Before moving in last month to what was once the Decorah Bank and Trust building, the congregation met in St. Benedict’s School for nine years. The church purchased the building in late 2008 and started renovations in February this year.
Last November, however, the building became a temporary shelter for a group of roughly 20 workers from Palau who were left homeless when the Agriprocessors kosher meatpacking plant in nearby Postville filed for bankruptcy. The company had hired the Palauans to fill some of the jobs left vacant when federal agents arrested 389 people in an immigration raid.
The company told the workers it was paying their rent and utilities. But the company never made the payments, and the landlord evicted the workers in November.
The Decorah Area Faith Coalition, among other groups, offered help to the men and women while they stayed in the area.
For a previous Covenant News Service story on the church’s assistance to the Palauans, click here.
Role of Desire in Spiritual Life is Lecture Topic
CHICAGO, IL (July 13, 2009) – Ruth Haley Barton, president and co-founder of the Transforming Center, will speak on “The Role of Desire in the Spiritual Life” at North Park Theological Seminary at 7 p.m. July 29.
The seminary and its Center for Spiritual Direction will host the lecture, which will be held in Anderson Chapel. A $5 donation is suggested.
Barton is the author of several books including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry; Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation; and Invitation to Solitude and Silence.
