The House that LOVE Built

The House Next Door

All are Welcome in this Place

The House Next Door offers a safe space and a place of grace for all who are seeking healing, wholeness, and transformation.

Dale Selover,

Director of the HND

Laura Glatz,

House Manager

Dear Beloved Community,

The House That Love Built is a beautiful children's book by Jessica Meserve.

It is the story of a community of forest animals who come together to rebuild after a storm and, in doing so, discovers the magic of belonging, hope, and working together.

As a ministry that is grounded in the love of God, I like to think of the House Next Door as the house that love built. Love is the very foundation of this healing, transformative space. It was God's love that inspired this ministry, and it is God's love that guides it still.

Time and time again, when guests walk through the door, the first thing they say is, "I love this house!" As Valentine's Day approaches and love is in the air, I invite you to witness to your love for the House Next Door and give a Love Offering to support our ministry.

In this newsletter you will find Love Notes from members of the House Next Door Community, sharing what they love about this ministry and why they so lovingly support it with their time, talent, and treasure.

If you have experienced the love of God by receiving spiritual direction, walking the Labyrinth, participating in a retreat, or joining with others to pray for peace, please prayerfully consider giving back by making a Love Offering. Like the forest animals in The House That Love Built, if you have discovered the grace of belonging, hope, and journeying together at the House Next Door, please share your gift of love with us.

Thank you for your generosity. Without your support, the ministry of the House Next Door would not be possible.

With love and a grateful heart,

Dale

A Love Offering

You can support the House Next Door by clicking the button above.
Please ensure that you indicate "House Next Door" for ALL DONATIONS.

You can write a check to "Prince of Peace" with the memo stating,
"Donation to the HND." Send the check to:

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

177 Princeton Hightstown Rd

Princeton Junction, NJ 08550

My Love Offering and Why I Give to the HND,

The HND holds a special place in my heart. I could see Dale's vision clearly when she first presented it to Prince of Peace Council over ten years ago. Following my time in seminary, I am still in awe, by how relevant the HND is to the future of the church.

God's people need a 'safe space and a place of grace' more than ever amid the brokenness of our world. And where the institutional church cannot, the HND can meet the unchurched and spiritually seeking wanderers of our time. I give to the HND because it provides an invaluable opportunity for the lost and vulnerable to encounter the peace which transcends all understanding and find hope. ~ Brandi

I serve on the HND's Vision team because I want to nurture spaces where loving one another means listening to one another. ~ Kayla

You know that friend who warms your soul with welcome and your cold hands with tea, who listens carefully and challenges gently, who is as ready to chat about books as she is about the meaning of life, who offers wisdom and grace and a nudge in the right direction all at once?

For many of us, that friend is the House Next Door, and I want everyone in our community to have that friend for themselves. That’s why I support the House Next Door. ~ Elizabeth

The House next Door is truly a safe place where kindness, inclusion, understanding, grace, and love can be felt the minute you step onto the property. The people, ministries, and organizations that are affiliated with the House Next Door share the same sense of community and common purpose of helping others no matter who they are, or where they are on their spiritual faith journeys. They give positive support to everyone.

I give the gifts of my time and energy to the House Next Door as a volunteer and a member of the Spiritual Formation Team because it brings peace to my soul, heals my heart, and gives me hope. ~ Jen

I volunteered for the HND team when Prince of Peace called Dale. I just knew the HND was the future of the church. The church as a whole cannot be limited to traditional worship services. Additional outlets are needed to spread God’s story and love, to reach out to people and meet them where they are, and to offer programs and services that will support people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Christ instructs us to take the first step in helping our fellow humans. The HND offers a safe, nurturing and welcoming space to do just that. You enter the House and immediately feel at home, surrounded with affirmation, direction, love and peace. This is true whether meeting to plan a program, attending an event, working that event, or participating in offerings like spiritual direction.

There have been some growing pains for HND, sure. Keeping programs that work and trying new offerings that are beneficial to those who need support is all part of our agility. Agility is necessary to keep up with what is needed in our world today. It also affords us a steady path of growth. Watching community form, seeing the successful progress in reaching so many people, and witnessing them receive resources and skills to find help and nourishment for their spirit has been heart warming. How could I not continue to follow the call to further God’s love? Faith is the driving force behind every gathering, and the spiritual growth that results is life affirming.

I just keep coming back. ~ Ellen