A Gathering Space for: Conversation, Connection, Community Change.

109 is too many

TOO MANY: Every January, The Portico staff reflects on the number from the previous year and laments… “How many this year?” In 2022, the number was 101. In 2021, 94.…

Reminders

REMINDERS: If you’ve been near me for any length of time, you know that my mind moves at 1000 miles a minute. Because of that truth, I make lists, I…

What’s your favorite number/All Hallow’s Eve

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER AND WHY? My favorite number growing up was 13. Note sure why. Perhaps because it was the spooky, taboo number. Have you ever noticed that…

Troy’s story

TROY’S STORY – The man I have become (shared with permission) Troy came to Portico Housing Solutions (PHS) after being released from prison. At 19, he was convicted of 1st…

Kicked in the Teeth

Last Thursday night, the community got kicked in the teeth. And a few teeth, in the form of 8 million bucks, were knocked out. Read The Tampa Times article: Hillsborough…

Ripe or Rotten?

FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: Ripe, Rotten, or Pruned? I have been called both ripe and rotten, and have been pruned many times. This Sunday at 1001 Gathering we explore another Jesus “I am”…

Gabby Love = no sleep

FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: Sleep deprived Meet our sweet Gabby, our new baby shepherd mix. I have night duty, which means that I have had little sleep since last Saturday. When I am…

Do you want to be made well?

FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: What’s your answer? The last few weeks I have been watching The Chosen series on Prime Video. It’s about the life of Jesus. I highly recommend it. One episode…

Love Like Karl

Many of you know and love Karl. He was a regular presence online during the pandemic when we practiced centering prayer/meditation daily for 20 minutes. He exuded a calm and…

Christmas 2022: CELEBRATE & SERVE

December is a big birthday month for our family. My children, Bella and Russell have birthdays that fall just before and just after Christmas. We have been celebrating early. CELEBRATE:…