A couple weeks ago we had our first large scale volunteer appreciation event.  It was a big step for Compassion Connect in communicating to hundreds of volunteers that they are valued and appreciated.  It was also important to celebrate the work of God in the midst of the Portland metro area.

We were honored to have so many people from different volunteering avenues come out to join together and celebrate.

It seems as though in our current "service-centric" Christianity...

Happy New Year from Stonereek! I hope you all had a great holiday season celebrating with family and friends.
I’m excited about how 2010 wrapped up here at Stonecreek and how God is beginning to mold 2011. On December 18th we had a great time at our first potluck held here since I moved in last May. We had about 20-25 residents and six church volunteers there. Our partner church provided the main course and dessert and we asked the neighbors to bring side dishes as well as participate in a cookie exchange. One of our church volunteers brought his guitar which really helped set the tone. The neighbors loved listening to him play. One of my neighbors lost his best friend in a police involved shooting just a few days before the potluck. He and several family members came that night and I was so moved at the loving response the church gave to him. Towards the end of the evening he pulled me aside and asked me if after the first of the year I would be willing to read the Bible with him for an hour a week. We met for the first time this past week which was great just to learn a bit more about his life and journey with “church”.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities
ACI Benefit Concert Friday,
January 28th @ 7:00 p.m.
The Chapel, Troutdale, OR
You will hear from other teams, support ACI and hear some great bands.

Craft Night Friday, Feb. 4th @ 7:00 p.m.
in the Rec. Room
We are continuing our monthly craft night. It’s the first Friday of every month.  We are hoping to have a movie night here in the Rec. Room in mid-February. More details to come.

• I’m looking for a male volunteer to join me weekly to read the Bible with my neighbor. It’s an opportunity to develop a relationship with a man who I believe is truly seeking God in his life. We will be starting in the book of John. If you or anyone you know might be interested to meet one afternoon a week for about an hour please let me know!

Four years ago, along with good friends and the support of my church community, I began acting on a conviction to live out the values of our Christian faith more fully. Not on a two-week overseas mission trip, not once a month at a soup kitchen for the homeless, but daily in our immediate community.

Up until that point, I was king of my life, where safety and comfort were the edict of my kingdom. But as I pursued the Christian faith, it humbled me from this throne that was not mine to claim. My faith invited me to submit my life to be a part of something greater then myself, which consequently meant abandoning my own aspirations for safety and comfort.

This is what led us, and many Christians, to identify intentionally with the poor. It is not required for acceptance in the faith, but I don't think one should be surprised when Christians do choose to reach out to the downtrodden of their community, even at great personal risk to themselves....

I can’t believe November is already here! I just wanted to send out an update for Stonecreek as we have a lot happening this month.

Craft Night

We will be starting craft night at the complex this Friday, Nov. 5th from 7-9pm in the Rec. Room. This will be an on-going connection event on the first and third Fridays of the month. Feel free to bring along any craft you are working on or just come hang out!

Pie Social

Nov. 19^th from 7-9 p.m. we will be having another Pie Social in addition to Craft Night hoping that the food might bring more men out.

The following dates have also been discussed for upcoming events. We will give you more details as they get closer. Please keep the activities in prayer.

• Dec. 19th – Community Potluck
• Jan. 15th - Movie night
• Feb. 6th - Super Bowl Fiesta
• March 12th - possible ladies "retreat" - this would be 1/2 day in the Rec. Room

• Please continue to pray for peace, patience, and guidance on the site team here at Stonecreek. Things are going well but I would love to have a partner on site.
• We have a new management company coming to Stonecreek.  Please pray for the transition as we have had quite a bit of turnover just since I moved here in May.
• Diana, the out going manager, has specifically asked for prayer from all of you. She will be transitioning out of her job (and apartment) this weekend. She was involved in a traffic accident two weeks ago with her daughter and grand-daughter, Kimberly who is 5 months pregnant. There is concern about the baby’s condition. Diana has also been diagnosed with kidney disease recently. It doesn’t sound like her prognosis is good. God is providing for the necessary medicines in some pretty amazing ways but she is struggling with the diagnosis. She will be moving in with family next week. If you could remember to pray for her and her family over the coming weeks that would be great. I will be trying to stay in contact with her as she moves out.

• Please continue to pray for God's leading as we seek ways to both create opportunities for fellowship as well as opportunities to deepen existing relationships
• Please pray that God paves the way for additional site team members here at Stonecreek.
• Andrea Lowe, who many of you met at the BBQ, is interested in relocating here from Virginia but needs to solidify employment before she makes the move.  Please keep her in your prayers as she is seeking God's direction in what is next.
• I have talked to two residents here in the past week that have pending surgeries.  I know they are representative of many more here struggling with health issues.  Please pray for the health of our neighbors here, many of whom are without insurance.