October 2015 AD www.thelutheran.org

Synod newsEastern Washington-Idaho

Continued on page B

Small congregation dreams big

On April 30, Trinity Lutheran Church acquired 16 single-family homes from Mercy Housing Inc. The homes, now

called Trinity New Hope LLC, border the church’s east and south sides at the corner of Midland and Lone Star Road in Nampa, Idaho. They were built in 1996 after a long period of opposition by nearby residents.

In the early 1990s, the church was still on the edge of town and members regularly mowed the land surrounding its parking lot. But in 1992 a task force was appointed to explore how this property might be used to benefit the community.

Concurrently, Mercy Housing, a ministry of The Sisters of Mercy, established Mercy Housing-Idaho in Nampa, administered by Sister Mary Terese Tracy. She was one of the original organizers and forces behind the establishment of Mercy Housing in Denver and the former CEO of Mercy Medical Center in Nampa. Tracy saw the potential of con-structing affordable housing on Trinity’s land. Subsequently, a 50-year lease was signed between Mercy Housing-Idaho and Trinity. Thus began the long journey of starting an affordable housing ministry.

Journey begins with meetings, concerns Trinity held several meetings to inform the neighborhood of the project and to receive their feedback. The first proposal for 10 duplexes received pushback from residents. There was concern that the duplexes wouldn’t fit the neighborhood’s image and low-income housing would adversely affect property values, bringing in undesirable residents. Later the West Park Neighborhood Association was formed to block the development.

Danny Braudrick, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colo-nel and manager of Nampa’s Terry Reilly Community and Migrant Health Center, an affordable health-care facility, joined forces with Tracy and Trinity to obtain city blessings for the development. What followed were many rejections by Nampa’s Planning and Zoning Department and the City Council, reconciliation meetings with leaders of the neigh-borhood association, and ultimately a lawsuit filed by the same association.

“The need for such housing was never disputed,” Brau-drick said. “The location was. Once politics entered the fray,

middle ground was difficult to find. Thus, a three-year bat-tle began to place affordable housing in an area previously reserved only for more affluent citizens.”

The struggle played out in Idaho newspapers and on street corners, in coffee shops and before the Nampa City Council. Three times approval was sought before the coun-cil. Each time, the development was denied. For three years, it was the biggest story in Nampa, Braudrick said, adding, “Newspaper clippings and other development-associated documents measure 3 inches thick.”

Eventually the development received approval in 1995 due to two events. The development’s land use was modi-fied from 10, three-bedroom duplexes to 16 three-bedroom single-family homes. Secondly, a new city council member in favor of the project was elected.

Trinity was temporarily adversely affected by the conflict, Braudrick said. Several families left because they disagreed with this land use or didn’t want to belong to a church in conflict with the community. Once ground was broken, Braudrick and a friend who had opposed the development wrote a joint guest opinion page in the newspaper calling for reconciliation and to extend a welcome to the new residents.

In 1996, the 16 homes were dedicated and a new legacy for affordable housing for working families was born.

For 20 years the houses have been fully occupied and well maintained. Then, wanting to focus on other geographic areas, Denver-based Mercy Housing approached Trinity in October 2014 expressing a desire to sell the properties. But a potential buyer would need to keep New Hope as affordable housing for the remaining term of the regulatory agreement

By the Rev. Meggan Manlove

HEIDI CRYER

Trinity Lutheran in Nampa, Idaho, acquired 16 single-family homes built in 1996, which bor-der the church’s east and south sides.

MEGGAN MANLOVE

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Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod newsContinued from page A

per federal tax credit laws.Trinity’s council formed a board to study pur-

chase feasibility. Leading that effort was Tami McHugh, board president, a CPA and a real estate broker. She worked tirelessly, said 2014 Bob Tor-rey, Trinity church council president. “In fact, her research and analysis of financial feasibility were so favorable that once presented to the church council and the entire congregation, the vote for approval was unanimous,” he said.

McHugh proceeded to lead the acquisition process through purchase agreement negotiations, inspections, appraisals, loan approval and close of escrow. She continues this leadership as president of the board of directors that manages these properties.

‘Excited about the opportunity’“Trinity has never been afraid to fight for the underserved and underfed in our community,” McHugh said. “We cur-rently provide food for our community’s hungry. Now we have the opportunity to provide high-quality, affordable housing for low-income families. We needed to find out if it would be possible to acquire these homes to continue the ministry our congregation fought to begin over 25 years ago. Once it was deemed to be possible, our congregation became excited about the opportunity.”

To aid this process, the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod provided a Share Grant to pay for start-up costs, appraisals, inspections and legal fees.

“The need for additional affordable housing and the pres-ervation of existing affordable housing is growing across Idaho,” said Julie Williams, executive vice president of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA), the state’s affordable housing agency. “As the population increases in more populated areas such as Nampa, living wages don’t keep pace with housing costs. IHFA is proud to support New Hope and the commitment of Trinity to sustain this neigh-borhood through the unique collaboration between a faith community and its neighbors.”

Williams was familiar with the project long before Trinity approached her about the purchase. She was involved with development of the initial regulatory agreement shortly after she began working for IHFA.

The congregation officially named the development Trinity New Hope, and a new legal entity was formed, Trin-ity New Hope LLC. On April 30, the 16 homes were officially purchased.

Board members include McHugh, president; Torrey, vice president; Dean Metzger, treasurer; Judy Kellar, secretary;

Cathy Winwood, liaison to the church council; and Elwood Webb and Braudrick, at-large members.

The board has ample institutional memory on this topic. Kellar and Torrey were original members of Trinity’s land management committee. Braudrick later directed the Nampa Housing Authority and served on Mercy Housing-Idaho’s board for nine years.

“Trinity has been a supporter of affordable housing for nearly 25 years,” McHugh said. “It is part of our DNA, but until now we have never had the opportunity to directly pro-vide and manage these types of properties. It is a venture of great faith and hope.”

Immediately after the purchase, a management team was put in place, maintenance contracts were negotiated and improvements started. The board and church council are now looking ahead to how this ministry can grow. The pastor and church council are having conversations with at least one rep-resentative from each household. In addition to hearing resi-dents’ stories, the congregation’s leadership is hoping to assist them with additional needs.

“The legacy which began so long ago here in Nampa, Idaho, by a forward-looking, compassionate congregation continues and flour-ishes,” Braudrick said. M

Youth display leadership skills

What happens when you put a dream of high school students learning more about the broader Lutheran church together with 16 youth from across count-

less high schools for a weekend of service, learning, wor-ship and fun? You end up with a phenomenal weekend with youth displaying their powerful leadership skills and voic-ing why they are part of the church today.

By Heidi Cryer

Author bio:Manlove is pastor of Trinity

Lutheran Church in Nampa,

Idaho.

MEG

GAN

MAN

LOVE

The houses have been fully occupied and maintained for 20 years.

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Synod news

October 2015 C

October is a busy month for the church. Parish educa-tion programs are in full swing, stewardship commit-tees are working to stimulate generosity for the mis-

sion of the church, and worship committees are already deep into the details of planning for Advent and Christmas.

This is also a busy time for the synodical and national church. I wanted to fill you in on some of the activities hap-pening in the background of your congregation’s life:• Graduating seminarians are being assigned to synods for

their first calls and hope to be interviewing in congrega-tions right after Christmas.

• The Conference of Bishops meets in Chicago Oct. 1-6 for its fall meeting and will begin to focus on the work of the Churchwide Assembly, coming in August 2016.

• Seminary students in the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program meet in Berkeley, Calif., for concentrated classwork in preparation for ordi-nation. Our synod has two candidates being prepared to serve in rural congregations.

• Our Synod Global Mission committee will meet to direct the relationship with our companion synod in Tanzania. Our focus these days is guiding the campaign goal to fin-ish building the dining and assembly hall at the Tumaini school in Malinyi.

• The Rev. John Guthridge will be installed as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grandview, Wash. Two other recent graduates are just getting into their first con-gregational calls.

• Region 1 bishops and assistants will gather in Seattle to continue work on new protocols for the call process and interim ministry across the region. This is ongoing work.

From the bishop

Busy, full days of good work• The Regents of Pacific

Lutheran, Tacoma, Wash., will meet for a fall retreat and to guide the university in its work. We continue to address the unique charac-teristics of Lutheran higher education so our students graduate with real “value added.”

• Region 1 bishops begin the cycle of fall seminary vis-its, where we guide senior students and their families in getting ready for Febru-ary assignments. Our graduates always have lots of ques-tions about how they will be assigned, who will help them find their first call and what the call process will look like. Awaiting congregations are eager too!

• The synod candidacy committee will meet for two days of entrance, endorsement and approval interviews with students moving through seminary preparation.

• The cluster deans will meet to assist me in providing pas-toral care to rostered leaders and their families.

• Our fall Bishop’s Convocation will hear presentations from the Rev. Jim Johnson of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Spokane, Wash.; the Rev. Kevin Strickland of our ELCA worship office; and the Rev. Jeff Thiemann, head of Portico, our health-care and benefits provider.Busy, full days of good work! Thanks be to God.

God’s richest blessings,Bishop Martin Wells

Bishop Martin Wells

Cathy Winwood, liaison to the church council; and Elwood Webb and Braudrick, at-large members.

The board has ample institutional memory on this topic. Kellar and Torrey were original members of Trinity’s land management committee. Braudrick later directed the Nampa Housing Authority and served on Mercy Housing-Idaho’s board for nine years.

“Trinity has been a supporter of affordable housing for nearly 25 years,” McHugh said. “It is part of our DNA, but until now we have never had the opportunity to directly pro-vide and manage these types of properties. It is a venture of great faith and hope.”

Immediately after the purchase, a management team was put in place, maintenance contracts were negotiated and improvements started. The board and church council are now looking ahead to how this ministry can grow. The pastor and church council are having conversations with at least one rep-resentative from each household. In addition to hearing resi-dents’ stories, the congregation’s leadership is hoping to assist them with additional needs.

“The legacy which began so long ago here in Nampa, Idaho, by a forward-looking, compassionate congregation continues and flour-ishes,” Braudrick said. M

Youth display leadership skills

These youth, from a wide variety of backgrounds, quickly bonded and became a group, acting as if they were longtime friends.  

The 2015 Youth Assembly was held April 24-26 in the Tri-Cities area of Washington, running concurrent with the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Assembly. Similar events have happened occasionally in the past, but never with quite the same purpose.

The original desire was for the youth to get to know one another as they learned more about the synod and what it does. This was also a chance for them to serve the commu-nity and have fun together. They attended some of the synod assembly events and experienced some of their own oppor-tunities for service, worship and fun.

Youth Assembly came together thanks to a planning team including Lauren Bender, Camp Lutherhaven repre-sentative, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Heidi Cryer, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Kennewick, Wash., the Rev. Helga Jan-sons, Lord of Life; and Caroline Moore, Lutheran Church of the Master, Pasco, Wash., who was also in charge of the service project.

The 16 youth from six synod congregations and their eight counselors found a chance to serve the community through Second Harvest, sorting 8,200 pounds of produce, creating 6,800 meals to feed 566 families.

In addition to the service project, the youth participated in camp games and devotions and learned more about the

By Heidi Cryer

Continued on page D

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Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod news

pate in their church. Plans are to make it an annual event, where youth can learn about the synod assembly and the broader church. The 2016 Youth Assembly will take place in Boise, Idaho. M

Personally:• Learned from each other about faith and others’ under-

standing of God.• Relationships: new friends and a connection with the

wider church.• Heard how other youth are involved in their churches;

other ideas of how to get involved.• Challenged assumptions of what youth want.• Opportunities to give back—service projects.

Ideas and actions to take back to their churches:• Sunday school for high-schoolers as a discussion group.• An affirmation of what their church already offers for

youth—saying thank you to their church.• Encourage youth to join the adult choir.• To be able to meet with the pastor to talk about life

goals and challenges.• Talk with the church council about youth needs/pro-

grams/need for a youth group.

Advice to adults:• A reliable and consistent adult presence in youth

groups builds relationships and trust.• Adults have the power—share it with the youth so they

can lead and use their gifts/ideas.• Youth ministry is not about numbers.

ELCA Youth Gathering, which most of them attended in July.

They also led a workshop as part of the synod assembly called “What do Youth Want from the Church?” where their opinions were heard by the adults. The youth told the adults what they think is good about the church today and how they might improve it for the future.

The 16 youth who attended the assembly are already involved in their home congregations in many ways, includ-ing through the Lutheran Youth Organization and acting as lectors, Sunday school or VBS teachers/assistants, acolytes, ushers, worship assistants and nursery attendants. Many

also participate in choirs, liturgical dance and puppet ministry.

The hope is for Youth Assembly to be another way for young people to partici-

• Know and use the names of youth/children.• Come to our events at school, sports, graduations,

other activities. Walk alongside us during formational times in our lives.

• Don’t patronize youth—when you ask them how they are, really listen to the answer.

• Don’t dumb things down for youth.• Don’t make assumptions about what youth think or

want—ask.

What brings you to/keeps you in church?• Family.• Finding my place, community, connections with

people.• Being around older people.• Feeling safe, protected, loved and cared about.• God acts through the people at church.• Church “cheers me up,” “picks me up when I feel bad.”• Faith—learning about beliefs, new perspectives,

reflection, to clear my mind, relating faith to current events, talking about faith with others.

• Tradition, habit.• Mature conversation and in-depth discussion on top-

ics, being able to ask questions and talk about them.• Learning about the Bible and hearing Bible stories.

Continued from page C

Author bio:Cryer is an associate in ministry

at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in

Kennewick, Wash.

What they got out of the Youth Assembly

Assembly 2015 participants included (left to right): Margo Healy, Michelle Lien, Heidi Cryer, Rachel Miskowisz, Jessica Swanson, Paul Austin, Joshua Jackson, Michael Wheeler, Racine Balow, Tru Stites, Logan Schwantes, Kari Goodrich, Kari Tafoya, Cydney Selk, Hanna Seppa, Robin Balow, Kiah Miller, John Hoffman, Andraya Conger, Kristapher Morcy and Mark Lesmeister.

HEIDI CRYER

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