Weekly Prayer

Recently I’ve been struck by the impact of being in the same place. Personally for nearly 15 years, but for Hope Street 27 years and counting. It’s a place that people know they can come back to. A place where when they show up, someone will be present, and meet them right where they are.  For Joe, it’s a place where a hug and a listening ear are waiting when he needs to be reminded how valuable his life is.  For Terrance, it’s a place that has watched him grow, and a place f

Our community space, The Vine, has become a lively hub lately. It's rare to find the table empty or the room quiet. A new, organic sense of community is blossoming, independent of our scheduled classes or meals. It just happens. Members frequently drop by for a cup of coffee or a moment of reflection, and soon, others join. Before long, the space erupts into boisterous chatter or deep discussions about faith and life. It's a wonderful time to witness friendships and connectio

When asked about my profession, I often tell folks that I live at the empty heart of paradox. While I lifted the lyrical portion of that sentence from everyone’s favorite 13 th - century poet, Rumi, it holds true for most of what I do: help others become comfortable with making decisions based on ambiguous and contradicting information. But, really, that’s what all of us experience every day, isn’t it? We live in a world where those we love sometimes betray us, those we help

Sometimes it’s hard to show up. Whether it’s because of your own “stuff” you’re working through, uncertainty of what a day may bring or simply a fear of showing up and no one is there. The last is a more common than I like to admit inconvenience people face at Hope Street. People with good intentions, valuable time and a willing heart arrive and sometimes aren’t met with anyone, or maybe one or two. I’ve always been OK with this tension but I know it is not an easy one for ma

Heavenly Father, As we enter this new year, we thank you for a chance at new beginning.  While we reflect on what was over the past year, we’re grateful for all the good that you’ve done in our lives.  We thank you for the time shared with our loved ones, family, friends, and everyone we were able to spend time with.  While we cherish that joy, we also understand that you give us hard times to reflect on.   It’s easy for us to focus on all the good, but not reflect on what we

It’s been a minute since I’ve sat down to write a prayer for Wednesday Prayer — like, a  hot  minute. And yet, at the same time, it feels like just yesterday that I first made my way down to Hope Street, hoping to find something different in my relationship with Jesus. I found Wednesday Prayer.  If you’ve been around Hope Street long enough, you’ve probably heard one or more people say something like,  “When I first came to Hope Street, I could feel it — the tangible presence

15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me , and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me . 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branc

Two words we have become accustomed to reciting within both of our spaces. Daily at our community center as we welcome in hundreds of youth and young adults each week. At Homes, to a member coming in from work or school - or back into the community after a season away. Whatever the reason, we love when people know they have a place to belong. We have seen the power of community at work, and know it’s in part due to people’s willingness to “show up”. Recently we have welcomed

How Are You Rooted? The definition of being rooted means to be established deeply and firmly. To be grounded means to be well balanced...