What are the tensions/challenges that come up for you when you think of one or both of these values. Are there any real-time situations you currently find yourself in that make these tensions real for you? (Another way to think about this is: why are hospitality and inclusion necessary? Are they? What is currently existing in your context that makes these values important to practice?)
Did you know that The Simple Way offers an opportunity for young people connected to our community to attend and excel in college? Appropriately called Simple Way Scholars, in partnership with Eastern University, we equip students for their undergraduate journey by...
As you may know, this week holds special significance for three major world religions: It’s Holy Week, in which the Christian tradition commemorates Jesus’ death and celebrates his resurrection three days later. Good Friday also marks the start of the Jewish festival...
As we mentioned on our social media channels this last week, we hold the tension of the both/and on a regular basis. Is it ever the same for you? Our neighborhood is a place of beauty, that much is true, but it can also be a place of terror. In an essay by Dr. Bill...
The scene is often the same: Fast-food joints dot every corner. Corner stores boast an abundance of “just add water” meals, junk food, alcoholic beverages and soda pop. With nary a piece of fruit or vegetable in sight, poor, urban areas like our own often lack viable...
Poverty is a vicious cycle. In our neighborhood, 9.3% of Kensington residents are unemployed - this in comparison to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, with overall unemployment rates of 7.5% and 4.5% respectively. It’s easy to imagine how those who are experiencing...
Many of us don’t know what it means to be hungry. We don’t have to think twice about stocking our pantries, ordering online grocery delivery, or even indulging in the occasional take-out meal once or twice a week. We plan out our dinners, one or two weeks ahead of...
As you may have seen on social media last week, in 2021, 7,741 adults, 1,604 seniors, and 5,171 children were served through our food distribution efforts. In total, we shared 279,390 pounds of food with our neighbors. The reality is that our neighborhood is not...
As you may have read in our newsletter earlier this week, as followers of Jesus, we feel called to practice hospitality. At The Simple Way, we’ve gone as far as to include Radical Hospitality as one of our core values. Hospitality is defined as taking care of your...
It’s been just over one month since we opened a Food Choice Pantry day just for Seniors! Due to the pandemic, we’ve only been able to welcome a few neighbors into the food choice pantry at a time. This limit has meant people sometimes have to wait. Over the summer, we...
I’m a people-oriented person. I’ve always loved being a part of a community and building long-lasting relationships. I love hearing stories from other people and what they’ve been through. My philosophy in life is that everyone has a story to share, and each story is...
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