Reaching Out

Heart to Heart has two new projects this month. Willa Moore’s house received a smorgasbord of improvements: a new storm door, fixed trim, an un-leaky drain, a new kitchen sink faucet, new windows and a new screen. And Willa’s neighbor Rose Solomon is looking forward to new windows, a new bathtub and tub surround. Both women have been faithfully putting in “sweat equity” hours sorting pecans at the farm. We have enjoyed getting to know our neighbors better as they spend more time at the farm and we spend more time at their homes! Pictured, Koinonian J. Reilly on the job at Willa’s house.

The Circle of Friends had several special events this month. Members enjoyed a presentation on healthy eating by cook and inspiration extraordinaire, returning visitor Hiawatha Cromer. We also had a celebration for community member Marjorie “Button” Garner, who is soon to move northward to live with her family in her hometown of Bartlett, IL. We celebrated her life and dedication to the community—we will miss her spirited whistling, prayerful nature, and occasional colorful expressions! Here’s a classic photo of Button, joyfully cleaning bathrooms—in good company with Gandhi, who elevated the task from untouchable to venerable. Blessings on your journey, Button.

Koinonia chaplain and jack-of-all-trades Norris Harris has again been chosen to serve as President of the Sumter Area Ministerial Association, a devoted group of interracial pastors and clergy who work each week to meet the needs in the community and build bridges between faiths. In his “spare time” (a highly questionable phrase) this generous man helps connect people in need with utility bill assistance, housing, and more.

It was our privilege to host a Fair Trade Conference, organized by Catholic Relief Services of Atlanta, for the second year in a row. Despite cold and rainy weather, thirty enthusiastic folks did role plays, learned about encouraging fair trade in their organizations, and shared fellowship Koinonia-style.

At the Farm

Every weekday at the beginning of our noon devotions, Koinonian Ellie Castle lights our peace candle and reminds us to pray for peace. We have shared prayers from Native American, African-American Biblical, Hindu, and other religious traditions, remembering conscientious objectors, Iraqi civilians, the people of Kenya, the leaders of nations, and many others in our candle’s tiny flame. Ellie says, “We will light the peace candle until peace comes. We’ve been through a few candles so far, but we’ll keep lighting it still!” Please join with us in praying—and acting—to bring the light of peace into every corner of the world… until it comes!

A jumbo-sized “Thank you!” to Hilton Segler, the president of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, who has generously given of his time and expertise to help us rejuvenate our pecan orchards in the past two years. We can already see the difference in our orchards thanks to his wise guidance. Our thanks can’t measure up to his generosity—we’re just grateful to God for sending him our way.

This winter we’ve been blessed with many SOOPer helpers! No, that’s not a typo; the Mennonite church’s Service Opportunities for Older People—or “SOOP”—program has brought us many talented, kind, and community-minded visitors each year for the past 3 years. This year we’ve welcomed Mary, Ruth, MariAn, Eleanor, Grace, Lorene, Marilyn—and Laurence, our sole SOOP gent. Visiting is a wonderful opportunity for folks to meet others in faith-based fellowship, be of service, and get out of those frigid Canadian winters! Pictured, Ruth Schwartzendruber and MariAn Nyce measure out a batch of Oat-Nut Granola.

This month, we welcome two very special people into the Koinonia community as Apprentices: Ana Navarro and Elizabeth Dede. Ana completed her community internship in the fall along with her two energetic children, Ana-Laura and Adrian, and her family now joins the community long-term. Elizabeth Dede has long been a friend of Koinonia, even as she has also been a member of the Open Door Community in Atlanta and a staff member at one of our “daughter” organizations, the Prison & Jail Project in Americus. We rejoice at being joined by these two strong and beautiful women!

Coming Soon

A new MRI for Sumter Regional Hospital! The Siemens Corporation donated an $800,000 MRI to our tornado-devastated hospital at the close of the www.WinAnMRI.com contest. When the contest ended, Sumter Regional appeared to be the clear winner, with 260,000 votes—101,000 more than the runner-up. But those votes were unofficial, and a New York hospital was instead declared to be the winner. Still, the story of our hospital’s destruction so moved the contest holders that they donated an extra MRI to Americus. Thanks to all who voted.