A very fuzzy beginning

Friends, we are starting on a new journey, and we are looking forward to the new direction(s) we find ourselves going in.

After nearly five years of dreaming, scheming, researching, and meditating, we are feeling an inkling to start on the journey for which we have been preparing.  The vision is yet fuzzy, but essentially Justin and I have agreed on the following ideas and motives:

We wish to loosely follow in the steps of the Catholic Worker Movement, and establish a Mennonite-ish program/initiative/who-knows-what, creating a safe, equal space for persons of all races/economic statuses/sexual orientation/genders/ages/religions/etc. to share life together.

Our first step in this (what we will call) initiative is to establish an open discussion with those who are interested in walking alongside and supporting us for a part (or for the duration) of our work.  We have started this blog as that initiative, and encourage your comments, emails, phone calls, letters, coffee dates, etc.

The second step is to create a donation-based café, likely in Silver City, New Mexico.  We anticipate relocating to this area within the next 18 months, participating in the life of the community and finding the best location to serve a diverse audience.  We will apply for 501(c)3 status, and rely on donations from diners and private donors, as well as seek and apply for grants applicable to our mission.  We will explain at a future date more of our ideas for this café.

The third step will be to create a Mennonite House of Hospitality, modeled after the Catholic Worker houses of hospitality.  We will have several private rooms available for transient persons, visitors, and café volunteers.  This house of hospitality will not charge persons who need to use the shelter, though donations (of all sorts) may be given to the house.  We anticipate designating one room/bed as an emergency room, and designating the other rooms for persons who are interested in longer term housing (based on need or involvement in the café).  We will expound on this third piece of the initiative at a later point as well. 

So, it's published.  And we're sharing this with you, and encourage you to pass on our link to anyone you feel may be interested in participating in the discussion.

We beg of you to keep us in your thoughts as we continue to discern how to continue on this path towards a realisation of a long-held dream of Valerie's.