Saturday at Crescent Hill

Saturday morning was a very busy morning for Crescent Hill folks. Ada (below) and Sandra (further below) were among some eight Crescent Hill church folks at Strathmoor Presbyterian Church for training for the presbytery-wide teaching English as a new language initiative (which includes a partnership between Crescent Hill and neighbors James Lees and Covenant Community churches, which share a building). Both experienced educators, Ada and Sandra shared their perspectives, Ada more with tips and Sandra more on working with people from different cultures. Ada also talked with a Central Presbyterian worshiper who asked tough questions.

While the ENL teaching went on at Strathmoor, some dozen or so Crescent Hill folks - with Levitia, Sally, Ted, Alan - and Jack? - in the lead, worked on the outside of the property. Especially targeted was the meditation garden located in a kind of courtyard that the Education Building forms. The garden had become a little messy - but not so after these folks were done. Below is temporary neighbor Jane at work.

Levitia (below) was happy that the work was wrapping up before 12 noon. Last time everyone worked until noon and then left two hours of clean-up work to her.

Sarah (below), back for just a couple of weeks from summer in Malawi, worked hard with a smile.

Tom and Alan convened with Levitia. Eventually, Tom was going to take some of the cuttings to his Oldham County property in his truck.

Also meeting at church were a couple of Crescent Hill folks who followed Ian on the photo walk down Frankfort Avenue. The walk combined the Nurture Council's ministry of summertime fellowship activiites with the Worship Council's new arts and spirituality emphasis and the Outreach Council's emphasis on connecting with the Crescent Hill/Frankfort Avenue/Clifton community. Doug, Ian, and Bruce (in the great hat) seemed to have great cameras and a great time (as did others who went, I'm told).

Presbyterians, Episopalians, and Jewish folks from around the city hae been working together with some new residents in a new Habitat for Humanity venture - a two-story house - this one on the West side just off the Shawnee expressway. Just over a week ago, Habitat activists started the house, and this Friday and Saturday Habitat activists sought to complete much of the roof. Already, strong rain had filled the first-floor floor with puddles - puddles that activists tried to sweep away this weekend.

From the back the house going up seems super tall.

Jamie had been working on the roof, but took a break for a ceremony bringing together people who had worked during the past two weeks on the house and other supporters and the homeowner to be.

The program for the late morning took place from the raised front porch with a small crowd circled facing the porch.

The homeowner to be, Ashley Bethel, spoke and introduced her family.

I believe then that some of the folks went back to work as the ENL training (with info about children's activities and hearing about experiences from a congregational ENL ministry already begun) and the clean-up at the outside workday wrapped up. Click below to watch and hear some of Ashley Bethel's remarks.