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First For Our City Facilitator Training Seminar
The last Saturday of August was our first For Our City Facilitator Training Seminar. Even though the event was held on Labor Day weekend, the attendance was incredible. Government leaders from the Arizona House of Representatives, Senate, Cities, Towns, and Churches came together to learn and discuss the importance and method regarding "How to build a bridge between Church and State."
Bridging the Gap Seminar.
Bridging the Gap Seminar.
Bridging the Gap Seminar.
The seminar was hosted by CARE INC and Church for the Nations, and included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, James Weiers; Mayor of Tempe, Hugh Hallman; Mayor of Thatcher, Bob Rivera; Phoenix Police Commander, Timothy Hampton; Pastor of Church for the Nations, Dr. Michael Maiden; Director of CARE INC or Northern Arizona, Tamar Shindel; and Chaplain of the Arizona Legislature, Jon McHatton.
Even though the speakers were phenomenal, the greatest success was the interaction around the table, discussing the barriers that exist between people involved in government and church, and the vital process needed to remove them.
The attendees experienced the For Our City model, that is working in various cities in Arizona as they shared, discussed, and were challenged to collaborate together on a common denominator of showing faith through service.
Bridging the Gap Seminar.
Bridging the Gap Seminar.
A defining moment came when Chaplain Jon McHatton asked everyone involved in government to raise their hands. Over half the room responded. This request was followed by asking everyone who is of faith to raise their hands. Every hand in the room was raised. The principle is this, faith is individual and transcends the boundaries of political and religious structures. With this accepted, we now can move on to putting feet to faith serving the needs of our Cities and Towns.
NOW AVAILABLE:
CARE INC is available to come to your organization or city and provide this seminar. This seminar is complete with Manual, Workbook, DVD's, Resource CD's, and coaching from leaders who have proven success in "Building Successful Bridges." For more information click here.
FOR OUR CITY SEMINAR "Bridging the Gap Between Church and State" is now available. You will receive 2 DVD's of the Seminar Speakers, complete with workbook. Order NOW!
'Healing' breakfast highlights community services
By TODD GLASENAPP
Sun Correspondent
Thursday, June 19, 2008
PAGE -- Pastors, social service volunteers, school administrators and others came together Wednesday morning in Page for an inaugural "Mayor's Healing Breakfast."
About 50 people responded to an initiative by Mayor Bill Justice that was set in motion after the beating death of a transient at Page City Park in February. Justice, who said he was "just floored" to hear of the attack on Baltimore native Eric Smothers, felt compelled to take action. At the time, he wasn't aware that a wide array of volunteer services was already at work in Coconino County's second-largest municipality.
"I discovered that there were things being done in this community but it didn't seem that the voice was getting out," said Justice, mayor since last June.
So he got in touch with Jon McHatton, chaplain for the Arizona Legislature. They talked about the format for a healing breakfast and discussed Arizona programs that are producing change through alliances.
The Governor's Council on Faith and Community Initiatives was formed in March 2005. The idea, born from a national movement, has 27 interfaith and community members.
"... even if you were to disagree with other of her policies, I can assure you Gov. Napolitano has a sincere compassion for vulnerable populations and is passionate about providing opportunities for them to lift themselves out of despair and become self-sustaining," wrote council member Nedra Tietjen.
A similar network could be developed in Page, McHatton told the audience at the local Elks Lodge. McHatton is involved with the "For Our Cities" concept promoted by Care, Inc. In Tempe, the program has forged an alliance of 135 organizations.
"This is where the answer is," he said.
"This is where the solution is. It's in you ... There's a gift, there's a passion in everyone at your table. In that passion is part of the solution to the needs of your city."
Page's greatest issues for the needy are food, housing and daycare, according to Community Resources Network's Jeanae Green and others.
"For being a small community, we have awesome services," said Green, who is also the crisis intervention coordinator for Page Regional Domestic Violence Services.
The local service network features the Circle of Page, a non-profit group headed by Jean Keplinger. Her husband is Rev. Steve Keplinger of St. David's Episcopal Church.
One of Circle of Page's offerings is the Soup Kitchen at Page Community United Methodist Church. The program has expanded to serve full meals from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
"It's astounding how many hungry people we have in Page," said church pastor Evelyn Roberts. "Hunger knows no season or time of day."
Also attending the "Healing Breakfast" was Manny Parks, senior pastor of Faith Bible Chapel.
Participants cited one significant example of a community alliance that has produced positive change. Justice and others' petitioning over the winter helped permit the local Rural Detoxification Facility to remain open.
An 11th-hour boost from the Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority covered an expected funding shortfall until at least Jan. 1. The facility is operated by Community Behavioral Health Services.
"We're extremely thankful that the rural detox facility is still open, thanks to the efforts of our mayor, the Navajo Nation and Joe Wright at CBHS," said Dr. Elizabeth Faulk, director of Page Hospital's emergency department, in an interview. "Thanks to those guys working so hard on this, that is still open. That is a huge resource, and if that could be expanded upon, that would be wonderful."
Daily Sun correspondent Todd Glasenapp can be contacted at dtglasenapp@Route89.com.
Mayor Hugh Hallman of Tempe Proclaims "For Our City Day" March 5, 2008.
Tempe Leaders, faith groups begin dialogue
Eugene Scott
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 11, 2008 12:04 PM
More than 50 Tempe government leaders and members of the faith community gathered early Friday to discuss how they could better work together.
The meeting was hosted by For Our City, a group aimed at strengthening the partnership between city and faith leaders.
Chaplain Jon McHatton receives the proclamation from Tempe Mayor Hallman along with representatives from the "For Our City" Host Committee.
The premise for this For Our City is God loves people. And the city is people. It is not government. It is not some organization. It’s people,” said Jon McHatton, a member of the For Our City host committee.
Establishing relationships and dialogue are perhaps the best way the communities can work together, many in attendance said. “This is not an event, this is a process,” McHatton said. Tempe Vice Mayor Hut Hutson agreed. “You need to get more of this,” he said. “And have smaller groups in different areas of town.”
Attendees entertained a lot of discussion about the role of religious organizations would play in the event of a natural disaster or other local emergency. “Maybe we could have the faith community not only a part of the support system, but a formalized system to do that,” Mike Reichling, Tempe fire spokesman, said. Public safety officials talked about the need for volunteers in emergency situations and the importance of training them.
“Our speakers bureau can go out and speak to people,” said John Rush, Tempe Police assistant chief. “I need to know what resources we have available.” Hallman said he would take all the ideas into consideration. The group plans to meet again in the near future.
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