Goodness Weekly 12.02.2024

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”
-Henry David Thoreau

What’s Good

Camelot Christmas is this Friday!

We have 107 children signed up & still need approximately 62 gifts ($3200) so that each child receives two special gifts at Christmas. If you are able to donate any amount helps! Our staff will use the funds to purchase the remaining toys so that they are here in time for the event.

Let us know if you’d like to volunteer by completing this form:

CAMELOT CHRISTMAS SIGN UP

Three

Jess Lowry, Executive Director, Sunset Ridge Collective

Three years.

In the whole picture of life it’s a very small amount of time. But here at the Collective, it is in fact, a lifetime. Last week, we celebrated three years since what we now call the Collective officially came into being. A handful of us felt called to this mission—to work for the flourishing of one another and this neighborhood. We had some ideas about how it might happen, but so much more has unfolded through the dreams and contributions of every person who has joined this community.

We started with a vision and a loose plan, but what has emerged is beyond anything we could have imagined. It hasn’t always been easy—there have been fumbles, failures, and lessons learned the hard way. Yet, every misstep has led to growth, and isn’t that what life is all about?

My very favorite thing about this work is the way that each person brings their unique perspective and gift to the table and something new is born through that connection. When I reflect on the past three years I see a dreamy web of connectivity.

A neighbor, Katie Best-Richmond, who dreamed of starting a coffee trailer in our parking lot, connected us to Coral Studio, the landscape architect who designed Charis Park. That connection led us to Scott Adams, who envisioned a pizza trailer. Our friend Clay introduced us to Ms. Linda, whose dream of a neighborhood nature school took root here. A parent from Sprouts School shared a vision for a Regenerative Farmers Market. Neighbor Kim Turner imagined a wellness space where people could reconnect with their whole selves.

There are too many of these connections to name them here, from the big ones above to all of the beautiful stories that we have seen come to life—the ones you and I hold in our hearts. These stories are what have kept us going on the days that we wanted to give up, because they have reoriented us to the reality that it takes all of us working together and bringing our gifts and dreams to the table to make something special happen.

As I sit in our Charis Park, I hold the memories of the past three years in my heart—I see your faces and the ways that you have made this small corner of the world a better place. And I am so unbelievably grateful.

As this year comes to an end, I hope that you create some time for reflection and rest. How have you grown and changed this year? What gifts have you brought into the world around you? How have you been present? What have you learned?

Here’s to the next three years—I can’t wait to see what other dreams we’ll bring to life together.

Love, Jess

This Week

Sunset Ridge Farmers Market - Every Saturday, 9-1

Coming Up…

Second Saturday: December 14th
Betty’s Co, Women’s Mobile Health Clinic, Dec 26th, 27th, 28th
Offices Closed Dec 25th-Jan 1st

Event Rentals - Charis Park areas, indoor rooms and event spaces are available for rent for 2025. Please email rentals@sunset-ridge.org for more information on your

Community Partners: Please follow our Community Partners for updated schedules and events. One Another Coffee, NYX Wellness, Scott’s Pizza, Mission Compost, Good Acres, Betty’s Co, Community First Food Pantry, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, Sprouts School.