November brought double blessings for Lakewood's Phoenix Project, a new church development of the Western Reserve Presbytery.  First, the church, started by Reverend Meredith White-Zeager in 2007, secured a lease at 13351 Madison Avenue where it had been holding Sunday services during the summer and fall.  Second, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has approved a grant to provide funding for the Phoenix Project over the next seven years.      

For those of you unfamiliar with the Phoenix Project, it is a progressive Christian church and outreach organization whose members have made contributions to the homeless, LGBT, senior and mental health communities in the past year and a half.  Rev. White-Zeager is thrilled about the growth of this community and believes these efforts represent just a few ways that the Phoenix Project lives out its mission to participate in what God is already doing in the world.     

Sunday worship is held at the Madison storefront, as are alternating church meetings and meditation/prayer sessions on Thursday nights.  Monday is Theology Pub night at Sullivan's in Madison Village; Bible Study is on Saturday mornings at Gypsy Bean at Detroit and W. 65th.      

And there's more to come, with free community workshops on subjects as varied as finances and creativity, movie nights, and plans for the storefront to become a spiritual drop-in center, resource library, and computer lab.       

For more information, please call Rev. White-Zeager at 906-3026, or e-mail at phoenixncd@gmail.com.