Koinonia Briefly

April 2007
a monthly e-news publication

Did You Know?

In a recent vigil around the Koinonia peace pole, commemorating the fourth anniversary of U.S. war in Iraq, we prayed for civilians and families in Iraq, Darfur, and elsewhere; U.S. men and women in harm’s way as well as their families; and even for those who lead others to war. The occasion brought to mind Clarence Jordan’s translation of Romans 12:14—or, as he called it, The Letter to the Christians in Washington (found in Clarence’s Cotton Patch Version of Paul’s Epistles): “Bless those who do you in. Bless them, I say, and don’t cuss them. Join in the fun with those having fun; join in the tears with those shedding tears… But if your enemy hungers, bread him; if she thirsts, water her. In this way you’ll fill their noggins with lighted charcoal. Don’t be overwhelmed by evil, but overwhelm evil with good.” May the seeds of peaceful alternatives find fertile ground in all of our hearts.

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Reaching Out

We are proud of and grateful for the way the greater Americus community has pulled together in support and mutual aid in the wake of the tornado that devastated Americus on March 1. We thank everyone for their prayers and labors. At Koinonia, where we weathered the storm unharmed, we are now blessed to be able to help with recovery efforts. Special thanks to visitor Charlie Hingston who worked long hours with the Red Cross; to visiting youth from Ottawa Mennonite Church, RV Care-A-Vanners, SOOPers (Service Opportunities for Older People) and Koinonia community members, all of whom volunteered through the United Methodist Church’s relief organization to clear yards of fallen limbs, shingles, and debris (see photo of visitor Tracy Saulsgiver and others); to Koinonia visitors and members for assisting the local food pantry; and to Koinonian Kathleen Monts and her church family, Allen Chapel AME, who cooked and served hot lunches to those working nearly nonstop in the days after the storm.

The Circle of Friends was busy preparing Easter baskets for 90 residents of the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Center in Plains. “We want to make sure that every person receives something special,” says Circle director Kathleen Monts. The baskets, each of which were hand-painted, were filled with Easter decorations, sugar-free candy, and whatever else the creative members of Circle of Friends dreamt up.

Visiting artist Margaret Boyle, pictured in her improvised “studio” on the porch of our Jubilee House, shared her gifts with our neighborhood children by leading creative art workshops during our after-school program. The kids combined movement and drawing, as well as working on individual projects if they preferred, and they loved their time with her. Margaret also helped us to get a head start on decorating those Easter baskets for our elder neighbors. Thanks, Margaret!

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s the latest snapshot of the Heart to Heart home repair ministry. Pictured, returning visitor Betty Lord “muds” a wall at our neighbor LaTonya Anderson’s house. Betty and her husband Frank are dear friends who exemplify Mother Teresa’s wise saying, “Those who give joyfully, give more.”

At the Farm

We were lucky to welcome new friends Jim and Angie Mulholland to visit Koinonia. Jim (James) is co-author, along with Philip Gulley, of the books If God is Love and If Grace is True. After spending an afternoon on the farm with community members Dave and Ellie Castle, and joining us for a potluck dinner in the dining hall, Jim and Angie sat with us in the museum for a heart-to-heart. Jim shared his faith journey as he wrote these books about God’s enduring love, and we spoke of heaven, hell, the idea of a wrathful God, and the forgiving, loving and just God we have come to know.

We have been enjoying a full house of visitors and groups this month. In one week alone, we welcomed a Fair Trade conference from Catholic Relief Services… friends from the Arthur Morgan School… and a group from Agnes Scott College! Friends old and new, and many RV Care-a-Vanners, have learned about Koinonia’s history, engaged in our shared life of prayer, work, study, service and fellowship. Pictured, a mere quarter of our morning check-in circle. Wow!

Koinonians of the month: Geneva and Hakeem Brown Geneva has been involved at Koinonia since 1992, when she began as a volunteer. She is now a veteran Koinonian. As manager of our bakery, she oversees the production of literally tons of pecan goodies each year. She is also one of the nine stewards of Koinonia—the members entrusted with the long-term vision of the community. Her son Hakeem, who recently celebrated his 11th birthday, can often be seen at Koinonia playing basketball with Ben, surfing the net, and participating in Boy Scout projects. Their big news: Thanks to Hakeem’s good academic work, he is going on a school trip to Washington, DC… and mom Geneva is going too! We know they’ll get everything running smoothly at the Capitol in no time.