Koinonia Briefly

March 2007
a monthly e-news publication

Special Update:

Tornadoes in Americus on March 1, tornadoes whipped through our hometown of Americus, Georgia, killing two people and damaging or destroying many homes and businesses, as well as the hospital and the Red Cross. Thanks to everyone for the many calls and emails expressing concern and offering help and prayers. Koinonia was unharmed, and we regularly send crews of community members and visitors to help out with clean-up efforts. If you're interested in visiting Koinonia and helping with tornado relief, contact Ann at 229-924-0391 or clickhere.

Did You Know?

It is a little-known fact that Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, visited Koinonia in 1957, amid its most trying times. Recently, community member Sanders Thornburgh, unearthed (via the internet) a real gem: Dorothy’s diary of her trip! Here is an excerpt: “I helped Mary Jackson make real southern corn bread, and peeled onions and carrots and ground up the latter in a marvelous machine called a Kitchen Aid for salad. The mill to grind flour and corn meal was blown to bits in the dynamiting of the roadside stand but they have an old coffeegrinder, which I will work tomorrow…. I am still tired from my thirty-six hours on the bus, so now, nine o’clock, I am off to bed. The moon is shining brightly over the fi elds and I pray there will be no “deeds of darkness” this night. The psalms are a very present help in time of trouble. 'I will not be afraid for the terror by night nor for the arrow that flieth by day….'” Read more on the Catholic Worker website.

Do you have extra linens ‘n’ things? To keep our guest housing decently and simply furnished for our hospitality ministry, we are putting out a call for new or used—but clean and untorn—single bed sheet sets, spreads and blankets, plus towels, washcloths and pillowcases. You can mail donations to Koinonia, 1324 GA Hwy 49 S, Americus GA 31719 or contact Ann or Ellie at 229 924 0391 or hospitality@koinoniapartners.org for more information on our current wish list. We will be glad to send a thank you letter, and you can claim as tax-deductible any gifts you send.

Reaching Out

The Koinonia Community Outreach Center (KCOC) regulars are in for a treat this month as Margaret Boyle, a returning visitor from Ontario, joins us to give our ceramics shop a lift and to hold art classes for both youth and elders! Her creative spirit is evident, and we can’t wait to see what comes of the collaboration.

This month, Button and Jo have been visiting and sharing love with a friend and neighbor in the hospital, Ann visited a friend in the prison in Jackson, and Israel donated a pint of blood (his first time!). We’ve also been praying, as a community, for a beautiful friend who requests prayers for his daughter. We hold in our hearts the ill, the imprisoned, and all those in need. Please join us in these prayers and actions, wherever you may be.

Koinonia director Bren Dubay recently traveled to California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, speaking with friends and groups, sharing the good news from Koinonia. She’s also visiting sister communities and ministries for tangible suggestions and encouragement as we go on dreaming and envisioning how we may be called to live the “demonstration plot” in the 21st Century. So far, needs that have touched us include homes for imperiled children… education as an alternative to cycles of abuse and neglect… and acting in love and mercy to show our broken justice system another way. We are eagerly listening for guidance from the spirit and we are excited to share more as the months go by.

The Circle of Friends’ Sweetheart Luncheon was a lovely success, despite a cold that threatened to keep Kathleen Monts down for the count. But Kathleen, her sister Janice, and Circle friends pulled everything together: Johnny Jones greeted guests at the door, asking them to follow the hearts down the hallway to the main room. Bren Dubay addressed the friends assembled there, and colorful red-and-white decorated tables and fairy lights brightened the atmosphere for a wonderful, well-attended meal.

At the Farm

This month we’re starting a new feature, community member of the month. We hope it gives you insight into who we are and why we choose to walk this path. Let’s start with Marilyn Marble, who with her husband Jim have visited Koinonia from Dearborn, Michigan for 7 years, and who have now settled here as full community members. “There’s a history and a story here that I think needs to continue. I want to see this community grow to the point where we can do more outreach than we’re already doing,” Marilyn says. “My spirit is renewed here through devotions, the people, and the farm. There’s something here that you can’t put your finger on, but that you feel when you’re here.” When you call Koinonia, it’s very likely that Marilyn will answer the phone, so be sure and say hello!

It’s been a while since we sent an update on our chapel renovation. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here are two photos to show recent progress. First, our friends Betty and Owen Miller, whose generosity made this project possible, stand by the nearly-finished exterior. And you know we’re getting close to completion when we show the interior—here is a view of an inside room, almost ready for furnishing.