Garden Notes: Mulch Help Needed

We now have one garden scheduled for the garden tour. If you would like to have your garden on the tour, please contact Tina Grubbe or Sheryl . We are also looking for help with planting the dogwood in front. It has been sitting in a pot for months and we need the use of a tractor to

bore a hole to put it in. We also need help with mulching. A couple of times a year we mulch to keep weeds down, and build up the organic material in our soil. We have 16 yards waiting to be distributed. We are also working on dividing some of our larger plants. If you need community service hours for school, or to satisfy your probation officer, please see me. I have plenty for you to do. We also need help with a small carpentry project to arrange tools in the tool shed. Please contact me for details on that. In 2005, we are hoping to switch all of our irrigation to reclaimed water, and make many needed repairs to the irrigation system. This will enable us to lower our water bills, and be better stewards of God's creation. In 2005 we will also have several garden fellowship events including a plant propagation day, stepping stone construction, and other fun crafts. All are welcome. There is much going on in the gardens. Please feel free to contact me for details on how to get involved.

Love in Christ,
Tina Grubbe, Garden Coordinator

Homeless Ministry

The Interfaith Satellite Shelter Program (ISSP) has been struggling to stay alive for the past two years. 

In 2003 the program failed to qualify for the federal grant that’s been funding it from year to year.  According to the Director of Homeless Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development changed some of its requirements relating to evidence of transitioning clients (i.e. moving homeless people from inability to house and feed themselves to independence).

When this happened last year the program was able to survive due to the generosity of a parishioner at St John’s church in Capitola.  This person donated the $126,000 necessary to keep the program afloat.

This year we are faced with the same situation.  The person at St John’s has, once again, offered to support the program.  But this year he has asked that church representatives make a good faith effort to explore alternate funding schemes.

I have attended three meetings now and we are continuing to discuss various sources of funding.  We feed and house three groups of 15 homeless people seven nights a week.  The major cost component is transportation: this consists of a shuttle, driver, gas, maintenance, and insurance. There is also one full time employee that acts as coordinator of the program.  At present we have outlined three basic scenarios that could serve to sustain the program:

~ Replace the shuttle by using the Metro bus system.  We would provide bus passes so that the homeless people could get to the churches.

~ Use the upper portion of the new Family Homeless building going up at Harvey West.  Instead of bussing the homeless to the churches we could provide shelter at this facility and have the churches feed the homeless there.

~ Undertake church and community fund raising (and explore other grant possibilities, such as those offered within the context of the current administration’s faith based efforts) to support the program more permanently.

At present we are funded through January and St Philip’s will continue to participate fully as long as possible.  I believe that feeding and sheltering the homeless is one of the most rewarding activities for church outreach and it would be a shame if we were to lose this valuable program.  Your prayers and support are especially appreciated at this time.

             Tod Connor, ISSP Coordinator