Welcome to the Housing

awareness experience!

We are so glad you are here to participate in this event hosted by Hope Church and First United Methodist Church!


Our gratitude to: 

Bob Conradi for his photography

Jim Searls for editing the videos

ready to get started?

This an experience that can be done by walking, driving to the spots, or virtually from the comfort of your own home. You are welcome to do any of these in an order that you would like. However, if you are walking and park at Hope or First, following them numerically will loop you back to the churches in about two miles. 

  • Start The Experience Here! 

    rev luanne stanley hook, first united methodist church

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view the introduction.


    Points to Ponder as you walk to see the sculpture Zoondige-Kwe, Strong Hearted Woman: 

    • Reflect on your own, or with the people you are with, about your housing journey. What brought you to Holland or this area? How did you come to live in the place that you are currently living? Were there any obstacles you faced? How has housing or access to housing shaped your choices in life? 

  • Reflection #1: Zoondige-Kwe: STrong Hearted Woman Statue by Jason Quigno

    99 East 8th Street, near the splash pad

    Rev. Tania Dozeman, First United Methodist Church

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #1.


    Points to Ponder as you leave Strong-Hearted Woman and begin the walk to the Van Raalte sculpture:

    • What is going on in your spirit after reflecting on the Native American presence in this area? What does it mean for a community to repent and ask forgiveness from God and Native Americans for the harm done? 

  • Reflection #2: 

    REv. Albertus Van Raalte Statue, Centennial Park

    250 Central Avenue (east side of park)

    Rev. Tania Dozeman, First United Methodist Church

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #2.


    Points to Ponder as you leave the Van Raalte statue and head to the mural A Tribute To The People:

    • How do you see the Dutch settler experience inform and support the need for affordable housing in Holland?

  • Reflection #3: 

    A Tribute to the People Mural, Armory building

    16 West 9th Street, visible from parking lot behind the holland museum

    REV. GORDON WIERSMA, HOPE CHURCH

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #3.


    Points to Ponder as you leave A Tribute To The People and head to the City Hall Building:

    • Whom do you see as you walk? Are there many people of color whom you encounter along the way? 

    • How is God calling us as communities of faith to create places where all persons belong in our community? Listen for any promptings from God as you ponder this question.

  • Reflection #4: 

    City Hall Building

    270 South River Avenue

    Rev. luanne stanley hook, first united methodist church

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #4.


    Points to Ponder as you leave City Hall and make your way down 12th Street (south of the buidling):

    • How much attention do you pay to affordable housing developments seeking assistance through the City Council?
    • How might you make your voice heard?
    • Whom do you know whose voices also need to be heard?
    • If you wish, use the prayer question: "God, what are you asking of me in this process?"

  • Reflection #5: 

    Gentrification (11th and 10th street)

    From City Hall walk west down 11th street to Maple avenue. Pause in front of a new house that catches your eye.

    REV. GORDON WIERSMA, HOPE CHURCH

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #5.


    Points to Ponder as you walk this neighborhood:

    • As "faithfully suspicious" people, we are aware that the free market isn't the only factor in how things get decided in our community. What voices may not be listened to as much as others in this community?


    • What vision of "different kinds of lovely" might God give us for a new development that is affordable?

  • Reflection #6: 

    AFfordable Housing DReams

    Walk east Down 10th street, cross pine, and pause at the corner of Pine and 10th by the playground

    REv. LuAnne Stanley Hook, First United Methodist Church

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #6.


    Points to Ponder as you make your way to the main door of your home church:

    • Pray for God's leading on this joint project.
    • Pray for the new residents whom we hope will soon be making their dwelling place in this neighborhood, and the future relationships that your church will have with them.
    • If you wish, use the prayer question, "Lord of all, how do You see these neighbors who will reside among us?"

  • Reflection #7: 

    Welcome home

    PROCEED TO THE MAIN DOOR OF YOUR CHURCH

    Rev. LUAnne stanley Hook, First United methodist church

    Please click here or on the photo on the left to view Reflection #7.


    Well done! You  made it to the end of the Affordable Housing Walk! You are now invited to leave your final prayer in the form of tying a piece of twine onto the wreath at either the First United Entrance A door on 9th street or the parking lot canopy door at Hope Church. As you do so please play the video by clicking here. There may or may not be a playful competition happening between the clergy of both churches as to whose wreath can be the most robust!  Email Rev. Tania if you are from FUMC and would like her to tie on your piece of twine.