unshackled

By May Sarton

Help us to be the always hopeful
Gardeners of the Spirit
Who know that without darkness
Nothing comes to birth
As without light
Nothing flowers.

Source: inward/outward

I was greatly saddened to learn of the destruction of the Simple Way Community Center. Our prayers are with you, friends, as you rebuild.

This morning, a 7-alarm fire consumed an abandoned warehouse in our Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. The Simple Way Community Center at 3200 Potter Street was destroyed as well as at least eight of our neighbors’ homes. Over 100 people were evacuated from their homes, and 400 families are currently without power. Despite this developing tragedy, we are incredibly thankful to share that all of our community members and every one of our neighbors is safely out of harm’s way.

This fire will forever change the fabric of our community. Eight families are currently homeless, and in many cases have lost their vehicles as well as their homes. One of our neighbors, the Mahaias Family, lost their three cars as well as the equipment one family member uses for her massage therapy business. Teenager Brian Mahaias is devastated not because he has lost his belongings, but because he fears that this fire will force him to move away from this neighborhood that is his family as well as his home.

The Simple Way has lost a community center that was home to our Yes! And… afterschool program, community arts center, and Cottage Printworks t-shirt micro-business as well as to two of our community members. Community members Shane Claiborne and Jesce Walz have lost all of their belongings, Yes! And…’s after school studio and library were ruined, and community member Justin Donner’s Cottage Printworks equipment and t-shirts were destroyed.

We are thankful that we are able to help each other during this time of need, and we will continue to keep your informed about today’s events.

We have established funds to support the families who have lost their homes, the Yes! And… afterschool program, and the Simple Way community.

A fund to support the families has been established through a partner organization, EAPE. Tax-deductible donations can be made at https://www.tonycampolo.org/online_donation.php. Please make sure to put “Kensington Families Fund” in the memo section.

Donations to the Rebuilding Fund can be made via PayPal to contribute@awip.us.

Update: The Simple way website has much more info on the fire damage as well as a link to bloggers who are discussing the fire.

“You’re by far the most subtle flatterer I have ever seen in my life! When you flatter someone, they just think it’s a compliment and it really helps your agenda,” she said calmly, flipping a long strand of dark hair away from her face.

“Thank you,” he said in surprise, looking at her with a quizzical look in his eyes, “Thanks for the compliment.”

It’s been painful to even try to put into words my feelings throughout this week. The VA Tech shootings aren’t exactly news any more; that’s why I waited till now to even blog about it.

When I first heard the news of the shootings, it was like the wall of darkness that I knew was somewhere in the background but never quite visible suddenly closed in around me like a veil of death. It reeked of death too. Somehow, even though I’ve pondered and explored the idea of nonviolence many times, it had never occurred to me just how evil human violence coupled with a weapon made for violent endeavors could be. On that day, humankind was joined by a bond stronger than blood—the bond that Jesus talked about when he said, “You guys can’t judge people unless you’re perfect.” (John 8:7).

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