🌞 The summer heat is upon us, but that hasn’t slowed us down. Tons of great things have happened in the past month. Here’s a look at some of the highlights and things to come.
📣 Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@circleofhopenet) and Facebook (fb.me/circleofhopephillyregion) for the latest!
📷 Will you be at one of the events below and are willing to take a few pictures? If so, we’d love to use them on our Instagram as a way to tell our story to Philly. Contact Luke if you are. Thanks to Kris Eden for a lot of the shots below!
⫸ Opportunities for spiritual growth, worship, and more!
💡Highlight: July 28th was our Baptisms and Love Feast!
Love Feast at Marlton Pike was packed full of people! We baptized in the Cooper River and welcomed new members into our covenant and had a heartfelt time of worship and communion. Jesus was moving with us.
💡 Highlight: July 27th was Friends of Penn Treaty Game Night!
A monthly game night hosted by our Compassion Team Friends of Penn Treaty at our Frankford Ave. space.
💡Highlight: Carnival de Resistance is going on!
There’s still time to join in their revelry and revel in the wisdom of the prophetic voice inspiring their work. DM us (@circleofhopenet) if you need help connecting to their calendar of events.
❉ August 1 to 4 • Carnival de Resistance Philly residency
Our mission team helps us support this traveling carnival, village, and school for social change bridging the worlds of art, activism, and faith. The two main performances are Aug 3-4 at Arch Street Methodist by City Hall, more on Facebook. The whole residency schedule is on their website here.
❉ August 14 • Marriage Workshop: Couples Talking to Couples • 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. • 2007 Frankford Ave.
A Gifts for Growing event. Rod and Gwen White help lead a workshop for couples. This evening workshop is designed for strengthening marriages. In addition to structured content, the format will make space for couples to talk with each other about marriage for broader learning and connection. Cost is $20 a couple. Sign up on Eventbrite here.
❉ August 11 • Centering Prayer • 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. • 2007 Frankford Ave.
A chance to learn or deepen a contemplative prayer practice. Contact: Jordan Burdge ([email protected])
❉ August 11 • Second Saturday Game Night • 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. • 2212 S. Broad St.
We gather in South Philly to play board games, strategy games, card games and games of all shapes and sizes. Bring a game, bring some snacks, bring a friend, and meet some people.
❉ August 17, 18 & 24, 25 • Pygmalion – presented by Circle Performing Arts Alliance • 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. • 2212 S. Broad St.
Circle Performing Arts Alliance presents Pygmalion, George Bernard Shaw’s classic tale of the English language vs. social class and romance. When Phonetics Professor Henry Higgins meets flower seller Eliza Doolittle on the street, he bets that he can teach her to talk like what he considers a proper “lady.” Soon, however, Eliza begins to realize how Higgins’ own manners are far from proper, even as they begin to depend on one another. Please come support us on the following dates at 2214 South Broad Street. Admission is $10. You can pay at the door or pre-order on our Eventbrite page. Facebook event here.
❉ August 23/24 • Online dialogue on Saying Yes to God by Tim Geoffrion • 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. • Online using Zoom. Link to come.
A Gifts for Growing event. Let’s talk to each other about how we recognize the voice of God and learn to follow the leading of the Spirit. This is a learning opportunity! Some of us want to break through barriers and personal limitations in relating to God. We hear the invitation to go deeper from wherever we are, and the invitation comes without shame or judgement. In his book Saying Yes to God, Tim Geoffrion presents some spiritual concepts that lead to more peace, love, and direction as an outflow of faith and relating to God. You could put it on your summer reading list and tune in to talk about it with other seekers and learners at lunchtime on August 23rd and/or 24th. Facebook event here. Eventbrite RSVP here.
❉ August 25 • Making the Most of Your Money: Financial Planning • 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. • 3800 Marlton Pike, NJ
A Gifts for Growing event. Members of the Capacity Core Team offer their successful workshop for people who could use some loving help to budget personal finances. Sign-up will be required on Eventbrite here.
⫸ What’s going on with our Compassion Teams | #CircleCompassion
💡Highlight: July 31st was our Know Your Systems Training
Our Compassion Team Circle of Hope Mobilizing Because Black Lives Matter invited Mark and Kavita from the Defender Association. They came to talk about Participatory Defense and how Circle of Hope could be a hub of support for people going through the criminal justice system. DM us on Instagram for more info. Or visit “Contact” in website menu.
❉ August 4 • The “Stranger” In Our Midst: MCC Immigration Community Day • Centro de Alabanza Church, 440 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Join MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) and local Anabaptist churches, including Circle of Hope, for a celebration of immigrants in our community. Hear from a panel of speakers on how immigrants can protect themselves and each other in the current political climate. Learn about the role of the church in assisting immigrants and healing our communities. Sample ethnic food and enjoy performances from various cultural artists in the Philadelphia community. Facebook event here.
❉ August 18 • Free Baby & Kids Goods Exchange • 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. • 5720 Ridge Ave.
We hope to bring our communities together to share resources and get necessary kid/baby stuff to families that need them. This is always a free event. Bring items to share if you can, but don’t stay away if you have nothing to share.
❉ Circle Kids Support Team
We organized Circle Kids as an expression of Circle of Hope to partner with families who need quality, caring childcare for their children. Circle Kids is now three mornings a week for 3 and 4-year-olds! For more info or to enroll, visit circleofhope.net/circlekids
❉ Circle Makers
At Circle Makers Summer Camp, our hope is to empower your child(ren) to explore and discover their talents using varied artistic mediums. It will be held in weeks June through August. There are still spots available, visit circleofhope.net/SummerCamp2018
❉ Urban Farm Team
Hart Lane Neighborhood Garden is hosting a GoFundMe to purchase some lots in their farm space. To make donations, visit Hart Lane Neighborhood Garden’s GoFundMe page.
⫸ Sunday Meetings & Cells | #CircleofHope
We create an environment where people can connect with God and act for redemption.
❉ Sunday Meetings
A place to explore and express God’s love. Find them all here.
❉ Cells
Our small groups of ten that meet throughout the week! Find them all here.
❉ August 6-10 • In All the Cells: Mutuality for Jesus Lovers
A Gifts for Growing event. An in-cell “cellabration” of our mutuality. With a common conversation, we will remember the good we have done with the mutuality fund, pray for our capacity, and talk about participation in the Common Fund and our collective resources in a safe, yet risky way. We’ll practice the trust it takes to make even more mutuality, and explore the barriers we each have to entering it. Ideally, we will even begin to shape our Common Fund budget for 2019.