In the News

The 2008 Apostle Build and Prince of Peace made the news. See the article at http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/community/120591462528750.xml&coll=2.


A home that's built on faith
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
ANNE RUISI
News staff writer

While some people give up something for Lent, volunteers from 11 metro churches and one Anniston congregation gave away their time and talent to help build two houses in Bush Hills with Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham.

Work on the "Building On Faith" houses started Feb. 9, the Saturday following Ash Wednesday. The houses, at 924 and 928 Fourth Court West, will be dedicated at noon this Friday, which is Good Friday.

"The volunteers have done a wonderful job," said Edna M. Townsend, who will move into the house at 924 Fourth Court West. "I feel the like the Lord has smiled on me."

Churches participating this year are Prince of Peace, St. Peter the Apostle, Our Lady of the Valley and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic; Asbury, Christ Church and Irondale United Methodist; First Baptist Woodlawn and First Baptist Alabaster; Edgewood and Shades Valley Presbyterian and Anniston First Weslyan, said Jennifer Jacobs, Habitat's development coordinator.

The houses were built from the ground up on two vacant lots. Each is a three-bedroom, two-bath structure with a brick exterior. The houses are designed in the Craftsman style to blend in with existing neighborhood homes, she said.

The ecumenical effort began last year when Habitat sought churches to help build houses during Lent. Four responded first: First United Methodist downtown, Asbury, Prince of Peace and Our Lady of the Valley, Jacobs said.

The idea was to build on religious faith via a tangible project. Construction of a house for a low-income family is a mission effort and it helps "people grow in their faith beyond the church walls," Jacobs said.

Each participating church this year was assigned a Saturday to work on the houses, but volunteers from various churches came regardless of their scheduled date. Weekends drew the most participants, but many volunteers came during the week.

Not all did construction work. At Prince of Peace church, parishioners were asked to pray for all the volunteers and the homeowners, while one 7-year-old boy took photos marking the progress at the site for a poster put up at church. There also is a blog to update parishioners on construction.

And the church members got to know the homeowners better, even inviting them to their Lenten Friday night fish fries.

"I really enjoyed the Prince of Peace fish fry," Townsend said. "They (the volunteers) became just like family."

Each of the houses will have an appraised value of about $90,000 to $100,000, said Habitat spokeswoman Cassie Sanford. Habitat sells its homes at cost, so for a three-bedroom, two-bath house, that's typically $65,000, Sanford said.

The houses are affordable for low- to moderate-income families. After a $700 down payment, a 25-year mortgage at 0 percent interest equals about $350 a month.

E-mail: aruisi@bhamnews.com On the Net

Prince of Peace Habitat blog: www.pophabitat.blogspot.com HOUSESXX -- HOUSES:

Dedications set for Good Friday

Do You Still Want to Help?

Even though the Apostle Build is over, there are still countless volunteer opportunities with Habitat. To explore these opportunities, visit www.habitatbirmingham.org and click on "Schedule Volunteer Day." Thanks in advance for your willingness to help!

We Did It!

We had beautiful weather for today's home dedication. It was truly a happy and spiritual experience for all. Members from each of the sponsoring churches had a role in the dedication ceremony.

One of the finished homes.

The presenters.

There was a large crowd.

Some attendees enjoyed animal crackers.

Bill Lees presents the keys to the home.

Final Reminder

Do not forget our dedication tomorrow at 12 noon! All are welcome.

How Can you Help?

We have had an overwhelming response to the Habitat project this year. In fact, we have had more volunteers than we needed! Such a showing of support has truly been wonderful. Even if you did not have an opportunity to work on the house, there is still time to help by making a financial contribution. You will find special envelopes in the Gathering Place.

Furthermore, our Parish is going to assist with additional Habitat projects over the next several months. There is a tremendous amount of need in our community and with your help and continued dedication, we can do so much to addresses those needs. Please continue to check this site for additional Habitat updates.

Dedication

Please join us at the Habitat Homes on Friday March 21 at 12:00 pm for a dedication ceremoney. Everyone in the parish is invited (and encouraged to attend)! Father Fallon may even be able to obtain a waiver so that we can eat some cake with the families!

Directions: Travel Interstate 20W/ 59S toward Tuscaloosa. Exit #123 Arkadelphia Road / US-78. Turn left onto Arkadelphia Road. Pass Graymont Avenue West. 4th Court West is the second street to the right after Graymont Avenue.

Volunteers

We are nearing the end of the 2008 Apostles Build. We are still in need of volunteers during the week and on Saturday March 15. If you are interested, please contact Jack Carney at jack@jackcarneylaw.com.

Habitat Outlet Store Reminder

Join Us for our 3rd Anniversary Celebration and Sale
Habitat Outlet Store
7952 Crestwood Blvd, Irondale
(205) 951-1234
Celebration
Refreshments ~ Door Prizes
Thursday, March 13, 2008
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Summer Hours
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dedication- Save the Date

We will dedicate our Habitat homes on Friday March 21 at 12:00 p.m. Please make every effort to attend to support the new homeowners. It is usually a special experience for all.

Neither Sleet Nor Snow ...

A special thanks to those brave volunteers who came to the house on Saturday to work in sub freezing temperatues (including, Jeff, Julie, Ben and Carl ... among others). Thank you!!

Fish Fry Tonight!

Once again our Habitat homeowners will be joining us for tonight's Fish Fry. Please make every effort to attend and help us welcome them to our Parish.

Weekday Warriors

We still have a need for weekday volunteers. Please feel free to drop by the house any time this week (Tuesday through Friday). Someone will be on site from 8-4 each day.

Progress

As you can see, we have made tremendous progress with the Habitat Project. We are still on pace for a dedication on Good Friday. There is still time to help and if you are interested, please e-mail me at jack@jackcarneylaw.com.

Habitat Outlet Store Anniversary

The Habitat Outlet Store is celebrating its 3rd anniversary. There will be an anniversary celebration and sale on Thursday March 13, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. There will be refreshments and door prizes. What a great time to visit the Outlet Store!

The Store is located at 7952 Crestwood Blvd, Irondale.