Dear Church Family,

You often hear us talk about the need to be missionally minded and to look outside ourselves to extend care for those that are marginalized in our world.  You have probably gotten the sense that this is an important value to our community and to the vision of our church in encouraging men, women & children to do their part in caring for the poor in our communities.  Often times when we talk about this idea of missions or the need 'to go' our minds go to a default image of packing bags and heading to areas outside of our respective neighborhoods, cities, country and homes. We think of places like Africa or South East Asia or some place else.  And this is not to say, that God is not calling us to those places, because He is.  However, to tip the balancing scale just a bit in the other direction, we also need to recognize that we don't have to go far to be missional-- there is a mission right here where we live.  Folks, there is a mission right here in Seattle! 

Every year the Seattle King County Coalition for the homeless in conjunction with other organizations and volunteers conduct a one night count of the homeless.  This years one night count tallied over 8,000 men, women and children, of that 2,827 people made up the unsheltered homeless demographic.  That means that 2,827 people were sleeping on benches, under bridges, alleys, doorways, cars, etc.  The unsheltered sleep in exposed areas of our city where they are susceptible to the weather conditions, violence and other vulnerabilities.  This reminds us that the mission in our city is to coming alongside the most vulnerable of our city-- this 8,000+ men, women and children. 

That said, we need to have an understanding of who is homeless, why they are homeless, what the barriers of homelessness are & how we are called to engage.  Here are a few stats:

* 12 million people are homeless in the US. 
* 44% of homeless did some form of paid labor in the last month.
* 8% of homeless are panhandlers.
* 40% of the homeless are in families.

Let's face it, we all come into our call to the homeless with personal biases, myths and stereotypes.  That is why we are hosting a depth class entitled, 'Why the Homeless' on March 16th @ 7:00pm @ Quest sanctuary where we can have a fuller understanding of definitions & issues and in hope of deepening our compassion and care.  Joining us with men & women who have been on the front lines of this important work.  The panelists include: Tim Harris (Director of Real Change), Rick Reynolds (Director of Operation Nightwatch), and more. 

If you are interested, please register online here. Hope to see you there!

P a s t o r  D e A n z a  S p a u l d i n g  |  Justice & Compassion Pastor  |  deanza@seattlequest.org

THIS WEEK AT QUEST | NEW EVENTS | COMMUNITY NEWS

• COMMUNITY GROUPS. Community Groups meet throughout the week throughout the greater Seattle area. C-groups are a vital part of the depth and authenticity of the Quest community. For a full list of c-groups and to sign up for a c-group, visit the c-groups homepage. If you have any questions or would like help finding the right c-group for you, contact jason@seattlequest.org.

• LIVE MUSIC @ THE Q. Friday - Justin Klump, Casey Frazier, Lower Lights Burning, Daniel Adams. Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. All ages - $7. Coming soon to the Q: Questers Showcase featuring Jessica Hong (AM Worship Leader), Matt Chism (PM Worship Leader), Erik Halverson (5pm Worship Team) and Miles Thomas (5pm Worship Team). Friday, March 27th. Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. All ages - $6. For more information or to volunteer during future live music shows, contact melissa@qcafe.org.

• OPEN MIC. Tuesday nights from 6:30-9pm at the Q Café, hosted by Victory Music. For more info, visit their website: www.victorymusic.org.

• REVISIONING VOCATION. If you're one of the many in our community who has recently been laid off, as a church family we are committed to caring for you in this difficult and unsure time. Join J.P. Kang for this weekly support group for the economically displaced, Sundays at 3pm at the Q Café. For more information and to RSVP, contact office@seattlequest.org.

• LEARNING TO LAMENT DEPTH CLASS. We all experience grief and loss. The apostle Paul exhorts us to "weep with those who weep" (Ro. 12:15). How do we do that? How do we lament and grieve for others and ourselves? The psalmist invites us to learn that "weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Join Pastor Ray as together, we learn to lament. Monday, March 23rd at 7pm at the Q Café. For more information and to RSVP, contact jason@seattlequest.org.

• CONVERGENCE: GLOBAL PRESENCE. Join us Saturday, March 28th from 9am-1:30pm for a workshop on the theology and practice of Global Presence at Quest Church. Come to learn why the church and individuals are called to global partnership, what that looks like at Quest and how you can be involved. Event includes coffee, lunch, and snacks. For more info and to register, click here.

• CALL & RESPONSE. Quest Church and Q Cafe will be co-hosting a screening of the landmark advocacy film Call & Response, an eye-opening look into human trafficking in our world. Call: Film screening will take place at Quest Church from 7-8:30pm. Response: Advocacy fair to follow with representatives of Call and Response, HEAL Africa, World Concern, and other trafficking organizations. Come to hear more, and to get directly connected with what's going on in our neighborhood and in our world. Tickets are $5. Click here to register.
  

• RAISING KIDS OF FAITH - A QUEST LIFECOURSE. All kids are made in the image of God and therefore are spiritual beings. Children are rewards from God. How can we understand them with God's view and how should we raise them in this dangerous world?  Join other Quest parents as we discuss ways to nurture our children's faith, and learn how to instruct and shepherd our children in the home, church, school and the world. Saturday, April 4th from 9am-12:30pm; lunch and childcare will be provided. For more information and to register, click here. If you have questions, contact katey@seattlequest.org.

• BAPTISM. We'll be offering the sacrament of baptism on Sunday, April 26th. For more information and to sign up, contact office@seattlequest.org.

• YOUTH MINISTRY DIRECTOR. Quest is currently accepting résumés for the Youth Ministry Director position. A full job description is available here. Please submit your cover letter and résumé as well as any questions you may have to office@seattlequest.org.

FUTURE QUEST CALENDAR