Where is God At Work?

At the last Session meeting, Elders were asked to meet with their committees and ask the question “Where is God at work in our committee?” After much discussion about our Coffee House Conversations and community-based activities, common points surfaced:

Donna Brundage

• Love First – EVERYONE deserves love – including people we don’t know or understand.
• It allows us to get to know our community in a way that we haven’t before.

​​Love can take many forms – some as easy as recognizing someone with a smile, others more complicated, such as volunteering and really getting to hear someone’s story. On May 4th, we all can participate in a Coeur d’Alene’s first ever NAMI Walk, a half mile flat trail at Landings Park that will serve as a way for people to come out, raise awareness and show support for those with mental health issues, (1 in 5 of us.) I’ll include a QR code to register and find out more about why we do this – AND because it is on “May the 4th Be with You Day” — dressing as your favorite Star Wars character is encouraged!

Another way to get involved with community-centered events at 1st Pres is to attend a Coffee House Conversation. Top-notch speakers with lived experience and expertise donate their time to raise awareness, share resources and educate. If you have never attended a Coffee House — I urge you to do so. They really are powerful, but don’t take my word for it — these are from people that have been there, many from community members that are just discovering what 1st Pres is all about:

“My experience with Coffee House Conversations? It was early 2023 and the topic was ‘Stigma Related to Mental Health Issues’. What a powerful topic. And when you think about this ‘stigma’, it triggers different emotions. Why? Because mental health knows no boundary and can affect anyone. So, stigma is defined as, ‘a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person’. Well, there's no disgrace in mental health and the panel assembled for this Coffee House Conversation was commanding and thoughtfully moderated. Listening to these neighbors impacted everyone. And I say neighbors because that's who they are. Our family, friends, and neighbors … some of whom suffer in silence, yet to be understood. Ordinary people experiencing life's challenges, talking about mental health. A healing process. No more secrets. No more stigma. Changing the paradigm through Coffee House Conversations!” — Larry Riley, St Vincent’s ED

“The Coffee House Conversations offer opportunities to deepen our understanding in how FPC can better connect with and compassionately care for our community, both within the church and the greater community beyond our doors.  God desires that we would seek justice, love mercy and walk in humility with our Lord (Micah 6:8). These can be abstract concepts and difficult to put into action. Those who volunteer to present bring the perspective of personal experience to challenging, yet important topics. In doing so, they bear witness to their efforts to overcome challenges, thereby offering insight on how to bring substance to the call put forth in Micah 6:8. Our attendance and participation honors not only those risking to share, but also our desire in seeking how God desires our expression of Love 1st.” — Yvette Wyatt

"My husband and I attended the Recovery Coffee Hour and were moved by the testimonies of all three presenters sharing their journey through addiction and their victory over their various demons. They were straight forward as they spoke about their journey and inspiring as they spoke about agencies and individuals that helped them along their path of recovery." — Carol Mitchell

"I have attended two of the Coffee Houses and both have provided me with more insight regarding recovery and homelessness in our community. While I work with people who suffer from homelessness and substance abuse issues daily, it has been inspiring to hear stories of recovery and successful housing from those who are not necessarily in our programs. I am blessed to be a part of a community that cares enough to have conversations about current and pressing issues. And I love the snacks!" -- Annie Parker, Manager of Trinity Group Homes
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"The Coffee House Conversations I have attended offer more than just coffee. They're spaces where stories of recovery, resilience, and community unfold. It's an opportunity to gain insight, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the issues affecting our community." — Tess Reasor 208 Recovery North ED

“Having attended all the Coffee House Conversations, I found all of them enlightening, encouraging and well-planned. They helped me understand and be grateful for the resources in our community that can help with life's difficulties and crises such as suicide, addiction, and homelessness. I would encourage all our congregation to attend one in the future. Thank you to our Community Outreach Committee for organizing these wonderfully helpful events.” — Cheryl Broadway 

The next Coffee House will be in August and will be focusing on Parenting in a Digital Age. Stay tuned for details.

This Saturday we are participating in NAMI Walks and we'd love to see you there. It's a gentle, flat and short loop at Landings Park. You can REGISTER HERE.  Or just show up!

“Let each of us look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others” – Philippians 2:4
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In His Name, Donna