2015: Holy Ground

[Rev. Steve Jerbi]

Merry Christmas! Habari Gani? Happy New Year!

God has some amazing plans for our community in 2015. As I began to discern our year-long theme I came to believe this year is a year of Holy Ground. In the third chapter of Exodus, Moses approaches the burning bush and God speaks. Moses hears, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

The presence of God requires respect and Moses provides it. This year we are focusing on three specific areas of God’s presence in the ministry of All Peoples. These are the Harambee Kitchen, our growing spaces, and our worship. I want to highlight each of these.

First, the Harambee Kitchen is the name of the shared renovations at All Peoples in our kitchen for the St. Vincent de Paul meal ministry. While we haven’t heard a lot of details, folks have been working behind the scenes to prepare for this new venture. Our plans have been taken through initial approval with the city, bids have gone out to contractors and we have hired a general contractor. These are huge steps. Our fundraising goal is to raise half of the $250,000 needed to complete the project. St. Vincent de Paul is committed to raise the other half. We still have around $20,000 to raise on our end. Once the money is raised, construction can begin.

The Harambee Kitchen is Holy Ground because it is a place where God’s presence is seen in our community. The almost 100,000 meals served by St. Vincent de Paul are going to our friends, our neighbors, our members. This act of service and solidarity draws us closer to another and in doing so brings us closer to God. A fully-functioning kitchen is not only needed to do this work, it is also a fitting transformation creating Holy Ground.

Our second focus area in 2015 is the holy ground where we grow food. Our community garden, our greenhouse, the 3rd floor grow-room and The Peoples Orchard are all vibrant spaces for our church. KWTS is engaged in all areas. Andy DiMezza and his landscaping company Ouroboros Sustainable Contracting will be managing the orchard with support from community workers. These projects also require lots of volunteer hours - both with kids and with plants. These are coordinated through the Harvest Hands network of APC and partner volunteers.

Growing Food supports Holy Ground because it transforms vacant lots into areas of production. Lives are transformed in the process. People are engaged in the work of the church and all can share in the beauty of growth.

Finally, we recognize the Holy Ground nature of worship. 2015 is the first full-year of having David Nunley on staff as our minister of music. Our Gospel Choir is back strong and more folks are engaged in worship leadership. Keeping David’s position funded is a congregational priority. We are meeting that through grants and the support of mission partners and individual donors giving to The Musician’s Bench - a dedicated fund for supporting music ministry at All Peoples.

We are also excited about the return of our third worship service. Since stopping Wednesday Night Alive, we have been seeking the right fit for a new expression. Beyond a new time, it also finds us in a new space. Look for the Synod to be making an official announcement for our new service time and location as part of their Northwest Milwaukee strategy.

Worship is the place where we center ourselves, where we grow in relationships with God and each other. It is the moment where prayer and praise become one. It is our Holy Ground.

As I said, God is preparing us for amazing things in the coming year. We will continue to live out our core values as we let the glory of the Lord rise among All Peoples!

Peace, Pastor Steve

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There’s still time to make a year-end gift to All Peoples! 

Your gift today will help us fulfill our calling. Below are some of the many giving options with All Peoples.

• In a time marked by racial division, do you yearn for a multicultural community rooted in the gospel principles of Love and Justice? A gift to our general fund supports our growing congregation and gives us the strength to continue our kin-dom work: http://clo.do/h92e/

• If you’ve ever been inspired by the music at All Peoples, give to the musicians bench and help support a fully-staffed music ministry: http://clo.do/r93y/

• Kids Working to Succeed is focused on three goals - making disciples, teaching a strong work ethic and practicing Christian stewardship. To engage to 100+ students each year, including a money gift, requires substantial dollars. Help fund KWTS with a gift: http://clo.do/arxj/

• The ELCA Youth Gathering is a life-changing event as our high school students experience the power of 40,000 peers gathering because of Jesus. Help send our 13 students and 2 adults to Detroit: http://clo.do/iofx/

• We are ready to start construction on our kitchen! We’ve hired a general contractor, have the plans approved by the city and look to move forward in early 2015. The only thing stopping us is our last push with fundraising. Give to the Harambee Kitchen (and check out our website or Facebook page for the #LoveSongsForAll challenge!): http://clo.do/2oal/ 

There’s other ways to give as well: If you are a Thrivent member, designate your Choice Dollars and contact Linda, our partnership minister to create Action Team plans. You can also donate Stocks, Mutual Funds, CDs & Bonds through our Scottrade Account: 1263100.

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Rev. Steve Jerbi

All Peoples Church, Senior Pastor

2600 N 2nd Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212

414-264-1616

http://allpeoplesgathering.org/

https://www.facebook.com/allpeoplesgathering

https://twitter.com/allpeepschurch