Things at Hyaets will be changing soon. Jason and Joanie have developed an interest in community living with another couple and are persuing starting a new community in a rural area. Their hope is that this new community will be a branch off of Hyaets. The potential for Jason and Joanie's move has made us rethink a lot of things. We ask ourselves, how will we function without another family here to rely on? Where will we get the man power to do the things we currently do at Hyaets? What areas of growth or change do we see? How will we recruit community members here in the urban place?
Greg and I have been talking about the possibilities. We have been brainstorming and writing down our ideas and we're ready to hear thoughts and ideas from a few other people. So, we've invited some folks over for breakfast on Saturday with the hopes that other voices might be able to contribute helpful ideas and brainstorming.
Here is a sketch of what we've been talking about:
Our Values, they influence how we function as a community and ministry:
- Order our lives around the rule and routine
- Cooperation
- Hospitality
- Some version of economic sharing
- Communal prayer
- Communal Meals
- Communication about practical/calendar, emotional, spiritual concerns
- ???not sure how to word correctly or which to include: children, peacemaking, nonviolence, conflict resolution, racial reconciliation, faith/discipleship, simplicity, downward mobility, creation care
Places/times that we sense a need, void, opportunity for growth or change
- Emotional/ Physical/ Spiritual support
o As individuals, as a family
o Shared “labor” of ministry
- Ministry as conceived is not sustainable/non sustaining us
o Hard to see results
o Big concerns we cannot address/help to address (of neighbors, of community interaction/life)
o Repetition to the point of stagnation, can feel mundane
If this was felt as worthwhile (saw results) being mundane may not be a problem.
o Ideas/thoughts about changing, growing, but difficult to change course
- New projects coming up
o Potential for new problems
o No new people to help
- No clear leadership/rule/routine in place anymore
- Attempts to grow community have not been successful
o We want to write things down to make things more concrete and structured.
- Change is coming, but not arrived
- Timetable is unclear for change/J&J’s move
- Transition plans not worked out yet.
Hyaets urban ministry brainstorms
What needs do we see? What problems/issues would we want to address?
- What is life giving? What can we do and sustain?
o One on one relationships, depth of relationship with neighbors (ex: Dabria, Jamar, Demarcus, Dayna, Marquell). Esp. young people with whom deeper friendships were formed- not necessarily with intentions of homework
o Incentive trips are good
o Walk about the neighborhood, going to the Rec Center, interacting with others
o Relational stuff with adults is important- esp. for neighbors to know/support each other
o Non-neighbors developing meaningful relationships with neighbors
o Youth Group Meeting once a week
- Some things that we value, but can’t quite seem to make work with regularity; if we could figure out how to make them work, they would be really worthwhile.
o Peace week (spring break) activities
o Creativity, art, expression
o Drumming
o Open table at meal time
o Neighborhood Association or at least relationships
- Possibilities that we’re interested in
o Jobs for neighbors, esp 18-20 year olds who need experience (possible FreeMoreWest connection)
o Gardens
o Inn on Tuck: bed and breakfast type place at 2908 Tuckaseegee that musicians use for lodging before/after gigs. Maybe recording studio space in shed. Neighbors are hosts, provide hospitality.
o Art
o Being more present at the Rec Center, developing relationship with Afterschool program and other programs at the center. Becoming regular volunteers at the center.
o Community-cargiver- Hyaets“partner” level for neighbors
o College student interns or community
Possibilities for Rule and Routine
- What has worked for us and/or things we prefer
o Routine prayers- when there are more people, we can have them more frequently (3x a day is our preference) we like the idea of ringing a bell three times a day to pause for prayer. 10am, 3pm, 8pm?
o Liturgy for prayer content- common prayer book, repetition with openness for variation and conversation
o Ministry business meetings- when shared labor is equal and all participate with presence of mind and energy
o House functions as a space of welcome
o “Official” times when we can be free from obligation to community, “vacation” from obligation. 1x a month? Holidays? 2 weeks after summer busyness?
o Sharing things/resources- putting money into some kind of common pot was helpful and challenging, agree upon distribution
o Giving and receiving of individual’s gifts and skills for the benefit of the other and community at large. (ie: childcare, handywork, extras)
o Shared labor within ministry of Hyaets- differing roles, but all have a role
o Ministry of hospitality
o Shared space- proximity- live within 2-3 minute walk from BRTC
o Statement on addiction (not sure what or how to say this)
Things we hope for:
• End of week Examen Sunday night
• Weekly check-in, bring calendars, head’s up for the week, coordinate schedules/cars/resources each Sunday night
• 1 Community member’s retreat per year led by someone other than ourselves
• Send ambassadors to other communities regularly to learn and bring back lessons learned. Maybe one or two times a year
Things to work out:
• Heirarchy/leadership/ structure
• Official rule and routine: very clear and concrete, expectations defined
*relationship with rural community
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