Pikes Peak Habitat Faith in Action Monthly Interfaith e-News
August 2023
Let the 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity Officially Begin!
It's officially August, which means that the 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU) is underway. Numerous, diverse faith communities from around El Paso County are signed up for IBU volunteer days from this month until Spring 2024. Haven't signed up yet? You are in luck! We still have just a couple openings left for additional faith communities. Below are the dates in need of one more faith group:
- Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 (partnered with Christ the King Lutheran Church)
- Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 (partnered with St. Michael's Episcopal Church)
- Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 (partnered with the UCCS Center for Religious Diversity & Public Life)
Will your faith community pair up with one of these groups for a day of faith, fun, and service to help build Jessica's future home? Email Chloe@pikespeakhabitat.org to reserve your spot!
Interfaith Build for Unity Engagement Opportunities Throughout the Year
Did you know there are a wide array of opportunities for faith groups and individuals to engage with the Interfaith Build for Unity and our quarterly interfaith events year-round? As we kick off the 3rd IBU, it's not too late to complete a 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity Faith Group Involvement form (PDF). If your faith community, religious school, or individuals from your faith tradition would be interested in one or more of these available opportunities to engage with interfaith work locally and support the 3rd IBU please:
- Download the involvement form (PDF)
- Check the engagement opportunities you are interested in learning more about.
- Email your completed form to Chloe@pikespeakhabitat.org.
Our staff will gladly send you information related to your selections. Some of the partnership opportunities mentioned in the form include:
Volunteer
Did you know that 90% of Pikes Peak Habitat homes are built by volunteers? Whether your faith group is interested in participating in one of our IBU days on our construction site, serving at one of our ReStore locations, or making lunches for groups on our construction site, we would love to partner with you to put our beliefs into action and serve our neighbors.
Donate
While Pikes Peak Habitat is determined to continue building affordable homes for workforce families, our costs have dramatically increased due to inflation, COVID-19 impacts, and supply chain issues. Expenses have nearly doubled from $160,000 pre-pandemic to $300,000 per home today. Given this cost, we invite your faith community to consider a financial contribution towards the 3rd IBU. Perhaps your congregation can sponsor Jessica’s front door ($650) or cover the cost of new windows to ensure the temperature inside doesn’t fluctuate ($400 per window). Will your faith community consider a financial gift for the 3rd IBU that will directly help Jessica and her son achieve affordable homeownership and allow them to build equity, stability, and financial security?
Go
In addition to our 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity, our IBU subcommittee hosts quarterly interfaith events and initiatives that we hope you will get involved with. Previous events have included a Youth Interfaith Construction Olympics, our annual IBU home dedication ceremony, as well as annual interfaith dialogue events in celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Be sure to join us for these additional, special opportunities to engage with members of diverse faiths and beliefs.
Ways to Put Faith into Action This August
Finish Your Summer Reading List by Learning About Habitat's History
Are you looking for a new book to finish off the summer? Consider picking up one of the following books that discuss some of the fundamental principles and ideals for the Interfaith Build for Unity: