Ekklesia to Hold Fundraiser for Charity: Water

On Feb. 24^th, 2012, Ekklesia, a newly established church, will sponsor its first charity event at Christ the King Community Church located at 4173 Meridian St.

The event will raise money for “charity: water,” a non-profit organization that raises money to build wells in developing nations.  For 90 days, Ekklesia will try to raise $5,000, enough to build one well for a developing nation.  R.J. Bennett is one of the event coordinators for the fundraiser at Ekklesia and said that the event will help take the message of hope and give it an outward focus.

“It is a chance to have an impact on the community, locally and globally,” he said.

Merchandise will be available for purchase during the three months the campaign is running and half of all proceeds will go to the fund.  In addition, they will be starting a “Drinks for Drinks” drive by asking those who attend to donate the money they would typically spend on drinks such as coffee, tea, or alcohol and donate it to the “charity: water” fund.  Bennett said that he is excited to see the impact it will have.

“We’re a few months in and we’re really defining who we are,” he said.

Every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m., Ekklesia holds a night of worship at The Majestic, a building on the corner of Forest Street and Maple Street, which they rent on a monthly basis. 

“We are widely open to any race, gender, religion,” said lead Pastor Brian MacSwan.

MacSwan has been the lead pastor since the start of Ekklesia in October 2011.  Before then, Ekklesia operated out of the basement of some of its founding members.  Rebekah Smith, one of the early basement attendees, who now finds herself in an administrative role with Ekklesia, has seen the process grow from the early days in her friend’s basement.

“Ekklesia . . . formed out of several young adult gatherings that were happening throughout Bellingham over the past couple of years. There was cross over occurring by those that attended these gathering, so the decision was ultimately made by the leaders of these groups to join together to create a collective young adult gathering, calibrating these leaders together,” she said in an email.

MacSwan described the experience as a community of multiple communities forming together for a common cause.  He tied this notion with the definition of Ekklesia, a biblical word synonymous with church and the gathering for people around a cause.  Greek in origin, Ekklesia can also be translated as “The Called Out Ones.”  Smith related her relationship with Ekklesia in this way.

“Being a part of Ekklesia means that I am being called out from a normal, average existence to a greater purpose,” she said.  “There were people that were craving community so we created it [on] our own.”

Smith said that since joining Ekklesia she has found a deeper sense of belonging in the community.  She feels “charity: water” is one of the ways for achieving the sense of greater purpose in the community.

“Charity: water” was started in 2006 by founder Scott Harrison after he travelled to Liberia as a volunteer for Mercy Ships, a humanitarian group offering free medical care to nations in need.  “Charity: water” has currently completed 6,185 projects affecting just over 2.5 million people according to their progress numbers, which are updated quarterly. 

“We are working on some exciting upcoming events to accompany our [charity: water] Campaign,” Smith said. “Most likely a charity event concert highlighting a local Bellingham band that would like to partner with us behind this cause.”

The move to The Majestic from the basement where Ekklesia originated was prompted by its proximity says Smith. 

“We knew that we needed to meet at a location convenient to the people that attend. We rent out the space at The Majestic because it is perfectly positioned as a convenient location,” she said.

Yet, after six months, Ekklesia has grown to the point where The Majestic may not be able to hold many more members.  According to MacSwan, they routinely average 280 to 300 attendees a week.  This is drawing near the carrying capacity of 450 people.

“Six months ago, I had no idea what this would be,” said MacSwan.

Smith acknowledged that they might one day outgrow The Majestic, but wishes to remain near downtown because of its proximity to two main community hubs, downtown Bellingham and Western Washington University.

Many of those that attend Ekklesia are in the young adult demographic said MacSwan. 

College students Stevie Ekklecamp and Jackie Striggow view Ekklesia as a place for the younger generation.

“It’s a place for college students,” said Striggow.  “They feel more comfortable [here].”

Ekklecamp said that it is a good place to make Jesus known throughout Bellingham.    

Restaurant Adds Flavor to Samish Urban Village

BELLINGHAM -- Nestled in the convergence of Samish Way and I-5, newly opened Mexican restaurant El Albañil is ready and open for business, adding another family owned restaurant on Samish Way.

El Albañil replaces an IHOP that had previously occupied the building on Byron Street until its closure in December of 2010. 

Last Monday, January 16th, Owner Rafael Alvarado held a grand opening to kick off what he hopes will be a successful business.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature’s frosty greeting stalled the celebration.

            “Not many people want to go out on days like this,” said Alvarado in reference to the snow accumulation.  “It was very bad.”

As the snow melted away, so did Alvarado’s worries about slow business.  He is confident that within the next week, customer traffic will increase.    

            “I opened without a liquor license and I lost a few customers because of that,” said Alvarado, who indicated that his license should be arriving within the next week, bringing with it plenty of new patrons.

Alvarado needs only to look at his restaurant’s name to remind him that times will get better.  The literal translation of “El Albañil” is “the brick layer.”  The significance to the name stems from Alvarado’s humble beginning as a farmer in Guadalajara, Mexico.

            “I’m going layer by layer,” he said.  “I’m still trying to succeed, to grow a little bit, step by step like a brick layer laying on brick one at a time, looking to build a foundation.” 

He operates El Albañil with his wife Rosario and employs his son as a server.  He hopes that El Albañil takes on a family atmosphere.

            “We try to be friendly with the people and adjust to the customers,” he said. “We do our best to give [the customers] good service and a nice smile,” he said, flashing a huge grin in the process.

Restaurant goers Marvin Riggs and his girlfriend Anneke Palmerton stopped by El Albañil for the first time since its opening and were impressed by feel of the restaurant.

            “They’ve seemed very sweet coming up and saying ‘Hi,” said Palmerton.  “I’m very impressed with the kids menu,” she added.

Riggs works as a membership sales representative for the Chamber of Commerce and sees El Albañil as a great addition to a rebuilding area.

            “We support the local economy,” he said.

His girlfriend shares the sentiment.

            “I like to support the local and family restaurants,” she said.  She is excited but is skeptical of how the restaurant will do.

            “It has a lot of potential, but there is a lot of drug use on the other side of the street,” she said.  “They need to clean up the hotel scene.”

The area that she is referring to is the commercial strip on Samish Way just north of El Albañil where motels line the street for blocks.

By moving in, El Albañil becomes part of a transition started in 2009 that called for the development of the Samish Urban Village.  The Sehome Neighborhood Association submitted the Samish Way Urban Village Subarea Plan in an effort to revitalize the area.  The plan, approved by the City of Bellingham, looks to “create a vibrant mixed-use urban village that will enhance a sense of community by supporting the neighborhood’s walkability / bikeability and sustainability of local businesses.” 

Not all were happy to see the IHOP leave.  For students, the IHOP was a steady presence on at the base of Bill McDonald parkway and always guaranteed a late night meal.

            “It was one of the only places open at 2a.m.,” noted Western Junior Steve Graf.

He dined at the IHOP a few times late at night, but noted that that atmosphere wasn’t exactly the friendliest.

            “It was kind of sketchy . . . there were a lot of drunk people coming in,” he said.

Riggs himself was saddened by the departure of the IHOP.  A regular, he said that it was a “sad moment for Bellingham” when the pancake giant closed its doors in Sehome. 

Alvarado, however, has a plan up his sleeve for attracting the students looking to fill in the void left by IHOP.  His specialty is his enchilada sauce, a concoction of his own making and one he claims is different than everybody else. 

            “I have a secret ingredient,” he said with a sly look.  “I’ve tried [other enchilada sauce] and it’s not the same as mine.”

Once he gets his liquor license, Alvarado has a treat for the over 21 crowd as well; a margarita that he says is “the best money can buy.”

El Albañil is located at 3619 Byron St., Bellingham, Wa, 98665