Every congregation in our synod who has taken the Congregational Vitality Survey (about 33 so far) has high scores for how close members feel to one another. This is the great strength on which we need to build, because those same congregations gave themselves low scores for their satisfaction with communication and how decisions are made.  My guess is that we need to have more intentional conversations between friends.  We aren't utilizing the network of relationships in our congregation as a communication tool. The result is that people who feel deep love for one another are, paradoxically, also feeling left out.

"We are Santa Monica" profiles Mt. Olive's Students 4 Students Shelter

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church is a bustling place, hosting monthly jazz concerts, 12 Step groups, a preschool, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera, and the offices for the Westside Coalition For Hunger And Homelessness - and now the  Students 4 Students shelter, also known as the "Bruin Shelter."

 

Run by 80 UCLA student volunteers, the shelter is a stunning display of collaboration. Volunteers prepare breakfast and evening meals, and an outside caterer donates lunches. It's a safe space where students can get rest and meals while they're pursuing their academic careers.

Pastor Eric also hopes that other houses of worship and community organizations will be encouraged to open up their space to house students. If you're interested in talking about setting up a shelter, contact them - they'd love to talk to you about it.