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The Cornerstone
A Newsletter for the Faith
Community
Advent 2008 |
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Do you know a potential
Habitat Homeowner?
View our selection criteria here. Applicants must
demonstrate the inadequacy of their current housing situation,
an ability to pay a no-interest mortgage, a willingness to
partner with Habitat through sweat equity and participation in
homeowner education classes, and must meet residency
requirements. To refer a family to us, please contact
Clinton Moore, Director of Family Services, at 303-447-3787
ext. 222 or cmoore@flatironshabitat.org. |
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Please
Pray...
For the Thomas, Ramos, and Gomez families as
they work to complete their sweat equity hours.
For peace in homes, neighborhoods, and
communities, especially during this Advent season.
For wisdom for our Board of Directors,
especially our new board president John Woods, as they
exercise their responsibilities of leadership.
That the spirit of generosity toward people in
poverty that accompanies the holiday season will
endure throughout the coming year.
For Rhea Neckers, our new AmeriCorps VISTA for
corporate outreach, as she begins her year of service with our
affiliate. |
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Our Wish
List
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Tools and accessories, including AA
batteries, laser levels, chalk lines, staple guns, work
gloves, safety glasses, measuring tapes, and carpenter
pencils
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Images from Harmony Haven: The Construction
of Building C
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| Clergy Corner:
Rev. Bob Stuenkel, University
Lutheran Chapel
(Retired)
 As
we celebrated the International Day of Prayer and Action
for Human Habitat and dedicated the 5-plex townhouse
building at Harmony Haven on 21 September, several of us
were viewing pictures of our participation in site and
house blessings early in our affiliate's history.
The conversation also took us back to the seeds of our
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity (FHFH) development some
twenty-five years ago. In our singing of "Lo, How a Rose
E'er Blooming" during this season, we are reminded of
God's work through our faith community in the provision
of fifty homes completed by our FHFH
affiliate.
My first awareness of the
Habitat for Humanity movement came from Mary Elizabeth
& Mason Schumacher of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church
in the early 1980s and from Doug & Alice McKee,
colleagues at the Wesley United Methodist Campus
Ministry. These neighbors on either side of our
University Lutheran Chapel & Student Center in
Boulder had come to know Millard Fuller, the founder of
Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia. Mary
Elizabeth tells about being inspired by Millard's book,
Love in the Mortar Joints, while she and Mason
visited friends in Americus. When she asked how
they might assist, Millard told of the need for a
regional center in our western area. The
Schumachers established "Rocky Mountain Habitat for
Humanity," and Mary Elizabeth became the volunteer
Regional Director. At the time, there were just 33
affiliates nationally. (As 2008 concludes, we
marvel at more than 2250 affiliates
world-wide.)
Awareness of Habitat grew in
our region through visits by Millard Fuller, The
Schumachers set up his speaking tours, placed articles
in the newspapers, and the affiliates were formed in our
Colorado Front Range. Our campus ministries
benefitted from the hosting of Millard Fuller and the
personalized relationship with the McKees and the
Schumachers on at least two occasions, and the impact on
our ministries had a tangible effect. Kurt
Firnhaber of University Lutheran and Karen Utley are
recognized as founders of our FHFH affiliate fifteen
years ago, and Daren Erisman and Cynthia Kolsinski, both
student members of University Lutheran, coordinated the
beginning of the CU Chapter for
Habitat.
The life of our campus ministry
was enriched greatly by association with Habitat, even
enabling participation in work days and co-sponsorship
of a home in the Violet Hollow community and providing
the offices of our FHFH affiliate until the move to the
present location several years ago. We truly trace
the growth of those small seeds from the Schumachers and
McKees to the outstanding band of volunteers and
committed Board members and leaders. Mary
Elizabeth ultimately became vice-president of the Board
for Habitat International. A high point in the
Schumachers' service was working on the construction of
the first four Habitat houses in Peru. She and
Mason remain active in our faith community as members of
St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church in Lafayette, which
Father David Mustian has served since its
beginning.
Above all, we rejoice that homes
are made possible for families of need. I thank
God that I can also witness to the growth of young
adults in lives of service through the vision and
experience of Habitat. A passage from Psalm 126 is
read in this Advent Season: "Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with
shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves" (v. 6).
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel | |
Flatirons Habitat Welcomes
New Executive Director
John Lovell is a resident of Longmont, and he began
his work with Habitat through the St. Vrain Valley
affiliate. At St. Vrain he was a crucial partner
for six years, helping to organize their ReStore and
initiate various marketing and PR opportunities. A
marketing graduate of CU-Boulder, John also has an MBA
from Harvard. He is an avid photogrpaher, and he
started his own photography company in Longmont.
He has also helped many other start-up companies in the
area. With previous work as a product and program
manager, John looks forward to building the Flatirons
affiliate's presence within the community and
strengthening our current relationships.
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel
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| Partner Family Portrait:
Diane Maisel, Harmony Haven Building
C
Diane Maisel is
from Rochester, New York. She traveled out to
Boulder for a change of pace about five years ago. She
has been running her own housecleaning business, Corners
Too, since 2004 with steady business, but she has never
had enough income to be able to get out of her current
housing arrangement. Her present housing is the
basement of her friend's home, which is very small and
insufficiently heated. It goes many months without
repair, yet she has always treated her current housing
as if it were her own.
When she
was selected to be a Habitat partner, she was elated.
This gave her the confidence that she will have a
stable, comfortable home. She will no longer have to
heat her home with the oven, and she will be joining a
community, of which she is enthusiastically looking
forward to being a big part.
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel |
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"Go for Baroque"
Concert Raises Funds for
Habitat
 Flatirons Habitat for
Humanity thanks First Presbyterian Church of
Boulder for hosting a benefit concert that raised more
than $2300 for our affiliate. On the evening of
Friday, November 21, the audience in the church's chapel
was treated to an outstanding performance of works by G.
F. Handel and J. S. Bach in "Go for Baroque: Get a
Handel on Bach!" produced by Dr. Martha Sandford-Heyns
and Ginger Hedrick. The program included
selections from Handel's Messiah and Bach's
Brandenburg Concerto. The audience also
heard Harmony Haven homeowner Candi Ayers tell the story
of the transofmation of her life through Habitat.
The performers received a much deserved standing
ovation, and they greeted audience members at a
delightful reception after the
concert. |
| Staff
Spotlight:
Bob Wettergren, Construction
Manager
For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many." (Mark 10:45)
One of the first books I read in my Master's
program at Regis University was "Servant Leadership" by
Robert Greenleaf. In his book, Greenleaf
emphasized collaboration, trust, empathy, and the
ethical use of power. He felt the individual
is a servant first, making the conscious decision to
lead in order to better serve others, not to increase
their own power. The objective of a leader is to
enhance the growth of individuals in the organization
and increase teamwork and personal involvement.
Over my years with Habitat, my life has been
blessed with leading, serving, and being with volunteers
who have performed over 2500 volunteer days of service
at the construction site - in the past year alone.
These people are my extended family.
They, and my staff, are the reason I always look forward
to coming out to the work site each day. They are
the people who give me energy. In a world often
described as "self only," they are the ones who say, "We
care and want to make a difference."
In my entire work career, covering over forty
years, this is the most exciting phase I have
known. The volunteers, my staff, the families, and
serving Christ: this is why I am here.
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel |
Construction Begins on
Building C
 The walls that members of the
clergy from local
congregations assembled during Flatirons
Habitat's Clergy Build Days back in September are
now standing on the foundation at Harmony Haven.
Construction has begun on our second building at the
site, and it is scheduled for completion in spring
2009. Building C will consist of four condo-style
units, including two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom
homes. The Maisel, Varga, and Gomez families have
already been selected as homeowners for these units, and
we are currently in the process of selecting the fourth
family that will make their home in Building C. We
would like to thank the congregations that have already
given of their finances and labor to make the Harmony
Haven project possible. Sponsorship opportunities
for Building C are still available. Contact
Development Director Jan Hawley at 303-447-3787 ext. 224
or jhawley@flatironshabitat.org or
Congregational Outreach Coordinator Derek Wittman at
303-447-3787 ext. 230 or dwittman@flatironshabitat.org
for more
information. |
| Volunteer's Voice:
Joan Graham, Faith Connections
Committee
 My
experiences as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer have
enriched my life with new relationships and a meaningful
way to put my faith into action. They include
construction worker, office volunteer, leader of the
Faith Connections committee, and organizer of the
Habitat Ministry Team at First Presbyterian
Church.
About eight years ago I signed up for a Habitat
Build Day with my church. I showed up that
Saturday morning not knowing what to expect. Right
away I knew it would be a very special experience
because we were all greeted by a site host who opened
our work day with a prayer. We were providing a
Christian witness in the community! With no real
construction skills, I was assigned a useful task and
worked alongside other volunteers and future
homeowners. One nine year-old boy was eager to
show me which bedroom he would share with his
brother. In several experiences at the
construction site, I have felt great satisfaction in
contributing to Habitat's work.
I have also learned that for Habitat to accomplish
its mission, many other essential tasks are done by
volunteers. As an office volunteer, I helped with
a mailing and made phone calls. It proved to be a
transition to my work on the Faith Connections
Committee, promoting Flatirons Habitat's relationship
with the faith community and organizing two annual
events, Building on Faith Week, including the Clergy
Build, and the Holy Smokes clergy cook-off. Both
are lively and fun celebrations of Habitat's partnership
with area congregations.
The Habitat Ministry Team at my church advocates
for Habitat. We want our congregation to be
informed about Habitat's work and special events and to
provide financial and volunteer support whenever
possible. We organized a First Pres build day last
summer and have recently completed our pledge for a 25%
- house sponsorship at Harmony Haven. To do that,
we applied for funds from our Missions Department and
held fundraisers. We will continue to have build
days, provide prayer support, and support our pastor as
he participates in Holy Smokes.
As a Habitat volunteer I've seen lives transformed
- lives of families who become homeowners and stable
members of their communities - and lives of volunteers
who put their faith into action by sharing in Habitat's
mission.
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel |
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Boulder's Dinner
Theatre Event
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Shop, Donate, or
Volunteer at the Flatirons Habitat for Humanity Thrift
Store!
Come in and see our new 4000 square
foot expansion!
If you haven't
seen our store, we're bigger and better than ever.
And remember,
December 31 is fast approaching.
Donate
now for that end of the year tax deduction!
6900 W. 117th St.
Broomfield, CO 80020
303-404-2008 |
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Space is still available
for several more clergy chefs!
To participate, contact Derek Wittman at
303-447-3787 ext, 230 or
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Several Congregations
Consider Participating in Apostles
Build
Will you
join them?
 Flatirons Habitat for Humanity is
organizing an Apostles Build, and several congregations
have expressed interest in participating. Twelve
congregations will come together to raise funds and
provide labor and prayer support to build a Habitat for
Humanity house. Participating congregations will
contribute equal shares of a house sponsorship ($8333,
per congregation, payable over three years).
Members of each congregation will have the opportunity
to construct part of the home. This is an
excellent opportunity for small congregations or
congregations with limited financial resources to become
involved in home sponsorship. For more
information, contact Derek Wittman, Congregational
Outreach Coordinator, at 303-447-3787 ext. 230 or dwittman@flatironshabitat.org. |
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Bridges Out of
Poverty Training
Is your congregation a welcoming place for
people in poverty? Would you like to enhance your
congregation's ministry in the community by providing
your staff, lay leadership, and/or membership with a
better understanding of poverty? Flatirons Habitat
for Humanity has two staff members (Derek Wittman and
Clinton Moore) who are certified as trainers for the
Bridges Out of Poverty materials authored by
Ruby Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith.
The material is aimed at helping people in poverty
achieve stability and helping those who serve them serve
with greater effectiveness through imparting an
understanding of the hidden rules of economic
class. We are pleased to offer Bridges training to
congregations in our service area as a one-day seminar
or in the format of an adult education series.
Habitat does not charge a fee for this training,
although each participant will need to purchase the
$7.00 Bridges Out of Poverty workbook. To
schedule a training, please contact Derek Wittman,
Flatirons Habitat Congregational Outreach Coordinator,
at dwittman@flatironshabitat.org
or 303-447-3787, ext. 230. |
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Faith Connections
Committee
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity is looking for new
members for our Faith Connections Committee. The
membership of the committee consists of volunteers who
are active in their faith communities and want to help
build strong partnerships between area congregations and
Flatirons Habitat. Its functions include
encouraging local congregations and faith-based groups
to become involved in the mission of Habitat for
Humanity through involvement in building projects,
special events, fundraising activities, and various
other activities in support of our affiliate. The
committee is especially involved in organizing
faith-related events such as the Clergy Build and Holy
Smokes. Members also serve as liaisons between our
affiliate and their congregations. Anyone
interested in serving on this committee should contact
Derek Wittman, Flatirons Habitat Congregational Outreach
Coordinator, at 303-447-3787 ext. 230 or dwittman@flatironshabitat.org.
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel |
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Affordable Options for
Supporting Habitat
 We all know that these are
difficult economic times, and Flatirons Habitat for
Humanity wants you to know that there are budget-neutral
ways to support us. One of these is to use
GoodSearch as your internet search engine. Simply
navigate to www.goodsearch.com and select
"Habitat for Humanity - Flatirons (Boulder, CO)"
as your nonprofit of choice. Flatirons
Habitat will receive $0.01 for every search you
perform. GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo!, so you
can expect quality search results when using this
service. For your convenience, you can add the
GoodSearch toolbar to your web browser. If you
would like to encourage the members of your congregation
to support us in this way, we can provide you with the
text of a bulletin announcement. Contact Derek
Wittman for more information.
 Another budget-neutral way
to support Flatirons Habitat is through participation in
the Grocery Gift Card Program. Flatirons Habitat
for Humanity participates in the Scrips programs of King
Soopers, Safeway, Sunflower Market, and Vitamin
Cottage. A congregation can buy grocery gift cards
and sell them to its members. When they are used
for purchases at those stores, 5% will be dontated to
Flatirons Habitat. A congregation can
realistically donate several thousand dollars per year
to Flatirons Habitat simply by using these cards to
spend money that would have been used to purchase
groceries anyway. All that is required is a
volunteer in the congregation who is willing
to oversee sales of cards to members. For
information on how to get involved, contact Val Havlick,
Flatirons Habitat Grocery Program Coordinator, at
303-494-0664 or havlickv@colorado.edu. |
A Gift That Keeps on
Giving
Recherché
Photography has partnered with Flatirons Habitat
for Humanityto bring some holiday magic to historic
downtown Louisville. Join Recherché, Santa, and
Mrs. Claus for unforgettable holiday portraits featuring
our fabulous costume box, sweet holiday treats, and
more!
Just come by Recherché's cozy
cottage studio for your portrait...it's perfect for
holiday cards and lifelong memories! Packages start
as low as $50! Please visit our website blog at
www.recherche-photography.com for more detailed
information on donation packages.
Holiday
Portrait Session Dates:
December 18, 10:30 am to 2
pm
December 19, 9 am to 1 pm
December 20, 9 am to
2:30 pm
All proceeds go towards providing
homeownership opportunities that transform the lives of
families in our community through Flatirons Habitat for
Humanity, that builds and renews simple, affordable and
energy-efficient homes for low-income families in
BoulderValley and Broomfield communities.
Want to spread the holiday cheer? Please
bring along an unwrapped toy to donate to
Toys for
Tots!
Visit our website for more
information and to download the form you'll need to fill
out for the session:
www.recherche-photography.com/holiday2008.htm!
Want
to see portraits from our Halloween drop-in
sessions? Visit our blog:
www.recherchephotography.blogspot.com!
Questions?
Please Contact
Rhea Neckers
Corporate Outreach Coordinator
303-447-3787, ext. 231
or
Recherché Photography
836 Main
Street
Louisville,
CO80027
303.665.2708
www.recherche-photography.com
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"The poor
and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues
are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer
them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I
will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within
the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs."
--Isaiah
41:17-18
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