Although the officers did not find the person they were looking for, they arrested a shower friend of ours who receives his mail here and coincidentally, had prior warrants.</p>
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A similar situation played out on Thursday night, September 21, 2017. After our regular community meal in the café, Eric and Jodi were at the house playing cards and celebrating Ana’s birthday. At around 9pm, the police beat on the door. Eric stepped out the front door to where he was surrounded by three police officers on the porch and several police officers walking around the yard.</p>
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The police officers said they were looking for one of our shower friends, who they said was needed as a witness. Eric cooperated and answered all questions regarding this person. He cooperated by calmly stating that yes, we knew this person and that no, he did not live at this address.</p>
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As this was happening, Henri came home from high school robotics practice in his truck. As Henri pulled into the driveway, a cop emerged from behind the back fence. The cop approached the vehicle, pointing a flashlight and gun at Henri.</p>
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After watching from the window, Jodi came out on the porch. Things got loud and confusing. After demanding to know why the officer was detaining Henri and why they were including him in their investigation, Eric and Jodi tried to get a closer view.</p>
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Both were arrested without explanation. In the process, Jodi was slammed to the ground by an officer. The officers would not give them a clear reason for why they were being detained and arrested. They spent the next 24 hours in jail. Both were charged with two counts of resisting arrest.</p>
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We had some form of law enforcement here four times in six months in 2017. This includes officers coming into Jodi and Eric’s home through an unlocked back door without permission and searching their upstairs apartment. Not all the incidences are related, but half of them were negative. The cumulative experience has left an impression.</p>
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We are letting you know about this for a couple reasons. Besides the obvious need for support and care, this draws attention to the pattern of extreme police presence and aggressive response in our community. We know new officers are trained in the Northeast, making these situations more common and often more emotionally and physically charged than might be otherwise. We understand that this is not new to those in poor communities and communities of color.</p>
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We have lived here over 10 years and the intensity of it is new for us. It has caused us to worry more about our safety as well as the treatment of our friends and guests. As a community we have met with lawyers to advise us about our rights in these situations and to help us establish a script. We have also created new protocol for responding to different scenarios and in both public and personal spaces.</p>
<p>Eric and Jodi were not willing plead out and will be going to trial on Friday, March 2 at 1:30pm. Many of you have asked how you can help and/or offer support. We welcome anyone who could be present at court for support and witness that day.</p>
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Eric and Jodi also met with Internal Affairs to file a formal complaint on two of the incidents with the Police Department. It was a long morning of interviews that included the entire family.</p>
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We ask for special prayers for Jodi, as she has been alone in several of the recent experiences. She is still working through the experience of being slammed to the ground. Continue to pray for any in our neighborhood who have experienced this situation without the support, social collateral, and financial means to do something about it.</p>
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We have been thinking much lately of the words of French pastor, Andre Trocme, who wrote, “The duty of Christians is to resist the violence directed at our consciences with the weapons of the Spirit. We appeal to all our brothers and sisters in Christ to refuse to cooperate with violence … To love, to forgive, to show kindness to our enemies, that is our duty. But we must do our duty without conceding defeat, without servility, without cowardice."</p>
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Now that we are past the initial shock, our prayer is to move forward with this kind of conviction as we stand with resolve in God's work of hospitality.</p>
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Please continue to pray for us.</p>
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Peace,</p>
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Cherith Brook CommunityCherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-67789993267202665322017-12-18T15:06:00.000-06:002017-12-18T15:43:00.561-06:00Peace within Conflict<p><em>An Advent Reflection from Jodi Garbison</em></p>
<p>I shy away from writing opportunities even if I think I might have something to offer. I’m not sure why.</p>
<p>“I have lots of experience to draw from,” I tell myself. I’ve lived in community for 14 years. What could provide more opportunity to work through conflict than living and sharing all things in common with 10 other people? We have offered hospitality to homeless friends for 14 years. What could provide more opportunity to work through conflict than walking with people who have many unmet needs?</p>
<p>While these experiences over the years have certainly informed how I work through conflict, this Advent scripture passage offers a different perspective.</p>
<p><strong>Romans 12:12-14:</strong> <em>Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. Bless people who harass you – bless and don’t curse them.</em></p>
<p>Because of situations beyond my control, this has been one of the darker seasons of my life. Peace has felt elusive and fleeting. Peace has felt groundless and unsure. Seeking peace has felt much like trying to grasp disappearing vapor or the discouraging, fruitless efforts to remember the details of a recent dream. As I reflected on this scripture, I realized that the focus is less about where I experience <em>conflict</em> and more about where (and when) I experience <em>peace</em>. I read this passage differently this <br>year.</p>
<p>When we gather each morning for prayer, I experience peace. I experience the joy that comes in journeying with community members who pray together. Community that believes in the power of being still before God in prayer gives peace that has strong footing.</p>
<p>When we open our doors each day, I experience the presence and welcome of those—some strangers, some friends—who come to Cherith Brook for clothing, showers, and food. I experience the peace of God in contributing to the needs of God’s people. I am able to be happy in my hope, stand my ground in trouble, and remember that I am not alone.</p>
<p>In these rhythms of prayer and engaged hospitality, rather than feeling unmoored, I am grounded and held strong. This is where (and when) I experience peace in times of uncertainty, times of conflict. To combat the darkness, peace comes through offering and receiving welcome. It comes when we remember our interconnectedness. Peace comes from being happy in our hope to encounter Christ who comes in the guise of our guests. We live each day, all year, in the season of Advent—anticipating the Coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace.</p>
<p><em>Creating God, break open our hearts, so that we may be ready to welcome you, the Prince of Peace.</em></p>
<p>Amen.</p>
Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-75569227365744056652017-11-28T16:45:00.000-06:002017-11-28T16:45:12.131-06:00Summer/Advent 2017 Newspaper Hot Off the PressOur Summer/Advent 2017 issue of the Cherith Brook newspaper is out now!<br />
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This special ten year anniversary edition of the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Newspaper includes a timeline of special events and photos from 2007 to 2017. It also features an article by Eric Garbison and poems by Jared, Jennifer, and NaNa. An updated needs list is on page 7.<br />
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You can view our newspaper embeded below or <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/365777280/Cherith-Brook-Catholic-Worker-Summer-Advent-Newspaper-2017" target="_blank">view and download a copy of the newspaper on a separate page by clicking here</a>.<br />
<br />
If you're on our postal mailing list, you should recieve a paper copy soon. If you're not on our mailing list and wantus to send you a copy, <a href="https://cherithbrookcw.blogspot.com/email" target="_blank" title="Subscribe to Cherith Brook Newspaper">click here to subscribe to our mailings</a>.
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<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.8807429130009775" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_52802" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/365777280/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-2nvIzDZbBXU3BDqzXDH1&show_recommendations=true" title="Cherith Brook Catholic Worker - Summer/Advent Newspaper 2017" width="100%"></iframe>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-16467786741221282222017-06-28T08:05:00.001-05:002017-06-28T08:05:30.626-05:00We will be CLOSED for 2 weeks starting June 30th. Join us again when we reopen on July 17th!Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-39199854414559854672017-05-27T09:52:00.003-05:002017-05-27T09:52:35.514-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #434547; font-family: arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Come join PeaceWorks for their annual<b> Memorial Day walk/ride/die-in.</b></span><span style="color: #434547; font-family: arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> We do a 10-mile walk/ride from the old nuclear weapons parts plant to the new one. It's a chance to call for a world free from all nuclear weapons! Our program and die-in focuses on the many deaths related to contaminants from the making of parts for nuclear weapons at Bannister Federal Complex. We'd love to have you join us for the 10 mile walk, last mile of the walk or for the program/die-in at the end. <br />Here's a schedule of what the day will look like. Call/email with questions...<br /><br />7:45 am Park on Lydia (1 block east of Troost, just south of Bannister)<br />8 am Meet 1 block E of Lydia on Bannister<br />8:15 am Begin walk/ride<br />11 am or so Meet at Prospect and Mo. Hwy. 150, begin last mile of walk<br />Noon or so Meet at 14510 Botts Rd., north of Mo. Hwy. 150, for program and die-in. One of our speakers and die-in participants will be para-teacher Debbie Penniston, whose husband died 8 1/2 years ago from brain cancer after working decades at the old site at BFC for making parts for nuclear weapons. </span></span>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-40412363427578945142017-05-03T20:13:00.003-05:002017-05-03T20:13:37.586-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosU7xGIvTNPywgI9nwleGNutQcJNm8HocRJlxRaw2cM9OWXVwyRS8soBfQWjmS4TLfPYFNdOeEsGNMxofEXZd19xYU5VzHbR3-Q1nKFvqNn-mTUgL3G83KbdegTtvdhWi6A9XxbCvs0M/s1600/im.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosU7xGIvTNPywgI9nwleGNutQcJNm8HocRJlxRaw2cM9OWXVwyRS8soBfQWjmS4TLfPYFNdOeEsGNMxofEXZd19xYU5VzHbR3-Q1nKFvqNn-mTUgL3G83KbdegTtvdhWi6A9XxbCvs0M/s320/im.jpeg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "San Francisco", -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">In June we will be starting a book study on<i> Invisible Man. Got the Whole World Watching.</i> We'll meet Tuesdays at 11:30am for lunch and discussion. Let us know if you're interested in joining us and we will get you more details.</span>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-46838398207722828132017-04-27T20:14:00.003-05:002017-04-27T20:14:23.236-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jBqwFCC88veisnLe1NRrF5xsqkfVwCVMFP_LHlcOKlOx94UkpnTQt3GfvHWMRDn1JXrxPPAg1zy6Vjd78eiGP3isnyiA9r62HezEDsgDeMn649a9ViEbL9UN-42KibAec1tD4kgZzWU/s1600/P1010129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jBqwFCC88veisnLe1NRrF5xsqkfVwCVMFP_LHlcOKlOx94UkpnTQt3GfvHWMRDn1JXrxPPAg1zy6Vjd78eiGP3isnyiA9r62HezEDsgDeMn649a9ViEbL9UN-42KibAec1tD4kgZzWU/s320/P1010129.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">On Saturday, May 13th from 9am to 12:30pm, we will be having our monthly</span><strong style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> </strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">Second Saturday Work Day. We will put you to work sorting clothes, cooking lunch, deep cleaning, doing maintenance, gardening, ect. Afterward, we will enjoy table fellowship together. Please RSVP as soon as possible so we can plan projects. You can call </span><a href="tel:(816)%20241-8047" style="color: #5c4b29; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" value="+18162418047">(816) 241-8047</a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> or email at </span><a href="mailto:cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com" style="color: #5c4b29; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">. We are located at 3226 E. 12th St. in KCMO</span>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-25420704877623896702017-04-18T13:10:00.001-05:002017-04-18T13:10:22.186-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">"Conversations with Dorothy Day" </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Sunday 4/23 at 6pm at Cherith Brook Cafe </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">3226 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Soup and Dessert Provided</span></span></div>
Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-78287115930597355022017-03-30T14:58:00.000-05:002017-03-30T14:58:17.869-05:00Cherith Brook Newspapers Online<h4>
The 2016 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Newspapers are now Online:</h4>
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/343548328/Cherith-Brook-CW-Advent-2016" target="_blank">Cherith-Brook-CW-Advent-2016</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/343549631/Cherith-Brook-CW-Spring-2016" target="_blank">Cherith-Brook-CW-Spring-2016</a></div>
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We ALL made it!</h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">By Paul Chan</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'ChaparralPro'; font-size: 10.000000pt; font-style: italic;">Paul Chan is a regular volunteer for our Thursday night meals at Cherith Brook. His group fundraises annual to bene t CROP walk. We are fortunate to receive support
form CROP walk for the past two years. Below is Paul’s reflection on hiking the Grand Canyon on behalf of the walk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">This was a challenging hike! It was warm and sweltering at times, and then it rained on us on the way back for a total of
30 minutes. But we all held our spirits high as we supported one another throughout these last 10 miles, especially the
last 3 miles when we ascended 3000 feet in elevation on over steep switchbacks. It was dark but peaceful, with only the
repetitive sounds of our boots crunching over dirt and rocks. We made good me, arriving at the top at 1:17 am (a total
of 22 hours 14 minutes later). What an accomplishment for this group of dedicated individuals – I am so proud of how
we worked together!
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Our journey up these last 10 miles is always quiet and reflective, as we each try to preserve every breath during the steep
climb. During this me, I reflected on the fact that our walk today paled in comparison to the daily struggles of many
people in the U.S. and throughout the world. Over the past year, I have spent me at Cherith Brook in Kansas City. Cher</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">ith Brook is part of the network of Catholic Worker houses throughout the U.S. and is located in a blighted area of east </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kansas City. There, one meets
men, women, and families who
come for meals and showers.
But Cherith Brook is more than a
soup kitchen or a food pantry. It
is a place of community and fel</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">lowship, where “volunteers” and
the “homeless” can be difficult
to distinguish, as both groups
volunteer on any given day or
night to serve food, wash dishes,
and clean up after the meal or shower. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">It is a place which
recognizes the humanity and
talents of all who come together
to ‘break bread’. It is an oasis </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">in east Kansas City, with 30+ </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">fruit bearing trees and shrubs,
large vegetable gardens abutting</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> the street curb and behind
the house, multiple bee hives
and rain water tanks, and sev</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">eral dozen chickens and ducks
squeezed in a 3-home lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">My time at Cherith Brook has
made me feel more connected
with folks in Kansas City. You
see, I live in an all-white upper
middle class sec on of Kansas
City, and it is hard to know the
other side of the city without
consciously making me to do
so. But my time there is an </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">important time in my schedule every week—in fact, it is my priority outside of work and family, and my family joins
me. Three weeks ago, as I sat across the table eating dinner from a homeless man who I will call “Charles”, we shared
his joy of finally landing an affordable apartment after many months of trying. He had tears well up in his eyes as he
described how he had felt so INVISIBLE to the people all around him these past 2 years after a large unexpected medi</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">cal bill depleted his savings and uprooted him from his prior residence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Being at Cherith Brook reminds me of what is possible. Four adults live there and oversee the operation, and 2 of
them are married and have raised their children over the last 9 years while living there (their kids started there in third
grade and are now in 11th grade). The group lives “in community”, sharing earnings and resources for the greater good
of the house’s operation and meeting for communal prayers most mornings. They organize rallies, fight for a fair
minimum wage, and look for ways to promote peace and justice in the world...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><i>Read the rest of the article and much more by clicking on the links above</i> </span><br />
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Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-30692806043660697762017-03-29T21:30:00.003-05:002017-03-29T21:30:56.578-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4nCPC1qXTVUVUg4FD14Awvi9qZrBx5vIVmN4EybyuPM-vB69n7_wDut1hZ_Wdg9l0xrGp3pAQzbPVd3OzoD8H7DtglzycGoHMUxfk8W6FJlN-e8XjHMImahL2-bqtLBOU5mDIPLYfQw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4nCPC1qXTVUVUg4FD14Awvi9qZrBx5vIVmN4EybyuPM-vB69n7_wDut1hZ_Wdg9l0xrGp3pAQzbPVd3OzoD8H7DtglzycGoHMUxfk8W6FJlN-e8XjHMImahL2-bqtLBOU5mDIPLYfQw/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Sunday, April 23rd, we will be hosting a one-woman dramatic presentation of the life of Dorothy Day by Sharon Halsey-Hoover. "Conversations with Dorothy Day" depicts Dorothy stopping by to share a cup of coffee and visit with friends while she talks about her life. The setting is the present time and the "powers that be" have given Dorothy permission to be gone from the heavenly realm for a very short time. During the visit Dorothy reads from her journals, her books, and other writings as she shares the story of her conversion and the founding of the Catholic Worker. Join us in the Cherith Brook Cafe at 3226 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO at 6pm for soup and show.Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-48838689448452348322017-03-21T19:30:00.001-05:002017-03-21T19:30:08.384-05:00<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">On Saturday, April 8th from 9am to 12:30pm, we will be having our monthly</span><strong style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> </strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">Second Saturday Work Day. We will put you to work sorting clothes, cooking lunch, deep cleaning, doing maintenance, gardening, ect. Afterward, we will enjoy table fellowship together. Please RSVP as soon as possible so we can plan projects. You can call </span><a href="tel:(816)%20241-8047" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" value="+18162418047">(816) 241-8047</a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> or email at </span><a href="mailto:cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">. We are located at 3308 E. 12th St. in KCMO</span></span>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-71366963240216574652017-03-05T19:51:00.002-06:002017-03-05T19:51:15.479-06:00<span style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA5jcy7pTkUCX_mdhJPKNI-Wrni8-YSTPCcegKVgtlFYScXxXj4pLRcobYYcRe12FgL69w0SG3y5YY3GFdsjorOArMU3cI80m6H-sbMXAIUU9D_W8ph5Qhrkv3i2QvkavJ6xELqK1pvE/s1600/P1010195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA5jcy7pTkUCX_mdhJPKNI-Wrni8-YSTPCcegKVgtlFYScXxXj4pLRcobYYcRe12FgL69w0SG3y5YY3GFdsjorOArMU3cI80m6H-sbMXAIUU9D_W8ph5Qhrkv3i2QvkavJ6xELqK1pvE/s320/P1010195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">On Saturday, March 11th from 9am to 12:30pm, we will be having our monthly</span><strong style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> </strong><span style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">Second Saturday Work Day. We will put you to work sorting clothes, cooking lunch, deep cleaning, doing maintenance, gardening, ect. Afterward, we will enjoy table fellowship together. Please RSVP as soon as possible so we can plan projects. You can call </span><a href="tel:(816)%20241-8047" style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #9f590e; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank" value="+18162418047">(816) 241-8047</a><span style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> or email at </span><a href="mailto:cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com" style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #9f590e; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com</a><span style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">. We are located at 3308 E. 12th St. in KCMO. </span>Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-32449460378154439662017-02-18T18:30:00.001-06:002017-02-18T18:30:47.255-06:00<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>The SANCTUARY webinar is now at </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_340_378" role="button" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(0, 120, 215); color: #0078d7; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">201 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Parking behind on the corner of Central st. & Archibald</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Handicap parking in front</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>TOMORROW, Sunday Feb 19, 6-8PM</b></span></div>
Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-62885169031751343242017-02-10T20:13:00.003-06:002017-02-10T20:13:38.017-06:00<span style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">THE MARCH IS OVER...NOW WHAT?!</span><br /><span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_4977_5107" role="button" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(0, 120, 215); color: #0078d7; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">On </span><strong><u><span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_4977_5107" role="button" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(0, 120, 215); color: #0078d7; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">Friday, February 24th, from 6:30-8pm at 3226 E. 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64127</span></u></strong><span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_4977_5107" role="button" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(0, 120, 215); color: #0078d7; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">we invite you to join us for a roundtable event.</span> Many of us participated in The March in KC and some went to The March in DC. Let’s gather to share/reflect about those monumental gatherings and continue the movement with ideas of how to move forward in resistance. We will have representatives from local groups who are directly affected by Trump’s executive orders and those groups instrumental in organizing efforts of mobilization and action. Let’s support each other and think creatively about ways to stay engaged. </span><br style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-20392143750650515952017-02-10T20:10:00.001-06:002017-02-10T20:10:13.273-06:00<div style="background-color: #f5f5ef; color: #434547; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 24px;">HOW TO BECOME A SANCTUARY CITY 101</span></div>
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Cherith Brook Catholic Worker in partnership with Advocates for Immigrants Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR) is hosting a webinar on “How to Become a Sanctuary Community 101.” On <strong><u>Sunday, February 19 from 6-8pm at <span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_5869_5907" role="button" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(0, 120, 215); color: #0078d7; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">3226 E. 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64127</span></u></strong> all interested communities of faith, organizing groups, and allies are invited to join a conversation on creating sanctuary for immigrants and refugees in Kansas City. Our goal is to 1) Introduce the Sanctuary Movement 2) explore rolls various groups can play, and 3) build a network of support that fits our community’s situation and can be prepared to respond in crises.</div>
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The Webinar was originally recorded in January by the PC(USA) Synod of the Northeast in conjunction with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. It consists of a panel of those with current and past experience in the Sanctuary Movement. Panelists include John Fife, Alison Harrington, Amy Beth Willis and Jim Rigby. There will be a follow up discussion after viewing the webinar.</div>
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We believe communities of faith who are willing to place the welcome for the stranger at the center of their faith and work must organize, brainstorm, network- unite with courage and creativity to offer radical welcome in a hostile world. Acting on faith contributes to hope. Come join us!</div>
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PLEASE RSVP to Cherith Brook CW at 816-241-8047 or ericgarb@gmail.com we want to make sure there is enough room.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. -Hebrews 3:2-3</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>“…as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil” -1 Peter 2:16</em></span></div>
Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-59954158830997292322015-12-11T10:29:00.002-06:002015-12-11T10:29:25.975-06:00January Roundtable<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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God's Demand for
Justice and the Working Poor" </div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>"The
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;"> <i>In the Urban Core!"</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Luke 4:18; John 1:12; Acts 3:1-10</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/StMarkUnionChurch" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.facebook.com/StMarkUnionChurch</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Place: Cherith Brook Cafe, 3226 E. 12th Kansas City, MO</div>
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Time: January 15, 7:00 pm</div>
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Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4500698445983567783.post-85822846996806311642015-12-02T15:57:00.000-06:002015-12-02T16:24:43.558-06:00Cherith Brook Advent 2015<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our Advent 2015 newspaper is now online. Be sure to
read it and let us know what you think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/291986773/Cherith-Brook-CW-Advent-2015" target="_blank">Cherith Brook Advent 2015</a></span><br />
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When Workers Take a Stand</span></h2>
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By Caleb Madison</h3>
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In May of 2013, Stand Up KC, a local branch of the $15 for all movement, held it’s first meeting to fight for a $15 minimum wage here in Kansas City. Two years after this initial meeting, in July of 015, KC City Council adopted a minimum wage ordinance in a 12-1 vote which would set the new minimum wage of Kansas City to be $13 by 2020 with an increase based on cost of living and inflation expenses. And now, in October of 2015, this very same ordinance has been repealed in a vote by the City Council (7-4). So what happened? The following is a brief glimpse into the winding road that the minimum wage debate has careened through in our city.</div>
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Stand Up KC thrives on two cogs which make it so powerfully effective: the strength of their organizers and the voices of the workers who so frequently and eloquently speak out. After the inception of this organization in 2013; dozens of marches, actions, protests, petitions, and letters have been created and led so as to raise the city’s awareness of the grief of the underpaid labourer. Stand Up KC also has wonderful ideals towards collaborative organizing and has worked with groups such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the American Friends Service Committee, Missouri Faith Voices, and a wide group of local and national denominations and congregations. Stand Up KC and their allies have so excelled in their work that the city not only became aware of the fast food and childcare worker’s plight, but has also been influenced to do something to change it. In the large and sweeping series of marches ranging from 20 people to 600 hosted by Stand Up, Kansas City has certainly come to acknowledge the power of so many workers uniting together to form a movement. While these marches were joined in by the other organizations and partially hosted by them, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference began it’s work on a petition that would eventually have 4,000 signatures to put a $15/hr by 2020 vote on the August ballot in Kansas City. In order to understand what comes next, we have to look a bit at the voting in Missouri’s State Legislature and HB 722.</div>
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HB 722 was a bill introduced in early 2015 to the Missouri House of Representatives that disallowed cities and local counties from passing individual worker’s benefit packages and local minimum wage changes outside the federal or state minimum wage and benefit levels. This effectively means that only the Missouri House of Representatives can add new benefits or change the minimum wage, and these effects, unless otherwise noted, would have to be statewide measures. This presents a serious problem for a local ordinance to come into effect: it would have to be completely enacted and unchallenged by August 28th, 2015; which is before HB 722 would be able to come into effect statewide. Governor Jay Nixon at the outset opposed this measure and vetoed, saying that HB 722 offered “...a clear example of government intrusion...” and “...interference with the policy making of local governments and the principle of local control”. Gov. Nixon’s veto was overridden by a vote from the House of Reps, and thus a very tight deadline was placed on Kansas City to enact its’ new local wage.</div>
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Our City Council thus began a period of discernment in mid-July, spending much time hearing from both proponents and dissenters towards the proposed $15 by 2020. Most of the conversation was not centered around whether the increase was a good idea; it was unanimous both in voting and speaking that a minimum wage increase was necessary to improve the lives of workers in Kansas City. The concern presented most was the logistics of enacting this ordinance and still allowing a thorough enough conversation and understanding of implications by the August 28th deadline brought on by HB 722.</div>
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Not only was this piece of the ordinance in contention, but also the number and date of the gradual increase. For instance, numbers like $13 by 2023, $15 by 2023, and 10$ by 2018 were all presented as viable options by various council members at various times. During these debates, Stand Up KC and leaders in their ally movements enacted a hunger strike rotation and an occupation time outside of City Hall where daily people were refusing the comforts of food and home in order to stand in solidarity with underpaid workers. The vote for $13 by 2020 passed with a voting of 12-1. The only naysayer was Ed Ford, who said that the increase was too much, too fast, and didn’t want to instill false hopes with GB 722 hanging in the balance. Cheers erupted from a crowd of workers outside; hugs were shared and the celebratory pulse of a better wage was felt throughout Kansas City. The celebration ended up being rather short lived though as a new petition came into fruition, this time enacted by the business group “Missourians for Fair Wages”. David Jackson, the spokesperson for Missourians for Fair Wages, argued that this minimum wage raise would stop an influx of high-paying jobs into Kansas City and ultimately hurt working people rather than help them. Missourians for fair wages initiated what they have liked to call a “people’s veto”, in which they accrued enough signatures (in this case, 4,000) on a petition to put the minimum wage measure on the November ballot. Now, if we remember back to HB 722, this measured had to be completely enacted and written in before August 28th, 2015 in order to take effect. Pushing this back to a November ballot measure nullifies the ability to vote on it: if the people of Kansas City did indeed want a minimum wage increase it can’t happen with the passing of HB 722 (except on a state level). This wasn’t a people’s veto, it was a lobbyist group snuffing out thousands of worker’s hopes and labor. This unfortunately brings us to last week’s vote to overturn the minimum wage ordinance, and bring us right back down to $7.65 in our fair state of Missouri.</div>
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So where do we go from here? As sure as there is blood in our veins, we do not give up the fight to honor the worker’s labor. If the story of this article has frustrated you, as it well should, I encourage you to do something. And something does not count as a facebook post with a frowning emoji, nor does it count as feeling sorry for our city’s dissension towards a fair wage. It means showing up. It means making a little noise. It means telling this council and the state of Missouri and the business and restaurant lobbyists that this is not okay. As the state motto says: “Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law of the land.”; and we the people certainly need a higher wage to fare well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrz2VinFiy-as5GHMGrd1iykbDmseEG2FXir3NUxpQJGbCfep6F-vZHJ5vbZZRkmRnNzJtesctreObAUcdF4YETuE4psooqLFrLRsyYrcaB8COxld2JEE8e24LMx2kM1HxG0WgH44ras/s1600/Workers+March.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrz2VinFiy-as5GHMGrd1iykbDmseEG2FXir3NUxpQJGbCfep6F-vZHJ5vbZZRkmRnNzJtesctreObAUcdF4YETuE4psooqLFrLRsyYrcaB8COxld2JEE8e24LMx2kM1HxG0WgH44ras/s320/Workers+March.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workers march on 12th Street in downtown Kansas City, MO on November 11, 2015</td></tr>
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Cherith Brook Catholic Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036027419804145412noreply@blogger.com1