This Sunday is Complicated (and IMPORTANT)
Worship and the Affordability Assembly
Church at 11 am:
- There is snow in the relaxed parking areas, but cars are parking there; getting out on the driver’s side, Be Careful!
- Relaxed parking will last all day – until you get back from the Affordability Assembly (and later for our volunteers from Christ Church).
- It’s a Communion Sunday! If you are worshiping at home, please have some “bread” and “cup” ready to participate with us.
Potluck Luncheon after worship, 12:30 pm
- For people heading to the Affordability Assembly, there is a potluck luncheon after worship.
- We have invited people from our Saturday Program to join us at the Affordability Assembly. They may show up early, so if you could make larger portions of your “covered dish” so we make sure we can feed everyone.
- Michael anticipates that we will finish lunch and have time to get cleaned up (both the kitchen and the social hall) because we don’t need to board the bus until about 2:30.
- Michael has come up with activities – fun, related activities – to fill any extra time we have.
- We will board the bus and get dropped off at Mother Bethel (6th and Lombard). We will probably have to have the bus make two trips to get all our people over there.
Wyncote Church Home Worship at 2 pm
- Rev. Shelly Stackhouse is covering for Michael and the others (Barbara, Jane, Blossom, Jackie) who usually go to lead worship there on the first Sunday of each month. Thank you, Shelly.
POWER Philly Affordability Assembly
- We are gathering at Mother Bethel AME Church, at 6th and Lombard. There is parking at the church and at the McCall School, but it might not be sufficient. We have a bus going over from Old First (and coming back).
- At Mother Bethel, everyone needs to sign in so we have a full count of our leaders and attendance. If you have had Michael register you, you will just have to give your name. But you can register at the Assembly too –there’s always room for more people engaged in our civic life, making the city work for everyone.
- The Assembly will begin with music as people are getting signed in and settled in.
- There will be snacks available during the Assembly.
- We’re there to pressure City Council to find a consistent revenue stream to work on housing affordability. Last June they passed a business tax break that will cost the city $2.8 BILLION over the next decade. If they didn’t need that money, we want to know where they can come with a steady revenue stream to make sure housing gets more affordable in Philly.
- We want organized, everyday people to have power equal to the developers who are currently calling the shots.
- This is about working towards building a strong political base of engaged citizens for after Trump falls, when we need to build this country back so it works for everyone.
- Christ Church is preparing dinner for the people going with us to the Meeting who might otherwise miss where they would have dinner, mostly our Saturday guests.
- Michael is asking that the people who are coming back to Old First for dinner to be on the first busload. If you are just coming back for your car, please wait for the second trip.
A lot going on, but somehow, hopeful — that we have found a way to act proactively towards making our city better for everyone (while the world seems to be headed the other direction and there’s hardly anything we can do to stop it). It’s going to be good to be working with so many others on something positive.
If you have any questions, please ask Annaka, Barbara, Beth, Kathy or Michael.
