June News
Hello Invested Faith Friends!
The hot, slow days of summer have arrived; but Invested Faith and our Fellows are still finding ways to build justice-making work around the country. This month, the Invested Faith team visited Fellow Chelsea Spryres of the Wilmington Kitchen Collective in Wilmington, DE. You’ll want to read about the innovative mission of the WKC as they convert unused church kitchen space into bustling hubs for food industry entrepreneurs.
And the work of Invested Faith goes on as well, thanks to churches and individuals who have chosen to become a part of Invested Faith. Our work supports Invested Faith Fellows across the country, not only through Invested Faith grants but also through our peer support RESOURCED program and a new cohort program that will begin in the fall.
If you’re inspired by the work of our Fellows, one of the best ways you can support Invested Faith is through sharing our newsletter. We love being connected to others who share our dream of healing the world!
With God’s peace,
What’s cooking in Wilmington, Delaware?
Rev. Chelsea Spyres, Pastor of Riverfront Ministries and Executive Director of the Wilmington Kitchen Collective
In early June, the Invested Faith team along with Good Faith Media visited Fellow Chelsea Spyres and the Wilmington Kitchen Collective in Wilmington, Delaware. The WKC serves food industry entrepreneurs from marginalized local communities by offering commercial kitchen space found in churches. It's a win-win for the church and the entrepreneurs.
The Collective now offers kitchen space in 3 churches with a fourth opening soon; and yet still has a long waiting list of entrepreneurs. Along with kitchen space, the WKC also offers these start-up entrepreneurs business mentoring and assistance in navigating the licensure and certification requirements. Read more about the work of the WKC here.
Meet an Invested Faith Supporter
Rev. Matt Rhodes, Lynchburg, VA
Rev. Matt Rhodes
Lynchburg, VA
If you had to only watch one television show for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Moonlighting.
What's at the top of your bucket list?
I'd love to travel to Armenia and spend several weeks visiting and studying the architecture and history of the many ancient monasteries found there.
What inspired you to give to Invested Faith? I've always been drawn to resurrection moments, both those found in scripture and those surprising ones revealed in the world around me. As I see it, Invested Faith is at the core of its mission an organization that facilitates resurrection moments. Early on, for instance, I was struck by the story of Invested Faith fellow Tiffany Terrell, her Better Way Grocers program, and the invaluable support she's able to provide for the food insecure in southwest Georgia. She has brought new hope - new life - to her neighbors, ongoing resurrection moments made possible through the support of Invested Faith. That's why I so enthusiastically give.
Help us to spread the word
Please share our newsletter! We would love to be connected with others who share our vision. If you know someone who might meet the Invested Faith Criteria as a faith-rooted social entrepreneur building a business that addresses a system of injustice, please introduce us. And if you know of an individual, church or other faith organization who would be interested in our work, please let them know about Invested Faith. You're welcome to forward this newsletter along!
