Pikes Peak Habitat Faith in Action Monthly e-News
September 2024
Two Faith Builds, One Newsletter
Because of you, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity's Faith in Action program builds two homes each year in partnership with El Paso County workforce families! Our Apostles Build brings together Christian churches, while our Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU) pairs congregations from a variety of faith traditions. We are grateful for your support of these builds and the many, creative ways you put your faith into action to support our future homeowners, one another, and Pikes Peak Habitat!
In the past, we've sent separate e-newsletters to Apostles Build and IBU participants. In the spirit of bridgebuilding, though, we've decided to combine the newsletters in order to share the full picture of our Faith in Action program. We also believe this is consistent with Habitat for Humanity International's emphasis on bringing together people of goodwill. In his book Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World (incidentally, our December 2024 book club pick!), Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford says,
Habitat has always been what we call "radically inclusive," meaning we welcome volunteers, supporters, and the families we build with from all backgrounds, and from all faiths and none. (p.9)
We hope you enjoy learning about the full depth and breadth of Pikes Peak Habitat's Faith in Action program! We also welcome your feedback about this change to our e-newsletters. Please e-mail Monique@PikesPeakHabitat.org to share your thoughts.
Sign up for the Gingerbread Home Build
It's that time of year again! Registration for our 2024 Gingerbread Home Build is now open! This event raises funds to help build an affordable home for Willie and Barbara, our 6th Veterans Build family.
In addition, please consider signing up your church's youth group for the 2024 Gingerbread Village Decorating event. Participating youth groups will be invited to a decorating night at Pikes Peak Habitat's ReStore Northeast, 6250 Tutt Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80923, where they can decorate their gingerbread house, win prizes, and learn about how Pikes Peak Habitat is serving the community.
After the in-person event, your youth group can encourage friends, family, and fellow congregants to vote for their gingerbread home by donating on their fundraising page. This can be a great intergenerational opportunity to get congregants of all ages involved!
Willie is a U.S. Army veteran who was stationed at Fort Carson during his service and also is the son of a Korean War veteran. Barbara’s father served in Vietnam. Both also have siblings who are veterans – so they have deep military ties.
Between them, Willie and Barbara are the parents of eight children (four apiece!) and 29 grandchildren. They look forward to having enough space to host family when they move into their Pikes Peak Habitat home.
“We look at our blessings ahead, and nothing can stop us!” says Willie. “We have a goal, and we can see it.”
They're excited to decorate their own gingerbread home and also to see the many creative entries from other individuals, families, and organizations!
Volunteer Days Still Available for Both Faith Builds
Both our Apostles Build and Interfaith Build for Unity homes have additional volunteer spots available! We'd love for your church congregation or faith community to join us in building a home in partnership with an El Paso County workforce family.
Apostles Build (working on the home for Bernadette's family)
Friday, October 4, 2024 - afternoon shift (12:45 - 4:30 p.m.)
Saturday, November 2, 2024 - afternoon shift (12:45 - 4:30 p.m.)
Saturday, December 7, 2024 - any shift
Interfaith Build for Unity (working on the home for Isxel's family)
Saturday, December 21, 2024 - any shift
Saturday, January 11, 2025 - any shift
Sunday, January 12, 2025 - any shift
Saturday, February 1, 2025 - any shift
Saturday, February 15, 2025 - any shift
If you're interested in signing up for any of these spots or have questions, please e-mail Sarah Buchen, our volunteer manager, at Volunteer@PikesPeakHabitat.org.
Ways to Put Faith into Action This Fall
Join the First Book Club Discussion
The Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity Book Club is launching with a Zoom meeting Thursday, Oct. 10, 7-8:30 p.m. The first selection is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect by John Inazu. Inazu graduated from Air Academy High School here in El Paso County! He is also a U.S. Air Force veteran who was working in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. He now serves as a professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, a Trustee of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America. His book presents various scenarios in which disagreements often occur, as well as suggestions and reflection questions for how we can continue to respect and engage with each other despite our differences.
Check Out the FY '24 Year in Review
Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity has just released our latest Year in Review publications and video! These pieces highlight both data and stories of the lives transformed through our work in El Paso County and around the world. We also feature quotes and interviews from folks you might have encountered on our construction site!
In addition to completing both Apostles Build and Interfaith Build for Unity homes during FY '24, our tithe program contributed $154,000 to Habitat for Humanity affiliates and funds throughout the world, impacting 34 families internationally. We are so grateful to partner with you to promote affordable homeownership locally and globally.