Together, We Did It!

It wasn’t a huge idea really. It wasn’t even the most interesting idea I heard that week. But there was something that excited me about the thought...What if we raised money to build a well as a community on this website? What if a community of people who believe that the Church is ALIVE proved it by doing something good for the world? $5,000 seemed like a lot of money, but the excitement of the moment floated the goal into an expectation.

And with that, the Water Project began.

When we launched the water campaign Ninety-One days ago, it was Ash Wednesday. Looking back, it seemed like perfect timing. Throughout the Lenten/Easter seasons we heard amazing stories and reflections of wise, passionate, and inspiring people from all over the country. But ninety days is a long time, and it is especially a long time to keep one's attention. Anyone who knows me knows that it's tough to get me to focus for even five minutes! Yet these past ninety days consumed me. Even more amazingly, the words, donations, and actions of this online community made it clear that this campaign to build a well for a needy population has consumed "us." It has been a surreal journey, but a journey that not only united us as a community, but will also join us with another community somewhere in the world.

12-18 months from now, charity: water will send us - and all of you - pictures and GPS coordinates pinpointing the construction site of a brand-new fresh water well. Granted, 12-18 from now seems like a long time! But when I think about the community that is going to receive the well, 12-18 months that cannot come soon enough! A community that has yet to see the first drops of clean water waits in anticipation to watch water gush from the earth. In 12-18 months we will officially join in the promise of clean water, of new life with a community somewhere in the world. They will not be mere recipients of the well, but will be part of our narrative and part of our community, just as we will be part of theirs. Great moments do not occur solely because of good ideas, but rather when people unite behind ideas to do something great. Indeed, this community - the Church is ALIVE community - has clung together over the past ninety days to do something great! Thank you, each of you, for your work!

YOU have done something great. Together, we made the world a better place. 12-18 months from now, we will join our celebrations with another community's celebrations somewhere as we observe the construction of a clean water well!

Thank you. Together, you have made it clear: the Church is indeed alive and well!

The Water Dichotomy

I can't help but share in the excitement. The Church is Alive Water Project has met it's goal. Seriously. As of Thursday night, and because of the incomprehensible generosity of this community, you've raised over five thousand dollars to change the the lives of those in a community in need. On behalf of the Church is Alive, thank you.

A few weekends ago, I visited my brother in Nashville, Tennessee. We had a great time seeing the sights, going out on the town, and catching up with some old and new friends. The very next weekend, Nashville and the surrounding area saw over a foot of rainfall in a two-day period. The Cumberland river, which flows through downtown Nashville, crested at nearly 52 feet. The damage done has been horrific, and our hearts go out to those who lost cars, homes, and loved ones. The flooding also put one of the city's water treatment plants out of service, prompting a water conservation effort to ensure that all have access to clean water.

Nashville is at risk of not having enough clean water to go around. The same weekend, Boston had a similar misfortune. The water crisis doesn't have to be in a third-world country. The water crisis affects all of humanity.

Water is a necessity of life. One to be respected, both for it's destructive potential and our dependence on it to sustain life. You. Us. We. We're sustaining life. We're now making it possible for a community in need to have access to clean water. Pause and think about that, and perhaps offer a prayer to those to whom water now represents grief and loss.


Image courtesy of Leslie Rodriguez Photography. Video from Michael Deppisch.

7 Days to Go!

It has been 83 days since we began the water campaign on the site. $4,051 has been raised so far, and we are officially in final push mode. We believe over the next seven days we can raise the remaining funds and meet our goal! In order for us to accomplish our goal, we need all hands on deck. If you have not donated, please do. If you haven't told a friend, please do. If you have given, and can give again, please do. There is a community somewhere in the world waiting for a well. We have come so far, let's keep up the good work. Good work, and let's build this well!

Please give here: http://mycharitywater.org/churchisalive

Pit Tah Pot Tah

We've got 8 days left in our Charity:Water fundraiser and a lot left to raise. Spread the word!

Today's post comes from a regular guest/resident artist of Broad Street Ministry:

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT

PIT

PIT

LET IT FLOW

ON

YOUR HEAD

TO

YOUR MIND

FROM

YOUR MIND

ON

YOUR HAND

TO

YOUR TOE

LET IT FLOW

PIT

PIT

PIT

LET IT FLOW TROUGH YOUR TOE

IN

THE SAND THEN SING

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT

PIT

PIT

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT

PIT

PIT

WATER

FROM

THE

SKY

TO

THE GROUND

IT

FLOW ROUND THE ROCK

TROUGH THE CRACK

IN THE SAND

THEN SING

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT

PIT

PIT

THE WATER DROP

ON

THE HILL TOP

IN

THE POND

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT

PIT

PIT

RISE RISE RISE

TO

THE TOP

THEN OVER FLOW ITS BANK

THEN RUN OVER ROCK

TROUGH THE CRACK

TROUGH THE SAND

TROUGH THE LAND

TROUGH YOUR HAND

TROUGH YOUR MIND

THEN

RUN

RUN

RUN RUN RUN

PEOPLE

OUT

A THEM MIND

PIT PIT PIT

IT

FLOW

TO

THE ROCK

TROUGH THE CRACK

IN

THE SAND

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT TAH POT TAH

WATER

WATER EVERY WHERE

AND

NOT A DROP TO DRINK

WATER

WATER EVERY WHERE

AND

NOT A DROP IN MY SINK

WATER

TECK THE LAND

WATER

TECK THE SAND

WATER

TECK THE CAR

WATER

TECK THE HOUSE

WATER

TECK LIFE

WATER

THE

SPIRIT OF LIFE

MAKE

THE

PLANTS GROW

SO LET IT FLOW

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT TAH POT TAH

PIT PIT PIT PIT

PIT PIT PIT

PIT PIT

PIT.

By IKRU WARM AN EASY

Copyright @ 1,15,2010.

Rupert E. Salmon Biography
IKRU warm an easy

Rupert E. Salmon, a.k.a. Ikru, was born in Jamaica where he studied at the Jamaica School of Arts in Kingston, receiving Bachelor of Arts in Realistic Painting and Sculpting. His credits include the Bronze Medal for Art in Jamaica and the Bronze Medal for Pop and Variety. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the Pump House Gallery in Hartford, CT., the York College in Queens, NY., and the Chatom Museum of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA are just a few of Ikru’s impressive exhibition and teaching credentials. He professorial history includes the Jamaica School of Art and Craft, Black Rock High School, and Cobbla Youth Camp. Ikru is a long time accomplished writer of poetry, sculptor, musician and dancer. One must only take a glance at his written word, listen to his personal vocal recitations or view his painting or sculpture to know that his artistic gifts are vast and his voice and rhythm are like no other.

Presently, Ikru can be found roaming all over the streets of Philadelphia creating, photographing and showing his work at places like Broad Street Ministry, Project Home, The Senior Center, the Philadelphia Community College, and the Eastern Service Workers Association. And one can always find him working his magic down on the corner of 3rd and Market near the Artist & Craftsman Supply shop.

"The Water's Gonna Win"

I was reminded last week of a song by David LaMotte. As I reflected on the images and stories from Tennessee, these words came to mind. There are those in this world still waiting for clean water, and those who need for the water to subside. I often struggle to find adequate words that sufficiently capture the feelings of my heart. So I simply say today: my thoughts and prayers extend to those in Tennessee that have watched their homes swept away. My thoughts and prayers extend to those in countries without access to clean and safe drinking water. My thoughts and prayers to those in this world who struggle to keep their heads above water. My thoughts and prayers for those who feel as if the rain of violence will never cease. My thoughts and prayers for those who depend on rain for work and for food. My thoughts and prayers of thanks for all the mothers of the world that guide their families and children through the times of joy and pain. Amen.

Water lyrics by David Lamotte

So they built their shiny hotel
Where the water meets the land
They smiled a little nervously
As the ocean took the sand
They went down below the shoreline
And they hauled it back again
But the heavy rain and the hurricane
And the water's gonna win
The water's gonna win
Bring it all back
It will wash away again
The water's gonna win
Pack it up or pack it in
The water's gonna win
The glass of water you were sipping
As you watched the morning come
Has quenched the thirst of seven others
Underneath a younger sun
We are memories and moments
We are born and born again
Rushing stream and breathing steam
The water's gonna win
The water's gonna win
Ascending and falling and rising up again

The water's gonna win
Ride the tide and ride the wind
The water's gonna win
Haul the rocks and sign the papers
Pour another glass of gin
Cut the ribbon with the scissors
But the water's gonna win
You went down beside the river
Just about a year ago
Gave the ashes to the current
Saw them swirl into the flow
You still hold it all inside you
You can't stop once you begin
Close your eyes and feel it rising
The water's gonna win
The water's gonna win
You can't hold back the tide
You can't hide from what's within
The water's gonna win
Feel it move beneath your skin
The water's gonna win
It will with keep flowing through
All we are and all we've been
The water's gonna win
Forever and amen
The water's gonna win