A Step Towards “Practicing Resurrection”, by Shane Claiborne
Over the past 10 years, The Simple Way Community has been trying to reclaim abandoned spaces and trash-strewn lots here in our neighborhood. There are two lots on the 3200 block here on Potter Street that have formerly been scars on our community as they accumulate trash, dead animals, needles from heroin use, broken glass… Just all around bad stuff. The Redevelopment Authority has agreed to donate the lots for $1 each to us (can’t beat the price), so we are excited to begin “practicing resurrection” here. Folks here on Potter Street are excited to begin gardening with neighbors and friends, and we now have a financial gift that makes it possible to pay one of the young men in the neighborhood a living wage for gardening.
We’ve decided that one of the most important initial steps is to create a gate on both sides of the lots and both ends of our alley, a notorious location for crime, prostitution, and drug abuse. However, we loathe the ugly window bars, fences, and razor wire that reinforce feelings of fear and captivity, and we want to create a gate on the gardens that reflects hope, beauty and imagination while also serving the pragmatic purpose of keeping out animals, and folks who would not serve the space well.
We are excited to propose a vision for the project here, and would be delighted if you are able to help create this as a gift to our neighborhood. We are also excited to make keys to the garden readily available to all our neighbors and friends who wish to help life pierce through the concrete world here on Potter Street.
Shane Claiborne is co-founder of The Simple Way, a community based organization in Philadelphia, PA. He’s author of “The Irresistible Revolution“, co-director of the Another World is Possible DVD series, co-author of “Jesus For President” and makes excellent no-bake cookies.
