Cherith Brook
S MERCY & GOSPEL OBE
So E lijah did according to the word of the L ord; he went and lived by the C herith Brookand the ravens brought him bread I KINGS
Ten Years of Schooling
by Eric Garbison
The year 2017 marks the
11th anniversary of Cherith
Brook Catholic Worker! We
decided to round down. There
is so much to remember and so
much for which to be grateful.
Over the past decade, God has
gathered hundreds of people
in this simple place to use
their gifts, skills and passions
in a myriad of capacities. Each
individual has contributed
mightily to this eort; each
little act of faith that has made
us what who we are today.
We recently had a party
to celebrate all of this. In
preparation Jodi has been
sifting through many pictures.
We have been conjuring up
names of interns, past guests
and volunteers. We shared lots
of do you remember when?
conversations. Milestones also
invite reflection, so here are
a few that rise to the surface
forme.
ICING GOD
PRACT
C A T H O L I C
Personal Sacrifice
When Jesus said Blessed
are the poor he was making
the claim that those on the
margins are exceptionally
loved by God. In contrast
to any society that shames
or scapegoats the poor, the
society of God is the kind of
place where the last are first,
the unloved are loved and the
publicly humiliated are held
with great esteem.
The gospels also judge the
first to be last. Woe to the
rich, Jesus states in Luke as
his counterpart to blessing
the poor. Wherever Christians
are comfortable and auent,
we have distorted the gospel.
Dominant society wants to
make poverty the problem.
But Jesus was constantly
diagnosing wealth as our
malady. In order to proclaim
good news in our world, we
must give attention to the
DIENC
E
W O R K E R
real economic in equality of
ourday.
Feeding the hungry, clothing
the naked, and welcoming
the homeless, Peter Maurin
reminded us, is to be done at
a personal sacrifice. This claim
pushes against what is often
called charity today. It moves
us to solidarity. Remember
those who are mistreated as if
you are mistreated, Hebrews
13:3 says.
There are many ways to
sacrifice for others: time and
talents are a fine place to start.
Money and possessions reflect
an awareness that authentic
community embodies economic
patterns where no one has
too much and no one has
too little. I have personally
found safety and status to be
the toughest challenge. Its
often what keeps us locked
into systemic injustices such
as racism and other forms of
fearing the other.
Faithful living will cost us
most or all of thesetime,
gifts, wealth, possessions,
safety, status, identity.
Learning to be better while not
clamoring to be better o is a
lifelong journey filled with fits
and starts that are easily side-
tracked by desire for comfort
or claims of entitlement.
And yet, only when we take
such a pilgrimage will we
move from paternalism and
privilege to solidarity, from
human communities that
single out status, ethnicity or
nationalism, to the Beloved
Community of God.
Summer/Advent 2017
Mutuality
Over the years I have been
guilty of oversimplifying our
belief in equality. Sometimes
I assumed our commitment to
equality implied that there is
no leadership. But I have come
to accept that learning to follow
doesnt mean I must avoid all
moments for giving direction,
oering vision or withholding
a needed insight. Indeed
there have been times I have
withheld leadership simply on
principle at vital moments and
when others were asking for
it. If I refuse to take the lead I
may be depriving the group of
a needed role at a needed time.
Followership is essential
to the body of Christ. When
I follow, I acknowledge that
the woman currently in the
lead sees and understands
something I do not; I embrace
my need of guidance and I
trust her ability. It may mean
following guests, following
volunteers, or following even
the so called lesser members
of community, no matter
how awkward it seems at the
moment. Living in community
is about discerning where
and when you need to be led
and then following with grace
and enthusiasm. Following
means lots of time and
energy listening actively and
acknowledging that each
person brings something to our
common life that is essential;
In authentic community we
discover that each person is in
some way both guest and host.
Jesus models this when he
Continued on Page 2
2 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker
Continued from Page 1
follows the Spirit of God. The
Spirit pushes him into deserts
or storms the seas around
him. The Spirit of God leads
Jesus as she invites him to
banquet halls and kicks him out
of synagogues, thrusting him
among both amiable and hostile
crowds. Even to the end, Jesus
follows her from the charismatic
entry into Jerusalem to the
humiliation of his cross.
Woven into the egalitarian
and servant life of Jesus is
the conviction that folks
deserve to be treated with
equal dignity, their gifts and
presence received by all, and
to be given their place at the
podium of our life together.
Its not simply a question
of how to welcome the gifts
of those who have been left
out; we must constantly
be looking to acknowledge
leadership in places we have
been conditioned to overlook
or to notice when we have
arrogantly pushed our way to
the head of the line. Leading
and following well is a dance.
Release
When communities give
into the pressure to become
bigger, more eective, more
bureaucratic, more successful
by the standards of dominant
culture, then its time to give
more things away. Downward
mobility is a solution for the
church in our post-Christian
world. Where Christians have
consumed more than our
share and stued our bellies
full, where we have justified
endowments, glorified
in our buildings projects,
inflated sta salaries and
expensive programming for
the comfortable, we must
call for renunciation. As the
institutional church continues
to flounder, I believe God is
helping us divest when we were
not willing to do it ourselves.
We need a new call to
voluntary poverty--to work for
free and with a free conscience.
Summer/Advent 2017
Divesting of our material leads to fearing or regretting the many important outcomes.
wealth and social collateral is dullness of life, read Matthew For one thing, they create
one way to claim the abundance 6:25-34 or Br. Lawrence. If while the opportunity to establish
of the Divine Life. We need scrubbing pots and pans you feral hives in nature outside
to practice greater economic wish you were doing something of human shenanigans. They
foolishness as a living parable sexier or more radical, read also diversify the gene pool,
of the richness of our inter- Jesus wilderness temptation or strengthening future hives.
dependence in Christ. Dorothy Days journals. At other times it is better,
frankly, for weak hive to die.
Pray without ceasing Swarming matters Ultimately, swarms remind
In washing, drying, hanging, Swarms are an amazing us that, no matter how much
folding, sorting, hoeing, pulling, phenomenon of bee life and work is invested in a hive, we
thinning, weeding, watering, nothing gets a beekeeper more are not really in control.
dumping, turning, spreading, animated. A swarm happens At one point we dreamed
scrubbing, sweeping, wiping, when a queen decides to leave a and wrote a lot about roots and
flushing, dusting, mopping, hive. Secreting her pheromone stability. I still dream for such
chopping, rinsing, stirring, on the way out, the queen things, but lately I have come
mixing, fixing, replacing, invites a huddle of worker bees to accept that, like bee swarms,
cleaning, emptying, filling, to escort her on her journey. If community leavings are
hauling, raking, shoveling, the the conditions are right, a new, ultimately good. It is a natural
Catholic Worker way is to see feral hive will be established in process for folks to come and
and claim the divine life when some hollowed tree or a lucky go, although even the best
surrounded by the mundane. beekeeper will catch it. leavings can be accompanied
It calls us to explore the God Hives swarm when they get with feelings of tension, loss,
incarnate in the unremarkable crowded, when old queens are sadness and introspection
events of everyday. If we rush making way for new ones or all healthy but hard.
through the now to get to some when young queens dont want to Like swarms, I believe God
future event, we have potentially risk a fight. Sometimes swarms uses mobility to create new
missed that divine-mundane. oer relief to an overcrowded communities where none
The Biblical expression to pray hive; other times they weaken an existed, to send out new leaders
without ceasing can be a chance already impotent one. into new vocations and to give
to do every act and experience We beekeepers love to brag stale communities a fresh start.
every moment as prayer. about catching swarms, but we And, though not all closings are
When sorting clothing hate to see our hives diminished a sign of a problem, God can
donations brings boredom, by this self-imposed eviction. close communities when things
isolation or wishing that your life We like to think we can are diseased or infested. Ive
was more exciting and meaningful, prevent, predict or redirect a come to accept that through
read Jean-Pierre de Caussade or hive that is showing the signs, these cycles of comings and
Kathleen Norris. When mopping although by then it is often goings we learn about sin and
the floor for the hundredth time too late. But swarms have grace, redemption and hope.
Once Upon a Time Where the
by Jared
Once upon a time, quite some time ago
Sidewalk Ends
I hadnt had a shower or no place to go. by Jennifer Wake
Where the sidewalk ends and the road begins
I stayed in the trees, Are the doors to Cherith Brook.
battling mosquitoes and the bees
And with some encouragement,
Where the sidewalk ends and the road begins
I fell to my knees. I found Jesus out of a book.
I met a fine lad, I wanted what he had.
Where the sidewalk ends and the road begins
He showed me the ways of Christians, I got a brand new look.
now I cherish good, and let go of the bad.
Sometimes Im smiling and sometimes I pout! Where the sidewalk ends and the road begins
But one things for sure, Cherith Brook, I hope you can drive down the road
I leave with a smile and thats no doubt! instead of walk.
Summer/Advent 2017 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker 3

Inspiration
by NaNa
The Myth is that
Storms have to do with punishments.

That they are GODs response to sin or his

disappointment in us as his children.

May I suggest that it is actually the opposite;

It is the conformation that we are flowers that,
The Father has planted and he desires to grow.

No matter how painful or inconvenient, it is

necessary for the flowers beauty.

To the struggles of necessary storms in

mylife

I am that flower.

THANK YOU!
A special thank you to the local businesses
who regularly donate to us.

Great Harvest BreadCo. Cosentinos

Downtown Market

The Roasterie Coffee Marshs Sun Fresh

inWestport
4 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Summer/Advent 2017

February 2007: January 2009:

- Purchased storefront and housewith loans - Nick and Micah make one year covenant
from the bank - Common purse starts
-Garbisons living in West apartment, Steve - Land and property put in trust
Sheridan and JC move into house
April 2009:
May 2007: - Mark Mize executed
- Elijiho Aroja moves in
- House blessing June 2009:
- Start Friday night sharing at Jurassic Park - Alexandria Phillips, Brice, Jerome Harris,
June 2007: Harlan Dunbar, Earl Alton and Wilbur
- Somolian refugees move in stay for summer
- First intern Trey Thompson moves in - Josh Armfield and Paul Newman
- First showers offered movein
July 2007: July 2009:
- Carriage house demolished - Resist SOAP/SODA ordinance
- Villarreals (family of 6) move in
September 2007: August 2009:
- Sarah Cool starts Cafe Kiskeya - Open cafe side for hospitality
- Elijhio deported to Honduras - Mike Turner moves in
- (1st call from Nick Pick)
September 2009:
December 2007: - Talks begin of new nuclear
- Showers installed and Christ Rooms added weaponsplant
to building
- Replace rolltop with window
2007 2009
2008
January 2008:
- Liberty Hunter interns

April 2008:
- (2nd call from Nick Pick)
- Sarah Cool and Izabelle (daughter) move in

May 2008:
- Host Faith and Resistance Retreat
(Immigration focus, Eric arrested!)

June 2008:
-Burmese refugee families moves in

September 2008:
- (3rd call from Nick Pick)

October 2008:
- Raymond Scott moves in
- Nick Pickrell and Micah Waters move
in for only 3 months

November 2008:
- Started hosting Womens Day once
a month
 Summer/Advent 2017 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker 5
April 2011:
- Tuck point and paint building

May 2011:
- Host midwest Catholic Worker Gathering,
Transformation Not Annihilation, 52
arrested include: Jodi, Eric,
Elisabeth, Josh, MicahandNick

June 2011:
- Sarah moves to Atlanta
- Bees move in!
- Allison Rozga and Sophia
Reed move in

September 2011:
- Micah & Taryn get married
- Carol Harr and Jeffrey New move in

2011
January 2010:
2010 2012
January 2012:
- Receive 6 non-interest loans to pay - Roland Smith moves in
off the bank
March 2012:
March 2010: - Brian Straussberger interns
- Gary & Tims apartment burn
- Chickens move in! - Lonnie arrives

June 2010: May 2012:

- New interns Anna Mullen and Elisabeth - Josh and Elisabeth
Rustchmann move in get engaged!
- Attending City Council meetings to August 2012:
protest building of new Nuclear Plant - Steve moves out

July 2010: September 2012:

- Introduced to the Enneagram :) - Sr. Therese meets with
communityas
spiritual director
August 2010:
- Eric arrested at ground-breaking October 2012:
of new Nuclear Plant - Solar panels installed
- Tim Chisholm moves in

September 2010:
- Elisabeth moves in
6 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker Summer/Advent 2017

February 2013:
- Lonnie Welch moves in
- Katherine Ebling interns

March 2013:
- Mural installed
- Sean Ferguson interns
- Chickens get a fence and house
- Gary gets new apartment

April 2013:
- Josh and Elisabeth Armfield get
married and move to Sweden February 2015:
- Rodney and Caleb Madison
June 2013: move in
- Participate in first KC Garden Tour
June 2015:
September 2013: - Olivia Paschal and Micah
- Nick moves out Chrismann intern

November 2013: July 2015:

- Bedbugs move in - Garden tour

August 2015:
- Austin Dey and Kimberly
Hunter intern

2013 2015
2014
May 2014:
- Caleb Madison, Theo Kyser and
Nicole Linnemann and Melanie
Kowalski intern

June 2014:
- Pay off all non-interest loans!
- Dickey Stogsdill moves in

September 2014:
-Nick Pickrell and Sarah Dunne
get married
 Summer/Advent 2017 Cherith Brook Catholic Worker 7

January 2017:
- A group travels to Washington, D.C. for
the Womens March Shower
May 2017:
- Virginia Davis moves in
Needs
July 2017: Socks, Socks, Socks
- Grace and Ben Parker Sutter move in Tennis Shoes (esp. mens 9-15)
August 2017: Jeans & Belts (30-34; 4-6)
- Allison moves out Boxers & Panties (S & M; 4-7)
October 2017: Cold/Flu Medicine
- Celebrate 10 years with barbecue! Cough drops
Winter Coats
Hats and Gloves
Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Wash/Shower Gel
Deodorant
Razors & Toothbrushes
Foot Powder
Tampons & Pads

2017
Ibuprofen
Chapstick
Antibiotic Cream

2016 Reading Glasses

African American Hair
CareProducts
January 2016:
- Food Not Bombs use space to cook
- Tony Rice and Vince Wyatt
Hospitality
move in Needs
May 2016: Sugar
- Standup KC rallies and Powdered Creamer
protests in Chicago
Baking Soda
- Lonnie moves out
Dish Soap
June 2016: Salt & Pepper
- Joe Cooper and Vince Hot Sauce
Wyatt move in Toilet Paper
- Emily Whitney interns Tissues
Butter
October 2016:
Rice
- Standup KC rallies in St. Louis
Energy Saving Light Bulbs
December 2016: Stamps
- Caleb moves out Bus Passes (31 day & One-Rides)
- End Common Purse Post Cards (Postage Paid)
 Ten Year Anniversary Logo
Created by Mark Bartholomew
Cherith Brook
Catholic Worker
3308 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64127
(816) 241-8047
cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com
cherithbrookcw.blogspot.com
Nonviolenceto live by Jesus
model of a nonviolent way of life
and his Sermon on the Mount
manifesto (Matthew 5-7)
Hospitalityto welcome
everyone in a manner that mirrors
the upside down nature of Gods
reign (Luke 7:36-50, 14:7-24,
etc.); to daily welcome everyone
as Christ(Matthew 25).
Communityto live together
and share a life of table fellowship,
economic resources, labor, study,
prayers and worship and to trust
that by covenanting with each
Showers Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 :00-11:30 am
Prayers Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:15 am; Thursday at 12 pm
Community Meal Thursday from 57 pm
Work Day Monthly, 2nd Saturday from 9 am1 pm
Who We Are
other, we can do more together
than we can do on our own (Acts
2:38, 42-47, 4:32-35).
Downward Mobilityto live
simply, practice alternative
economics and voluntary labor
among people on the margins and
excluded from lifes resources.
Downward mobility comes at
personal surrender and connects
us to an economy of grace (Luke
9:57-62; Mark 8:34-38; Matthew
6:19-21, 25-34, 7:13-14).
Revaluing Land and Labor
to rediscover our original
OurSchedule
Upcoming
connection with the goodness
of Gods handiwork, the proper
meaning of labor and self-
suciency, our intimate
Events
connection with nature, the
need to steward native resources
November 22-26 Closed
and discern appropriate
December 9 -- Workday 9am- 1pm
technologyall to celebrate
the sublime mystery of Gods December 18-January 7 -- Closed
creation (Genesis 2:4-9, 15-16,
January 13 -- NO WORKDAY
Aims andMeans).
Catholic WorkerWe are a part February 10 -- Workday 9am- 1pm
of the Catholic Worker movement
March 10 -- Workday 9am- 1pm
co-founded by Dorthy Day and
Peter Maurin (See Catholic
Worker Aims andMeans). More information is coming soon
on future roundtables in 2018.
Visit cherithbrookcw.blogspot.
com/email to subscribe to
our monthly email updates
with information about other
upcoming events.