and Eric, and Nick, and Elisabeth…” So I just respond, “Well, it’s a good thing you’re not wandering around causing hell like you used to.” He agrees. Gary, my older brother, and I go way back, longer than I can remember. Living at Cherith Brook has caused me to re-think family. As I have given myself to this place and this community, I have wrestled with the truth that in order to be rooted here, I must let go of some family loyalties. (Don’t worry mom, I’m not divorcing my family). Family is something that Jesus re-defined for us during his public ministry on earth in a time when biological family was the most important insti-tution in society. The Hebrew people had been repeatedly reminded that, “God would bless the entire world through the children, the lineage, of this specific people Israel.” (Rodney Clapp, Families at the Crossroads) It was through the family that the Hebrew people believed they would receive God’s richest blessings. So in the Gospel of Mark when Jesus’ family had become upset at his public activity, thinking that he had gone mad (Mark 3:21), they came to bring him home. “And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking you.’ And he answered them, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and brothers. Whoever does the will of God, he or she is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Mark 3:32-35) Jesus is teaching us something new about family. In the reign of God that has come with Jesus, family means something entirely different for those who “do the will of God.” In the book Jesus and Community, Gerhard Lohfink says,

“Jesus relativized all of this: clan, parents, children, land. It is possible, in some circumstances even necessary, to leave all this behind. This is not done for the sake of renunciation, as if renunciation were something positive in itself, but rather be-cause something new is appearing, the reign of God is arriving. Its arrival changes everything. Those who follow Jesus, who for the sake of the reign of God leave behind everything they have had, become a new family, a family in which, paradoxically, there are again brothers, sisters, mothers, and children.”

This might be hard to fathom, but I have a brother who is thirty-eight and a half years older than me. He is sixty-five and I am twenty-seven. We have become quite close over the last few years. When introducing my older brother, Gary, to others I often refer to him as my friend because of how awkward it might sound to call him my brother. When I do this Gary quickly puts me in my place like the older brother that he is, insisting to others that, “we are not friends, we are brothers.” Well, if you haven’t figured it out yet, Gary

is not my biological ‘bro’. I have known Gary for about two and a half years. However, he claims that we have known each other for at least five to ten. Sometimes Gary claims that we have known each other even longer, saying that I, along with everyone else at Cherith Brook, were the ones who got him saved when he was a “no-good adolescent rebel wandering the streets looking for trouble.” I try to explain that it couldn’t have been me, but he insists. “Yes it was you, Josh…and Jodi, and Micah,

We try to remember this new family of God that we are a part of at Cherith Brook, in the “Shower House”, in our Thursday Community meals, in our life together. When we come together to share a meal, there are no divisions among us. We are no longer strangers. We are family; brothers and sisters in Christ. This is what the Shower House has become: a place of family. Our brothers and sisters from the streets remind us of this; that when we do the will of God together we become family. As I have lived at Cherith Brook for more than two years now, I am beginning to know the people here as family; not just figuratively but literally. People that come to Cherith Brook often ask if Nick and I are brothers, and I am becoming more and more confused about how to answer that question. I’m sure that part of the reason is that we look alike, but I hope that it might also be because we live together like brothers along with the rest of our family here. Paul uses the language of “adoption” into the family of God and in 2 Corinthians he says that we have become a new creation. Rodney Clapp says, “Conversion creates a new person, even a new world. It involves nothing short of re-socialization. The biological family, though not at all despised or useless, is no longer the pri-mary source of identity, support and growth.” Now don’t get me wrong, I love my biologi-cal family. But I am coming to the realization that I must do as Jesus said and leave my family to follow Jesus so that I may love them more fully as brothers and sisters in the “new family of God”. Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37) If we love our families, we must leave them for our adop-tion into the family of God. May we always be asking ourselves, “Who are our mother and our brothers and sisters?” Our family is all around us, which is anyone who does the will of God. And if you forget, my brother Gary will remind you, “We are not friends, we are family!”

by Josh Armfield

Gary at the Shower House drying dishes

Ordinary Time 2011

We’re Not Friends, We’re Family

Cherith BrookP r a c t i c i n g G o d ’ s M e r c y & G o s p e l R e s i s t a n c e

C A T H O L I C W O R K E RS o E l i j a h d i d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e w o r d o f t h e L o r d ; h e w e n t a n d l i v e d b y t h e C h e r i t h B r o o k … a n d t h e r a v e n s b r o u g h t h i m b r e a d … I K i n g s 1 7

2 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Ordinary Time 2011

The Forgotten Bomb: A Film Review[The following article was originally published in Tikkun Magazine, 2011.]

When I first saw The Forgotten Bomb, I recalled the following words from Deuter-onomy:

”You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them...” (Dt. 5:8-9).

This film is a stark reminder of how we, as a people, have betrayed our trust in God, and, for 66 years, have instead placed our trust in a nuclear idol. We have, in fact, be-come a nation that worships the Bomb and glorifies war. As a consequence we find our-selves morally blind, psychically numb, and forgetful of the fact that nuclear weapons, deployed on land, air, and sea, still endanger

all life and, in a matter of minutes, can de-stroy our planet and God’s sacred creation. I agree with the late Jesuit peacemaker, Fr. Richard McSorley, that “our intention to use nuclear weapons destroys our souls. Our possession of them is a proximate occasion of sin.” The Forgotten Bomb, produced by Bud Ryan and directed by Stuart Overbey, looks at the political and legal implications of nuclear weapons, but also digs deeper, into the cul-tural and psychological reasons behind the Bomb’s existence. A remarkable combination of Ryan’s personal story and documentary of the nuclear age, The Forgotten Bomb takes us from the A-Bomb Museum in Hiroshima, which had a profound impact on Ryan, to the homes of Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) in Japan, to an abandoned uranium mine in New Mexico, to an underground Titan missile silo in Arizona. From these places, and many others, Ryan puts together the pieces of a puzzle that explain why we have the Bomb, and how we might eradicate it. Through interviews featuring Hibakusha, atomic scientists, legal and medical experts, a uranium miner, an atomic vet, former Secretary of State George Shultz, renowned religious leader Rabbi Michael Lerner, noted authors Jonathan Schell, Gar Alperovitz, Jim Douglass, John Dear, S.J., and others, the film examines our nuclear history and the present perils the Bomb poses for hu-mankind. “Everything depends upon remem-bering,” asserts Ryan. I viewed the film in late-April with other Catholic Workers and friends at the Mid-west Catholic Worker Faith and Resistance Retreat in Kansas City. Bud was on hand to speak about the film and answer questions. I was struck by his own amazing conver-sion story of sorts: how going to Hiroshima changed his life, and his passionate commit-ment to bring about a disarmed world. Bud’s story and the stories of the Hibakusha, along with the film’s heart-wrenching foot-age of the human and environmental effects of the bomb, made me ponder what more I must do to work for disarmament. As some-one who, like Bud, was deeply influenced by the Hibakusha, and who has been active in the nonviolence movement for peace, social justice and disarmament for over thirty years, the film compelled me to ask the following questions: Why is the great-est most destructive immediate danger we face as a human family not part of our daily discourse and considered a top priority to be addressed by our society and government? Why are there nuclear weapons in both the

US and Russia that are still on high alert? Why are fourteen first-strike Trident sub-marines patrolling the oceans? Why is the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) committed to building new Bomb facilities in Kansas City, Oak Ridge and Los Alamos? Why isn’t the US willing to totally disarm? Could it be that if we renounce nuclear weapons the US will no longer re-main the world’s preeminent military super-power and be able to control vast amounts of the earth’s resources!? Let us not forget the official Pentagon policy that we must be prepared to use whatever military means are necessary, including nuclear weapons, to protect our national security and “vital” interests! Thus, despite all the disarmament rheto-ric coming from the president, despite the new START agreement which calls for the US and Russian arsenals to be reduced from roughly 10,000 nuclear weapons apiece to 1,550 over seven years, the Administration is committed to adding nearly $600 million in funding for NNSA’s weapons activities in the fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget, and increasing nuclear weapons modernization funding by $4.1 billion over the next five years above the level outlined by the report mandated by Section 1251 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The Administration and Congress proposes to spend more than $85 billion for NNSA’s weapons activities over the next decade. All this means profits for the weapons contrac-tors, while the economy sinks further into massive debt. The victims of the nuclear age, along with imprisoned peacemakers and other activ-ists facing trial for recent peace actions, are among those who have not forgotten the Bomb. They remind us, as does The Forgot-ten Bomb, that we must take responsibility for the crime and sin of nuclear weapons. If we don’t disarm, as Fr. Daniel Berrigan declares, we will become “shadows on the rock!” As we remember the 66th anniversary of the US use of nuclear weapons against the Japanese, let us recommit ourselves to working for total nuclear abolition. The Forgotten Bomb stands as both a warning and an inspiration. The film can be purchased by going to www.forgottenbomb.com. Cost: $19.95 + shipping.

by Art Laffin. Dorothy Day CW, Washington DC

Poster for The Forgotten Bomb, by Bud Ryan & Stuart Overbey

3Ordinary Time 2011 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker

From left ro right: Juanita & Jodi Garbison

by Juanita Davenport

No, or No Way? Peace Planters and KC City Council Square Off on New Nuclear Weapons Plant

Juanita’s Story: Part 3God has placed so many good things in my life since I last wrote. As of Octo-ber 8th I will have three years clean. My friend Darren has made it home and that’s a blessing. My mother is trying to do better health-wise. My grandchildren encourage me to keep pushing for what God has for me. My daughter just celebrated one year clean. Even when things get overwhelming or seem to be closing in on me I am welcome at Imani house. Church has played a big part in my re-covery. I have learned so much because of Dale Simmon’s Bible studies. I learn about forgiveness and trust, and it inspires me to help others understand that we need to help each other instead of killing. It feels so good to help those who have stumbled over their own feet or have been tripped by family members and so-called friends. We all must help those who have fallen into the snares of the devil; we must lift up the fallen, bind up their wounds and help them on their journey towards home. Determination will do it.

I still have hard times though. I recently lost my best friend, Felicia, and my family is not always supportive of me. It’s also a struggle to get housing, food stamps, and a job. I was a known drug user and seller so it is tough to overcome these obstacles as a felon. As long as I have King Jesus though, I will not be so wor-ried. I know I am where God needs me to be and noth-ing will change the love I have for God. I just want to be the instrument that leads someone to God. I ask daily for God to not hesitate in bringing me into God’s service; to let me give to others a

portion of the peace, love and understand-ing that has been given to me.

It’s a rapidly-unfolding, high-stakes drama. Thursday, the Kansas City city council said “No” to a citizen’s initiative to let November voters decide the fate of the city’s new nuclear weapons parts plant. Friday, Kansas City Peace Planters petitioned the court, saying “No way!” can the council ignore the 4,300 voters’ signatures obtained to get the item on the ballot, by provision of the city charter. Monday morning, Judge Edith Messina will rule on whether to make permanent her preliminary writ granting placement of the Peace Planters’ initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot. Monday afternoon, both parties will have the opportunity of appeal. And Tuesday is the deadline for all items appear-ing on the November ballot. So it’s all come down to the wire. No one knows which side will ultimately prevail in the next step of a protracted struggle about Kansas City’s role in the national nuclear weapons complex. Kansas City is one of three key production sites for the United States’ nuclear weapons arsenal, producing about 85 percent of its non-nuclear components. The contested Peace Planters’ initiative would

allow Kansas City voters to decide whether construc-tion will continue on the city-controlled nuclear weapons parts plant at Botts Road and Highway 150 , or whether voters prefer to transition the facility to manufacture “green energy” technologies such as wind power. The city council’s 12-to-1 vote Thursday (with councilman Ed Ford casting the only dissenting vote) came as no surprise to the Peace Planters, a coalition of some dozen peace activist groups in the Kansas City area. Their opposition to the plant has been on-going for several years, including civil disobedience and arrests both at the 65-year-old Federal Bannister Plant, and at the new plant, where peace activists last year were arrested for blocking earthmovers on August 16 and for blocking traffic at groundbreaking ceremonies September 8. This year, during the Catholic Workers Faith & Resistance Retreat (April 29-May 2) still more peace activists were arrested. The growing resistance is evidenced by the number of arrests—four at the old Bannister plant, and at the new plant: 14 blocking earthmovers, 8 during groundbreaking ceremonies, and 52 at the Faith & Resistance Retreat. Peace Planters member, Rachel MacNair, is

plaintiff in the current law suit, represented by Phil Willoughby of Gunn, Shank, & Stover law firm. Dr. MacNair questioned the last-minute timing of the legal proceedings, noting “The Council has had two full months for the Charter’s requirement of passing an ordinance directing the Election Board to place the measure on the ballot. The deadline for certifica-tion is August 30. Waiting until the last possible time allows the court only five days, two of which are a weekend, to consider the case. While the letter of the law is fulfilled in the timing, the spirit of democracy and proper deliberation is not. We believe this timing is an unfair power play.” MacNair also questioned one of the city council members’ assertion that the citizen’s initiative might be unconstitutional, saying instead, “If a party to a dispute can decide the dispute in its own favor while ignoring its own Charter, then the very purpose of the initiative petition process in upholding democ-racy is being sabotaged.” Whatever the intent or the timing, matters are coming to a head in the next few days. Whether “No” or “No way,” those who care about nuclear weapons abolition have a new drama unfolding in Kansas City that is worthy of their attention and support.

by James Hannah, Peaceworks KC

4 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Ordinary Time 2011

by Nick Pickrell

In Remembrance Of...

Body and BloodTaking communion is a common Sunday ritual for most Christians. People receive bread and wine (or grape juice), eat it, drink it, and remember Jesus’ life, death and resurrec-tion. It is a beautiful tradition where the church comes together to remember the shared iden-tity and calling we have. It is also an incredibly practical reminder of the lifestyle of the church. In the New Testament, many of Paul’s letters, the book of Revelation and the Gospels warn against the church becoming “like” the society-at-large. From Jesus’ city on a hill to John’s call to persevere, the New Testament is filled with passages reminding the church to be set apart from the world; to be “good news” to the world. This was played out concretely through the early church’s sharing of possessions with one another, renunciation of violence, welcoming the stranger and outcast, and practicing non-cooperation with many of the Roman festivals and feasts. This community that was inwardly transformed by Christ indeed had a communal, outward expression of that transformation. Because of this radical lifestyle that charac-

terized the early church, persecution was com-mon. Rome regularly imprisoned and executed Jesus followers in order to maintain the Roman ordering of society. When daily faced with the possibility of torture or death because of the their common faith and life, the early church needed a reminder of why they were living out a faith that could cost them their lives. The Eucharist helped serve as this reminder.Jesus performed the first Eucharist immedi-ately preceeding his arrest, crucifiction and resurrection. The very context of the Eucharist would have given courage to the early church because of their understanding that the “suf-fering servant” they were following met his end in the same fashion many of them would also experience. This practice also offered hope as Christ promised a future bodily resurrection for his followers. These two realities, symbolized in the Eucharist, gave the early church the ability to live without fear of Rome’s sword as well as the ability to live into the eternal ways of the Kingdom of God. We need this reminder more than ever today.

Jesus once said those who believed would do even greater things than what the twelve disci-ples experienced. It is my belief that Jesus said this in part because he understood the power of community. With all the injustices happening all over the world, our planet could use some “good news” from communities who are living expressions of the inbreaking Kingdom of God. This is why the Eucharist is so important to our faith. In a world that celebrates war, rewards greed, and ignores the plight of the oppressed, the church proclaims and lives out a different reality. These two realities are colliding every day and are actively vying for our allegiance. Thankfully we have the Eucharist to remind us of who we are as the Church Univeral: a body of believers who have the courage to live radically faithful lives, the strength to endure persecu-tions, the hope in a kingdom that is just, and the love that would cast out any fear that may come from the empire’s sword. May the Eucharist be celebrated in our meals as a 3-a-day reminder of who we are and to whom we serve.

“In company with Christ, who died and now lives, may they rejoice in Your king-dom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing Your praise forever and ever.”

From left to right, top row to bottom row:

Jeanie XolofScott Morrison

Jim CrahanRachelle Wade

Not pictured:Wes Hauer

5Ordinary Time 2011 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker

6 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Ordinary Time 2011

House Notes: Seasonsby Jodi Garbison by Jeffrey New

What’s Happening Here

Thank God for seasons! We have entered a new season at Cherith Brook. Change has marked this season – change in weather, work-load and pace, change in community members and in focus. Weather: We are well into the heat of summer with the heat index reaching 110 degrees. We continue to garden and tend chickens but are moving much more slowly. Sometimes it’s little relief, but water fights have helped!

Work load/pace: Longer daylight hours and lots of garden space determine the work of this season. Besides gardening, we have 30 chickens now and have added two beehives. The chickens seem like regulars around here but the bees come with a pretty steep learning curve. Hopefully, we’ll have honey someday.

Community: With Elisabeth going back to Sweden for the summer and Sarah and Izabelle moving away, the make-up of our community has changed. We anticipate Elisabeth’s return in September (just in time for her court date) and this summer we have the joy of sharing life and work with long time volunteer, Allison Rozga. Allison has been a faithful Thursday night volunteer for the last year and a half. We were more than excited when she felt the call to move in. She is a bright spot among us. We are also excited that all of our physical property (cars, house and building) has been purchased with non-interest loans and have been trans-

ferred to the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Trust. We are thankful to have these things out our personal names, which gives us the chance to more closely reflect our communal living and interdependence. Focus: After many months of planning, pray-ing and discerning, the Midwest Catholic Worker Resistance Retreat went off smoothly…well, if you consider 53 arrests “smooth”. Roughly 200 people attended throughout the weekend and yes, 53 people from many different states were arrested for practicing Gospel Obedience at the new nuclear parts plant here in Kansas City. A lot of our energy and time went into hosting this retreat. We were thankful for all who attended and participated in such an important event and ongoing problem. We aren’t preparing for a retreat any longer but we continue to work towards peace and justice in a city and world that is more interested in making parts for nuclear weapons than creating a world beautiful and healthy for all. Hopefully, the people of Kansas City will have the chance to vote on the use of this field/building in the November elections.

So, we are busy with good work and trying to embrace the season’s gifts as they come. Change that comes in new seasons can be hard, even scary. As we look to the pending changes still ahead, we anticipate the gifts it will bring. We look with hope to the growth and opportunities it will offer. The prayer is that we will not resist it or avoid it or fill it to the point of missing it.

Cherith Brook sketch by Jonathan Neil Roach

I know a placewhere you can go,to take a showerand wash your toes.

You have fifteen minutesthat’s all you get,to wash off your nightmaresand yesterday’s grit.

There are clothes to be hadif you’re on the list,they’re always cleanbut don’t always fit.

There’s hot coffee brewin’with sugar and cream,a hot plate of groceriesit may have a name.

A Thursday night dinnerall are welcome in,they give thanks to Jesusand then we begin.

We wash all the glassand dry all the plates,some sing on the porchand say goodnight at the gate.

Cherith Brook is the placewhere you can go,to get love from a neighboras the Holy One told.

So come to the placethere’s no better deal,where Jesus is smilingbecause of what’s happening here.

One of the frames from our bee hive

7

I was alone as I vacuumed the dining area late Thursday morning. We had served nearly 40 people and most of our guests had moved on for the day. One man was in the shower. His friend remained seated in the dining room, quietly catnapping while I cleaned. He was a slight man, dressed in a heavy denim coat over a black hoody with three white, human skulls across the chest. A full, untrimmed beard hid most of his face and a black stocking cap corralled most of his shaggy hair. As I placed the chairs, seats-down, on the tables in preparation for vacuuming, he opened his eyes and spoke. “You want me to move, don’t you?” he asked politely. His question tested my volunteer mettle. I am not a timid or unfriendly person. Still, there are times when my caution meter seriously inhibits my ability to provide authentically welcoming responses to our guests. The man’s exceedingly scruffy appearance, complete with the unfriendly trio of skulls on his sweatshirt, was enough to activate my xenophobic alarm. I took extra time to position the up-side-down chair on the table, carefully placed the vacuum against the wall, and walked to his table. “Stay right where you are.” I answered and sat down at the table beside him. “I need a break. I’m Tim. What is your name? ” “I’m Paul,” he said. As we shook hands, I noticed his kind eyes and I relaxed a little. I am not sure just who I thought I would encounter when I joined Paul at that table, but my caution meter was glowing bright red until I saw his eyes. The unknown is always unnerving territory, I suppose, and it is always seductively negative. Perhaps it’s all part of God’s plan to demonstrate that learning we are wrong can be downright joyful. “You have a nice place here. It is very comfortable,” he volunteered. “Well, thank you. I will pass that along. I am a Thursday-morning volun-teer, but there’s a team of full-time people responsible for this place. They will appreciate hearing your kind words. Is this your first time here?” “Yes, I am waiting for my friend to shower. Then we’ll head back to the Kansas City Mission. I have a medical pass, but it expires tomorrow.” “Medical pass?” I questioned. “Yes, it lets me come and go as I please. Without it, I have to go in early each day to get my bed assignment and then leave the place until 5:30 in the evening. After tomorrow, that’s what I’ll have to do.” Since the pass was expiring, I assumed that his health had improved. I was wrong again. He suffered from mild paralysis and numbness in his feet and legs. He could walk, but his steps were, in his words, uncertain and sometimes clumsy. His doctor was still running tests but speculated that Paul had dam-aged his central nervous system with over 25 years of hard drinking. He freely admitted his addiction to alcohol. “Do you have a place where I could fill this?” he asked, handing me an empty, plastic water bottle. I took the bottle and walked to the kitchen. He followed me part way but stopped and peered through the open door that led to the Cherith Brook clothing store. I returned with the full water bottle and handed it to him. He thanked me and asked, “What goes on in there? People get new clothes?” “That’s right. Most people want to change into clean stuff after they shower. But you don’t have to shower to get something you need. Would you like to go in and look around,” I asked. We heard his friend heading toward the dining room. He had finished his shower and there would not be time for Paul to shop today. “No. Not today. But I do need a new hoody,” he said. “My grand kids gave me this one and these skulls are too much for me. Maybe I’ll trade it in next time I’m here.” “Perfect. Someone else will love it.” I said, as the two men left the café. As I resumed vacuuming, I felt happy and grateful – happy that Paul had grandchildren, happy that I was not the only one troubled by the trio of hu-man skulls and grateful that Paul had helped desensitize my caution meter.

Unconditional Love

by Tim Brown

XenophobiaOrdinary Time 2011 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker

While walking through the neighborhoodwith my twelve year companion, JCwe pause to stand and to look and walk by the beautiful trees.

I start to think about God’s unconditional loveand often wonder what thoughts consume JCwhile the winds of God’s love blowsthrough the branches of God’s faithful trees.

JC and I walk and pray together,so I thank God for my friend who is almost thirteen,As our walks continue may we keep in our purviewGod’s unconditional love in the earth, sky, and sea.

by Steve Sheridan & his dog, JC

House NeedsCoffee, Sugar, Creamer

Vinegar (gallon size for cleaning)

Baking Soda

Dish Soap

Toilet Paper

Milk, Eggs, Butter

Black Beans

Salt & Pepper Shakers

Folding Tables (standard size)

Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Trailer (flat bed)

Bike trailers

Old candles

Bicycles

Shower NeedsTennis Shoes (men’s & women’s)

Jeans & Belts

(men’s 30-34, women’s 4-6, 16-18)

Men’s Underwear (size 32-38)

Women’s Panties (esp. 4-7)

Bras

Shampoo & Conditioner

Deodorant & Razors

Tube Socks

Foot Powder

Toothpaste & Brushes

Tampons

Ibuprofen & Tylenol

Theraflu

Laundry Soap (high efficiency)

Stamps

Steve with his dog, JC

Upcoming Events

Our ScheduleWho Are We?Showers M, T, Th, F 8 am–noon

Prayers M, W, F 6:30–7 am

Community Meal Th 5–7 pm

Women’s Day Monthly, Last Wed 11:30 am–2 pm

Haircuts Monthly, 2nd Sat 9–11 am

Garden Workday M 2-5 pm

Group Workday Monthly, 2nd Sat 9 am–1 pm

Community—Cherith Brook is a residential Christian community committed to sharing table fellowship with strangers, and all our resources with one another. We have found our inspiration from the early church, the Church of the Savior, and the Catholic Worker. Mercy—Our daily lives are structured around practicing the works of mercy as found in Jesus’ teachings. We are committed to regularly feed-ing the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, visiting the prisoner and the sick in the name of Jesus.

Peacemaking—As followers of Jesus, we understand our lives to be centered in God’s Shalom. Cherith Brook strives to be a “school” for peacemaking in all its dimensions: political, communal, and personal, working constantly to undo poverty, racism and militarism.

These three orbs can be summed up as the struggle to connect with the God of life. We pray that Cherith Brook is a space where all of us—the broken—can come to learn and relearn the ways of Jesus; a place to struggle together for God’s call of love, mercy, peace and justice.

September 16-18 Midwest Catholic Worker gathering

September 28 Court for Faith & Resistance Retreat action

October 16-17 Festival of Shelters, night on the streets

October 26-30 Cherith Brook covenanting retreat

November 18-20 School of the Americas Resistance Retreat

Cherith Brook Catholic Worker

3308 East 12th StreetKansas City, MO 64127(816) 241-8047

cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.comhttp://cherithbrookcw.blogspot.com