ANTIOCH, Tenn. - For four weekends, volunteers have been meeting at Edison Park in the early morning for prayer and safety training followed by hours of hard work. When we visited the site, volunteers said it’s down to the finishing touches. The area-wide Unity Build kicked off September 8 and September 15 with more than thirty area faith groups coming together to build six of the nine homes in the community.

The Unity Build will be dedicated on Sunday, October 7 at 2:00 pm, and all are welcome to celebrate the outpouring of faith and goodwill.

“This is a great show of solidarity from Nashville’s faith community to demonstrate what faith is about — helping one another in light of what we all have in common. It says a lot about the kind of heart and soul that exists in Nashville and how special this build is to exemplify the best of what true faith means in action,” says Danny Herron, President and CEO of Habitat of Greater Nashville.

West End UMC Nashville member Marc Rowland expresses his feelings as he puts the finishing touches on a new home for someone in need: “It’s like when Jesus fed the crowd with a little bread and fish. Habitat gives opportunities for people to change their lives.” Marc has worked on a total of five homes through Habitat for Humanity and says he has no intention of slowing down.

Dawn Dale from Andrew Price UMC is building with Habitat for Humanity for the first time. “I live in an apartment,” Dawn says as she installs a doorstop. “So this is a great way to get my hands dirty and give back to the community.”

Marc and Dawn are a part of the United Methodist Build for Habitat Partner Family DeWaun Quarles, a single mother of three who has moved her family four times in the past four years, and who currently resides in a two bedroom townhome with her sister. DeWaun describes the long process of home-ownership classes and helping to build others’ houses as a blessing. When asked what this house means to her, she simply says, “Stability.” DeWaun would like all of the volunteers on the Unity Build to know, “Thank you doesn’t sound strong enough, but thank you all.”

Organizations in the United Methodist Build include:
West End UMC; Hermitage UMC; East End UMC; Gordon Memorial UMC; Calvary UMC; Belmont UMC; Antioch UMC; Forest Hills UMC; Nashville Korean UMC; Andrew Price Memorial UMC; Belle Meade UMC; Hamilton UMC;  and Crievewood UMC.

For Barb Stackhouse, from Forest Hills UMC, Habitat for Humanity is a way of life. Her husband is a contractor who partnered with Habitat in Indiana. “It’s a great sense of community,” Barb added. “Habitat is a big part of our lives, and it’s a great way to help others.”

Habitat for Humanity's Unity Build brings together the diverse religious community of Tennessee. “The Islamic Center of Tennessee (ICT) is pleased to join hands with people of other faiths in the Habitat Unity Build project. We see this as a unique opportunity to build bridges of understanding and establish partnerships for the purpose of serving others. The ICT understands that Islam is not simply a faith of confession, but a faith that strives for the betterment of the individual, as well as the society at large,” said Kamel Daouk, a spokesperson for ICT.

Organizations in the Unity Build include:
Bellevue Presbyterian Church; Calvary UMC; East End UMC; First Unitarian Universalist Church; Hillcrest UMC; Hillsboro Presbyterian Church; Hindu Cultural Center; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; Islamic Center of Nashville; Islamic Center of Tennessee; Monroe Street/Jordonia United Methodist Churches and Church Women United; Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church; Second Presbyterian Church; Sertoma Club of Nashville; South End UMC; The Temple Ohabai Sholom; Trinity Presbyterian Church; Unity Church of Nashville; West End Synagogue; Woodbine UMC; Woodmont Hills Family of God.

> For directions to Edison Park, CLICK HERE.

About Habitat for Humanity  |  Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville is an ecumenical Christian ministry that provides the life-changing opportunity for people to purchase and own quality, affordable homes. Prior to becoming homeowners, Habitat partner families attend home education classes, work at the build site, and volunteer at Habitat’s retail outlet, the ReStore. Since it was established in 1985, Habitat of Greater Nashville has built or recycled more than 700 homes, over 500 locally, and served more than 1,700 families including 1,125 children. To request an application or to receive more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, call 615.254.HOME (4663) or visit www.habitatnashville.org. For information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity go to www.hud.gov/offices/fheo or contact the local HUD office.

> A.N.O.W.: Advocacy, Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns

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