Mayor's invitation & comments

Dear friends,

I am pleased to send your congregation this invitation to participate in the event Faith in Action With Our Homeless on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Details regarding registration are below. 

The Quest team (Mission & Bios), which is organizing this event, believes it is possible for the 200-plus congregations in Lane County to form a partnership that will strengthen our community’s ability to provide shelter to people who are unhoused. Sometimes the lack of material resources and a supportive partnership is the only barrier preventing a congregation from taking action on a shelter-related project, while other congregations have taken on a number of endeavors and have much wisdom and experience to share. 

Through conversation we can find better ways to walk our talk together. We can identify under-utilized resources of energy and materials. We can improve the opportunities for others on their terms rather than ours. We can create an experience of companionship.

Quest has confirmed a keynote speaker from the Salem Leadership Foundation (SLF), who will describe the organization’s networking success. SLF endeavors to build the healthiest community in Oregon, neighborhood by neighborhood, by building bridges among stakeholders: “people, churches, schools, agencies, cultures, business, non-profits and neighborhoods. Anyone, Anywhere, Anyhow.” 

During the catered luncheon, participants will have the opportunity to connect informally with long- term associates as well as others they have never met before. After lunch, attendees may join small group sessions to discuss a variety of subjects (listed on the registration), which Quest hopes will inspire our local faith communities to collaborate on shelter projects, beginning with the formation of an online network via e-mails, Facebook and a website. 

We need your voice and caring spirit. Please attend and bring one additional member of your congregation, or invite any two people to represent you.  

Thank you for considering participation in this event.

Sincerely,

Mayor Kitty Piercy 

and the Quest team