Gifts don’t grow alone—they grow in community!
L’Arche was founded with Christian roots, and today, L’Arche NC is a nonfaith organization that welcomes people of all backgrounds. We partner with a wide range of religious and social organizations, which helps us live out our vision of being an inclusive community of communities. At L’Arche NC, we recognize that people of every belief system and tradition seek meaning, purpose, and belonging—and we strive to create a space where everyone feels at home.
Last Sunday, friends of L’Arche North Carolina joined Edenton Street UMC for worship. It was a beautiful Spring morning to share in community together. I had the honor of sharing a sermon; it was my first time doing so since L’Arche NC welcomed our Core Members and Assistants to move into the house. The lectionary text for the Sunday was Luke 13:1-9, the parable of the barren fig tree.
I’ve copied my sermon below; or, you can watch the YouTube clip, which also includes our L’Arche friends reading some of the prayers (beginning at 20:00), scripture, and assisting with communion.
Loving God, thank You for the gift of community – help us to receive Your Word today with open hearts and to grow in love for one another. Amen.
- The Fig Tree: Waiting to Be Seen
Beloved friends of L’Arche North Carolina, members of Edenton Street, and guests,
Today, we reflect on Jesus’ parable of the barren fig tree from Luke 13:1–9.
A landowner comes to a fig tree in his vineyard and finds no fruit for the third year in a row. He’s ready to cut it down—ready to write it off. But the gardener steps in with a plea: “Leave it alone for one more year. I’ll dig around it. I’ll fertilize it. Let me care for it, and then we’ll see.”
This parable is about more than a tree. It’s about how we respond to one another when we don’t immediately see results, productivity, or success. It’s a story of grace—and a call to faithful, patient, relational care.
Because the truth is: Gifts don’t grow alone—they grow in community.
At first glance, the fig tree looks like a disappointment. No fruit, no value—just taking up space. In a world that often measures people by their output, the landowner’s response feels familiar: If it’s not useful, remove it.
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Meet our Disability Justice Conversation Panelists
Join us on April 7th at 6:30pm EST for a panel discussion on Disability Justice. Register in advance here.
Mr. Rogers’ Birthday Celebration with CUCC
On Saturday, March 26th, we gathered with friends, new and familiar, to make puppets, sing songs, reflect on the lessons of Mr. Rogers, and put on some improv puppet shows. This morning spent with Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh was filled with laughter, creativity, and good spirits.
Opportunities are Blooming!
Opportunities are blooming at L'Arche NC, and we are ready for spring! February was filled with so many new opportunities for friendship! At the beginning of the month, L'Arche NC friends gathered for a "Crafternoon" where we painted jars with thumbprint hearts and made friendship booklets. We had many new friends join us for this gathering. After the event, one parent shared with us that for an hour after the Zoom call their daughter continued to say on her communication device "painting with friends, painting with friends!" We are so grateful to be able to provide these opportunities to connect. In February we also joined with L'Arche Atlanta for our monthly prayer service, "Y'All Belong Here". We have been gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:00pm EST for this event since May 2021! It has been a real blessing to create this recurring sacred space of friends where we often see familiar faces and greet new friends. Last month, as we watched our community members encourage each other and pray for one another, the sense of belonging was visible! We hope you'll join us in read more
Cultivating Inclusive Community
Last year, our Board of Directors created a special task force to review our Mission Statement. Our goal was to evaluate our purpose and intentions. The outcome of this task force was an updated mission statement: L’Arche North Carolina cultivates inclusive communities where people across the spectrum of intellectual and developmental disability identities live and flourish together. For us, this is more than a just a statement to add on our website or business cards. It is a driving force behind everything we do. We have some really big goals for this year, including establishing the first L'Arche community in North Carolina. We can't wait to have a physical space in the Triangle where we can gather together. At the same time, we recognize that each month, we are are creating an inclusive community of friends and neighbors across the Triangle (and beyond) through accessible events and programs. Our hearts are full knowing that we don't have to wait for a physical space in order for L'Arche North Carolina to have a community! As we look to another month of "Zooming" from each of our own homes or read more
Sailing through 2021
Did you miss the end-of-year update we sent in the mail this month? That must mean we don't have your updated address. Please email info@larchenc.org to be added to our mailing list. It's been a great year and we could not have done it without YOU. Thanks for your prayers, presence, and support.
Our Hope for 2022: Creating Belonging
When our friend John calls the L'Arche North Carolina office, he doesn't just say "hello." He calls with purpose and gets right to business. John asks, "so, what programs do you have coming up? Anything I can join?" We share the list of upcoming events, and he confidently responds, "I have more ideas! How about a trivia event or a talent show?" John is an amazing individual with autism. His ideas are big, and his enthusiasm is tangible. We take his suggestions seriously and welcome his calls as part of our workday; we want to craft events that EVERYONE in our community, including John, will enjoy and find meaningful. These gatherings serve a much greater purpose than simply offering fun activities for people to do. We plan and host such events to create opportunities for friendship, where every person is included and celebrated for their unique gifts. L’Arche North Carolina is on a mission to create communities of belonging for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We seek to foster the flourishing of individuals within a community setting. While we currently gather together for events read more
Thank YOU for supporting L’Arche NC this Giving Season!
We are so grateful for your outpouring of support this Giving Tuesday: you helped raise over $20,000 for L'Arche North Carolina! Your generous gifts move us closer to establishing the first L'Arche home in North Carolina. Your investment in our community for adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities supports programs and events that help create inclusion and nurture belonging! Thank you! There are many ways you can continue to support L'Arche NC, beyond financial gifts. This holiday season, give the gift of your presence at our events, or reach out to info@larchenc.org if you have a talent or skill that you would like contribute to our emerging community! Want to donate but missed Giving Tuesday? It's not too late! click HERE. Give a gift that keeps on giving! This holiday season give the gift of hope. Donate to L'Arche NC in honor of a friend or family member. They will receive a handwritten card from L'Arche NC letting them know a special gift was given in their name to help create a more inclusive world. Email Laurasl@Larchenc.org for more information.
Our First Hybrid Event
On Friday, October 29, we gathered for our first hybrid event. After many months of waiting to be together in person, we finally did it! It was wonderful to see people, both new friends and old buddies, in real life. This gathering was really an idea that blossomed from St. Francis of Assisi Church in Raleigh. They were having a staff service day and asked if it was possible to partner with L'Arche NC. With this invitation, we decided to host a gathering not only for some of their staff and L'Arche friends but for the whole community. The morning was really two "events" in one. We started with painting pumpkins. For this activity, we joined a Zoom with L'Arche Jacksonville in Florida. L'Arche Jax gave us a quick tour of their beautiful Rainbow Room Workshop. Seeing this large building with so many different rooms, activities, and crafts was inspiring! What if L'Arche NC one day had such a space to welcome so many friends, volunteers, and community members? We had fun getting to meet some of the Core Members from this community, too. After the pumpkins, we read more
