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85 Grand Street

   

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   It's a chilly, kind of raw day here in the Burgh and maybe where you are too. We hope, though, that you're feeling well and hopeful and experiencing the warmth of God's love right here, right now.
   Here are a couple of quick "news" items from us here in Ecclesiaville . . .
   Remember our friend "George" about whom we wrote last week? You know, a homeless 60-year-old man without a country. Well our friend Brendan connected us with our friends at Catholic Charities who connected us with an immigration agency willing and able to do what's needed to help "George" get his green card . . . and another agency is working hard to help with his health care/housing needs . . . It will take some time, but things are looking up. Our thanks to Brendan and everyone else who've felt called to act.
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   Speaking of action - We still need your financial support to keep Our House open. We have no income other than the contribution we receive from folks like you. Every cent of your contribution goes to run the place; none of your hard-earned money goes to "administration." You can donate by clicking the button in the upper left hand corner of this page. You can also make painless donations everytime you shop at Amazon through their AmazonSmile program. Think it over?
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A man with his head in the clouds - Phil with one of his original  needlepoint creations.
   Meet Phil kautz, the newest Hope Center resident. Phil came to Newburgh when he was released from prison back in July. Luckily for us, Phil landed at a transitional housing facility down the block and, soon after, walked into Our House. Kindhearted, talented, and thoughtful, Phil quickly became a participating member of the community who is happy to share his knowledge and skills with with everyone.
   What has it been like to join Hope? "It's a bit overwhelming . . . in a good way," says Phil. "When I got out, I came to Newburgh and said 'Oh no - things can't be this way.'" So he began to talk with anyone who'd listen about working together to make life better for all. "If we don't work together, it will never happen," he says as he takes a break from straightening up the hallway. "We need each other."
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   A 90-year-old pastor is facing 60 days in jail for feeding homeless folks in a Fort Lauderdale park. Click here to read a PBS story about it and click here to sign a petition in support of Pastor Arnold Abbott.
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   It looks like Steve will be providing pastoral services to his home church - Middletown's North Congregational UCC  - for the better part of the next year as they continue their search for a permanent pastor. Located at 96 N. Beacon St., NCUCC is the church called him to be their Associate Pastor and sent him off to Newburgh where he and a merry band founded this ministry of yours.   
So, what do you see?
What do you see?
   
   "Are you the maintenance man?" Freddie asked as I helped him put some tools away after he and his co-worker from Roto-Rooter finished snaking out the Our House sewer line on Monday afternoon.
    "I'm not that competent," I offered.
   It was kind of Freddie to think that I had the knowledge, skills, and abilities to attend to all the stuff that needs fixing around the Hope Center. And,  
I could understand why he'd think that - I looked and acted the part as I worked with him and his partner to fish wadded up rags and other debris out of the line. Besides, we're all that way. We seem hardwired to be constantly judging, evaluating, pigeonholing people and things and ideas.
   We even do that with God. Or, at least some of us do. A quote attributed to the French philosopher Voltaire goes something like this: "God created man in [God's] image and man returned the favor." The parable in Sunday's gospel reading (Matthew 25:14-30) reminded me of the stuff we project on God. It's often assumed that the "master" in the story is God or even Jesus. Of course, he's neither.
   Or is he? What are your images of God? Who/what is God like for you? Where does that come from?
   Let me know?
Thank you for being.

 

The Rev. Steve Ruelke

Ecclesia Ministries of Newburgh

P: 845-527-0405

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