January 2010

a monthly e-news publication

Koinonia Wishes You a Very Happy New Year! Thank you for your generosity in 2009 and thank you for including us in your gift giving in 2010. 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 Happy Holidays from all of us at the farm! 2009 - A Look Back Last year started off with some very difficult trials. In early February, we lost our dear friend and brother Millard Fuller, who together with founding member Clarence Jordan and our neighbors started Partnership Housing, which grew up to be Habitat for Humanity International, and then in 2005 The Fuller Center for Housing. Following his death this year, we had a funeral and later another memorial service on Picnic Hill, burying Millard near where Clarence and other former Koinonians are buried. Soon after Millard’s death, we lost one of our homes to fire. We’re thankful Bud Styles, who lived in the house, was not hurt. The next day, we found Bud’s family Bible, which held what little bit of cash he kept in his home. The Bible was charred and wet, but the money was perfectly intact. It opened to the story Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler. Some of you will remember that Clarence Jordan referred to Millard Fuller as the rich young ruler. It’s as if Clarence and Millard were sending us a sign. Just a few days after the fire, we were delighted when the Fuller Center for Housing and the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate New Horizons committed to come together and jointly rebuild the house. And in October, we held the groundbreaking for the rebuild. It’s one of the first joint projects of a Habitat affiliate and the Fuller Center. Pictured is the Bud’s Bible. If you look closely, you can see the text on the page. More sad news came in May with the death of Imogene Harris, wife of Koinonian Norris Harris. She passed away on Saturday, May 30, after suffering for many years with severe Diabetes. We’ve tried to support Norris and his family the best we can following the death, and continue to pray for healing and comfort as they struggle to move forward in life. With all of the difficult trials we faced, God also gave us many joys to fill our hearts. In February, the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce awarded us the Agribusiness of the Year award. Later in the year, the Mayor and City Council voted unanimously to place Clarence Jordan’s name on the Walk of Fame in downtown Americus. The reason, they noted, was “his outstanding contributions to civil rights and the founding of Koinonia Farms.”

We also had two weddings at the farm this year, Jo Knox and Bill Behrend married in July and Chuck and Faith Wilbanks married in November. And in November, Georgia Southwestern College produced a wonderful play written by our director Bren Dubay. She’s working on several screen plays right now, and we’re eager to see the finished project! Pictured is the stone marker for the Americus Walk of Fame.

Last year saw many changes and additions to the farm. We added several breeds of livestock, including sheep, goats, chicken, pigs, cows, and two Great Pyrenees pups. In the summer heat, we put in countless weeks of work to fence in the nearly 80-acre field, to hold many of the animals and to protect them from predators. In the spring, college groups helped us dig a pond and several swales near the gardens to help retain water.

As always, we welcomed hundreds of memorable visitors this past year. Too many wonderful people to write about them all, but here are a few highlights: Spring break brought the usual crowds of college students seeking opportunities to serve and get off the beaten path for a few days. Warren Wilson students drove all the way from North Carolina with a gift of two piglets, one who is now expecting piglets of her own. We loved having our dear friend Cynthia Blessman for the entire month of June, two School for Conversion groups, teachers and students for the Permaculture Design Course, and several wonderful new friends. Thank you to all who made the trek out to the farm in 2009. And we hope your New Year's resolution includes a visit to Koinonia! Just drop us a line and we'll be glad to offer you some southern hospitality. Call 877.738.1741 or e-mail hospitality@koinoniapartners.org.

Reaching Out

We’re thankful for all of you who supported our work in 2009. So many of you purchased products, gave donations, and came to help us harvest. We are so very grateful. A growing number of friends support us on a monthly basis either by donating or joining the Nut of the Month club. This monthly support helps us tremendously with planning. To find out more about monthly support, contact Amanda Moore at 877.738.1741 or e-mail info@koinoniapartners.org. Pictured is a visitor Rosemary helping with the harvesting. She got to help Norris Harris with a special job, shaking the trees. Thanks, Rosemary, for your willingness to try new things!

Do you feel called to live in community? Are you a little unsure of where your life is headed and need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city life? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live on a working farm? Want to milk a cow at 5 a.m.? Come explore life at Koinonia through our three-month internship. As our community grows, we are looking for people interested in a shared spiritual journey and possessing the following talents: Maintenance/construction, sustainable farming, computer & graphics skills, mechanical skills, cooking, infectious laughter and joy. To learn more about the internship, e-mail Amanda at info@koinoniapartners.org.

At the Farm

December is always a good month at the farm—busy, but good. We work extra hard to keep up with the bakery, shipping, and harvesting, but we always find time to experience anew the joy and mystery of this special time of year as we await the birth of Christ and prepare for him to come again. The Circle of Friends had a wonderful time at their annual Christmas party, complete with a beautiful song by Lilian Pickett and some great moves by Emma Sue Clay. For the annual Candle Light Vigil, they invited the Men’s Choir from Greater Cedar Springs Church. The Chapel was full with the spirit of worship, and it only heightened as we lit the Christ candle, illuminating the dark room with the beautiful and glorious light. Pictured is the Circle of Friends during the Vigil. To see more photos of the service, check out the Koinonia Facebook page.

It's your last chance to register for the winter 2010 Permaculture Design Course. Last year's course was an amazing success, and we are looking forward to welcoming another enthusiastic group of learners from February 8-19. Registration is filling up fast, so be sure to get your deposit in soon! For more information please contact sarah@koinoniapartners.org.

In the pre-holiday rush, our bakery was buzzing with special help from several friends in Americus, our homeschool co-op kids and parents, Brenda, Johanna, Rosemary, Bob, Trish, and many, many more. They all spent numerous hours, making sure that every treat was baked and packaged with sincere love and care. Thank you to all who support Koinonia and our ministries by enjoying our delicious goodies and sending them to friends and family. We shipped over 3,000 packages in November and December alone! Pictured is Adam Gulledge, who strangely resembles Mr. Boxhead. This busy time of year makes us all look a little different. Thanks, Adam and all of our other helpers, for your hard work and dedication.

Coming Soon

To all our friends in the Chicago area — MARK MARCH 27, 2010 on your calendars. The next Friends of Koinonia Gathering is being hosted by Reba Place Fellowship in Evanston. Watch for more details in next month’s e-news.