“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

– Ephesians 2:4-7

Beloved of God,

On Tuesday evening during the last week of February something happened that buoyed my soul.  In the Fellowship Hall the Tang Soo Do martial arts group was busy holding class with 21 participants; in the Nave the voices of women in the Metropolitan Glee Club were ringing out during rehearsal; and in the Narthex a group of 20 nearby neighbors were meeting with a Seattle Police Crime Prevention specialist to discuss concerns about recent neighborhood incidents.  In other words, every large space we had available was being utilized in diverse ways.  I was so pleased to know that our Peace facilities were being used as a resource for the larger community!

This satisfaction was amplified by something that had taken place earlier that morning when we signed a contract with another organization that will be using Peace as a gathering place on Fridays for outreach to Hispanic/Latinex youth.  The name of the program is HOPE FOR HOMIES; its mission: “To bring Hope and Purpose to those marginalized by gang affiliation and its impact on communities.”  This new relationship was initiated with the Church Council’s approval after the Council met with Hope for Homies Executive Director José “Neaners” Garcia.  Neaners (his preferred name) shared the story about how he had started out a youngster on the streets.  He lays it all out on the organization’s website.

“I know what it’s like growing up in a gang affected community.  Street after street of low income apartments. Stifling poverty.  Drugs.  Gangs.  Your world is your 4-block radius.  Your role models are living the same life.  And I know what adult homies are up against both inside of prisons and outside in the world.  The loneliness.  The self-doubt.  The lack of basic living skills due to starting their adulthood locked up.  The instinct to return to what they have always known.  The shock of realizing that what they have always known is no longer the same.  The desire to remain free and the feeling of not knowing how to make that happen.”

Neaners found himself in prison as a young man and spent a good part of his life dealing with that reality.  But a 5-year stint in solitary confinement and friendships forged with a few people on the outside began to touch him with grace and helped him see a purpose to it all.  “It’s weird to say this, but [the] solitude … really brought me…closer to…Jesus.”  His vision, Hope for Homies, became his calling to show young people something better.  An article in Live in Everett, where the home office for the organization is located (at Trinity Lutheran Church ELCA) put it this way:

Hope for Homies is not about gang prevention (or intervention), is not a crisis center, and is not a different version of the YMCA. It’s a connection center where volunteers and others working with together intentionally reach out to create relationships with the belief that “something the size of a mustard seed can grow into something larger.” The focus of this organization is connection, and (more than that) the idea that anyone can build a connection with another person. That’s why community members volunteering their time is their biggest need and ask. The more members of the community that engage with one another, the stronger the connections between us, and the stronger, safer, and happier we all will be.

“Now I help homies young and old,” says Neaners, to “find hope and educate communities with the heart to help.  I walk with homies as they heal from their past, offer forgiveness and learn to love themselves.  I try to lead through example and live in unity for the good of all God’s kingdom.”

We became supporters of this vision when we signed a contract to share space with Hope and Homies last week.  And I’m eager to see how both their program and our relationship with them will evolve.  If you want to learn more about José Israel Garcia’s story here’s a LINK.

With you, on the Way,

Pastor Erik

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