National Night Out ~ 08.03.2010
Posted: Thursday, August 12, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: National Night Out, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Comments Off on National Night Out ~ 08.03.2010
Taken from the National Night Out 2010 website…
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What is National Night Out?
It’s America’s Night Out Against Crime!
The “27th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by theNational Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 3, 2010 (Texas will celebrate on October 5th, 2010). We cordially invite you and your community to be a part of our NIGHT OUT 2010 team.
Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 36 million people participated in National Night Out 2009.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
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Southern Barton Heights had a great time hanging out together…strengthening our community spirit and enhancing our partnership with the police! I personally appreciate all that they have done for us in our community. Although our streets still have a bit of crime, our community should be better known for its history, its wonderful architecture, a mix of great people who have been around for ages and those of us who moved in more recently, young and old, different races, religions, classes, and beliefs…..and I LOVE IT! I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
I wish my pictures better reflected the diversity of our community. And…yes…that is our very own Councilwoman and VP – Ellen Robertson on the dance floor!!!
Enjoy!
Family and Friends
Posted: Sunday, August 8, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: cook-out, Evangelism, family, friends, missional, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Comments Off on Family and Friends
There has been a ton going on!!! We’ve been so busy that we really haven’t had time to blog about it! So, I will get you caught up….but in no certain order! Just random posts about what has been going on the last month! Although our calendar has been full of serving our community (and a few persecutions by some who don’t necessarily like what we are doing in the name of Jesus!), we had a awesome time relaxing with our family.
My aunt Pat (I call her Aunti Patti) came for a visit from Oregon in early July and stayed with us. On Friday night of her visit, we had a bunch of friends over so Pat could see them all at once. It was a wonderful time to catch up with long-time (note… I did not say OLD!!!) friends (and their kids who have grown up soooo fast!!!) who I haven’t seen in too long. Although, I hope that we will all do a better job of staying on touch! I didn’t get nearly as many pictures as I had hoped to!
In addition, my sister Rebecca and Nat, my nephew, came to visit! It was a great time of catching up with family! Louis and I even managed to take Nat and Madison (my local niece) to Water Country USA on one of those 100+ degree days! And…we managed to make it to our first Squirrels game….we won!!! And…we had chill time with family in Mom and Dad’s back yard. I can’t believe I didn’t get a pic of my sister!!! Argh!
Last Sunday, we also had a wonderful time of fellowship with The Walkers, who are long-time friends of Louis’ and missionaries in Panama, Brenda’s home country. We, again, had a gathering to provide Chris and Brenda an opportunity to share the work they are doing in Panama and Chris’ online ministry, Evangelism Coach. We had a great time meeting some new people, as we welcomed their friends into our home. We also had a special time of prayer for the Walker Family as they serve the Lord in Panama. (This time, I realized I got no pics of the kids…dag.)
OK….the last family/friend night….was in Charlotte, NC, Louis’ old stompin’ grounds. Right after he wrapped up his Math Degree (yes…I said MATH!!!) at Davidson, Louis served in a church across the street from Piedmont Court, one of Charlotte’s project. He and a friend, Richard, bought a house together and lived and served there for about 5 years. Richard lives in that same house and until recently, continued to serve that same community even though the projects had since been torn down and replaced with mixed income housing.
While assisting with his mom as she continued to heal from her knee replacement, Louis was able to reconnect with Richard. And on our last trip to Charlotte, I was able to meet his long-time ministry partner who I had heard sooo much about. Meet Richard…a man I have grown to love and respect….and appreciate for his sound advice. (And, Ladies…he’s single!!!!
We are sooo blessed to have friends and family who love us…and whom we love! Being in ministry can sometimes be tough…and discouraging…but, God has blessed us with wonderful, loving, and caring family and friends with whom we can fellowship…and just chill! We are glad to have done that…a lot…in July.
U-Turn + Miss Marti’s Kids + Commonwealth Chapel MCs = FUN ! ! ! ! !
Posted: Saturday, July 10, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, missional, missional church, Richmond, RVA, soccer, Southern Barton Heights, U-Turn, urban ministry Comments Off on U-Turn + Miss Marti’s Kids + Commonwealth Chapel MCs = FUN ! ! ! ! !
Miss Marti’s House partnered with U-Turn and Commonwealth Chapel for a new weekly outreach to the kids ages ranging from 7-12 from Gilpin Court and Southern Barton Heights. On June 26th, we had the kick-off cookout which you can read about in my 6.26 post, It was a GREAT day @ Miss Marti’s House.
Today was the first official trip…with about 15 kids from Southern Barton Heights and Gilpin Court. Not only did they get to play soccer, but they also got to hear from the U-Turn President and a guy who used to play professional soccer! In addition, Rikki gave a lesson from 1 Corinthians on how each part of the body plays an important role in the serving and worshiping Jesus.
Watch for testimonies coming from the kids next week! Many of them had a busy week at VBS Arts Camp and ended the week with U-Turn!
HUGE shout out to U-Turn and Commonwealth Chapel for their support!!!!
Here are a few pics from the morning….
VBS Arts Camp @ ComChap
Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Arts Camp, Bible School, Commonwealth Chapel, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Urban, VBS 4 Comments
Larry Reads About Creation in the Bible
The 2010 VBS Arts Camp “You’ve Got Talent!” at Commonwealth Chapel is taking place this week. We are so excited that a group of 8 from SBH is attending! Michelle and Keri are selflessly taking their time to drive them in the church van!!
The kids are coming home with a new interest in reading the Bible and hearing about the Lord. This morning, Larry took the initiative to run home and grab not just 1 Bible…but 2 Bibles to take with him today. He also wanted to read to me about the Creation. Many questions are being asked about different Bible stories. I could not be more thrilled.
So..now…what’s next? We are praying about ways that we can continue to spiritually feed the kids and teach them more about the love of Jesus.
On Tuesday night, we had a special time of prayer at our regular Tuesday Night Prayer service. During this time, the kids helped to lead worship, Brian worked sound and ComChap’s own Savannah gave us a moving devotion! In addition, the kids took time to pray for the needs of the adults on an individual basis. I was proud that some of Miss Marti’s Kids volunteered to pray!! Then, we as the adults took time to pray for the children! What a blessed night!
On a daily basis, the kids are singing and dancing, participating in dramas and puppet shows. In addition, they are drawing, painting and having time with other arts. Please join me in praying that the words the kids sing, read, act and hear will get deep into their hearts and be life changing!
You can see the great time they are having in the pictures below….
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- Larry Reads About Creation in the Bible
Get Well Soon, Grandma Louise!
Posted: Saturday, July 3, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Get Well Soon, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, urban ministry 1 CommentLouis’s mom, Louise, lives in Charlotte. He and his sister have been taking great care of her during and following a recent knee replacement. Some of the kids learned about it…and wanted to make her a Get Well card. So…here they are! When Louise comes to visit, the kids like to call her “Grandma” which makes her day…and mine! Because, we are like one big family! Her only 2 grandsons are so grown and live on the other side of the country, which makes her miss them desperately.
Yesterday, the boys also decided that they need to have some chores around the house…so they have selected their assignments…
- Bishop – He will feed and water the birds!
- Larry – He’s going to water my plants in the backyard!
- Deshawn – He will care for the plants on the front porch!
They are really great kids…and so polite and wise beyond their years. It has not taken them long to realize that some of the nonsense that is told to them by some neighbors is just that…NONSENSE! I’m so proud of them and thrilled they are part of my life.
Meet Bishop…the 2nd Guest Blogger
Posted: Thursday, July 1, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Guest Author | Tags: guest blogger, kids blogging, Northside Missional Community, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights 3 CommentsBishop was one of the first kids I met when I moved to Southern Barton Heights nearly 5 years ago! At 11 years old, he is the youngest of his 4 brothers who are living at home. Bishop is a rising 6th grader, who will attend Henderson Middle School in the Fall 2010.
Silliness!!! Bishop, Deshawn and Larry - The 3 Amigos
This is what he has to say….
Where I live
Where I live is not a bad place. I myself think it is a wonderful place for all people. You see that there are kids smiling and showing the most respect to everyone. Lots of people think that where I live is a bad place. Maybe should tell the truth that are a little bad things that happen but is not very harmful.
People I know
There are many people I know. I am only going to keep topic on my best friends . Their names are Deshawn and Larry. I know that you already know Larry but I will tell Deshawn is a boy of many talents. He is a great racer, very smart, and is very active about things.
About me
I myself is a a boy of many talents. I am good at racing, very smart and love playing outside.I like going to the pool and my uncle house. I think that it is good to keep where you live clean, but I am not going to be the one doing it( laugh). Last I have a great thing of humor.
Deshawn, Larry and Bishop
It was a GREAT day @ Miss Marti’s House!!!
Posted: Saturday, June 26, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, cook-out, Embrace Richmond, kids, missional, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, sports, U-Turn, urban ministry Comments Off on It was a GREAT day @ Miss Marti’s House!!!
We had a WONDERFUL time today partnering with U-Turn and Commonwealth Chapel this afternoon to reach out to the kids of Southern Barton Heights!!! Over 20 kids signed up for the upcoming Saturday morning events. Each Saturday the kids will be scooped up to be taken to U-Turn to play sports for a couple of hours. In addition, they will be fed…both physically with a snack AND spiritually with the Word of God.
Thanks to the Commonwealth Chapel Missional Communities and to U-Turn for killer partnership!!! You guys are the BEST!!! May you be blessed for the sacrifice of your time and love!!! Louis and I look forward to partnering more in the future! Even more…I’m looking to see what the Lord will do with this time! To God be the Glory!
My Friend, Larry – A Guest Blogger
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Guest Author | Tags: Corner Minor Estate, Overby Sheppard, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Urban 4 Comments
Larry at Work
Larry is a neighbor and a good friend of mine. He’s going into the 3rd grade at Overby Sheppard Elementary School. He and several other boys including his older brother have been reading the booklet – Rediscover the Barton Heights Community. Larry is my first Guest Blogger, and this is what he has to say….
The history of barton
The first house built on barton was called Corner Minor Estate.
Corner Minor 6.24.2010 ~ taken by Larry
It is in my neighborhood. I moved here because we needed to go to a new school overby sheppard.
I have a lot of history of my neighborhood like the first church of my neighborhood.
Me and my friends have fun learning about the neighborhood and on Saturdays u-turn is teaching us how to play soccer .I do a lot so I try to do stuff every week because it is now summer so I have A lot of stuff on my plate. I am writing because I love to write story’s and I have a story book. I am going to put pictures on. And I love cup stacking
Larry's Great Smile
Larry > Cup Stacking
According to Rediscover the Barton Heights Community, “James Barton built a huge home for himself, in 1892, at the cornes of Roberts and Monterio Streets…..Sometime before 1926, the house was remodeled and converted into the Terrace Springs Sanitarium. Today, over one hundred years old, the building is still standing and is still in use. It is now known as Terrace Hill Home for the Aged.”
Unfortunately, that was written in 1995. At some point, it was abandoned and left empty. We have many, many dreams for this house…that it will be used again for a community center, affordable housing, or a school. We have God-sized dreams of restoration!!
Larry, Wesley and Corner Minor 6.24.2010
Happy Birthday, John Perkins!
Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Beyond Charity, Birthday, John Foreman, John M Perkins, John Perkins, Richmond, Sara Groves, Switchfoot Comments Off on Happy Birthday, John Perkins!Earlier this morning, Louis and I were meeting with a couple of friends to discuss what the Lord is doing in our hearts out of their response to my post “it’s a dangerous thing to let Jesus use your boat.” Bob Lupton. And John M. Perkins‘ book, Beyond Charity (one of our favorites!!!) was on the table as we discussed the best way to approach sharing the Gospel, being the feet of Jesus and the on-going Urban:Suburban Challenge in doing that.
Louis has had the chance to hear John M. Perkins speak on more than one occasion. The first being in college at Davidson, when John M. Perkins officially became Louis’ hero! I (green with envy!!!), however, have only had the opportunity to hear him through reading his books and admire his heart, passion and action!!! I, too, can say…he’s my hero!!!
This was sent to me on FB from a new friend, Kathy Armstrong….but was found posted on Sara Groves’ FB Notes page. Let me introduce you to John M. Perkins….on his 80th birthday! Told through Jon Foreman, of Switchfoot and Sara Groves.
Happy Birthday, John M Perkins!! May there be MANY, MANY more!!!
Last year Troy and I had the opportunity to meet Dr. John Perkins. He spoke for one hour, pulling from his experience as a pastor, civil rights leader, near martyr, and inspired follower of Christ. We were given a ten minute break to move from that session to the next thing, but I needed time. I wanted to go to a quiet place and grieve, to face what he had said, to process how I would respond. And I wanted to hear more – here is a near octogenarian who has lived through one of the most turbulent, dark episodes in our history, and he has clarity on life, and on our role as a people called to carry out the love of God. This week is Dr. Perkin’s 80th birthday – here is a tribute to him written by John Foreman in the Huffington Post, with a link to their new song called THE SOUND, inspired by Dr. Perkins: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/the-living-blues-john-m-p_b_613733.html All of us grow old, but how many of us turn and turn and turn and turn our anger and our questions and our fears and confrontations with injustice, over to God, bent on redemption! This is what Dr. Perkins has done, and at 80 years old, he has good things to say to us. I’m listening!
Miss Marti's House 