West Central Mission News
from the Episcopal Mission Center at Holy Trinity
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the redesigned West Central Mission News. As we continue our transition from congregation to mission center, we are working to ensure that our communications reflect our developing identity. This replaces both the old version of our mission newsletter and "ht life." In this issue you'll find mission center news including updates on our mission activities, stories of transformation of those who serve with us, and opportunities for you to help grow God's Kingdom in West Central.
In other news, this week I've been knee-deep in a couple of grant applications. Whenever I spend quality time with grant applications--which benefit from dose of neighborhood statistics--I'm struck by what statistics about West Central reveal and what they fail to reveal.
Here are a few numbers:
- In West Central's main zip code, 35.2% of all individuals live below the poverty line compared to 14.4% in the city at large.[1]
- The National Low Income Housing Coalition finds that a Spokane County household must have an hourly wage of $14.06 or $29,245 annually, to afford an average two-bedroom rent of $693.[2] In West Central, 56.5% of households have an annual income less than $25,000.[3]
- More than 40% of West Central residents use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP--or "food stamps") versus 14.4% of residents in the city at large.[4]
- Life expectancy in West Central is almost 5 years shorter than in the whole of Washington state and almost 10 years shorter than Spokane's healthiest neighborhood, Southgate, where the per capita income is more than double that of West Central.[5]
What these numbers reveal is a neighborhood gripped by poverty and the suffering that comes with it.
What they don't reveal is the way a teenaged neighbor smiles and rushes for a hug when she sees me at Dinner Table after an absence, or how a mentally-ill neighbor blesses my otherwise stress-filled day by telling me he loves me and giving me a sloppy kiss on the cheek, or how a Dinner Table guest so stooped with age he can barely walk shuffles up to every single volunteer for a hug before he leaves.
And the numbers don't reveal the transformation of our volunteers: the service learning students who keep coming even after they've fulfilled their hours; the woman who overcomes her fear and learns to hug the homeless; the college student who begins to cry when she hears our guests, who have so little, begin to sing "The Lord's been good to me . . ."
Much of what really matters in West Central is known only in the hearts of those who serve there--and, of course, in the heart of God.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Kris Christensen, Deacon & Urban Missioner
The Episcopal Church in West Central
[2] Spokane Low Income Housing Coalition; http://www.slihc.org/index.php?page=housing
[3] American Community Survey, 2007-2011.
[4] American Community Survey, 2007-2011.
[5]
Spokane Regional Health District. Odds Against Tomorrow: Health Inequities in Spokane County. May 2012.
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Good Food, Good Drink, Good Music:
Spring Fundraiser to Benefit Dinner Table & Breakfast Table
If you love music, beer, or pizza, you won't want to miss this spring's fundraiser to benefit Dinner Table & Breakfast Table.
Enjoy a glass (or two or ??) of beer or wine while you nosh on gourmet pizza hand-crafted by our own Brooks Goode. Live music by Paul Grove and Michael and Keleren Millham will complete your evening.
Join us at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist,
Saturday, May 11, @ 6pm. Tickets are $25 and cover one glass of beer or wine and all-you-can-eat pizza. Additional beer and wine available priced by the glass.
For tickets, email Kris at kris@trinityspokane.org or call 509.326.6471.
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West Central Community Garden Beds Available
West Central Community Garden has raised beds available for the 2013 growing season. Individual gardeners may reserve a bed for a $25 per season water fee. Scholarships are available. An automated system was installed last year to help insure adequate and even watering.
In addition to providing growing space for our West Central neighbors, our raised beds grow food for Dinner Table and Breakfast Table. We set aside some beds each season for the hungry who are invited to harvest what they need from them.
We are currently seeking:
- Donations of seeds and bedding plants.
- Donations of tools (especially hand tools) in good repair and garden gloves
- Volunteers to help tend the Dinner Table, Breakfast Table, and gleaning beds and to assist with overall garden maintenance.
If you can provide any of these items, or have questions about the garden, please email Peggy at peggy@trinityspokane.org.
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Dinner Table & Breakfast Table: Creating Community through Food
As federal budget cuts threatened to increase pressure on the poor, elderly, and disabled, Dinner Table & Breakfast Table continue to provide hot, nourishing meals to West Central residents.
This winter, we've enjoyed support from volunteers from St. David's, St. Stephen's, St. John's Cathedral, and Spokane Falls Community Colleges. These volunteers not only ensure that the work gets done, but help ensure the spirit of love and family that we strive to create.
"Even if it was ten blocks away, we would still walk here because we like this place better than all the rest. They call this 'Dinner Table.' I call it 'Dinner with Jesus.' We take care of our table[mates]." -- Darrell, Dinner Table guest.
Here are a few ways you can help us continue the mission:
- Bring us your clean, lidded containers such as yogurt and margarine tubs.
- Volunteer! Contact Brooks @ kitchen@trinityspokane.org to find out when we need the most help.
- Do you have a new or gently used refrigerator to give? We are in need of more cold storage.
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Trinity Fine Baking & Cooking
 Just as monasteries support their ministries through the work of their hands, we use the proceeds from Trinity Fine Baking and Cooking to help fund the neighborhood ministries of the Episcopal Church in West Central.
Contact Trinity Fine Baking & Cooking for:
- Fine baked goods including breads, sweet or savory danish, cakes, tarts, and specialty desserts. Gluten-free options are available.
- CSB (Community Supported Bakery): Pay a weekly fee and receive a weekly supply of bread, rolls, and other delicious baked goods.
- Chef services: Custom cooking for your special event--from finger foods to full meals.
- Teaching: Would you like to learn to bake bread or hone your cooking skills? Gather a group of your friends to learn everything from kitchen basics to advanced baking.
To learn more about our offerings, call Brooks at 326-6471 or email him at kitchen@trinityspokane.org.
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Weekdays @ 12:15pm - Midday Prayer
5.5 @ 10am - Morning Prayer (Please note that Bloomsday road closures prevent access to Holy Trinity by car from the south).
5.12 @ 10am - Holy Eucharist
5.19 @ 10am - Pentecost Celebration
5.26 @ 10am - Trinity Sunday
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How you can help . . .
Share your time and talent:
Share your treasures:
- donate garden tools, supplies, and gloves - email Peggy Johnson
- we can often use food donations in large amounts (such as leftovers from special events) - call Brooks Goode at 326-6471 to see if we can use what you have
$25 provides water for a neighbor's garden bed for the season
$50 provides a hot, healthy dinner for 40 neighbors
$100 provides coffee and lemonade for 10 Dinner Table evenings
$150 provides a cooking class for 8 neighbors
donations may be sent to:
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
P. O. Box 8508
Spokane, WA 99203
Church Phone: 509.326.6471
If you have a preference, please tell us how you'd like us to use your contribution. We also appreciate undesignated contributions to support our facilities and staff.
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