Supporting Friendships for Life by Andy and Frances
December 11, 2019
Frances and I have been close friends for a long time, which makes writing this letter together such a joy. We have also been working together as Board member and Executive Director to reimagine what L’Arche can be in the world today. As a result, at L’Arche Portland people with and without intellectual disabilities can now share life and build a community that supports friendships for life, no matter where people live.
Together, Frances and I are excited to share some news. Through the leadership and support of dedicated community members, partners, and friends like you, we are celebrating the opening of a new home and our community’s increased ability to support friends who live outside of our homes. Frances and I are grateful for the ways that L’Arche Portland supports our friendship, and we ask for your support to make friendships like ours available to more people.
We think it is safe to say that no one has a larger presence in our community than Marilyn. This past year Marilyn had to move out of our Nehalem home, and is temporarily living at a long-term care facility while she searches for a new home (preferably not too far from her friends).
Although we are no longer providing Marilyn's professional support, we continue to be her L'Arche family and friends. We will support Marilyn's friendships and place in our community for life. In fact, Marilyn is now leading L’Arche Portland’s newest weekly gathering, Marilyn’s L’Arche Prayer Group, at her current residence. As Dorothy Coughlin recently shared, “Neither health nor distance or location or time can separate us from our love for Marilyn. The true lived spirit of L’Arche!“
During this holiday season we are grateful for your prayers and support of L’Arche Portland. Please remember that your support makes our new home possible. Your support makes Marilyn’s L’Arche Prayer Group possible. Join us today by financially supporting L’Arche Portland and make friendships for life a lived reality.
