During our joint Sunday School series in December, we were privileged to hear from longtime Nicholtown resident and community leader, Yvonne Reeder. Yvonne spent time with us that morning to share about our neighboring community from someone who lives there, issues and barriers they have faced and are still facing—barriers of which we, as neighbors, should be aware. She walked us through a little of their history, shared some recent celebrations, and highlighted the source of many of the problems they are currently facing as a community—gentrification.
After a few questions from attendees that Yvonne lovingly, yet honestly, answered, we said goodbye to Yvonne with a general commitment
1) to be more aware of the issues facing our brothers and sisters in Nicholtown and
2) to continue to partner with the groups and organizations that live in and serve the community. Since then, several people expressed the wish to know more about our neighboring communities.
I reached back to Yvonne, and she gladly agreed to serve as “tour guide” for the Holy Rollers and anyone else we can fit on the bus Tuesday, February 11. We will also provide a time for processing the tour with conversation over lunch at Olive Garden.
WHEN—Tuesday, February 11, 10:00am
WHAT—Tour of Nicholtown Community, followed by lunch and conversation at Olive Garden
WHERE—Meet at First Baptist bus parking lot by 9:45am
WHO—Everyone is welcome; please RSVP to Matt Rollins or Dottie Bryan
Here are some ways we already, and will continue to, partner with the Nicholtown Community:
• Sustaining Way and Annie’s House
• The Neighborhood Partnership Account, which is funded by the proceeds of the Yard Sale, March 28-29
• Eleos and the LEAD Collective
• Nicholtown Neighborhood Association
• Nicholtown Community Center
• The Love Center at Nicholtown Missionary Baptist Church
• Phillis Wheatley Center
• Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative
—Matt Rollins, Minister of Community Engagement
Michael McEntyre, Minister of Engaged Aging
Dottie Bryan & Nancy Strange, Co-Chairs of the Holy Rollers