PARTNERS IN FAITH

“Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.”

Psalm 127:1

Habitat for Humanity of Talbot and Dorchester Counties is a faith based ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in our communities.  We are approaching the half-century mark (50 homes completed), a major milestone in providing decent, affordable homes for deserving, working families.  The faith community helped us get started in 1992, and it has been by faith that we have served God’s people in need—not only helping them achieve homeownership but building hope and strong futures.  

Habitat for Humanity International has designated September 21 as International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat.  Last year at this time, we told you of our excited anticipation of starting Milestone on Clay and asked all our brothers and sisters of faith to pray for the project sometime in September.  It took a little longer to navigate the permitting process than we expected but, with the power of your prayers and support, our team kept at it.  Now, as you saw in last month’s Habitat Happenings, 2 of the 5 duplexes are well on their way.

In addition to starting Milestone on Clay, during this past year or so we completed and dedicated 3 new houses in Cambridge and 1 in St. Michaels, plus renovated a house in Easton.  Five deserving families now call these houses home.  They are decent, safe and affordable.

We still and always will need the power of prayer for God’s guidance and help as we embark on a strategy to increase our capacity to provide homes for an average of 4 families per year to 11 per year.  This is an ambitious goal which won’t happen over night but with your prayerful support it is achievable. Please pray for:

·        Guidance and wisdom for our leaders,

·        Dedicated volunteers to carry-out all aspects of Habitat’s work,

·        Partner/owners to meet their sweat equity and financial commitments in a timely way,

·        Financial resources to support this growth in capacity, and

·        Total community commitment to our mission to eliminate substandard housing in Talbot and Dorchester Counties.

As always, thank you for your support.

HABITAT HAPPENINGS

As a reminder, Habitat for Humanity of Talbot and Dorchester Counties is building a 5 duplex (10 homes) development on Clay Street in Easton.  We call it Milestone on Clay because it is a real milestone for HFHT&DC.  Habitat is the general contractor as part of a joint agreement with Elm Street Development to execute this, the largest project our affiliate has undertaken in its 16 year history.  Five of the homes will be sold to Habitat partner/owners and 5 will be sold through the Easton Workforce Housing Lottery.  While others talk about the need for affordable housing, HFHT&DC is actively doing something about it.

Milestone on Clay is progressing well thanks in part to several local Faith Based Organizations scheduled on the construction site including: Christ Church Easton, Christ Church St. Michaels, Church on Fire, Holy Trinity of Oxford, Knights of Columbus - Regina Coeli Council, Presbyterian Church of Easton, St. Marks United Methodist Church, and Talbot Bible Church.  In addition to these organizations, several other Faith Based Organizations provide support including prayers, food and funds as Partners in Faith with HFHT&DC.

The very hot and sticky weather of July has not deterred our volunteers from doing a lot of outstanding work.  For a week in mid-July, 18 young people along with 4 chaperones from the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington worked on the project side-by-side with our regular building crews.  This was the second group from the Diocese to work with HFHT&DC this summer.  Also, earlier, a group of boys from the Landon School, from outside of Washington, DC, worked on the project.  During August, students from Washington College spent 3 days working with us on this project.  So not only is HFHT&DC providing decent, affordable housing for deserving neighbors, it is helping young people find constructive ways to give back to the community and learn important life lessons.

This picture shows the status of Milestone on Clay as of July 23.  The first building is about ready to receive its roof rafters while the second is starting to rise from the first floor.  The third building foundation will be started once these two are under roof.  Any Faith Based Organization wishing to become a Partner in Faith and any person wishing to join this exciting project is invited to contact the HFHT&DC office (410-820-6186).  If you have open time and unused energy, HFHT&DC can use you on the regular Tuesday or Thursday building crews in Talbot County or Wednesday in Dorchester County.  However, until the next home in Dorchester County is started early this Fall, volunteers are invited to Clay Street on Wednesdays as well.  There are also plenty of opportunities for committee work and office support.  You can learn more about all that HFHT&DC is doing and see more pictures of the work in progress from its website: www.hfhtdc.org.

PARTNERS IN FAITH

As a PARTNER IN FAITH, your organization will:

Ø  Pray regularly for:

o  Habitat to receive the resources needed to fulfill its mission

o  Partner families to realize the full benefits of homeownership

o Volunteers to be safe and productive

Ø  Support construction activities the first Saturday (am or pm) every other month:

o  Greet and welcome all volunteers seeing that they are appreciated and their needs are addressed

o  Lead a short devotional

o  Provide one volunteer supervisor and four to six volunteer workers

o  Furnish snacks and drinks for the workers

Ø  Pledge annual financial support of (check one):

o  ___ Green and Blue Patron $250 to $499

o   ___ Habitat Circle $500 to $999

o   ___ Humanity Partner $1000 to $2,499

o   ___ Dedication Club $2,500 to $4,999

o   ___ Community Builder $ 5,000 to $9,999

o   ___ Founders’ Fellow $10,000 and above

Ø  Participate in Apostles Build projects, approximately every other year:

o  Raise $______ (we suggest 2X your annual support) alone or in partnership with other Faith Based Organizations

o  Lead a devotional during one build day

o  Provide at least one building supervisor

o  Recruit volunteer workers

o  Furnish snacks and drinks for the workers

Ø  Celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Habitat and Action and take a special offering for Habitat during worship once a year

Ø   Attend, by special invitation, the Habitat for Humanity of Talbot and Dorchester Counties Annual Meeting in September

Because of the ever changing circumstances of your congregation and the status of Habitat’s building programs, we suggest an annual review with Habitat personnel every spring with a view toward renewal of this commitment each July 1 (the beginning of Habitat’s fiscal year).

As PARTNERS IN FAITH you will become the hands and feet of the Lord to provide homes for His children and to ensure that the builders’ labor is not in vain and that you are committed to being a part of the mission to eliminate substandard housing in our communities.

FBO LIST