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An update on our discernment process

posted Dec 9, 2010 9:37 AM by Michael Bischoff   [ updated Dec 9, 2010 12:12 PM ]
On November 18, 2010, fifty people who care about City House gathered to listen together for directions that City House is called in the next phases of its life. Here is some of what came out of that gathering:

What is best about City House?
  • A circle of giving and getting
  • Call us out of our comfort zones
  • Stories open us up, join us together
  • Builds self-confidence
  • Development of community
  • Listening in the Spirit, finding the next step
  • Deep mutuality
  • Create connection
  • Witness courage
  • Authentic people
  • Relationships
  • Opportunity for leadership
  • Mutual transformation and being able to be close and see transformation
  • Connection with people seeking God
  • Helps with problems
  • Honoring through listening
  • Blessed relationships
  • Spirit-filled mission
  • Meeting each other with God
What areas might City House be called to in its next phase?
  1. Make the transformation of City House accessible to more people, including volunteer spiritual friendship opportunities for people who aren't spiritual directors.
  2. Continue and sustain the core program (providing spiritual companions to people who are on the margins), organically and relationally
  3. Increase leadership development, equipping people and organizations to carry out the mission of City House on their own
  4. Expand the definition of “the margins," reaching those who are in nursing homes, facing foreclosure, etc.
  5. Deepen and broaden partnerships, making them more intentional
  6. Follow the bold goal of ending homelessness and poverty through spiritual transformation
  7. Consider setting up a City House drop-in center, a storefront offering “spirituality on the streets
  8. Tell the story of City House, so that it is visible and known

You are invited to join us:

Meetings to hold City House in prayer. We will hear updates about input about possible directions for City House, and then have a time of silent prayer. During this silence, vocal prayers or messages are also welcome. After the time of silence, we will share with each other our sense of what is arising out of this prayer time. These prayer times will be held at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church (511 Groveland Avenue, Mpls) from 4:30 to 5:30 pm on the following Thursdays: December 9 and 16, and January 6, 13, and 20. Please let Michael (michael@city-house.org, 612-234-1122) if you can join one or more of these meetings. Even if you can’t come to a meeting, we ask you to hold City House in your prayer and spiritual practices during this time and let Michael know what arises in your listening.

On Thursday, Jan. 13, we will extend the gathering, to have dinner and to discuss possible scenarios for City House’s future, which the City House board will consider in late January. We’d love to have your input and participation in this conversation. The meal and conversation will be from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 13 at Hennepin Avenue Methodist. Please RSVP to Michael (michael@city-house.org).

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