Habitat for Humanity—Build for Unity
By Holly Yue
What a beautiful day we had on the build site in South Sacramento! The day began with an introduction to Habitat, its work, and the Build for Unity Event. It was given by both the local CEO and her Volunteer Coordinator. We then had a lovely interfaith prayer read. That was followed by being given task options and breaking into work teams accordingly. Siding, caulking, and scaffold building were our options. My husband Brian and I chose scaffold building, along with Brian Davis and our team leader Peter. Our team erected scaffolds all throughout the six or seven house stretch currently being worked on so that teams could get up to the eaves of houses to install siding. The project will eventually include 18 three and four bedroom family homes. Future owners are required to put in 500 hours of sweat equity to help with their build and regular volunteers and event volunteers, like St. Michael’s, help to get things done. Of course, there are a small number of paid folks to oversee and guide the work.
Sisterhood of Salaam and Shalom were our Build for Unity partners for Wednesday. During lunch break we learned the sisterhood includes both Jewish and Muslim women that have come together in peace and unity to learn more about each other and one another’s faith traditions. Several have since become good friends. Persecution experienced in both traditions is what bonded them from the start. They meet in each other’s homes and break bread together forming more personal relationships in hope that their being open to these relationships will be an example to their children and that this unity and peace will expand and grow in the generations to come! There are now five chapters in the greater Sacramento Area. They graciously answered our questions and we had a lovely visit with them!
Brian and I had a great time and were very much blessed by the opportunity. A little sore, but blessed haha! We will definitely sign up again! Thank you for making this ministry possible Dancy, all of the volunteers, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church!
