July 2009

a monthly e-news publication

We thank you for all the support you've shown to Norris Harris and his family during the loss of his wife Imogene. Here is a short note from them: PARTNER WITH US Did you know that in 1942 Clarence Jordan and Martin England received a donation for the down payment on the farm? Koinonia has been supported by donations from the beginning. We are tremendously grateful for your continued support as we continue to carry on the mission and vision that began here 67 years ago. Thank you for your generosity! Or make a one-time donation: Donate securely Online, but if you prefer, you may call us to make a donation by phone at 877-738-1741 or by mail at Koinonia Farm, 1324 GA Hwy 49 S, Americus, GA 31719 In times like these is when we realize how much our fan circle (friends, associates, neighbors) care and mean to us. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to each and everyone for the many acts of kindness such as calls, cards, flowers, words of comfort, shown to the Harris and Sims families during our time of bereavement. It is wonderful people like all of you who help make our burdens lighter and our days brighter. Donations that were received in memory of Imogene will go to support the following : Koinonia Adopt-a-Tree Fund, American Diabetes  Association, Di’Vata Dialysis Kidney Foundation, Dwight Harris Boys Club, Sumter Association of Ministerial Alliance. May God continue to smile upon you and bless you. We ask that you continue to keep us in prayer as we continue to adjust our lives.  Rev. Norris Harris, and the Harris and Sims families Did You Know? Welcome to our newest Koinonian, Mabel. Named after Mabel England, one of the founding members, Mabel is a Great Pyrenees breed puppy. She’s being raised with the chickens and geese, so she can help guard them when she’s full grown, protecting them from fox and other harm. Be sure to go back to the garden and visit her when you stop by the farm. She’s just so cute! [include photo mable.jpg] In last month’s e-news, we wrote about our new partnership pail, the Saint Mary Gift Pail, with a portion of proceeds going to help St. Mary church replace the rotting beams of their building. Purchase the St. Mary Gift Pail for $24.99 and get three of Koinonia Favorites—Pecan Halves, Gourmet Party Mix, and Cinnamon Spiced Pecans. This month, we add the Fuller Center Pail, with a portion of proceeds going to support the Fuller Center for Housing and their ministries. The Fuller Center pail includes our Granola, Hickory Smoked Pecans, and our Pecan Halves. To learn more about the Fuller Center, visit their Web site, www.fullercenter.org. [include link] Both partnership pails come packaged in a reusable gift pail with a decorative gift paper of your choice. They’re a great choice for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other celebrations. Surprise your loved ones with our delicious goodies and support two deserving causes at the same time! To order, call us at 877-738-1741.  Reaching Out All these years, it’s been by word of mouth that people get added to our mailing lists – ground and e-mail. We want to continue making new friends. Would you be willing to tell two of your friends about Koinonia then ask if you can have their names added to our lists? We need your help to keep our story circulating around the globe. We want to be here for another 67 years to serve God and His people. Please e-mail your friends’ contact information to info@koinoniapartners.org, or simply forward this e-mail on to your friend and allow them to add themselves to the list. Thanks to those of you who have already responded.

Our month-long summer camp was a blast as usual. Community interns Jimmy Foglio and Faith Zahn took the nearly 40 campers around the globe in four weeks, studying different cultures and their languages, artwork, and history. We’re always grateful for the ability to spend time with kids in the area and deepen our relationships with our neighbors and friends. Pictured, Hakeem Brown carefully decorates a cupcake with sprinkles, icing, and other candy before he demolishes it with his mouth.

The Circle of Friends took time off to host a picnic for the Summer Interns this month, sharing stories from their lives and their time at Koinonia through the decades. We are so grateful for these living legends that surround us daily at Koinonia and for Kathleen who makes sure we hear these stories that remind us of who we are and of God’s faithful goodness to us through the years. Pictured, Kathleen Monts plays with Christian Contakes, 9 mos.

At the Farm

On June 24 we hosted a gathering of 13 rural non-profits from all over the state of Georgia. It was sponsored by Heifer International, Georgia Community Loan Fund, Georgia Legal Services and McIntosh SEED. We spent the day in a Future Search session, brainstorming ways to strengthen and grow a grassroots network in Georgia. There were many similarities among the groups, including strong interest in community building, land preservation, local foods and affordable housing. Stay tuned for more on the activities of this group of dedicated folks in future e-news publications. 

We welcomed our Summer Interns to the farm with a week packed full of goodness and fun. In total, the group is seven adults and four children—just enough to keep us busy for the summer. Welcome to Kacie Cardwell, Mary Thornburgh, Mark Zion; Mark and Erin Benjamin with Silas, 5 years old, John Ezra, 3, and Myla, 1; and Matthew and Amy Contakes with Christian, 9 mos. They will be with us until the end of August, learning what it means to live as a community of prayer, work, study, service, and fellowship. Please pray that their time here will be meaningful, and formational both for them and for those of us who live here year round. Pictured, Myla embodies the excitement and sheer joy we all have about this crop of interns.

This month we revived our Sunday evening worship services. Each Sunday, we begin with the Lord’s Supper and potluck, followed by a time of sharing our praise and thanksgiving to God, of being led in scripture study, and in song. We’d love to have you come and join us if you’re in the area. Services begin at 6 p.m. Be sure to bring your favorite dish to share with us. 

Coming Soon

Join us in September for a Friends of Koinonia gathering at St. Catherine’s Montessori School in Houston, Tx. We’ll meet on September 19 and spend a few hours learning more about Koinonia and networking with other Koinonia friends in the area. Look for more information in upcoming e-news publications and mailings.