Do you know a
potential Habitat homeowner?
View
our selection criteria here.
Applicants must demonstrate the inadequacy of their current
housing situation, an ability to pay a no-interest mortgage, a
willingness to partner with Habitat through sweat equity and
participation in homeowner education classes, and must meet
residency requirements. To refer a family to us, please
contact Clinton Moore, Director of Family Services, at
303-447-3787, ext. 222 or cmoore@flatironshabitat.org.
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| Concert
"Go for
Baroque"
to benefit
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
featuring
Dr. Martha
Sandford-Heyns
Organ and
Harpsichord
Ginger
Hedrick
Flute
Kim
Neely
Soprano
on
Friday, November 21,
2008
at
7:30 p.m.
at the
First Presbyterian
Church of Boulder
located at
1820 15th Street
Boulder, CO
|
|
Please
Pray...
For the Ayers
and Madrid families who recently moved into their homes at
Harmony Haven.
For all who are experiencing
economic hardship because of the current housing crisis.
For John Lovell, our new Executive Director, as
he begins to lead our affiliate.
For Terry Thomas and Sorina Ramos as they work to
complete their sweat equity hours.
For the continued safety of our construction staff and
volunteers as they work on the site.
For the success of our fundrasing efforts in the face of
adverse economic conditions.
|
Our Wish
List
1. A digital camera and a video camera.
2. Volunteers to serve on our Faith
Connections Committee.
3. Congregations willing to provide
lunches for our construction volunteers.
4. Volunteers with some construction
expertise who would be willing to be trained to serve as Crew
Leaders on a monthly basis.
5. Tools and accessories including
framing hammers, smooth faced hammers, speed squares, air
hoses, air compressors, staple guns, or a laser level.
6. Business owners willing to
sponsor upcoming events such as Holy Smokes
our our Boulder's Dinner Theatre event.
7. Volunteer Ebay coordinator for our
Thrift Store.
|
Holy Smokes
Flatirons Habitat's annual clergy cook-off
will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p,m. on Saturday,
February 21, at Broomfield United Methodist Church. We
are in need of clergy chefs who are willing to put their
culinary skills to the test at this event that is guaranteed
to be a treat for all. If you are interested in
participating, please contact Derek Wittman at dwittman@flatironshabitat.org or
303-447-3787, ext. 230.
|
|
Boulder's Dinner Theatre
On February 6, members of the community
will have the opportunity to support Habitat for Humanity
while simultaneously enjoying a delicious meal and a brilliant
performance of The Producers. Tickets cost
$75.00 per person. For information, contact Flatirons
Habitat Development Director Jan Hawley at 303-447-3787, ext.
224.
|
| Clergy Build 2008
Photos courtesy of Joe
VanAndel
Matthew Fite, Good News Community Church
Nathan Gray, Good News Community Church
John Boyle, Calvary Bible Church
Joy Orf, Calvary Bible Church
Jamie Korngold, Adventure Rabbi
Steve Osborn, Seventh Day Baptist Church of Boulder
Bobby Orf, Calvary Bible Church
Marc Soloway, Congregation Bonai Shalom
Joel Brandt, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Julie Brooks, Rejoice Lutheran
Church | |
| Clergy
Corner:
Rev. Martie
McMane, First Congregational
Church 
My experience with Habitat for
Humanity goes back twenty-six years when I was the
pastor of a church in Northeast Ohio. Millard Fuller,
Habitat's founder, had just written his book Love in the
Mortar Joints, and some of my clergy colleagues and I
heard him speak in Cleveland, Ohio. We began to get
involved by raising money and volunteering with our
church members to help build Habitat houses. This was a
way we could "put work clothes on our faith," as
Clarence Jordan once said, who was Millar Fuller's
pastor, friend and mentor at Koinonia Farms in Georgia
where the idea of Habitat was born.
Now,
all these years later, as the minister of First
Congregational Church in Boulder I am experiencing the
same excitement and inspiration that was mine at the
beginning. Arriving at the site on Clergy Build Day, I
felt like a complete klutz. When the site supervisor
asked me if I wanted to hammer that first ten penny
nail, I thought to myself, "Maybe there's
something else I can do - I don't want to mess this up!"
I was sure I couldn't do it. I hadn't wielded a framing
hammer in twenty years! But he was so encouraging,
so patient, and such a good teacher, that before long I
was swinging the hammer right along with the rest of my
colleagues, and we accomplished a good deal of framing
that morning. I remembered the prayer that Bob
Wettergren, the construction manager, had started us out
with that morning, and I knew that we were not alone.
Together with God's Spirit miracles could
happen.
There's a deep satisfaction that
comes with learning new skills and participating in an
environment of mutual faith and cooperation. What a joy
it was to work alongside other clergy colleagues from
church and synagogue in a combined effort to respond to
God's call to serve others! It's a wonderful feeling to
know that you are part of such a well run, efficient
operation, where you will be taught by experts and work
on a project that uses good materials and the latest and
best techniques for building. It is inspiring to know
that you are a part of something so big that is making a
difference in your own community and around the
world.
These same thoughts are what I hear
from the volunteers at our church who give of themselves
in many ways to Habitat here in Boulder County, whether
it's from selling grocery coupons week after week to
help raise money, or volunteering at the construction
site. To get to work with the skilled, compassionate and
faithful staff of Habitat, to work along side the people
who will be living in these homes, to participate in a
community effort that really makes a difference, brings
a sense of deep joy, satisfaction, and humility.
And of course, the joy that comes on the
day of dedication! It is inspiring to see the bond of
community that is shared with those who are moving into
their new homes, the tears of gratitude in their eyes,
the light that emanates from them as they tell their
stories of hope now that they will have a safe,
affordable place to live. It seems rare in this life to
be able to be a part of something that has a true and
lasting impact. Habitat for Humanity is one of those
opportunities. Love is not only in the mortar joints,
but in the hearts and hands of all of us as together we
put our faith into action!
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel. |
|
Clergy Build Draws Record
Participation
Front (from left to
right): Derek Wittman (Flatirons Habitat
Congregational Outreach Coordinator), Kim LaCorte
(Flatirons Habitat Volunteer Coordinator/Construction
Assistant), Julie Brooks (Rejoice Lutheran Church),
Kathy Cackowsky (Mountain View United Methodist Church),
Joel Brandt (Christ the Servant Lutheran Church).
Back: Rick Beaver (regular volunteer), Bob Wettergren,
Dan Hauser (Calvary Bible Church), Marc Soloway
(Congregation Bonai Shalom), Martie McMane (First
Congregational Church of Boulder), Steve Osborn (Seventh
Day Baptist Church of Boulder). Photo courtesy
of Joe VanAndel.
A record number of clergy members
participated in Flatirons Habitat for Humanity's Clergy
Build Days on Thursday and Friday, September
18-19. Twenty-five pastors, rabbis, and other
ministerial staff members donned hard hats and strapped
on tool belts to assemble wall sections for the second
building that the affiliate will construct at its
Harmony Haven site. The event was originally
scheduled for Wednesday, September 17. Due to the
overwhelming response from the faith community, however,
Construction manager Bob Wettergren determined that the
group needed to be divided into four shifts over two
days in order to ensure adequate safety and
supervision.
This year's Clergy Build
differed from previous years in that it was an
interfaith event. Rabbi Tirzah Firestone of Nevei
Kodesh spent Thursday afternoon on the site, and Rabbi
Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom and Adventure
Rabbi Jamie Korngold participated on Friday
morning. Many Christian denominations were
represented as well, including Presbyterian, Lutheran,
Evangelical Free, United Methodist, Baptist, United
Church of Christ, Episcopal, Anglican, and
non-denominational congregations. Flatirons
Habitat Development Director Jan Hawley stated, "We were
thrilled with the growth in participation for Clergy
Build Day and the degree of diversity that existed among
those who participated. We saw true faith in
action during this event."
The clergy
members were treated to meals donated by two local
restaurants. Turley's Restaurant provided box
lunches and spiced iced tea for Thursday's crew,
and those who worked on Friday enjoyed dishes provided
by the Broadway and Alpine location of Noodles &
Company. The Clergy Build Days were a component
part of the affiliate's observance of Building on Faith
Week, during which Habitat affiliates worldwide
celebrate their partnerships in the faith community.
In addition to those pictured above, participants
also included Stan Adamson (St. Andrew Presbyterian
Church); Laurel Alexander (Lutheran Campus Ministry -
ELCA); John Boyle, Bobby Orf, and Joy Orf (Calvary Bible
Church); Ken Brown (Broomfield United Methodist Church);
Tirzah Firestone (Nevei Kodesh); Chuck Reeder, Connie
Siebenrock, and Jason Horning (Holy Spirit Anglican
Church); Mike Houlik (St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal
Church); Gary Preston (Rock Creek Church); Allen Raynor
(First Baptist Church of Broomfield); Bob Stuenkel
(University Lutheran Chapel, retired); Matthew Fite and
Nathan Gray (Good News Community Church); and Pete
Terpenning (Community United Church of Christ).
|
| Partner Family
Portrait:
Fran Madrid,
Harmony Haven
Homeowner 
Frances Madrid is a Colorado
native who has lived most of her life in the
Boulder Valley. She and her daughter, Rita, had
lived in a mobile home pretty much since Rita's
birth. While Rita was growing strong and looking
forward to college in a couple years, their home had
seen better days and eventually cost more to repair
than it was worth. When asked how being
selected as a Habitat family would affect their life,
Fran shared, "It would mean the world, like winning the
lottery without buying a ticket!" Fran and Rita
moved into their new home over Labor Day 2008, a home
made possible by the support of Habitat donors and
volunteers. It's a dream come true for this
hardworking single mom and her daughter who plans one
day to attend law school.
"Thank you for our
home!" --Fran and Rita
Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel |
|
Flatirons Habitat
Dedicates New
Building
Development Director Jan Hawley (left)
recognizes sponsors for Harmon Haven
Building E. From left to right: Al Horton
(Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans), Bruce
Hoelter (Thrivent - Flatirons
Chapter), Rev. Martie McMane (First
Congregational Church of Boulder), and Dianne Buchholz
(First United Methodist Church of
Broomfield). Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel.
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
celebrated a major milestone in the dedication of the
new five-unit townhouse building at Harmony Haven.
On the afternoon of September 21, Flatirons Habitat
board members, staff, partner families, sponsors,
volunteers, and other friends of the affiliate gathered
on the vacant lot next to the building to mark the
occasion. Rev. Bob Stuenkel (University Lutheran
Chapel, retired), Rev. Debra Engquist (Atonement
Lutheran Church) and Rev. Martie McMane (First
Congregational Church) served as officiants for the
service. Those in attendance had the opportunity
to hear a testimony from Harmony Haven homeowner Candi
Ayers, and many of them had tears in their eyes as Candi
described how it feels to know that her eleven-year-old
triplets are now safe when they go outside to
play. Candi also spoke of the strong friendship
that she has built with her new neighbor, Fran Madrid,
and of the hospitality of others who have welcomed her
to the neighborhood. She expressed her gratitude
to everyone who helped to build her new
home.
The barbershop quartet Surrounded by
Reality performed "The Prayer of the Children" during
the service, and they serenaded Candi and other guests
after the service. Ben & Jerry's also provided
an ice cream social for Flatirons Habitat's guests that
was served by volunteers Mark and Kathy Baker and Joan
and Allan Graham of First Presbyterian Church. The
event took place on the International Day of Prayer and
Action for Human Habitat, on which Habitat affiliates
worldwide invite the faith community to pray for those
inadequately sheltered and to pray about how people of
faith can and should respond to the need for decent
housing.
| |
Staff Spotlight:
Clinton
Moore, Director of Family
Services
 I am
so pleased to have the opportunity to work in the
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity family. Since
graduating from college, I have searched for a career
that would fit my strengths and let me make an impact in
this world. Since starting as the Director of
Family Services on July 1st of this year, I have
accomplished my goal of driving home from work everyday
knowing that I have worked to make someone's life
better. My call to serve others is the same call
that lead me to be a youth pastor in Boulder for four
and a half years and teach high school in a Christian
school for the past three. This call comes from my
faith and my belief that I am called to love, serve
others, and help those in need. Habitat allows me
to accomplish all of these.
In addition to my work at Flatirons
Habitat, I have just become a father for the first
time. My baby girl was born on September 22nd at
4:37 in the morning, exactly one month early.
Since then my life has been turned upside down with a
wonderful blessing. Spending the last few days
staring at my girl and wondering about her life has
brought me to a few conclusions. One conclusion is
that I want her to know that there is a difference
between talking about helping others and truly working
to make other's lives better. I am privileged to
have a position with Habitat that will allow my daughter
to grow up knowing the difference between just talking
and doing.
In the future, I will be working hand
in hand with families to help them achieve a new
foundation, start a new life, and have a new home to
build this on. In my position I get the
opportunity to select partner families, work with
families not ready for a Habitat home, educate those
that are ready for partnership, and provide
opportunities for future growth to our current
homeowners.
Therefore, I urge you,
brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is
your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer
to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and
perfect will. (Romans
12:1-2) |
First Presbyterian to Host Benefit
Concert
November brings us a perfect
opportunity to enjoy some of First Presbyterian Church's
finest musicians and at the same time provide safe,
decent housing for a low income family. First
Presbyterian Church organist Martha Sandford-Heyns and
Ginger Hedrick have created a program that will thrill
all of us who enjoy musical talent and creativity.
Proceeds from the offering will go directly to the
church's sponsorship of a home at the Harmony Haven
Habitat for Humanity community in north
Boulder.
"Go For Baroque" will be presented
on Friday, November 21, at 7:30 P.M. in the
church's chapel. Concert goers will
experience an exciting combination of musicians,
instruments, and compositions. Martha will perform
on both the organ and harpsichord, and Ginger on the
flute. Other musicians include Kim Neely, soprano
vocalist. During the intermission, a Habitat
homeowner will speak, an offering will be taken, and
refreshments will be served.
We know that
"Go for Baroque" will be a superb concert and that
Habitat for Humanity is doing important work in our
community. So, mark your calendar for Friday, Nov.
21. It promises to be an entertaining and
inspiring
evening.
|
Volunteer's Voice:
Bev Reimer,
Development
Committee
 My
most exciting volunteering with Flatirons Habitat for
Humanity centered on the sponsorship of a home in the
Violet Hollow Habitat community by the church I was
attending at the time. After the proposal I made
to the church was accepted, the funds were donated from
a special fund, which did not require a fundraising
effort. Another woman and I were responsible for
recruiting volunteers from church attendees. Also, I was
the support partner for the selected family. We
organized building crews to work at the site on
Saturdays and on a few occasions to provide lunch for
the day. We had an enthusiastic response from a
wide variety of people of all ages and abilities.
It was great to see so many volunteers get involved with
the Habitat home building who had not really been
involved with other outreaches at the church previously.
Several of the volunteers were so engaged that they
worked an extra day during the week on their day
off. It provided a sense of community among the
church itself and was a successful outreach of putting
love into action. We worked with other volunteers
and future homeowners at Violet Hollow for well over a
year until our group of homes was
completed.
The biggest reward for me came
from learning to understand the importance of letting go
of the way I thought things should be by praying and
working with how things were. Because of a more
relaxed, trusting approach, I soon saw that things
worked out more successfully in ways that I could not
have predicted. The solutions to several concerns
were much better than I could have "made happen".
This same approach worked well in working with and
connecting with the future homeowner family.
It was a wonderful experience to be
involved with helping to provide a simple, decent home
for a family in need. The homeowner was an example
of someone who worked hard to try and provide a better
way of life for herself and her children. I
believe lives were transformed; the volunteers who
worked, the people who observed, the family, and my own.
I am grateful and blessed to have had this
opportunity and I encourage others to get involved with
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity in some way. The
rewards may be better than you can imagine.
|
|
Faith Connections
Committee
 Flatirons Habitat for Humanity is
looking for new members for our Faith Connections
Committee. The membership of the committee
consists of volunteers, both clergy and lay, who are
active in their faith communities and want to help build
strong partnerships between area congregations and
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. Its functions include
encouraging local congregations and faith-based groups
to become involved in the mission of Habitat for
Humanity through involvement in building projects,
special events, fundraising activities, and various
other activities in support of our affiliate. Anyone
interested in serving on this committee can contact
Derek Wittman, Flatirons Habitat Congregational Outreach
Coordinator. Photo courtesy of Joe
VanAndel. |
|
Apostles
Build
 Flatirons Habitat for Humanity is
working to organize an Apostles Build! In an
Apostles Build project, 12 congregations come together
to raise the money and to provide the labor and prayer
support to build a Habitat for Humanity house.
Participating congregations will raise and contribute
equal shares of the $100,000 cost of sponsoring a
home, and members of each participating congregation
will have the opportunity to construct part of the
home. This is an excellent opportunity for small
congregations or congregations with limited financial
resources to become involved in home sponsorship.
For more information, contact Derek Wittman,
Congregational Outreach Coordinator, at 303-447-3787,
ext. 230, or dwittman@flatironshabitat.org or Jan
Hawley, Development Director, at 303-447-2787, ext. 224,
or jhawley@flatironshabitat.org.
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