Did You Know?

EXCITING NEWS! — $50,000 donation challenge gift

Koinonia friends have been given a challenge, and we are sure that you can rise to meet it. We’ve received an anonymous donation of $50,000 to be matched dollar for dollar. This donation and the matching donation will be used to help construct the New Meeting House, part of our Capital Campaign. The Meeting House will bring under one roof many of our hospitality and educational activities. It will house a new kitchen and dining hall, classrooms, library, archives, housing for guests and groups, and more. It’ll be a place where we can serve others, both those on the farm and those far away. To find out more, contact director Bren Dubay at 229.924.0391 or through email

It was a 16-month bike trek that led Viet Nam veteran Jerry Nelson to the Southeast, far away from his home in New Mexico. At the suggestion of a friend, he stopped in at Koinonia Farm as he bicycled through Georgia. After staying for a week, he continued on his journey, but kept thinking about the farm. A few months later, Jerry returned to Koinonia, this time as a summer intern. Now, he wonders if something more than a bike ride has led him here. Riding on that wonder, Jerry asked to become an apprentice, to explore and discern whether God may be calling him long-term to Koinonia. So we’re happy to welcome Jerry as our new apprentice. Jerry’s diverse background, both in marketing and in traveling, gives him unique people skills that have helped tremendously on the farm. He's a hard worker and he keeps us laughing. We’re glad to have him here! This summer, Jerry has split his time between the garden and the office. When his apprenticeship begins in September, he will take on more duties in hospitality, marketing, and development. Look for a fuller story on Jerry in the upcoming fall newspaper, and check out his blog at journeyamerica.wordpress.com. Pictured, Jerry scrapes paint off Litha McCoy’s house in preparation for repainting.

We’re sorry to inform you that Rev. Eugene Cooper died Sunday, July 27. Rev. Cooper worked for Koinonia for 17 years, serving as a paralegal. He was very helpful for the farm and for Sumter County. During the Fund for Humanity years, Rev. Cooper sold a portion of land in Leslie, Georgia to Koinonia so we could build houses for our neighbors and establish Cooper Village. In addition to his paralegal work, he became the first vice president in charge of operation at the local NAACP, and he founded a local congregation. Rev. Cooper is survived by his wife Brenda Deloran Cooper and children. His funeral was held on Saturday, August 1, at Bible Way Fellowship Church, the church he founded. You may send your condolences to Ms. Cooper at 1943 Highway 27 E. Leslie, Georgia 31764 or call 229-924-5327.

Reaching Out

What do you get when you combine five people, one Toyota Corolla, and a 15-hour road trip? Besides a lack of personal space, you get Koinonians traveling to Ekklesia Project’s Gathering 2008. In early July, 5 Koinonians journeyed the 15 hours to Chicago for this conference where nearly 200 gathered to discuss race, racism, and the body of Christ. The discussion ranged from the concept of white privilege to foods served at a potluck, from managing multi-racial congregations to musical styles observed during worship time. All of these are topics Koinonia continues to work on today, even after nearly 66 years of practice at racial reconciliation. We’re encouraged to hear that others, too, are seeking to work more intentionally to bridge this racial divide in the body of Christ.

While in Chicago, we visited with Bob and Joan Pope, a delightful couple who have been friends of Koinonia for years. Bob told us stories of working on a Habitat build in Texas and being called upon to drive an injured worker to the hospital. Thankfully the worker knew his way to the hospital, since Bob had never been in Houston before. We met with Elizabeth Moriarity at St. Clement Church, hoping to partner with this parish and perhaps offer annual projects for their youth and young adult groups. We also shared lunch with Tim Nafziger and other staff members of the Christian Peacemakers Team in Chicago, brainstorming ways to work with state-side CPT members or perhaps provide a few members for existing teams. Coming soon, we will be selling CPT’s new book, “118 Days: Christian Peacemaker Teams Held Hostage in Iraq,” in our store. While we were in the area, we were able to visit with former Koinonia community member Button Garner. What a delight to spend time in her joyous presence! Pictured above are Bob and Joan Pope.

Koinonia has worked over the last few months to set up relations with businesses in Americus and Plains. Koinonia intern Jerry Nelson and apprentice Jake Warren have made new connections while strengthening old relationships, getting Koinonia's products into hotels, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. Thanks to Koinonia steward Brendan Prendergast and his garden helpers, we’ve grown enough vegetables to begin selling at the local farmer’s market. We’ve also had a few Saturdays where we invite Veterans and church groups to come pick blueberries for a discounted price. All of this activity corresponds with Koinonia's outreach efforts to be connected with both our immediate neighbors and the Americus community at large, setting the ingredients to create that "spirit-filled fellowship" Clarence talked so much about.

Student intern Beth Greaves has left us to return to Hendrix College for her senior year. She spent her spring semester “abroad” at Koinonia working as a member of the Heart to Heart team. She’s so talented she even served as construction leader for the team this summer. We miss you, Beth! Koinonia apprentice Adam Gulledge has now joined Kathleen Monts to head up this effort. They, along with craftsman Nashua Chantal, enjoy working with neighbors to keep their homes in good repair. Currently, we’re working on Bessie Thomas’ house. We’ve replaced her roof, and now we’re replacing windows and tiling the shower. Pictured below, Bessie and Nashua beside her newly installed window.

Circle of Friends has started up their weekly meetings again, after taking a few months off for summer vacations and to allow Koinonia to focus on the summer youth camp. We’re planning the calendar for the remainder of this year, and it looks like it’s already a full schedule. In addition to their regular activities and seminars, the Circle plans to add a few events to the calendar, including a hat show, candlelight service, musical gatherings, and other creative activities. The group will kick off their year with a trip to Yoders, our favorite Mennonite restaurant in Montezuma.

With the quieter schedule of July, we’ve been able to spend more time with each other and the families in the villages. Several times, our yard has turned into a wiffle-ball field with spontaneous games striking up after lunch, in the evening, and on the weekends. We’ve also spent time in Koinonia Village, playing kickball with the local kids. One night we drew a crowd of nearly 30! We’re grateful for the energy and possibilities surrounding life at Koinonia.

At the Farm

During the month of July, we celebrated two major birthdays at the farm. Koinonian Sanders Thornburgh turned 40 the same day his daughter Mary Thornburgh turned 16. After our monthly birthday lunch, Ellie organized games for us to play outside. We relaxed, had fun together, and enjoyed the warm afternoon. Pictured, Sweet Sixteen Mary poses with her tiara and bouquet of roses; her dad, Sanders, shows off his new cane, a present from David Castle, complete with a horn and a rear-view mirror.

Once again we’ve proven that we are a talented group of people. In a recent Open Mic Night held in the chapel after Sunday potluck, nearly 20 people performed for the group, singing, impersonating, improvising, telling stories, and playing musical pieces. Koinonia apprentice Amanda showed her talent by getting a quick snap shot of the group in between acts, as pictured. See a slide show of photos from Open Mic Night.

Summers in Georgia are hot, stinky, hot, sweaty, hot, bright, hot, and full of gnats and fire ants. Did we mention they’re hot? They are. But that doesn’t stop the visitors from pouring in. This month we’ve had the pleasure to host several visitors, many of whom have long-standing connections with Koinonia, including Alma Jakson and his cousin CJ Jackson, David and Elizabeth Evans, and Jim Jackson. Read the fall newspaper to learn more about their history with us. We also hosted a group of 40 high-schoolers from Mount Joy Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. The kids were a great help, mudding the green house (an ongoing on-campus project), putting up fence posts, and picking blueberries. We also hosted Derek Martin and Kelly Lavander, two students from Regent College, where David Hassel’s play The Glory Man is set to open in December. The Glory Man is based on the life of Clarence and Florence Jordan and the story of Koinonia. Derek and Kelly came to familiarize themselves with Koinonia, hear stories about Clarence and Florence, and listen to recordings so they’ll be able to catch their unique dialect in performance. We thrilled that Koinonia’s story is being spread through so many venues.

We were surprised this month with the birth of another baby goat. We knew the mother was pregnant but didn’t expect her to give birth so soon. Brendan was confused when he brought them lunch and saw three baby goats playing together. That brings the total goat count on the farm up to 11. We’ve been milking the mother goats but haven’t gotten much milk so far. One morning Jerry got up at 5 a.m., spent a ton of energy getting the goat to stand still for the milking, worked for quite a while not getting much milk, and then, as he got up, he spilled the milk he had worked so hard for! Oh, the opportunities for patience living on a farm.

The outpouring of support for David Castle has been heartwarming. After including news in last month’s Koinonia Briefly about his health, the e-mails, phone calls, and letters poured in. The news this month from the doctors has not been encouraging. Following his 20-day round of radiation, he and Ellie made their annual journey up North to Chautauqua, NY. Their trip was shortened after David was hospitalized because his lungs filled with fluid and a blood clot was found in his leg. We learned that the radiation treatments didn’t seem to help; the cancer has spread to the lining of his lungs, causing his lungs to fill with fluid. The next option is chemotherapy. David will undergo low-grade treatments for one month and then re-evaluate the situation. Please continue to pray for him and Ellie, their family, and friends, that God give us peace. David says his prayer is not so much for healing, but that he would be a blessing for somebody. David continues to be that blessing for us, and we are grateful for his smile, his light, and his life. To send a note to David and Ellie, click here.

Coming Soon

After months of planning and a hundreds of hours spent in discussion, our new school starts this month. Pray for apprentices Nichole DelGuidice and Seth Schroerlucke, and Jimmy Foglio as they begin this school year. Our teachers have a wonderful curriculum and schedule planned for the kids. Look for more information about the school in coming newsletters.

Update your info now to ensure a copy of this fall’s newspaper. If you would like to subscribe, or if you’ve moved, received numerous copies, or would not like to receive a copy, let us know here, or call 229-924-0391

Make plans now for the upcoming Reiki training session on October 18 and 19. Spend a weekend learning this meditative type of healing and visiting with us on the farm. For more information, contact Ana Navarro at 229-924-0391.

We hope you enjoy Koinonia Briefly and share it with your friends. You receive these monthly updates by request, because you placed an order from Koinonia, or because one of our community members added your name. If you have suggestions for improvements, please let us know at .

If you would like to be removed from the list, please follow the instructions below.