Heart Anthology: An Evening of Interfaith Women's Art

Join us for a wonderful evening of art performed and produced by women from many different faith traditions. The evening will highlight our sacred connections through dance, poetry, songs and visual art. There will also be time for fellowship and conversation. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. 

September 22, 2011,
6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

Unitarian Fellowship of Houston
1504 Wirt Rd.
Houston, TX  77055
Tickets are $10 and registration is required.  For more info, click here. 

Tuesday Memo - Volunteerism and Values

Greetings,

You may know that last week was national Volunteer Appreciation Week and here at IM we celebrate volunteers all throughout April - well actually all year long.  We are proud that so many folks choose to volunteer at IM and elsewhere.  Volunteering really makes a big difference for non-profits, as all the hours donated make our services that much more affordable.

But in truth, I believe that volunteering adds another important component to the work we and others do.  When someone volunteers he or she is served along with the clients they help.  Most of us have a desire to serve - to give back for the blessings we have.  One way is to give money - and yes every non-profit needs money to pay for the goods and services they provide.  But giving back through volunteerism fills a spiritual need that many of us have - to do God's work here on Earth.  A component of all of our great faith traditions is to be Holy - and when one volunteers one gets to taste a bit of heaven here on Earth.

So thank you for volunteering - whether it is for IM or elsewhere.  Every act of kindness you do touches someone in need.  This is a classic "win-win" where the recipient and the giver get an equal dose of love.  We at IM are thankful to the hundreds of volunteers who help us with feeding seniors and their pets; welcoming refugees to Houston; assuring that folks are helped during disasters; bringing people together for meaningful dialogue; and helping IM make good decisions.  We are very appreciative to all those who serve on our Board of Directors, committees and task forces.  We would not be a great organization without all of your support.

THINGS ARE HOPPING AT IM

• For our refugees, we are sponsoring a "Second Hand for a Second Chance" donation drive April 29^th and 30^th here at IM. We need clothing, kitchen items, furniture and other housewares.  Click here to find out how you can help.
• The next Women's Spiritual Gathering is scheduled for April 28^th hosted by Zoroastrian community.  These gatherings are very special and provide a unique experience for women who are seeking to learn about women of many faiths.  There is no charge and you can register by clicking here.
• The Tapestry Gala is scheduled for May 3^rd and there are still a few seats left to purchase.  The Gala is exactly two weeks away and if you've never attended let me make one promise:  you will be amazed at the diversity of people and music that makes this evening so magical.  If you'd like to attend click here for more information.
  

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

Every so often I find a cartoon that not only strikes my funny-bone, but hits a chord.  I was actually saddened by this cartoon even as I laughed a bit.  IM's tag-line is the strengths of shared beliefs - it could easily be the strength of shared values.  We are in our 42^nd year and it is my hope that we haven't been jaded by time, which is ever so easy to have happen.

How many of us wonder if we still have any of the enthusiasm and hopes of our youth?  How many of us have been beaten down by the real world?  I am guessing most of us experience some moments when we ask ourselves where our optimism has gone.

Keeping Ahead of the Curve- Tuesday Memo

Greetings!


It's been said that God works in mysterious ways. One day things look great and then another day it can look like the sky is falling. I've been watching the process of the Texas Legislative Session very closely. As many of you know, Texas faces a huge budget deficit of up to $27 billion dollars and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle may be forced to make significant cuts.

In an environment where the word "tax" is poisonous, it looks like the only way our state leaders will address this crisis will be through major cuts across the broad spectrum of state expenditures. We are fearful that programs funded through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Texas Department of Agriculture may see cuts of 10 - 20% or more. At the same time, the U.S. Congress is seeking similar savings and as they pass fewer dollars down to the states, there may be even fewer dollars to go to IM's two key service projects - Meals on Wheels and Refugee Services.

We serve 4,500 seniors each day and as many as 600 refugees will arrive this year to be resettled by IM. Even though no one knows yet how the budget decisions will play out, we think that being proactive is the best way to go.

So let's announce some good news! Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC, one of Houston's great civic and community leaders, has agreed to be this year's Lead Corporate Sponsor for IM's Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston! This partnership provides significant funding, and hopefully encouragement for others to join them in IM's Adopt-a-Senior program. Thank you, Shell!

We are committed that no home-bound senior in our service area goes hungry and that each refugee receives a great welcome; so in the face of potential cuts we are seeking your support.

To keep the boat from being too shaky, we hope to hear from many of you. Here's how you can help:
Companies, congregations and individuals can participate in our Adopt-a-Senior program for an entire year for just $1,200. That provides one meal per day for a home-bound senior. You can sponsor one, two or as many seniors as possible - and if you can't afford a full year, please do what you can. We will begin listing all those who step forward on our website - and I know you'd like to see YOUR name there! To learn more please contact Perry McAfee, our Business Development Officer at 713.533.4925.

You can also help us with needed furniture and household goods for our new refugees. We accept "gently used" or new furniture such as beds, couches, small kitchen tables and chairs, and all sorts of house wares. For those who would like to go an extra mile, we are seeking rental support for one to four months. Please contact Alva Sanchez, our RCA and MG Coordinator for Refugee Services at 713.533.4931 to learn how you can help.

We are seeking volunteers to help with both Meals on Wheels and Refugee Services. While most of our meals are delivered by paid staff, we are seeking small groups to take on some deliveries each weekday for an extended period of time. Additionally we are seeking volunteers to help our refugees learn English and also find their way around the city. Volunteer hours are counted and help IM receive the maximum amount of federal funding available. To learn more please contact Denise Atkerson, our Director of Volunteer services at 713.533.4922.

We are looking at new business opportunities to fill in the gaps. We have two MBA students spending this semester as interns under the pro-bono supervision of Kathryn Vernau from Huron Consulting. We are looking at new ways to better serve our seniors and refugees while generating more program income. If you are interested in helping with this project please contact me at 713.533.4901.

Great non-profits move with the times and trends and IM will be on the cutting edge as we seek to continue our high level of service.

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

I just celebrated my seventh year anniversary at IM. I've had the blessing to meet hundreds, if not thousands, of people I would have never met. I've seen IM grow in the numbers of people we serve and employ. We've become recognized as one of Houston's great non-profits. Over the years I've learned first-hand how truly good most of us are, no matter what faith or community we come from. Over and over again when things seem low someone steps up to fill the gaps. I am a bit of a control freak - so living by faith (though I am a pretty faithful guy) is not easy for me. I've learned that good things really do happen to good people, especially when you let the low points pass you by.

Here are a few upcoming IM events I'd like to share with you:

The next Women's Spiritual Gathering is coming up on February 24th at the Jade Buddha Center. Join other women for an educational presentation about Buddhist beliefs followed by a vegetarian meal and group discussion. Click here for more information and to register.

Sacred Songs, Sacred Sites "OnSite/InSight" sponsored by IM and the Houston Arts Alliance is February 26th-27th. Explore the artistic and cultural traditions that make each worship experience unique through a series of visits to Houston area faith communities. Click here for more information and to register.

The annual iFaith Youth Dinner Dialogues is March 3rd. Teens ages 13-18 will come together for conversation, dinner and fun! Click here for more information and to register.


Talk to you in two weeks.


Elliot Gershenson

President and CEO

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston