Our Mission is:
"To Love God. To Love people. To Follow Jesus."
We're giving that our best shot.

News Updates:

• School for Conversion
  • We hosted another fabulous School for Conversion gathering April 25-27, bringing together a beautiful bunch of new monastics from all over. To find out more about the Schools or to apply, check out newmonasticism.org/sfc
• PAPA FESTIVAL
  • It's now official – PAPA FEST 2008. Another convergence of communities and friends is in the works. We will be hosted on a farm a few hours outside Chicago – JUNE 19-22, 2008. For now, mark the dates and keep an eye on papafestival.org for registration and details. And check out our little papafest video papafest.awip.us.
• Jesus for President
  • THE BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT STORES EVERYWHERE. Shane and Chris and friends will hit the road summer of 2008 for a little Jesus for President Tour. Coming to cities across the empire. For more info, check it out: jesusforpresident.org
• BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  • We are excited about a fantastic board, our little “council of elders”  (although they’re not that old).  Our board has been making some important decisions together, some serious overtime (with all the rebuilding efforts, the new distinction of Potter Street Community, new collaborations…).  Please keep them in your prayers.  Thanks to everyone who has agreed to serve on our Board of Directors:  Brooke Sexton, Shane Claiborne, Amber Christis, Chris Lahr, Darin Petersen, Ryan Bowers, Ms. Sunshine, Taehoo Lee, Joshua Grace, Will O’Brien.
• TSW NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES NOW ONLINE!  
  • Thanks to the miracles of scanning technology and the world wide web, we invite you to thumb through our recently expanded online (fireproof) newsletter archives. These well-worn pages document the many incarnations of this here Potter Street community beginning in the summer of 1999.
  • Might I, Tim, recommend to you what I consider a few fascinating entry points to this backlog?  Hallie’s note (Winter 2000); Michelle’s eulogy for Sonny Jenkins (Winter 2002); Jamie’s intense only newsletter piece ever (Winter 2001); the issue where almost everybody leaves (Fall 2004); the issue where all our readers receive a dollar (Summer 2002); the issue where all our readers receive a little upside - down donkey insert (Fall 2000); the best-illustrated issue ever, props to Zach (Fall 2006; the previous web pdf was text-only).  
• Dotted-Line Shirt Company and The Simple Way have kissed (in fact we now have a committed relationship ;). 
• After the fire, we have taken time to step back and map out some goals and priorities (in fact our whole community and Board of Directors will go on a retreat together this month). Our t-shirt company Cottage Printworks went up in the flames, and it allowed us to think through our goals with this micro-business.  Adam Woods and our friends in Camden have a vibrant and classy grassroots t-shirt company called Dotted-Line Shirts with whom we have been long-time co-conspirators.  Now we’re making it a little more official.  They’ll be taking on our t-shirt business and helping us keep dreaming about this as a sustainable cottage industry.  Like Cottage Printworks, they are a faith-based missional business committed to using fair-trade t-shirts, eco-friendly inks and energy, as well as hiring folks from the neighborhood.  We are so excited about this collaboration and the adventures ahead.  And we’re not ashamed to advertise – check it out dottedlineshirts.com.  We have not ruled out resurrecting our little t-shirt business here in Kensington, but if we do, we’ll do it together with Dotted-Line.  Thanks Adam!!! 
• One of our gardens made it through the fire! Check out this sweet picture taken by Tim. Thanks to Dominic for helping us out!
  
• The Fire
  • If you're on this page, chances are you've heard about the 7 alarm fire that took place on June 20th, 2007. Visit our front page for more information about how you can help. THANKS!
• Community of Communities Site
  • You can check out the latest experiment in truth from our little network of communities. It's still in the development stage, but looks like a fantastic way for us all to keep connected. www.communityofcommunities.us
• Shane's Speaking Stuff
  • You can always keep up with Shane's schedule by visiting this section of our website.
    
• Greasel Coop
  • There has been a little buzz stirring here in the Philly area around idea of starting a "Greasel Station".  Many of us are excited to convert diesel engines to run off grease or home-made biodiesel and learn how to spread the vision of a "post-oil era" hahah. Collectively, we have an incredible mix of gifts and experience to bring together whether that be mechanical, business, renewable energy ideas, or just plain readiness to work and learn.  We had a little dinner a few weeks back and are continuing to conspire around the idea of a Grease Coop or Greasel Station hubbed out of New Jerusalem.  The  hope is that we might create a for-profit eco-business that would provide jobs and income for New Jerusalem.  And it would create a centralized place to learn about alternative fuel, convert engines, and store grease and biodiesel.  It now looks like there is money available to get the gears moving on something like this.  We’d love to have other ideas, gifts and connections as we embark on this adventure.  Keep an eye out for future meetings.
    New Jerusalem is at 2011 W. Norris street (at 20th street and Norris) -- 215-763-8806 (newjerusalemnow.org)
• Interested in visiting? If you haven’t heard about the Schools for Conversion taking place all over the country this next year, check ‘em out – newmonasticism.org/sfc -- and if you are interested in intentional community or missional living in the inner city and aren’t sure where to start (and are on the younger side), check out our friends at Mission Year.

Needs:

• Skilled workers
  • We’ve started working on the first few houses!  And we are creating a list of skilled workers, so this is your official invitation – calling all roofers, carpenters, plumbers… Tim is compiling the list, and we’ll be in touch with specific projects and dates we need help.  Please send your contact info, list of skills, and dates you are available to work to tfryett@gmail.com
• The Simple Way is currently offering the opportunity for individuals and groups to help with construction and rebuilding needs. We have limited need for general clean up, and are in specific need of people experienced in drywall, framing, electrical and plumbing. If you are interested in coming to assist, please contact Darin at darin@thesimpleway.org.
• WHAT DO WE NEED?
  • Folks keep asking if there is anything we need as we are working. The biggest need right now is for tools, as almost all our tools burnt in the fire. So things can be mailed to the PO Box, but because tools are heavy gift cards to Home Depot or Lowes are also a good bet. Specifically, we are needing: circular saw, drill(s)... (most all of our power tools were destroyed by either fire or the water) -- and we need lots of basic manual tools (hammers, screwdrivers...) -- thanks so much!
• a good diesel van to convert so it runs off veggie oil

Shout outs:

• Holy cow!  Sorry if you missed it,  Yes! And…  premiered a new musical that was absolutely magical, and indeed a piece of simple way history – A WINTER SORT OF THING. In the musical were: Derrik and Dasia (kids from our block), the Galan family kids (used to run the store across the street), Zach, Michael, and Brooke all used to live here, Julia and Sarah were a part of our after-school program, and China is a friend from our YACHT club days.  Keep an eye on the Yes! And… site to get a hold of the video, as it will not be at Blockbuster.
• Thanks Mustard Seed Bookstore for helping distribute our books and Another World Is Possible materials. We are so thankful for your help getting the word out, and it makes life around here a little bit smoother not having to deal with merchandise shipments and boxes of books in the living room. [theseed1@msn.com]

Latest Newsletter:

Fall 2007
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Summer 2007
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Spring 2007
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December 2006
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Newsletter Archives»

Gatherings:

ALTERNATIVE SEMINARY CLASS
The Alternative Seminary invites you to:
Jesus For President
Wednesday evenings, May 7-28
7:00 p.m.
Project H.O.M.E. – 1515 Fairmount Avenue

In the throes of an election year, when so many in the church are looking for leaders, this four-week course will reflect on the Christian political imagination. We will explore the socio-historical meaning of "blessing" the world through a set-apart people known as Israel as well as the up-side down politics of Jesus as the "governor" or "Christ" of those people. We will also give a crash course on Church history as it has imitated both martyrs and soldiers. Finally, we survey the love-filled aliens and strangers of our political times--to the joyful nonconformists who can inspire us toward blessing the world through peculiarity, discipline, and fascination. This course will be facilitated by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, co-authors of the new book, Jesus for President. The cost of the course will be $20 (or whatever you can afford), which will include purchase of the book.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Will O’Brien at 215-842-1790 or willobrien@projecthome.org.

• Alternatives to the Military: We have now launched CENTURION'S PURSE, our alternatives to military resource headed up by former and current servicemembers and conscientious objectors. We are now taking applications for these grants www.centurionspurse.org/apply. We are also accepting donations – checks payable to "Centurion's Purse" and mailed to: PO Box 14751 Philadelphia, PA 19134
  • With tons of letters, calls, and emails coming in from soldiers who have felt a deep collision of their faith and allegiance, we have decided to begin creating a hub of resources here for folks looking for alternatives to the military, seeking assistance in exiting the military, or trying to go to college and would rather not take a military scholarship.  Those of us who are not big fans of war have a huge responsibility on our hands -- to create alternatives for folks entangled in the military machine… otherwise we may end up just self-righteous protestors with nothing to show or protest-ify.  Within the near future we here at TSW hope to have an Alternative to Military Scholarship, and we plan to accompany soldiers who are coming out of the military because of a spiritual conviction, deserting or AWOL soldiers in need of legal or financial aid, or young folks desiring to leave an ROTC scholarship.  So keep an eye out as that develops.  And, at a time when mental illness, suicide, and depression are at an all time high among soldiers, consider how we might accompany folks whose faith has led them to rethink their vocation in terms of the enemy-love and active non-violence of Jesus, and who are ready to leave the empire’s wars behind them.   Please consider how your community or congregation might be able to accompany folks or create it’s own resources for ex-soldiers or recruits.  And if you’d like to contribute to our fund, shoot us a check that says in the memo:  “alternatives to military”. 
    • Meanwhile, our friend Logan is an Iraq war veteran and current Christian peacemaker.  He’s been helping compile resources for other soldiers who are ready to beat their machine guns into farm tools.  Here’s a word from Logan.
    •  And here are some resources for those of you in the military, or who have friends and family, who are struggling to find the strength to carry the cross and the sword and are looking for community and friends who will accompany you. FOR RESOURCES CLICK HERE.
    • For a great resource to help with folks returning from war or just to spark good discussion, check out The Ground Truth (the film we recently showed here).  
    • Another story of a soldier who said “Enough!” Click here.
• Alternatives to Insurance: Imagine a group of folks committing to pool their money together every month in order to cover each other’s medical needs? Sounds pretty sweet eh? Well, it’s happening.
  • It is preposterous to think that folks don’t have proper medical care here in one of the world’s richest countries (the US is one of the only industrialized countries without universal health care). Many of us here on Potter Street remember the life of She-She, a little girl who died a few years ago of asthma (yes, asthma) because she did not get adequate treatment. And while we are grateful for the tireless labor of folks working toward health care for all, we are not willing to wait for the government to do what the Church is meant to BE. Christian Healthcare Ministries is one of a growing number of innovative communities bearing each other’s burdens when it comes to medical expenses. Each month folks contribute money to a common fund of which over 90% goes directly to meet needs. Members receive newsletters that tell who is in the hospital and how to be praying for one another. CHM now has over 20,000 members who have collectively paid over 400 million dollars in medical bills over the past 20 years. Check them out: www.chministries.org
  • Another great health coop just getting going for local Philly folks is Philahealthia. If your in the area, check it out (http://www.healthdemocracy.org/philahealthia.html).
• A number of people have asked us to come up with some simple, practical ideas around social justice. With the help of our friends at Geez Magazine, we’ve come up with the following… add your idea to the mix and let’s brew up some holy mischief.
• Go out to eat with someone who is homeless, or invite them to your home or cafeteria to eat with you.
• Leave a random tip in the college bathrooms for the folks who clean them.
• Find out who makes the clothes for the athletic department and if those companies reflect the values of Christ.
• Learn to sew and begin making your own clothes.
• Start tithing 10% of all income directly to the poor (relationaltithe.com).
• Connect with a group of farmworkers who grow food for your cafeteria or favorite restaurant (such as Taco Bells Immokalee workers ciw-online.org).
• Give your winter coat away to someone who is colder than you are.
• Ask to see the budget of your school. What do the workers get paid compared to the administrators? Make sure folks know -- if you are proud of this, affirm the folks who make those decisions... If not, begin a conversation with both workers and administrators of how this could be better.
• Ask where the campus gets its energy. Is it renewable? If not begin a plan for moving toward renewable energy (talk to folks at Eastern University about how they have done it by an optional ecological tax that is tacked onto tuition -- it's only a few dollars per student).
• Write one CEO a month -- affirm or critique the ethics of their company (you may need to do a little research).
• Write only paper letters for a month (go computer free)
• Try sitting in silence for 15 minutes a day.
• Kill your TV -- or go TV free for a year.
• Go down a line of parked cars and pay for the meters that are about to expire... Leave a little anonymous note of niceness.
• Beat a war machine into a plow, without hurting anyone of course (Isaiah 2:4) -- NOTE: you might want to plan on a little sabbatical after this one, a little reading and writing retreat -- in jail.
• Write to one social justice organizer or leader each month, just to encourage them in their work.
• Experiment with a post-oil era by going fuel free for a week -- ride a bike everywhere, carpool, walk or hitchhike.
• Gut your TV and turn it into a pot for a plant.
• Try reading only female writers for a year (since many of our problems seem to be stemming from men).
• Go to a retirement home and ask to visit a few old folks who don't get any visitors.
• Spend some time with someone who cleans the campus, get to know each other, share your stories.
• Invite one of the college cafeteria staff to your home for dinner or go to their home.
• Try jack-hammering the church parking lot to make space for potato plants.
• Track to its source one item you eat regularly
• Give your car away to a stranger
• Convert a diesel car to run off veggie oil.
• Try flushing your toilets off dirty sink water (for a little guide, check here).
• Buy only used (thrift) clothes for a year.
• Cover up all brand names, or at least the ones that do not reflect the upside down economics of God's Kingdom.
• Grey Water Waste bathroom plumbing system
• Getting an abandoned house
• Community of Communities Database
  • Nearly every day now folks are asking about communities near them, how to get connected, if there is a communities directory...  we will be creating a directory of hospitality houses and intentional communities to connect the dots a little bit so keep an eye out, and be ready to shoot us a little profile of your community!  Check it out at communityofcommunities.us.

A lot of folks have asked about some of the structures and rhythms that allow us to function as a community.  Over the past 10 years, we’ve learned a lot and made plenty of mistakes, and we have now created a little packet to help new folks adjust to life here on Potter Street, sort of decoding some of our common life and expectations. We often liken these structures to the trellis of a garden.  You want enough structure to provide stability, so that your tomatoes don’t flop around on the ground and rot.  But if you have too much structure it can have the opposite effect, and can suffocate the plants from being free to grow.  So this works for us, along with our foundations and functionality. We offer it, not necessarily as something to emulate or copy, but as a resource to look at as you discover what works for your community.

• Our Commitments
• Our Foundation and Functionality