The Mix Coworking - When Brunch Becomes a Feast
by Rhonda Sweet
I had the pleasure of catering a wedding sendoff brunch for a wonderful couple here in The Mix. As their guests trickled in, each curious about this unique space, some began to ask me questions and were even interested in a tour. My client of course approved, and what I witnessed on this tour was a feast for the eyes and hearts.
Read MorePursuing Justice
The Rule of Life, Week 14
By Adam White
We will pursue peace with justice
-From the MWF Rule of Life
If you could live at anytime in history, when and where would it be? Who would you want to see? What would you do? Why?
As a once-student-of-history, these are the questions I still find time to dream about. Me? What period of time and location in history would I want to visit? Be careful asking that--this newsletter is supposed to be short!
Stories from Bonhoeffer House
by Ryan Klinck, Bonhoeffer House Steward
When I first met Mike, he was a fellow from our group of homeless friends who frequented the Bonhoeffer House, that kept mostly to himself. He did not engage conversation much, came for the food, and was fine sitting quietly in the corner, doing his own thing.
Read MoreReflecting the Light Inside
The Rule of Life, Week 13
By Adam White
We will practice racial, gender, and other forms of reconciliation wherever we find sinful and destructive walls of division between people
-From the MWF Rule of Life
The first toy I ever remember playing with as a child was a glass triangular prism. I used to lie on the ground by the window on sunny days and play with the prism, refracting the light that was coming through the sun onto different surfaces. Sometimes, I’ll admit, I would shine the light into the eyes of my older siblings and parents. What captivated me most about this tiny, seemingly insignificant glass object was how the light could be refracted and present an array of colors that could change shape.
Bees & Honey
by Kate Rudd
We added an exciting feature to Haw Creek Commons recently - bee hives! We started with four hives: two Langstroth hives whose focus is honey production, and two top bar hives whose focus is beeswax production. The bee yard is complete with bear fencing (aka electrical fencing) as well as a privacy fence to deter hive theft (apparently a big deal in North Carolina).
Read MoreEnough
The Rule of Life, Week 12
by Andrea Lingle
We will practice regular Sabbath as a means of renewal so that we can lovingly serve God and neighbor
-From the MWF Rule of Life
Sabbath is a word that, for me, used to sound a lot like restriction. It might be a strange pronunciation, but it was not until I found myself practicing Sabbath in the context of community that Sabbath manifested itself into the practices of rest and freedom that truly reflect this ancient directive.
Ahadi's Christmas Stars
by Ronda VanDyk
During the first part of December, White Rock UMC hosted a holiday luncheon in The Mix Coworking & Creative Space. The Ahadi Collective received the honor of being commissioned to make a small gift for each of the attendees.
Read MoreRing-aRound-the-Rosies
The Rule of Life, Week 11
by Andrea Lingle
We will practice mutual accountability with a covenant group within the community, for how we serve God and neighbor
-From the MWF Rule of Life
Ring around the rosies,
I resemble my parents and my children resemble me. The writers of the creation accounts included in the Torah made it clear that human-kind resembles its Creator.
Square Soul
Manager, minister at CitySquare has a new mission
Byron's Lens: "Street Jesus" Finds Grace Under Pressure
By Byron Harris, as printed on WFAA.com
*Jonathan Grace resided in the Bonhoeffer House, a part of Missional Wisdom Foundations' Epworth Project, for three years.
Jonathan Grace stands out in a crowd. He’s an imposing presence, tall enough that when he walks into a room you notice him. He’s also got shoulder-length hair and a beard, that’s the other reason he catches your eye. He’s usually wearing jeans, a open-necked shirt and work boots and bears a strong resemblance to Leonardo Da Vinci’s depiction of Jesus in The Last Supper. Your first reaction is: what’s up with this guy?
Read MoreBlessed
The Rule of Life, Week 10
by Andrea Lingle
We will serve God and neighbor out of gratitude for the love of God
-From the MWF Rule of Life
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
My family lost a baby three years ago. We have not yet healed from this grief. Sometimes I still find myself staring into the middle distance lost in a moment so large and disorienting that I have to, mentally, follow the bubbles to the surface. In the weeks following her death, I was screened for depression. “Yes, I cry every day. Yes, I feel detached. Yes, I have lost interest in my normal activities.” We decided to watch and wait. Situational depression due to grief should only last three to six months.
Haw Creek Proposal
A few weeks ago, my children, Laine (8), Annabel (6), and Oliver (5), had the opportunity to present a project they have been working on for several months to a granting agency in the Asheville area. Here are their ideas in their own words. Oliver’s was aesthetic…he was not going to be left out!
They will begin working on implementing their projects at Haw Creek Commons in the coming year.
Enjoy.
-Andrea Lingle
Gifts for the Common Good of the Spirit
The Rule of Life, Week 9
by Adam White
We will use our spiritual gifts, talents and abilities to serve God within and beyond this community
-From the MWF Rule of Life
There are natural gifts and then there are learned gifts. If you ever wanted to find a way to understand what your natural gifts are and what gifts you can develop, then intentional monastic community is the place for you!
Caring Together for God's Gift of Creation
The Rule of Life, Week 8
by Adam White
We will honor and care for the gift of the earth and its resources, practicing ecologically responsible living, striving for simplicity rather than excessive consumption.
-From the MWF Rule of Life
“Debt” is a word that often makes me cringe. I think it is because throughout my life, and probably yours, there have been numerous warnings to stay away from debt. For instance, to have financial debt is to be in a lower position, having to owe money to someone or something.
Reclaiming Wonder
by Rachel Wells
Though I was raised in a devout Christian home, our faith tradition did not really practice or observe Advent. Which is why, as a child - and even into adulthood - I did not understand much about this season of anticipation. My exposure was pretty much limited to the calendar that hung in our living room, with a cookie for each of us kids nestled in the numbered pocket for each day of December.
Read MoreFamily Dinnner
The Rule of Life, Week 7
by Andrea Lingle
We will be hospitable to our faith community through participation in our worship, fellowship and mission.
-From the MWF Rule of Life
In my past I have thought of the word hospitable as something that you did that was larger than life. Hospitality was having a perfectly decorated Christmas tree. Hospitality was a clean house and a perfect meal. Hospitality emanated from the same ethos as glossy magazines and could be offered as soon as the pillows on your couch were in order.
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Advent
by Bret Wells
Our study of Shawn Small's The Via Advent is officially underway! Below is an excerpt from our online community discussion. It is not too late to join us - everyone is invited! See below for details on how to join the study.
Read MoreNot Alone
The Rule of Life, Week 6
by Andrea Lingle
We will be hospitable to our neighbors in our families, neighborhoods and workplaces.
-From the MWF Rule of Life
Being hospitable is something that is absurdly simple and yet overwhelmingly hard. Where is the line between hospitality and recklessness?
Harvest Time
by Maria Bergh, former resident of the Epworth project
As fall finally settles in and the harvest slows, I find myself grateful. My summer months were spent on Mustard Seed Community Farm, a part of the Catholic Worker Movement. This began during the Great Depression when a journalist named Dorothy Day met a teacher named Peter Maurin and they started talking and publishing their vision.
Read MoreThe Contemplative Stance
The Rule of Life, Week 5
by Andrea Lingle
We will practice a contemplative stance in order to be present to the world and ourselves.
-From the MWF Rule of Life
How are you here? How are you absent? Do you believe that contemplation is a good use of time?
When a pilot is learning to fly in low visibility conditions, he or she is instructed to disregard the sensation of being upright and rely on the gyroscope. Without visual reference, a person cannot tell which way is up. That is why divers tell you to follow your bubbles.
The Paloma House, a part of the Epworth Project
By House Steward and Resident, Lauren Roepken
At The Paloma house in Arlington, TX we outreach directly to the women at The Wesley at The University of Texas at Arlington. Every Monday evening we have a group of about 20 women (yes you read that right - 20 college women in one house) over for dinner, dessert, games, and a beautiful time of fellowship.
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