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Recovery Ministry |
Recovery Ministry
Archwood Serenity House: A Three Quarter House for Women
We are currently receiving applications for women in transition: who are at least six months sober, have secured employment, and wish to live in a mutually-supportive environment for up to two years. Our beautiful, five bedroom house includes private rooms and shared living space. All utilities are included for a monthly rent of $300. For more information, please call the church office at 216-351-1060.
Archwood UCC has a special calling to ministry with persons in recovery from drugs and alcohol or other addictions. It started about 12 years ago with a few people voicing their own struggles during the prayers of the people. Soon after we decided we had to have an AA group at the church, so members organized a Saturday night group. We now have AA groups six nights a week (three nights in English, three nights in Spanish), plus Alanon, Alateen and OA – Overeaters Anonymous.
It’s not just about hosting groups in our building, however. For the past ten years, every Sunday in worship, the whole congregation prays what we call “The Prayer with Persons in Recovery.” It mirrors the Lord’s Prayer but includes the words: “Give us this day our daily abstinence. And forgive us our relapses, as we forgive ourselves one day at a time.” Whether we are personally affected, as one community of brothers and sisters, we share this struggle and God’s grace together. Given that the UCC’s own Reinhold Niebuhr inspired the Serenity Prayer, our contemporary calling has historic roots.
A few years ago we were discerning what to do with our parsonage adjacent to the church. Instead of renting it to a single family, we decided to turn it into a three-quarter house – a home for people who are working their recovery program and are now at least six months sober/clean, have found a job and are moving closer to independence, yet would still benefit from a semi-structured, mutually-supportive living environment. In addition to painting and repairs, we had a coffee hour in the house for members to tour and see what various rooms needed to provide hospitality. We have a wonderful and dedicated group of church members available to support the residents, up to four at a time, in their recovery and provide for the needs of Archwood Serenity House: A Three Quarter House for Women. We housed men for a few years but switched genders last year to meet a need less often met.
It all started with a few prayer requests. We’re blessed that God is answering them through us.