September 2009

Dear Friends,

Hopefully your Labor Day was as relaxing as ours and you enjoyed some great time with friends and family. Those of us around inCommon spent the weekend doing various things like car shopping, fishing, hanging out in Seattle, biking around Cunningham Lake, hanging out with our families, reading, and catching up on some much needed rest.

A few exciting updates to share: CommonStory (what used to be known as “The Vine”) has started up again on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. This small group is open anytime to anyone to join us, we’d love to have you drop by and join the conversation as we study the Bible together and build community with one another. Secondly, we are excited to welcome Zach Harmon onto our staff part-time as he is raising support to come on full-time! He will be working on neighborhood development.

Finally, we have T-SHIRTS! Yes, you can now support inCommon and look trendy at the same time (although we’re guessing you probably already do). They are grey crew-neck t-shirts with our logo located on the right side, near the bottom hem, extending onto the back. If you’re interested in making a suggested donation of at least $7+shipping in return for a t-shirt, please let us know! We only have a few left, so act fast!

And as usual, if you are interested in supporting or learning more about how to get involved at inCommon, check this out.

CommonGround Highlights

“This is the duty of our generation — solidarity with the weak, the persecuted, the lonely, the sick, and those in despair. It is expressed by the desire to give a noble and humanizing meaning to a community in which all members will define themselves not by their own identity but by that of others.” (Elie Wiesel)

Only one year after the Park Avenue Community Meal began, neighbors have filled the dining hall of First Baptist Church to capacity… four Saturday’s in a row. The increased numbers during the last quarter remind us how powerful intentional, supportive relationships are, and that the voice of the community is strong.

There is momentum as inCommon Community Development moves forward with a renewed vision; new partnerships are being forged across Omaha and the Midwest. Creighton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago, IL, have each given their time to help support the Park Avenue Neighborhood Collaboration this school-year.

Another exciting venture in Park Avenue spawned from August’s National Night Out. With the organizational help of Destination Midtown, Park Avenue will feature activities for kids and families every Wednesday in at Park East Park. “Wednesday Night in the Park” is a time for neighbors to meet, play, and enjoy free activities planned by organizations and individuals in the neighborhood. On Wednesday, September 9th from 5:00 to 7:00pm, inCommon Community Development, Food Not Bombs, and the Octopuses Garden Art Alliance will be at Park East Park with creative art and food projects for kids and families.

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I feel it is of great importance to recognize the struggles our cities are moving through; countless individuals remain isolated, disconnected, and frequently exploited. At times I am exhausted and disheartened by the shape of our cities in America. I feel confused by the lack of relationship with our bordering neighbors — and neighbors on our own neighborhood-block. Despite the best efforts to build, develop, and move forward as a people, many barriers prevent us from communion with one another.

However, it is of greater importance to know there are movements being made to recognize these intangible needs in our own cities. In my brief time at inCommon after being away from Omaha for a few years, I am amazed by the passion of so many individuals in this city, and the growth that is occurring as we begin to openly dialogue about what it means to live with and among one another.

If you have yet to share a meal with us, come see what is happening with your own eyes. All are welcome to enjoy a warm meal and the company of each other every Saturday, at First Baptist Church, between 11:30 and 1:00pm.

I’d like to go back to the words from Elie Wiesel at the beginning of this note. I’ve always greatly respected Elie Wiesel. My grandfather met him years ago and told me he believes Elie is “one of the greatest men to live in the 21st century.” I included his quote at the top of this note because I believe I’ve felt what Elie is expressing in words; his words remind me of the rawness and vulnerability that is essential in having relationship with one another.

May the voice of our community continue to grow stronger each day.

-Caitie Caughey, Community Advocate

A Change in Season

Autumn is in the air and I love it. It’s my favorite time of year as the weather cools and the air takes on a crispness that refreshes one’s spirit on an evening walk. It’s also refreshing to experience a new job that presents new challenges in a new city as a new season approaches. I feel so lucky to be working with such wonderful people at inCommon and to have the chance to meet so many volunteers and partners and friends who all share the common goal of being there for our neighbors in times of need.

Among the new challenges that have been presented to me is the pursuit of grant funding to support inCommon’s current and future ministries. I’ve spent a fair amount of time trying to figuring out the best and simplest way to explain inCommon’s mission and making the case that these donations will have dramatic impacts on individuals’ lives and the local community. The time is well spent because a little time and effort could mean a lot of support for inCommon’s ministries.

I have really enjoyed attending the last couple Neighbors United meetings and witnessing the great work that is coming out of the efforts of so many neighbors, who have so many diverse faith perspectives but all agree on the importance of their community and of having a positive, supportive role in the lives of individuals.

inCommon’s weekend concerts have been a great success recently. On my first night of setting up the concert equipment and running the sound board, four local bands brought in a crowd of nearly 150 people. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the show, even in spite of my fumbling around with the sound controls. I hope after another couple of concerts I will be a more professional sound guy. But at any rate I enjoy the music and watching people have a good time.

So as autumn approaches I feel truly fortunate to be associated with inCommon and all of the great works that everyone here is so passionate about. And of course the cool weather and football season are a nice plus.

-Andrew Tonnies, Development Coordinator