Door of Hope- Connecting People to Portals of Opportunity

In the Business of Serving Guests

Two years ago, Andy planned to volunteer for three months. He changed the construct of his life after being invited to a writing session. He arrived at the session in a suit as an advertising/marketing executive feeling uncomfortable initially, but discovered there was little distance between he and those labeled as chronically homeless. The topic of this session was about finding common ground with fellow members of humanity. His search for service has turned into life's work for him and staff members of Door of Hope. To grasp the commitment of this group is to understand that after government sequestration defunded much of their salaries, means to pay expenses, and ability to offer services to their guests, this team took to their own resources to keep the program afloat for more than eight weeks - without pay. Door of Hope has persevered to see powerful things happen this year.

“We refer to our participants as guests, ” states Andy Jacuzzi, Executive Director of Door of Hope. In this context, Andy and the staff are particular about the language they use at Door of Hope. The language is only one distinct component about the great work Door of Hope does. Other critical points of emphasis are the environment of hospitality that is created for guests, the humanity extended to each guest, and the sense of empowerment that reintegrates and re-socializes an individual.

Door of Hope distinguishes itself further by intentionally seeking out benefits, healthcare, and social programs that offer new opportunities to people who are chronically homeless with disabilities to reconnect to society in more viable ways. The severity of the disabilities range from physical to mental, but the emphasis is not placed on malady. Andy suggests that when intentional about serving this community there must enter an awareness of the person underneath the circumstances. His firm commitment expresses that people should not be defined by their current condition. Those of us who are in a position to assist in rebuilding a person’s way of living are partners in creating a pathway out of those conditions into a better state of affairs.

In 2005 like-minded residents in the midtown community of Memphis saw an opportunity to collaborate on meaningful work that addressed a rising population of people who were homeless. Initially, the group provided a place a refuge for a day/night to extend hospitality, fellowship, a meal. Services began to expand over time and with the help of local and federal grants, and it led to the acquisition of property that now houses 25 people on a daily basis in two different sites. Other scattered sites offer approximately 30 other guests housing throughout the city.

With a staff of case managers, housing directors, and outreach workers, the Door of Hope team looks to connect with guests through programs such as the writing group, bible study, or health/hygiene development. Their most popular program is the writing group wherein a topic is given to spark a creative essay that becomes a vehicle to share experiences.  Stories receive affirmation and publication often through Door of Hope’s blog of published works called The Advocate. So many rich stories have been captured that Andy and the team are working diligently to publish a book. The hope is to share the experiences with the consent of the guests and use the narratives to heighten awareness of the program.

The range of partnerships that Door of Hope has established is quite widespread. Baptist Hospital connects with Door of Hope by offering nurse assistance. Home Depot and nearly 100 of its employees renovated exterior components and developed the landscape of a Door of Hope property to enhance the scope and expanse of  Door of Hope and its’ programs. Hilton Hotels recently renovated the Pilgrims Rest facility with new furniture, equipment, appliances and an altogether renovated building. Hilton’s partnership noticed and celebrated the work of Door of Hope because of their concept of guest services for their population.

Andy Jacuzzi, Executive Director of Door of Hope


Andy and his administrative team operate from The Commons on Merton. They celebrate the support that they have discovered in the Binghampton community for their work. This team delightfully sees the possibility of change within a demographic when provided the intersection to do something meaningful.  Andy suggests that any of us could be susceptible to the conditions that render misfortune and calamity. With this in mind, they offer new portals of connection, relationship, and opportunity.

The Spirit of The Commons

The POWER of SHARED SPACE

In China's culture the thought is often articulated through the concept and practice of feng-shui  -the system that governs spatial arrangements to create a sense of energy or aura. It is believed that when arranged properly with the necessary elements in the most appropriate location then that space has the potential to emit a power linked to prosperity, success, fulfillment. Another provocative idea regarding space, ergonomics, suggests space becomes powerful only when there is intent to design with maximum productivity and efficacy in mind.

Consider the space of 258 North Merton Street. Nestled in the Binghampton community...the Commons on Merton is a shared space community with over a dozen non-profit entities occupying the space. Each organization seeks to enhance the city/region by offering distinct services and opportunities that advance and promote noble work. Behind the work of these organizations exists a common thread that potentially enhances their respective work. The arrangement of these organizations within shared building space offers something powerful to the local landscape and to the region. Energy, vibration, resonance emerge from The Commons on Merton.

On a Tuesday afternoon you'll hear the chatter of young voices coming from the basement of the Commons on Merton. These children are gathering to exercise and expand their capacity to become better students and as children often do, they show their enthusiasm through their smiles and effervescence. There's an anticipation of what the moment holds for this robust group. Tutors of the Refugee Empowerment Program are in place preparing to offer guidance and assistance with a wide range of academic subjects, but at second glance the learning seems to be reciprocal -multi-layered even. The children offer something to those in position to tutor some lessons on culture, gratitude, humility, resilience.

One flight above the basement sits a sanctuary. As you walk in, the stained glassed windows cast a residue of bright colors onto the wall where a cross is suspended and gives a focal point for the entire room. The hardwood floors, an upright piano, and the arrangement of chairs speak to a sense of narrative, as if the room has stories to tell about the encounters it has held within these walls. It seems to offer a voice about history from the neighborhood ...about the neighborhood...about being a place of refuge for the neighborhood. Even now, in its current usage it speaks even louder about the treasured voices that use this hall as an acoustic chamber to resonate melodies of heavenly proportions.

The Binghampton Community Choir houses its' weekly rehearsals here. Members of the choir are predominantly residents of the neighborhood. They readily express their sense of ownership in the community. Part of their belief is that music has the power to elevate our humanity but also reduce us to the powerful, simple necessity of being heard. This choral community is fully engaged in sharing music through this neighborhood and the city, but it also embraces a sobering responsibility of serving as ambassadors from this neighborhood. This facility that houses their rehearsals seems to add volume to their voice...add harmony to their melody. The historicity connected to the old church building somehow offers a collective "amen" to this choir and its contribution to the community.

Three congregations also house worship services in the sanctuary: Binghampton UMC, Holy Pentecost (A Burundi Church-traditions are from Burundi in Central Africa), and Memphis Metropolitan Christian Church. The diversity of Christian expressions that come from each offer a glimpse into the diversity of the neighborhood and surrounding area. Binghampton United Methodist Church evolved from a remnant of those from the original owners of the property - Everett Memorial UMC and offers a communal spirit of hospitality.  It engenders an environment of transformation, and deepens one's faith through collective experience and understanding of scripture. There is an intersection here with God's grace.

At Holy Pentecost the rhythmic undertones of African drums sweeps underneath you as they echo throughout the building. Holy Pentecost offers an indigenous worship experience laced with fervor and passion. The gathering celebrates Christ in native tongue but communicates quite clearly a call to serve its families and peoples with the conviction of the gospel.

Occasionally, as you walk through the building you will faintly hear the soothing notes of violinist Anthony Gilbert. Here at the Commons Anthony offers affordable violin lessons to members of the community. He has a storied history serving as a part of symphonic groups. He speaks with reverence about the space that offers him solace, roots, and identity.

Countless stories from varied partners exist within the halls of this shared space.The sentiment across the board offers a value of the communal spirit of the place. Whether it's Door of Hope, Families of Incarcerated Individuals, or the Memphis School of Servant Leadership a spirit...an energy lives here. Barbara Vann, member of Binghampton UMC, recounts one of the inaugural moments of making the "Spirit of the Commons" a tangible reality for the entire community

The concept/theme of power and positive energy emanating from a physical space seems to reverberate when shared space partners speak about the Commons. The distinct infrastructure married to the ethos of the place warrants an appreciation for intentional community.

-Matthew Lee-

Discovering Our Role in Our Collective Healing

Mason (TN) Caregivers Promoting Unity

The principles of Communities of Shalom are as applicable in a rural context as they are in an urban neighborhood.  In a town of 1400 people, Mason Caregivers Shalom Community is fostering unity, promoting education and dreaming of so much more.

Pastor Billy Jo Jackson embraces the notion that everyone has gifts and skills to share.  Nearly breaking into a sermon from the stage of the first annual Mason Unity Festival, Pastor Jackson encouraged the hundreds gathered to complete a survey of their gifts.

"Together, connecting our gifts and skills, we are going to make Mason a stronger community!"

In the video below, Pastor Jackson shares how he builds upon what he learns and experiences through Center for Transforming Communities to seek the shalom of Mason.

Millennials Engaging in the Work of Neighborhoods

Perspectives from the next generation on community building

Much has been stated about the leveraging power of the emerging generation known as Millennials, occasionally referred to as Generation Y. This group of twenty-somethings has illustrated significant influence in determining the status of elections, impacting economic growth, and shaping the future of technology. They often are credited with fueling social media movements all around the world.

Center for Transforming Communities (CTC) recently sat down with the millennial members of its' team, Ian Preston and McKenna Lewellen, as they engage in neighborhood work as extensions of their academic experiences. Their thoughtful perspectives offer CTC the means to perpetuate powerful philosophy and enactment that moves our city and region forward. 

Neighborhoods are the Strength of Our Communities

The Power of an Asset-based Approach

With years of corporate experience, a wealth of wisdom, and a refined lens of perspective Dr. Mary Jo Greil takes a moment to share some insights on her work with Center for Transforming Communities. She has served on the Board of Directors for three (3) years while leading her own consulting firm, Carson Greil Group. An organizational change expert, Dr. Greil assesses the value of the asset-based community development approach as a powerful mechanism of change.

Exposure to a World of Assets Around Us

Every Community Member Has Gifts to Offer

Last weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Workshop at the Center for Transforming Communities (CTC). Facilitated by CTC Director, Amy Moritz, the workshop included group discussions, break-out sessions, lunch, and a wonderful tour of the Binghampton neighborhood led by Pastor Billy Vaughan.

Individuals from different neighborhoods across the metropolitan area like Highland Heights, Orange Mound, Germantown, and Grand Junction, TN were in attendance. As each participant introduced herself or himself,

Amy engaged each of them by asking questions about each neighborhood in the effort to discover the assets contained within.  Some illustrated  concern and voiced that their neighborhood lacked assets and perhaps had more struggles and “negatives” than anything else.

Over the course of the workshop, however, it was fascinating to witness the attitudes shifting…changing  as Amy talked about the ideas of internally-focused strength-based concepts of ABCD. She began to illuminate ideas such as the benefits of “doing with” rather than “doing to” your neighborhood and challenging participants to consider where they felt an internal sense of “calling” regarding their neighborhoods.

 

After walking to and eating lunch at Caritas Village (a nearby community partner), we were joined by Billy Vaughan, a pastor and resident of the Binghampton neighborhood, for a walking tour of the surrounding neighborhood. Seemingly, it was at this point in the workshop experience that the group began to truly understand and embrace the value of a neighborhood’s community members and assets.

Billy began by recounting the story of Onie Johns’ calling to the Binghampton area and how she sought to strengthen the community through creativity and relationship-building. “Onie,” Billy said, “is an asset.” As we walked along, he told us about a community member and friend who struggles with mental illness, and another who struggles with alcoholism. Billy said that one is simply brilliant and always willing to help those in need, and the other is one of the most skilled pianists around. “Both men,” Billy continued, “are assets.”

It was becoming clear how every community member had gifts to offer.

Billy pointed out the homes of these individuals as we walked along the breezy streets of residential Binghampton. By the end of the day, it was obvious that the group had a better understanding of ABCD. Moreover, it seemed that there was deeper awareness that recognizing a neighborhood’s assets and gifts is a much more sustainable approach for a neighborhood’s development than focusing on what it does not have.

Contributed by Ian Preston,  HCD Fellow and intern at Center for Transforming Communities.

Springboarding children to go as high as they can go

Their hospitality was refreshing, captivating even. After an unexpected, delightful lunch in their South Memphis home William and Geraldine Downey took the opportunity to share from a colorful lens of history regarding their enduring connection to their beloved neighborhood.

Both of them speak fondly of their childhood years in South Memphis and now some fifty plus (50+) years later they find themselves helping to shape the quality of life for children there today. Mr. and Mrs. Downey actively engage in the South Memphis neighborhood through their connection to a local congregation (Christ Quest) and a successful after-school tutoring program (Knowledge Quest). As residents within the South Memphis Shalom Zone, they bring their entire selves to creating a community of belonging among neighbors and nurturing the potential and capabilities of each child.

Whether it's helping the neighborhood prepare for the next holiday, coaching baseball or  simply loving  their neighborhood  and all of  its members, you will find the Downeys filling the gaps with hope through their generosity and selfless service.  As part of the interview they discuss assets within their community and the sense of promise on the horizon. This power to courageously forecast inspires them to continue in their service for their neighborhood that has weathered its' fair share of changes.

Our conversation reveals that their stewardship and partnership within the community resonates with principles of shalom. Over time they have emerged as community parents and pillars of stability for hundreds. This way of living...existing in the world produces community in real, tangible ways.

Southeast Memphis: Making It Happen Shalom Zone

Full of energy...full of excitement, Dianne Love takes a few moments to talk about the progressive change happening in her neighborhood. She attributes the growing phenomenon of collaboration to an awareness that shalom is a lifestyle. The partnerships and connections in southeast Memphis are widening with a particular focus to survey the assets existing within the community and maximize the potential therein.

South Memphis embraces the concept of Shalom

Dennis Ross, Sr. pastor of Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church, shares through an experiential lens what it means to evolve alongside a community as it redefines itself. Pastor Ross engages in committed service to his community by connecting his narrative to a community full of promise. He equates the power of South Memphis to that of a shining beacon of hope.

Much of his story and the story of South Memphis is inherently tied to a way of believing, living, and existing in the world. Pastor Ross eagerly discusses... the power of Shalom.

FirstWorks@TheCorners: The Asset-Based Approach Making a Difference In Highland Heights

You can hear the passion, the sincerity, and love that emanates from Amy Pearson, Executive Director of FirstWorks - a tutoring program in the Highland Heights community. She takes a moment to speak candidly regarding the great work that FirstWorks@The Corners does as part of Communities of Shalom. Moreover, she highlights the amazing gifts, assets, and potential that are so alive and vibrant in this historic neighborhood.

It's All About Sharing Experience, Knowledge, Love, and Making Friends

Carl Awsumb was so excited on that Saturday in July, when more children showed up than ever before.  With fifteen to twenty children and few adults it was almost too much of a good thing.  They picked one hundred pints of blackberries – the most ever – and sold them at a local Farmers’ Market with the help of Grow Memphis. 

Cleaning and sorting the tomatoes, beans and okra for the cartons.

One might think it is the profit share of up to five dollars an hour that keeps the children from the local Binghampton neighborhood coming back to McMerton Gardens early every Saturday morning.   But it is so much more.  You can see it in the faces of the children and the volunteers hoeing, weeding and harvesting the beautiful fruits and vegetables.  There is a pride in the product, an enthusiasm in the friendships, and an energy for being and working together.

When Carl began this work in 2007  he only knew that he had been so blessed in his own life that he wanted to share that privilege.  His vision has drawn volunteers from the surrounding area – wealthy and poor, young and not-so-young, from disparate neighborhoods and cultures.  He strongly feels that if he can invite people together that are normally on “different sides of the equation” that perspectives will change.  It has proven true.  Friendships have formed around the tasks and the time together. 

Billy Vaughan is one of the adult volunteers that help to cultivate the six garden plots scattered around the twenty block neighborhood.  Billy often testifies to the joy each child brings to the Gardens, and it is evident as he picks up a handful of tools and walks alongside a little girl the few blocks to the next garden.  She chats away about how she has started school this week and can’t wait to go back on Monday.

Vaughan and some of the children.

Indeed, McMerton Gardens is a vibrant Community of Shalom with all kinds of seeds being planted and harvested.

- Kristi Estes-

If you have questions, comments or a story to share, please contact Kristi@ctcmidsouth.org.

FirstWorks at The Corners Thrives by Building on Community Assets

The Corners of Highland Heights Community of Shalom faced a difficult decision last summer when it looked like FirstWorks, a long running after-school program, would not re-open with the new school year.

Recognizing what an important asset that the program was for the neighborhood, The Corners was determined to save FirstWorks.  According to Fred Morton, The Corner’s Shalom Zone coordinator, “The Corners’ purpose included strengthening the education of the children in our neighborhood, and we were committed to keeping the program running.”  

As one of the Communities of Shalom trained and supported by the Center for Transforming Communities (CTC), The Corners had already created and implemented a day camp for FirstWorks, and was now ready to take on a more ambitious project.  Following some modifications to the program, “FirstWorks at the Corners” was able to continue as a once a week enrichment program for 25 children from first through eighth grades in the Highland Heights neighborhood.

In addition to the capacity that The Corners built in two years of operation they were also able to leverage tremendous support from St. Luke’s UMC, Highland Heights UMC, Germantown UMC, the Junior League of Memphis, Valero, and many others.

One major change that The Corners worried might harm the program was to discontinue the transportation of the children to and from the church.   Fortunately , the children’s parents were committed to the program and found ways to make sure their children attended weekly.   This partnership with both FirstWorks and parents is essential to the success of the ministry. 

In addition, FirstWorks recently initiated an exciting new way to work with families as they set future goals.  Parents can use an online screening process to review their eligibility for government benefits to help stabilize their financial situation.  Along the way, the process sparked dialog and education about other resources within the community, as well as uncovered resources right at FirstWorks that have proved extremely helpful to the parents. 

For example, one job-seeking mother learned about dressing appropriately for an interview, and she was able to create a resume using the computers at FirstWorks. 

“We will host the online screening again later in the semester for other parents, and look forward to the great possibilities that will emerge.” said Amy Pearson, Director of FirstWorks.  

Parental involvement in their children’s success truly embodies the shalom values of inclusive, collaborative, and systemic change that will transform their neighborhood.   The Center for Transforming Communities is quite proud that The Corners was prepared to take on this ambitious project to build shalom in their neighborhood; and looks forward to sharing more stories of success through FirstWorks at The Corners.

Do you have an interesting story about partnerships and collaborations that are enhancing your neighborhood?  You can join the discussion NOW by sharing your story in several ways:

• ·         below in the comments section, or

• ·         contacting us at info@ctcmidsouth.org or

• ·         linking your story to CTC's Facebook page and/or CTC's Twitter feed (@ctcmidsouth)

Living an Attitude of Abundance is Indeed a Paradigm Shift

Exploring a different vision for creating community

“Whatever the problem, community is the answer.”

This quote from Margaret Wheatley could have been the mantra for “Engaging Community.  Narrating Change.” last fall with John McKnight, Peter Block and Walter Brueggemann and continues to be the mantra for the people who seek to create community everywhere in their daily lives.

Building upon what 350+ Memphians learned about creating community last November, Center for Transforming Communities (CTC) invited participants to continue the conversation and explore a different vision for creating community - one that changes perspective and emphasis from problems to possibilities.  The vision supports an abundant, satisfying, and strong community that emerges from naming and building upon the existing gifts and assets of individuals living in a neighborhood. 

Drawing upon the methodologies of discussion and community building (i.e. knee-to-knee three person groups of “strangers”) introduced by Block, McKnight and Brueggemann, CTC continued to introduce participants to various conversation methods to engage in a lively dialogue about community at a recent gathering at The Commons.  Participants shared moving and interesting stories about how an assets/gifts approach has been applied to build and strengthen community in their neighborhoods along with concrete ideas for learning and sharing “practices of community.”

Here are a few insights from the evening.  (To read the full notes from the meeting, click here.)

• Our culture often mistakes the event (the gala, the luncheon with a keynote speaker, the conference, etc.) as community.  In our modern era, the event has taken the place of community.  We need a re-imagining of events as an experience of and catalyst for ‘true’ community.
• Storytelling moves individuals from being reduced to sound bites (or a recital of a resume) to seeing other, deeper dimensions of our humanity.  Crafting agendas and space for small group conversations and for people to share their story at a more personal level brings healing and connection – necessities of life.  In sharing and hearing our individual stories, we begin to get a glimpse of the universal story in which we are all interrelated.
• Living an attitude of abundance is indeed a paradigm shift.  And, it is living out of this paradigm shift that deep community is experienced.  It requires a shift of values and language from doing for or giving to another person to values and language that recognizes everybody as having gifts to contribute.

There is more to come!  We are just at the beginning of what is possible when we support each other in being intentional about community.  There will be more invitations and opportunities to explore a different vision for creating community.  Visit the CTC website for more information or to sign up for our enewsletter at www.ctcmidsouth.org.

Until the next gathering, you can join the discussion by sharing your story in several ways:

• Below in the comments section, or
• Contacting us at info@ctcmidsouth.org or
• Linking your story to our Facebook page and/or Twitter feed.

Does rugged individualism limit our ability to build community?

Possibilities through the lens of a Kenyan ministry

This week I had the pleasure of a visit from Stanley Gitari Imunya and Mary Karimi Gitari of Kenya.  Our mutual acquaintance, Susan Hillebert, organized our meeting believing that our respective work, though 8,000 miles apart, had much in common and that there are things we can learn from each other.

Indeed, I was very intrigued about the work of Zoe Ministries which uses community as the basic building block that nurtures the ability of aids orphans to become self-sufficient.   When orphans are accepted into the three-year program, they are formed into supportive communities of about 80 children that work the tenants of the program as they also show care, support and compassion for each other.  The stories of the children’s generosity and the way they make decisions that care for the whole of the community and the least among them impressed me.  Click here to read an example story. 

Center for Transforming Communities (CTC) also uses the basic building block of community in our mission to strengthen and renew neighborhoods across the Midsouth.   As we finished our conversation, I shared with Stanley that I was eager to learn more.  What are the tools, the processes, the methods that Zoe Ministries uses to bring the children together in community and foster such deep generosity and selflessness? 

 

My question seemed to puzzle Stanley and I realized that I was not going to get his handbook on building community.  I realized, upon reflection, that what I wanted to know did not need special methods and processes in Stanley’s culture.  What I wanted Stanley to share with me were tools for countering the North American culture of individualism, competition and scarcity.  I was hoping for tools that would move a group of people from seeing themselves as individuals with self-interests to protect to seeing themselves as a community, a collective, interdependent, where the well-being of the whole is represented by the well-being of the least among them.

As Peter Block, author of Abundant Community, writes, “Caring for our community and convening citizens to care for their community is difficult work. We are working against the whole tide of the dominant culture which worships individualism, self-interest, and competition.”  

Although Stanley cannot teach CTC and the Shalom Zones how to build community in a society rooted in rugged individualism,  there is still much we can learn from the way he, Mary and the Zoe Ministries ‘seek shalom’ for the orphans in their country.  And, Stanley and Mary were interested to know more about how community and cooperation is fostered through CTC in the Shalom Zones and at The Commons.

Peter Block goes on to write that even though you will not see it much in the news, initiatives like Communities of Shalom and other citizen-based initiatives are creating a surging “movement toward interdependence, generosity, and cooperation that is changing the world.”

I hope you will join us in this movement!  Read the stories of community posted throughout this blog.  Learn more by visiting our website at www.ctcmidsouth.org.  Sign up for our enewsletter where you can find out about more ways to be involved.

- Amy Moritz -

Please share your comments below or at info@ctcmidsouth.org.

Developing eyes to see what God sees

Prayer Walking: a practice for shalom-seekers in the neighborhood

This is the third Lenten season that The Corners of HighlandHeights Community of Shalom has coordinated a weekly prayer walk in their community.  Each Tuesday they meet at a different church in Highland Heights and the surrounding area.  From their starting point, they walk in small teams to the school, along the commercial corridor, and in residential pockets where gangs and violence are threatening the neighborhood.

I joined them this past Tuesday as they walked, met shopkeepers along Summer, and prayed for the welfare of the community. 

I was first introduced to prayer walking through a seminary class called ‘engaged spirituality’ where I learned about Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk.  Click here to learn more.  Some of my riches moments of being in God’s presence are the times that I walk with prayerful intent, slowing down, and becoming mindful to both my surroundings and to God.   

During these times I become so present to the world around me that I see things that I would not normally see.  One of the things that happens quite often and gives me great joy is seeing a four leaf clover, among a patch of clover, along the path as I walk.   This clover sighting means for me that I have slowed down enough, and become present enough to God’s creation, to know and experience that God is with me. 

As I walked along the south side of Summer Avenue (west of Highland) this week, there was no clover.  There were no people on the street and most of the old store fronts had padlocked doors and windows that had been covered over so that one could not see in.  On first look, this was a place devoid of life, empty and vacant. 

Someone suggested that we walk along the backside of the row of stores.  Here we found shopkeepers, open doors, and lots of beautiful and colorful displays!  I was particularly struck by the diversity and nationalities represented by the shopkeepers, each proprietor originating from a different continent.  Some were new to the country and new to business ownership eagerly hopeful that their business would support their family.  Some stores were decades old and determined to hold on, even among the age of big box retail and chains.  

The four leaf clovers for me this day were the uniquely beautiful shopkeepers, their hopes and aspirations, and the ways in which they sought to serve the community through their stores (thrift store, pharmacy, low cost goods, etc.). 

The purpose of prayer-walking in a shalom zone is to seek God's guidance, mercy, and transforming power—both for the community, and for ourselves as God's servants in the community. 

Seeking to experience God’s eyes, ears and heart for the neighborhood, The Corners Shalom Team will be reflecting together in the coming weeks about what has been seen and experienced through the weekly prayer walks.    

The key question will be “how are we being shaped as God’s agents for shalom in this community?”

- Amy Moritz -

You can find many resources on the internet for organizing a prayer walk in your community.  This guide provides instructions and questions for reflecting upon the experience.

Please share your comments below or at info@ctcmidsouth.org.