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(206) 325-6151
Service
The Seattle MVS unit was established
in 1968. The "MVS Vision Statement" of Seattle Mennonite
Church, which grew out of the unit, states that it
"seeks to provide participants in the [MVS] program
with an opportunity to serve others in a ministry
modeled by Jesus Christ, emphasizing social change,
justice, peace, protection of the environment, and
hope." The organizations with which Seattle MVSers
work are generally environmental or human service
agencies that serve low income or marginalized individuals
and families. Some volunteers work with homeless children,
the elderly, or with low or no income persons. Others
are placed in positions dealing with environmental
concerns, home construction and renovation, or the Ten
Thousand Villages self-help crafts store. Currently,
more than 25 possible placement agencies for MVS workers
exist in the Seattle-Puget Sound area.
Location
Contrary to rumor, Seattle has only
36 inches of rainfall a year, less than New York or
Atlanta. And it seldom pours! Passing showers or mist
are the usual order of the day, thereby insuring that
the city remains green, and explaining the nickname
"The Emerald City." Close to a million people live
in Seattle, with 2.7 million in the Puget Sound region.
Seattle is predominantly Anglo, but also embraces
significant Asian, Native American and African-American
populations.
Seattle is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and
the Cascade Mountains, well-situated for outdoor recreation
such as hiking, biking and skiing. On a clear day,
you can see from the Olympics to the Cascades, north
to Mt. Baker on the Canadian border and south past
towering Mt. Rainier, towards the volcanic cone of
Mt. St. Helens. Boeing, Microsoft, Nordstroms and
Starbucks are all based in Seattle. If you don't have
a taste for espresso, teriyaki or alternative rock,
you might well develop one here. Those who like professional
sports will find the Seattle
Mariners (baseball), Seahawks
(football), SuperSonics
(basketball), Thunderbirds
(hockey), Seattle Storm (basketball) and Sounders (soccer) here.
Unit
The unit house is
an aging, 8-bedroom house that has some blackberry
bushes and a small garden in the yard. It is located
in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, just above the downtown
core. The neighborhood is fairly diverse, with a mix
of Anglo, African-American and a smattering of other
racial and cultural groups, including a large gay
and lesbian community. Near the unit house is a mixed
commercial-residential corridor that includes an eclectic
mix of students and street urchins. The Seattle unit
has no household vehicle but there is an extensive and easily accesible
bus system.
A support committee made up of members of Seattle
and Evergreen Mennonite Churches and a local program
coordinator (LPC) meet regularly with MVSers to help
nurture and manage the unit.
Church
The unit is supported
by two congregations--Seattle
Mennonite Church and Evergreen
Mennonite Church. Seattle Mennonite Church, a
congregation of about 125, is the primary sponsor.
It owns the unit house and property. Many former MVSers
form the core of the church membership.
Seattle MVSers may choose to visit or worship with
other neighborhood congregations, but are expected
to attend a local Mennonite church at least twice a
month (in addition to Seattle Mennonite and Evergreen,
there is also Trinity Taiwanese Mennonite Church a
small East African Mennonite congregation in the city).
The churches invite MVSers to participate as fully
as possible and join them in everything from basketball
or soccer to choir, music, leading worship or mentoring
youth. Church retreats, from skiing at winter camps
to bike and kayak getaways on the San
Juan Islands, are often highlights of an MVS term.
Points of interest
Favorite Seattle unit activities include hiking, trips
to the world famous Pike
Place Market and Skagit
Valley Tulip Festival and, of course, going out
for espresso and/or ice cream. The plethora of parks,
bike trails, beaches and funky neighborhoods help
keep folks active. The state of Washington has the
largest ferry fleet in the world--an excellent, cheap
ride is to go see the sunset or moonrise over the
city. Bicycles are a great way to get around Seattle,
although urban cycling in a city of hills takes some
getting used to.
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