You can find out more about this community at www.thesimpleway.org If you are not a follower of Jesus, you can still get a lot out of this. Guidelines are made to be revised, any way. I have read Shane Claiborne’s book THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION twice, and am now on my third reading. He helped to found this community, which is inspiring many other people to do the same. My vision: that every neighborhood has at least one home such as the one outlined below where the residents have the intention to reach out and love their neighbors. People who are into the New Monasticism would like that idea, I am pretty sure. Now wouldn’t that be a lovely world and help to bring the kingdom of God on earth, one neighborhood at a time!
WELCOME TO THE POTTER STREET COMMUNITY!
Here’s a little packet we’ve been putting together to help new housemates settle in to life here on Potter Street. Glad you are here!
Things we do:
Daily
Morning prayer weekdays 9am
After School program – weekdays 3pm-6pm
Weekly – we pass a sign-up sheet around at points meetings which is then posted (at 3234) – sign up for weekly activities and other responsibilities such as shopping and cleaning
Points meetings – now Friday mornings – community-wide weekly checkin for announcements, updates, and logistics
Food bank (must have a training/orientation) – Tuesday mornings
Food Bags – Tuesdays 4:30pm
The Gathering Community Store (3234) – 1st Saturday of each month 10-1pm, and store
prep is often on the Friday before
2 Weekly Dinners – sign up to cook/clean
House dinners, Guest dinners (and occasional dinner discussions)
Typically House dinners are Tuesdays and open/guest dinners are Thursdays
Public meetings (usually Sunday) –Worship in the neighborhood with local congregations/parishes
Sabbath – one day a week is for rest and rejuvenation we do not answer the phone or door or entertain guests (community-wide Sabbath is Sunday)
Monthly
Cooking/cleaning
Vnite – a gathering of women
Kingdom Night – happens occasionally to gather (men and women) to study Scripture, theology, or books
Hospitality
Nonprofit maintenance – we share the administrative work of PSC as a community, with no paid staff
Advocate time – scheduled during points meetings
Annually (or ongoing)
Retreats – one in the winter (January) and one in the summer (August)
Making stuff – buttons, t-shirts, candles, clothing, bread…
Sometimes for fun, sometimes as a micro-business/cottage industry
School supplies – Labor Day weekend each year we give away school supplies to hundreds of kids in the neighborhood (and prep for this happens in August)
Restoration of houses/lots - whenevs
Newsletters (quarterly) – March, June, September, December – all guests invited to give an intro, all longer term members invited to contribute articles
Christmas toys/party – end december we give away hundreds of toys to parents in the neighborhood and have our annual Holiday open house the day after
Gardening
Family reunion – February each year, dozens of friends and sister communities come into town, by invitation (though the Friday night is a Night of Celebration open to all)
USAntiheroes (whenever necessary) – Buy Nothing Day (day after Thanksgiving) and July 4th are usually big USAntihero holidays
Yes! And… Theater camps
Nights of celebration (quarterly)
Circus fun and general nuttiness
A FEW MORE DETAILS ON STUFF…
Food Bags
* We give out food bags once a week (currently Tuesdays at 4:30p). Usually we distribute around 35 bags. There are more folks at the end of the month than the beginning, and weather is also a factor.
* We make sure everyone gets a bag who is in line when we begin distributing at 4:30p.
* We go shopping in the morning at the Philabundance Food Bank. Our agency number is 785, and you must take a signed check with you to purchase food. Primary shoppers need to attend an orientation and training at Philabundance.
* Folks will begin lining up about a half-hour beforehand, but we are not able to give them out early or hold bags for people.
* There are files in the upstairs file cabinet of all registered food bag recipients (required by the Food Bank, and they occasionally visit and will ask to see these).
* We do not give bags to kids (folks under 18). But kids are welcome to help prepare the bags.
* We are not able to give folks an extra bag for someone else. They must come get it, or if unable we deliver the bag to their home (if you are able).
The Store
- Our community thrift store is called “The Gathering” (many folks know it as that).
- It is currently open on the first Saturday of each month, from 10am-1pm.
- We do $1 for a bag. Families come and buy a brown grocery bag for $1 and take things as they need. Unlimited bags. If folks only want a few items, they can pay less (say .25 or .50). Money is held by a community member, recorded and placed in the blue envelope or given to a partner for deposit.
- Folks are also welcome to donate things for The Gathering by bringing them during store hours or working out another time to drop them off. We do not (generally) do pick-ups of donations (unless they live on the block).
- We usually sort clothes for the store the week before, trying to bring up in-season items. Make sure to remove all items from the store that are not for sale. And please be sure to clean-up afterwards.
After School Program
· Kids come to do collaborative arts/literacy at 3200 Potter every schoolday 3-6p
· All volunteers attend a training and background check.
· We prefer to have folks keep a regular schedule and with some longevity.
Gardens
· We have gardens on the 3234 roof, and on two lots on Potter Street – 3204 and 3230. And we like to drop seeds and plant stuff anywhere we can find a crack in the concrete.
Sister Communities (in the area)
· There are a number of communities in the Philadelphia area with whom we collaborate and conspire.
o Camdenhouses – across the river, mad gardening, close friends and a lot of fun – they have a cluster with several community houses and gardens. Sacred Heart has Mass at 10:30am.
o House of Grace runs a free medical clinic (also providing showers, medication, and dentistry).
o New Jerusalem is a recovery community. They have Bible study at 8am each weekday. They also host the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), which is a 3 day workshop learning and practicing nonviolence, peacemaking, and creative conflict resolution.
o Kensington Welfare Rights Union is a coalition of poor and homeless families with whom we share a 10 year friendship and partnership. We often support their events to alleviate poverty and homelessness.
o Yes! And… Company of friends (many of whom are PSC founders) who run camps and after school programs doing collaborative arts – playing, imagining, creating together, good times.
o Circle of Hope has public meetings at 5pm and 7pm and cells that meet during the week.
o Cambria house – another house of friends down the street.
o Mission Year – a one-year program that places young adults in urban community houses to live and serve. Former PSC member Chris Lahr is the City Director here in Philly (one of the MY hubs), and we often have an intern or two here from Mission Year.
o Brandywine Peace Community is an organization in the area that mobilizes people in public actions and other events to raise awareness around war and peace. We often attend their demonstrations which happen periodically (as well as liturgically on MLK day, Easter, Christmas… outside Lockheed Martin).
o My Brothers Keeper is a community of very sweet, retired folks that make blankets and “hypothermia packs” for our homeless friends. We are able to get more by contacting Jim or Flo at 570 289 4335.
o The Alternative Seminary hosts bible studies throughout the year (sometimes 6-week studies, sometimes longer…). It is an “underground seminary” of sorts, committed to wrestling with the Word in a diverse group of folks seeking God and truth.
The Year at a Glance
January
New years vigil
Winter Retreat
Thank-you letters for the past year
February
Night of Celebration
Family Reunion weekend
March
PSC Mailing
Gardens
Lenten lunches
April
Seder/Passover dinner
Easter Family weekend
Egg dying and hunt, family visits/dinners
May
School for Conversion
June
PSC mailing
PAPA Festival/summer gathering… may happen again in some form
Night of Celebration
(harvest season)
July
Theatre camp
Fourth of July USAntiheroes
(harvest season)
August
Summer Retreat
Theater camp
(Harvest season)
September
PSC mailing
School Supplies – Labor Day
PSC financials due
(harvest season)
October
Vol Appreciation Banquet?
Night of Celebration
November
Thanksgiving Dinner and Day-after Potluck
USAntiheroes Buy Nothing Day
SOA/CCDA
Advent dinners
KWRU homes for holidays
December
PSC mailing
Christmas toys
Gingerbread party… again?
Christmas Open House
Expectations:
Visitors
Note: we distinguish between “personal visitors” (someone coming to visit someone living here but not particularly interested in PSC) and general “visitors” (folks interested in visiting and exploring the community here at PSC) – the notes below are for the latter (personal visitors are simply discussed at weekly points meetings)
- Visitors are folks who come for up to one week, sometimes less than a day. Visitors includes groups and personal friends, as well as folks who are coming for an initial visit with the thought of staying longer-term. We are always reimagining how we host and integrate new visitors and groups. Currently, most folks who contact us are invited to consider attending one of the Schools for Conversion.
- Suggested Donation for Visitors is $50-100 per week.
- Visitors are given a “Contact Person” who serves as a liason to them or their group and as a primary host when they arrive.
- Sometimes are given keys (with a $5 deposit)
- Often have a highly structured visit with a scheule
- Usually go on a reality tour
Guests
- Guests are folks who are living in the community for up to three months.
- Commit to our mission: “Love, God, Love People and Follow Jesus”. And commit to respect the Foundation/Functionality of PSC.
- Suggested donation for guests is $150-200 per month.
- Guests are given an “Advocate” that journeys with them into the community and helps to orient them to life here at PSC. Advocate meetings will often happen every week or two weeks to check in, discuss readings…
- Attend most house meetings and dinners
- Attend retreats or some portion of retreats
- Often go on reality tours, watch some films and do readings to learn about faith, social justice, and the history of PSC.
- Abstain from new dating relationships while a guest at PSC
- Enter into our common life of work, play, cleaning, prayer… as comfortable
Advocates of guests
- create customized spirtual formation and social consciousness resources – maybe reading some books, films, connecting with other communities and congregations…
- give guests a mailbox
- give keys to both houses
- share poverty outlaw film and new monasticism book
- do a reality tour
Nomad/Novitiate
- A Nomad is someone who has come as a Guest and now makes a commitment of 1-2 years, but is not interested in partnerhip here at PSC (plans on leaving PSC after this period, often to start another community). A Novice is someone who has come as a Guest and now makes a commitment of 1-2 years, with the possibility of partnering here at PSC. Both have periodic re-evaluations and processing (organized by their advocates).
- In addition to the mission, N/N commit to the live out the Foundations/Functionality of PSC
- Attend all meetings dinners, activities regularly
- Attend both annual retreats
- Share a suggested donation of $150-200 each month
- Work part time jobs or part time as students but not full-time
- If dating, live in separate houses
- Continue to have one of the partners as an Advocate to continue formation and begin taking on more responsibilities in the common life of PSC – spend time together regularly and are in dialogue with partners in decision-making and future plans
- Become an advocate for Guests
- Begin to lead some PSC activities, reality tours, hospitality, and meetings
- Attend and active in a local congregation
- Support the work of relationally-based social justice organization or group working for social transformation
- Cross-pollinate with other communities and groups with whom we collaborate, and make new connections and friendships
- When community is over 8 people: Sometimes (often when community is larger) we are in a “friendship wheel” rotation to spend scheduled time with other community members, or help lead small group checkins within PSC
- Are designated drivers and shoppers at the food bank – and are free to use the credit card for community expenditures
- Are invited to take personal retreats – especially as they discern their commitment within the community (sabbaticals are required before and after this layer of the onion)
- Are expected to continue doing spiritual and personal formation, sharing that journey with partners and other community members and to bring fresh ideas to community life
- Advocates for Nomad/Novitiates (In addition to all the responsibilities of Advocates for Guests)
- Help the N/N become an insured PSC driver
- Orient the N/N to PSC accounting (credit card, petty cash, shopping, food bank…)
- Orient the N/N to PSC non-profit maintenance – thank you letters, mailings…
- Help the N/N become an advocate for Guests
- Do healthy spiritual and social formation
- Introduce and connect N/N with sister communities and other affiliate groups
- Connect N/N with opportunities for public witness, actions, rallys
- Connect N/N with local congregations with which to support/covenant
- Discern the journey, invitation to partnership, or decision to leave
- Celebrate and advocate for N/N around important decisions, events, or crisis – plan birthday parties, graduation celebrations, etc
- Organize rituals for partnering or leaving the community
Partners
- Partnership is not appointed or earned, but simply recognized. Being a partner means that one has arrived at the level of love and trust that creates the core of community, and is the leaven of life here at PSC.
- In addition to the vision, commitments, foundation/functionality… partners also commit to love, cherish and respect one another and other community members. This is a commitment not just to the vision of PSC but a vow to one another and transcends life here at PSC. Partners usually spend “a chunk of life” here at PSC. But even upon leaving, partners continue to support one another outside life on Potter Street.
- Share all the N/N expectations
- Create, with the community, healthy rituals, liturgies and celebrations for community life
- Share a suggested donation of least $150-200 per month. Partners often move towards a common pool sharing much more financially, including debt and outside resources.
- Lead. Partners help plan activities, facilitate events, organize retreats. They also often serve on the Board and are responsible both for the health of the community, integrity of the vision, and maintenance of the non-profit organization.
- Empower. Partners encourage other folks ideas and look for opportunities to share leadership and bring out the gifts of others.
- Dream and imagine new visions with neighbors, friends and other communities. Partners are often entrepreneurial in starting new activities, such as micro-business cottage industries.
- Partners help pass on the story and history of The Simple Way.
- Serve as Advocates for one another, and for other community members.
- Serve the community, and grow deep relationships with neighbors, kids, and homeless friends.
- Openly dialogue about conflict, pain, and practice the sacrament of confession when they have erred.
- Straight Talk – partners help create and nurture an environment of “straight talk” where folks who have been hurt or offended (or have hurt or offended) are invited to share directly with the other person(s) involved so relationships are nurtured and a healthy living environment is preserved.
- Emergencies – partners deal with emergencies or crises within the community, which can include bringing in an outside party or mediator when necessary
- Consensus minus one – a model of decision-making that has proved helpful to us… where everyone agrees that they will not single-handedly block a decision or discussion – essentially conceding that if what we feel or want is really in the best interest of the whole community, then at least one other person should agree and advocate with us. When two people are polarized on a decision, the community often listens and incorporates all perspectives into a creative resolution.
Random good things to know
Vehicles
- We share a community vehicle. Long-term community members are invited to become drivers. All drivers must be insured by providing license and good driving record.
Money
- All long-term community members are able to use the community credit card for house needs (“the simple card”). It is used as a credit card (not debit). All expenses other than grocery shopping need to be discussed at a points meeting or run by a partner. All purchases beyond $1000 need Board approval.
The Roof
- No children (no one under 1
allowed on the roof (even children of relatives or visitors, to be fair to neighborhood kids).
- During heavy storms, both roofs have a tendency to leak, largely due to the drains becoming clogged. It is a good idea to check the roofs periodically during heavy storms, and clear the drains, especially in the fall.
Smoking/Alcohol
- Smoking is permitted outside our houses and on the roofs, but never inside.
- Please do not leave cigarettes in common space, and dispose of your butts.
- Aware of the struggles that irresponsible consumption creates, especially in our neighborhood, we have chosen to create a space (in house) that is an alcohol-free environment, always open to folks who struggle with addictions of all sorts, and we are mindful of the vulnerability of friends and neighbors (even in the community) when at social events that could create unhealthy decisions.
The Door
- Folks often drop by the house. If you are alone or if no one else is present with the person, please ask them kindly to wait outside as you help. If they need clothing feel free to get it from the store or downstairs. If they need a blanket or bedroll, they are under the steps by the chapel (at 3234). Encourage folks needing food to come during the designated distribution of food bags, but if it is an emergency or their first time here by all mean help out. Toiletries and basic medications and first-aid are in the basement of 3234. If you invite someone in, please take responsibility to clean up and see them in and out or leave them in the hands of someone else who will.
- Children need parent’s permission to come inside. They are not to be left unsupervised. And generally children are not alone with community members, especially short-term community members.
- Bedrolls are made by our friends at My Brother’s Keeper. This is a group of elderly folks who make them for us by hand (with lots of love), so please encourage folks to try to preserve them and keep them dry. For this reason we are not able to give someone more than one bag.
- We are not able to let folks use the restroom (except children under supervision).
- Don’t feel like you always have to answer the door at all times. Make sure we are true to doing small things with great love (or don’t answer the door).
