UrbanSpirit Rising
Spring 2008
Changing the World by Changing the Way We See the World
Who should read this newsletter? Folks who care about people who live in poverty; people who believe "justice for all" shouldn't just be a political platitude; people of faith who want to take a fresh look at the scriptures they hold dear; corporate citizens who want to be better neighbors. UrbanSpirit is a locally rooted organization, but gaining national attention as groups from all over come here seeking an immersion experience in poverty. Can this be the place for your group's next training event?                                         By the way, wonder how you got on this list?

Rev. Dr. Deborah DeMars Conrad, Executive Pastor    502-778-7211   PO Box 11434   Louisville, Kentucky  40251

Secret No More

Jequa has a secret follower. You remember Jequa… the computerized doll we acquired last spring. When Jequa became part of our program, I gave him an email address and put his photo on our website, inviting folks to take him seriously as a teacher. Someone apparently has done just that. This morning I got an email indicating that Jequa has a secret follower. Seriously.

Just what does a secret follower do, we might wonder... Are they like private investigators paid to spy, to follow at a distance, close enough to glean a few details and damning evidence, but distant enough never to be noticed? (That is apparently not the case, or he/she would have noticed Jequa is a cute-but-not-so-cuddly computer.) Are they more like groupies, getting a buzz from the association with someone famous? (No again; the only buzz is more like a burp or some other simulated bodily function.) Anyway, either one of those is way different from disciples, not at all secret, but following closely enough to get the whole picture, closely enough to be moved, closely enough to be changed. Jequa's secret follower is on a dead-end street. Jequa is still a doll – programmed to need attention. He needs to be fed, diapered, rocked, pampered and held. His computer makes a notation if he is shaken, placed on this stomach, ignored. He has no independent thoughts or passions or revolutionary slogans. What’s to follow?

Whatever our faith practice, there is likely someone or something beckoning us to follow – Jesus, Torah, Muhammad and others. In this political season, there are folks asking us to follow them. Ideas, slogans, passions abound. Do we know enough? Are we following closely enough to know? Do our faith and our politics call us in two different directions? Hard as we may try to separate church from state and vice versa, faith questions and political questions are not really easily separated. It's the tension of our lives. UrbanSpirit is dedicated to reconciling the two -- or bringing the tension into the open. No secrets here, just open conversation about things of immense importance.

 
Well, there is one secret... This edition of the newsletter, I've deliberately left two folks off the delivery list. They are administrators of JB Atkinson Elementary School in our neighborhood. Atkinson is our partner, and we're orchestrating a surprise for them. Recently, the principal and resource coordinator wished out loud for college t-shirts for their students. In this challenged school, one of the poorest in the state, with the lowest test scores in Kentucky, the administrators are trying to turn a corner to success. In the new climate, all the kids are invited each morning to pledge to go to college! Can you imagine!? So, college t-shirts would be a tremendous gift to the school, and a terrific motivating force for the kids. Now, here's the pitch: can you send a college t-shirt, or several? We want to gather 500 -- enough for every student -- and present them as a surprise to the school leaders. Maybe, just maybe, your gift from Local U will open a horizon for a kid and life will never be the same again. Click here to read more about Atkinson, to see the whole list, or to print a shipping label that will get your college t-shirts on their way to a really important recipient... 
Announcing "Adult Week" We've had a number of adults write or call over these past several months, asking if they could register for our poverty immersion week. Just one problem, they say: they don't have a group to register with. So, we're designated a week for them, for you. June 29-July 4, (we'll finish Friday in time for family Fourth of July celebrations) you can register without a group. Of course, you could bring your spouse or partner, even a child if you need to (and are prepared to help them understand the experience). For your own benefit, or a great time to "test" the experience, if you're thinking of bringing a group another year. Interested? A $50 deposit will hold your space.  Find out more...  
Summer Space for You If you're thinking a mission trip may still be on your summer docket, but don't know where to go, think of UrbanSpirit. We're set for our best summer ever. Our summer staff is coming from Minnesota Louisville, Texas and Virginia, eager to lead you in a week that will change the way you see the world. Middle School, high school, college, adult -- we have a place for you. Check it out!  
2008 Tour de Spirit The 2008 Tour, presented by Auburn Leather, is in the works. Mark September 27, and get ready for a bike tour of Louisville. We're a perfect early fall outing for families, and this year in collaboration with Atkinson Elementary, we've added a bike rodeo for kids. More details and early registration on our tour webpage.
Another way to help... If you're inclined to support us, you can send a check to our PO Box shown above, or make a credit card donation through our secure PayPal link. We are thankful for you!
 

blessings in your summer missions, deb