February 2014

Nehalem News

Vol. 30, No.1

Happy Anniversary, LArche!

People With and Without Intellectual Disabilities Sharing Life Together

LArche Celebrates Fifty Years

by Joan Mahler, LArche USA National Leader
2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the presence of L'Arche in our world. It was on August 4, 1964 when Jean Vanier welcomed Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux into a small home in Trosly-Breuil, France, and unknowingly planted the seeds of what has become a Federation of 145 LArche communities in 40 countries. These communities in places as diverse as Bangladesh, Poland, and the United States are invited to experience this golden anniversary within the context of a full year of "Jubilee" from May 2014 April 2015. The idea of Jubilee is taken from the Old Testament Book of Leviticus, in which the Lord instructed Moses in Chapter 25 that you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and you shall proclaim liberty throughout the landit shall be a jubilee for you. In the Jewish and Christian traditions, jubilees are special years for the forgiveness of sins and debts, when Gods mercies would be particularly evident. Among the themes to be explored throughout LArches Jubilee year are letting the earth lie fallow, forgiveness and restitution, giving thanks, and looking forward with trust in the call and mission. Communities of LArche are invited to experience the 50th Jubilee in a number of different ways, including:

Inside this issue:

A Letter from our 2 Board President An old friend returns in a new roleWelcome back, Grace Le Chevallier! Core Member Interview: Erin Wheeler 3

LArche:
French for The Ark

Incorporating the Jubilee themes into the daily life of the community; Having a big party, inviting old friends and new ones, to share stories and celebrate the gift of sharing life with people with intellectual disabilities; Supporting the voyage of the wooden ark, built by Robert Ross of LArche Noah Sealth, as it sails between communities and regions of North America; (Four other arks will be similarly traversing the other continents of the Federation.) Participating in a time of prayer on LArche International Family Day, on October 4, 2014; and Engaging more intentionally in the world around us to build a more human society.

Nehalem:
A Northwest Native American word for The place where people dwell in peace

Throughout this time, LArche International will be sharing stories of our foundings of our first LArche community in Trosly and of first communities in other countries of the Federation. We will have a chance to revisit LArche as it used to be and experience LArche as we are today. But whether our community is 50 years old or just 2 years old, we know that we are united in our commitment to the founding inspiration of Jean Vanier to follow Gods call to reach beyond human differences and provide a valid place in society for all.

Let us all go forward into the next 50 years with much hope and intentionality, growing but also deepening our vision and letting ourselves be continually transformed by the relationships we share in our communities so that we may become an ever more inspiring presence for our world. -Jean Vanier

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Nehalem News
A letter from Frank Normandin, LArche Portland Board President
LArche Portland has been blessed with another year full of landmarks, memories and trust in the continued work we do in our homes and for the Portland area at large. The year began with the creation and celebration of our new mandate. It will be a guiding path to lead us into the coming years and help us share the important work of LArche Portland with the world.

20122013 Annual Report

We celebrated Susan Mitchell for her many years of service as our Community Leader with friends, laughter, and many fond memories. After a long and extensive search, we were pleased to welcome Frank Normandin & Joni Andy Noethe as our new Community Leader. We could not be happier with the selection. Andy has quickly immersed himself in our community life and has proven himself to be the leader LArche Portland needs to develop, grow, and invite others to join us. For those who have not had the opportunity to meet Andy, I encourage you to reach out and introduce yourselves. In this year we have welcomed many new volunteers into our homes and at our events. These friends bring new life and perspective to our community. In addition, many supporters have stepped up to become monthly donors, providing a consistent stream of revenue that undergirds our mission and work. Our gratitude for your generosity continues to growyou are an essential part of our work of creating home and building community for people with and without intellectual disabilities. In the fall, we held our 3rd Annual Benefit concert and it was the best yet! Julianne Johnson and Michael Allen Harrison sang the gifts of LArche at The Madeleine with all those close to us. In addition to the concert, our monthly home tours provide an opportunity to introduce new friends and prospective volunteers to LArche and invite them into our mission. As always, the core members continue to live at the heart of our community and we give thanks for the many gifts they bring to our lives daily. Joni, Adam, Marilyn, Erin, Ben, Rodney, Robyn, and Cindy inspire all of us Board, assistants, leadership, volunteers, and friendsto live more authentically and from the heart. LArche Portland remains, more than ever, a continued sign of hope to the Portland area and the greater region. I am grateful for all the blessings of the past year and am excited for the future of our community. I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating LArche Portland and welcoming new allies and supporters to our community.

LArche Portland at Andys missioning as Community Leader

View our entire 20122013 Annual Report online at www.larche-portland.org/stay-connected/newsletters or call the office at 503-251-6901 if youd like a printed copy.

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L'Arche Portland Welcomes (back) Grace Le Chevallier

A note from Grace Le Chevallier, Licensing Coordinator/Operator In seventh grade I conducted the classic science experiment with vinegar and an egg to learn about the process of osmosis. I watched the shell of the egg become thinner and ultimately disappear, while the mass of the egg increased. Similar to this egg, my journey with LArche over the last 5 years has thinned my shell and filled me up.
After graduating from the University of Puget Sound, I joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and moved to Mobile, Alabama to serve at LArche Mobile. This year was transformative. I felt drawn to community life and to deepen in relationships with people who are different than me. As my JV Grace Le Chevallier year concluded, I felt called to continue to grow with LArche and had the great opportunity to become a Live-in Assistant at Nehalem House. After two years I left my daily life role and worked in Beaverton for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation. Our team raised funds to support the community of Sisters, Valley Catholic students, and residents at Maryville Nursing Home. While I was away from a formal role in LArche daily life, I remained connected to the community as a member of the Mandate Team, by serving on the Regional Gathering Planning Committee, and with visits to the homes for dinner and celebrations. Now, I am thrilled to return to LArche in the role of Operator/Licensing Coordinator. This meaningful position holds the great task of ensuring quality care for our core members, whom I care for deeply. I look forward to collaborating with assistants, core members, and county and state officials. In my short time in this new role, I have enjoyed re-connecting with core members and meeting new daily life members. As I deepen in community life I ask that the community continue to break down my shell and fill me up with love and support.

Associate Members Paul & Frances with Andy Noethe

Ben & Rebecca, above & Joni, right

Rodney, Sean, & Bernie, left; Marilyn, right, Robyn & Cindy, far right

Would you support LArche Portland? Donate online or mail a check today!

435 SE 85th Ave Portland, OR 97216

Phone: 503-251-6901

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People With and Without Intellectual Disabilities Sharing Life Together

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www.larche-portland.org Or let us know if youd no longer like to receive this newsletter by emailing us at: mail@larche-portland.org.

Friends, Cake, and Swimming Celebrating with Erin & Corrine

On a rainy January day at Montis Cafe, housemates Erin Wheeler and Corrine Montana chatted about the 50th Anniversary of LArche International. Erin, our resident celebration expert, shares some ideas on how we can celebrate 50 years of LArche. Erin: Go swimming. Corrine: Erin, you've lived at L'Arche for 8 years. What is your favorite part of living at L'Arche? Erin: Susan, Susan. Corrine: Who's Susan? Could you tell me more about Susan? Erin: Susan friend. Where's Susan? Erin & Corrine at the Corrine: Could you tell me about Oregon Zoo photo booth Corrine: Erin, I want to ask you a some of your friends at L'Arche that few questions about celebrations. Is you've enjoyed spending time with that ok? anniversary? these past 8 years? Erin: Yeah, yeah. Erin: Yeah. Erin: Susan friend. Joni. Joni, friend. Corrine: But first, how are you toCorrine: What kind of music did we Yeah. Bernie. Bernie, buddy. Camp, day? listen to? Ener. Need to pack. Erin: Good. I wanna go swimming. Erin: Beach Boys. Corrine: Yeah, tell us more about Corrine: You want to go swimming? Corrine: That's right, Beach Boys. camp. Erin: It cold, Ener [Erin]. Erin, do you like celebrations at Erin: Camp Poynter. Corrine: Its cold outside. Today it's L'Arche. Corrine: What do you love about th raining. So Erin, the 50 anniversary of Erin: Yeah. camp? L'Arche is coming up this year. Did Corrine: What's your favorite part Erin: Camp Kiwanis. Make smores. you know that? about celebrations? Sleepover, Ener. Sleepover. So, so Erin: Yeah. Erin: Cake. good, Ener. Hi. Where Joni? Joni Corrine: Did you recently have an Corrine: Cake, yes! home? anniversary? Erin: So full, Ener. Corrine: Well, let's finish up our hot Erin: Yeah, yeah. Corrine: So, Erin, what should we do cocoa and tea and see if Jonis home. Corrine: Do you remember your last to celebrate 50 years of L'Arche? Thanks, Erin!