WHAT WE DO...

My name is Rone’e Curry and my husband is Scott Curry. Together along with several volunteers we are creating a "coffee house" style environment every Monday night at the "Red Church" (Calvary Episcopal). The unique thing about this "Coffee House" is that it is primarily for "street kidz" (technically, kids under 29 who live on the "streets of Santa Cruz", (a very approachable sub-population among the street people). One unique thing we have is a Bible discussion for 45 minutes before we actually open for coffee and a "hot meal." The Bible discussion is completely voluntary but usually well attended. We are going on our 5th year of building important relationships with these "kidz" that lead in a natural way to opportunities to talk with them about God. These kidz might never come into a church but they will follow a trusted caring friend into a non-threatening Bible disc ussion. The atmosphere is important and all of the volunteers understand that our vision is to treat these kidz with respect and not to condescend to them. This is encouraged in conversation, Bible study and how they are treated in every way while they are with us. We believe because of this attitude they are more open and generally respectful in return, and this has been our experience.

WHO WE ARE...

Scott was raised in new England and the Midwest’ for the most part, in a comfortable upper middle class environment. He was adopted and provided for but because of some lack in his upbringing both he and his brother turned to drugs and wild teenage living. He found himself in trouble with the law, in group homes and eventually, after high school, he came to California. He ended up on the streets of Santa Cruz and quickly absorbed into the "street kid" culture. This was 1982. Some Christians put a revival tent up in San Lorenzo Park and shared the Gospel night after night...Scott wandered in and was "rescued by God" after hearing the Truth about Him. Steve Gregg was teaching that night and today he is our most trusted bible teacher and main supporter as well as close friend. (Steve's website is www.thenarrowpath.com and he can be heard daily on kkmc 880 am @ 2:00pm.) These Christians took Scott in to a local "community house" and he was able to grow spiritually.

Rone’e comes from an extremely broken home that went through several divorces and her biological parents divorced before she was born. This led to many problems as an early teen. Adults were too untrustworthy to her, in her mind, and she had trouble even speaking to them. Drugs and alcohol came at the early age of 11 as her own mom was involved in the "hippie culture" and it was considered a normal part of everyday life. School was discouraged, but out of rebellion Rone’e did finish high school. In the early 70's’ in the suburbs of L.A., Rone’e came across a hippie preacher who shared the Truth with her . She had no opportunity to grow and "couch surfed" her way through most of her teen years until she became pregnant at 17. At age 21, in 1981, that strong familiar voice of God spent a year trying to get her attention until she finally surrendered. Through a series of events Rone’e ended up in Santa Cruz, in the same "community house" as Scott, and they were married in 1984. The y have 3 kids and 6 grandkids. Because their pasts are uniquely designed by God to understand a little of what the "street kidz" may go through, they believe he chose them…“for such a time as this“...to reach out to them.

HOW YOU CAN HELP...

You can support us by simply accepting an invitation to come and see.....there are lots of opportunities to be used by God in your particular gifting. We always need musicians to enhance the "coffee house" environment. We need set up, some food prep and service, but mostly, clean-up help. We need people with a heart to build relationships and encourage these "kidz" spiritually. We need food supplies, clothing and sleeping items. We need some toiletry type items. Everything we use to provide an opportunity to reach these "kidz" is donated. We want you to come and see that we have a mission field right here in our own backyard (and for the "red church", this is very literal).


WHERE AND WHEN...

We are located at Calvary Episcopal Church (the red church) 532 Center st Santa Cruz (parish hall @ corner of cedar and Lincoln st.) ph # 831-423-8787.

We meet at: 3:00pm every Monday for set-up
5:00PM for Bible discussion 5:45PM for dinner

7:00PM for clean-up

You are welcome to come to any or all parts of this outreach. You can also donate by check through an account "the red church" has set up, receipts will be given at the end of each year for tax purposes.These can be made out to... Calvary Episcopal, with “Monday Youth Coffee House“, in the memo line. If you have any questions regarding this outreach you can also contact Scott or Rone’e at 831-851-0444 Thank You for your support as we work together to reach these kidz........Rone’e
contact by email: missronee2@comcast.net

Group Picture

The "food" question

Hi ***, Thank You for your concern about the food. I have had different concerns over the years. For a long time I did not serve cup o soup for the same reason. In order to do what we do on the donation level we have, I unfortunately have no choice. The chicken nuggets are free. I also have to have foods that any of us can manage. I cannot get into the dependence and cooking level we had with *** because if someone with that responsibility does not show, well we are and were left hanging. I really mean what I say when I remind myself and everyone else that the spiritual food is the important food. Even if we had the resources to provide all healthy foods, the kidz are going out on the streets and doing the most unhealthy things to themselves the rest of the week. Their biggest need has always been spiritual.I try to make up for what we lack in some areas by putting more into other areas,such as the comfort level and overall atmosphere and the way they are treated when they are with us. The feed back I get is that they see this as a social event and really look forward to getting to come in out of the weather and sit in a comfortable enviroment. They also appreciate the respect they are greeted with. Calvary Episcopal Youth have offered to take a night a month and make us some fresh hot soup. We also will have a forum this Sunday on homelessness in S.C. by my friend Paul Lee. and slowly but surely we may gain more and more support. But no matter what we could ever do materially, I would still always focus on the spiritual....as that is my true calling. If it is O.K, I may take your name out and post these thoughts on our blog as it is a common concern and then I can refer people to my answer to this question. Thank You for your # and I will use it when I need to. Also Thank You for your commitment level to "Coffee House" God Bless You...Ronee.

Some thoughts from a volunteer...

Hi again,
Wanted to share with you some of the beautiful blessings of RC Monday
Coffee House.
As I greet those waiting in line with a piece of candy or brownie, or treat of THEIR
CHOICE!!!!! There is so much joy inside, as I make Jesus up close and personal
to those on the streets. Yes many are there by choice, but the impression many have of
"Church People" are a bunch of grumpy old men and women who stand around and yell at
them. But we are showing them a different side of believers. People who give up an
hour to SERVE THEM...Fresh, healthy foods, and encourage them to take as much
as they want...
And they tell me so....
Some other comments.. As I joked with some, telling them "take what you want, but eat what you take!!!!!" I said "Does that sound like a mom? Or maybe a grandma!!" Many answered, and called over to say, " that did!! I miss my grandma!!! Or my mom used to say that!!! That really felt like home!!! Thank you"
We needed to move some chairs to let a wheelchair out, as kids were eating, so as they did
move out of the way, I joked, " No she's not leaving, she wants to sit with you at your table
and eat with you!!! They all 5 said sure there's room!!! Join us!!
Any way some of the beauty of a Monday!!!
Also many are giving thanks to "God" for the food, and coffee house, and open to the
fact that its not us but God who provides this for THEM....( we just need them to know
its the God of the bible who is ).....
Cindy

A Story from Ronee

It took me 3 days to find Zoe. I needed to now that the rumors of her dying were true. The coroner called me late yesterday and said the reason I have been having such a hard time finding her....is that her name is John. I always knew something was different about her and in the beggining of our friendship did not quite know how to decide...male or female. I decided female and referred to Zoe as her. She never corrected me and never claimed a gender.There was an air about her that said this far and no farther regarding what we could talk about. She never acted like I was intrusive at the same time.Every now and then the light would catch her face just right and I would think I saw a shadow....I would wonder but just resolved,Zoe was at the very most a girl that at some point maybe took male hormones? I would look at her hands ....small not masculine...her slight build. She did wear her hair in unusual defining Zoe way that I had never seen before. Zoe was impeccably clean but her hair looked like it had not been washed in years and was a solid mat that swept across the top of her head as if she was hanging on to it for dear life....or it was hiding something?...a baldness...I wondered, but always in the back of my mind and it never changed the fact that I really believed Zoe was a girl. Imagine my surprise......and then I knew...really. It is very confusing. I had some good conversations with Zoe about God and she said she listened to some Steve tapes.I cannot believe the God I know would send Zoe to hell.I will never meet another Zoe so when you are entertaining strangers....be alert because you may be entertaining angels unaware.And this is why I spend time downtown. Ronee.