8/08/2010

GROUNDWORKS WEEKEND, AUGUST 14-15

Emmaus Road is taking the weekend of August 14-15 to invest in our neighborhood of gathering, Belltown, in a unique way. Normally, we use fifth Sundays - Groundworks Sundays - as opportunities to serve with neighbors, becoming church beyond the building. August happens to be the month that a group of neighbors have been able to launch something Belltown has not seen for a long time (or ever?): a local, neighborhood festival. Seattle Founders Day includes "two days of free music, crafts, and theater in the street, at Second and Bell." A detailed line-up and map can be found on this online poster page. Our own Americorps volunteer, David Anema, has been attending planning meetings for months, getting to know the organizers and neighbors involved with the launch of this festival. In addition, Belltown Covenant, of which Emmaus Road is part, plans to launch "belltownvolunteers.org" in concert with the street festival. This is a terrific opportunity for our church to serve and connect with a new circle of neighbors in the heart of an active corner of Belltown. We would be serving alongside members of Mars Hill Church (downtown campus); one of their deacons posted a well-written description of this event, it's significance for our neighborhood of gathering, and why it's good for their church to volunteer. In addition, every volunteer who registers four hours of service gets a Tshirt!

Here is what we can do over the Saturday and Sunday this Festival takes place:
volunteer for two to four hour shifts either day, which could begin as early as 8AM (setup) and end as late as 10PM (takedown). Shifts would include security duty (wearing Tshirt and carrying radio - no confrontation), and/or trash cleanup (by using volunteers, saving thousand of $).
Parents, KIDS are especially wanted (with you parents, of course), on SATURDAY 12-4PM, to make paper lanterns and join a parade at 3PM.

Contact David Anema, who will be there all day Saturday and Sunday: 206-369-6534
Signup below!