McLaren video, fundraising update, December gathering
The video of the November gathering with Brian McLaren is ready. We had a truly wonderful night. It was a night of hope and despair, a night of anger and of gratitude, a night of tears and laughter. I am grateful for the courage and honesty of Brian McLaren. Our next gathering is December 5, 7pm, Brew Merchant, Holland, MI
It is fundraising season. Still Processing is a 501c3. You can find us in the IRS database on nonprofits by using our EIN number: 883828337. Our recurring costs are about $3000/month. When we have a guest like Brian McLaren or Kristin Du Mez, their fees are typically $3000-6000, which have learned is on the low end for public intellectuals of their stature. We have contacted similar writers/speakers, many of whom charge $10,000-20,000.
Two donors who have pledged $5000 each, so $10,000 total, to Still Processing. However, these were given as matching gifts. Since receiving these pledges, we have raised just over $4300 from a bunch of supporters! We are well on our way! Please help us get to $10,000 by giving whatever you can. You can give online here. Or, you can send a check to the following address: 3800 Elm Ridge Drive, Holland, MI 49424
Kate Kooyman is our next guest. Kate is the District Director for Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Senator Brinks is the first woman to hold this position in the Michigan Senate. She has worked for the senator since 2021. Previously, Kate worked at the Christian Reformed Church’s Office of Social Justice, where she was focusing on immigration policy and education. Kate has written numerous honest and moving articles for the Reformed Journal. You can find her posts here. She’s a powerful writer and thinker. Kate also spent three years working for in Hope College’s campus ministries from 2010-2013. Kate has a BA in English from Calvin College and an MDiv from Western Theological Seminary.
Kate and I have been listening to and reading analysis on the presidential election. It’s painful stuff because there really is a lot on the line. I am reminded of this James Baldwin quote: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Kate and I will try to show you what we are facing. How do we face it with honesty, integrity, hope, courage, all the good stuff? There is so much uncertainty. We are trying to be clear-eyed in the face of it. It is not easy. Nonetheless, we will do their best to bring some clarity, and some levity. We cannot abandon joy. We hope you will join us for this conversation: “Preparing for what is coming,” with Kate Kooyman, December 5, 7pm, Brew Merchant, Holland, MI