There's Room of North Carolina

“We cannot have a meaningful revolution without humor. Every time we see the left or any group trying to move forward politically in a radical way, when they’re humorless, they fail. Humor is essential to the integrative balance that we need to deal with diversity and difference and the building of community.”

— New York Times conversation about race, politics, and healing with writer, scholar, and public intellectual bell hooks.

It is easy to be nihilistic, to maintain society’s and our own status quo, to think that if we simply exist that it’s enough. The truth is, the world isn’t done and neither is our fight. The is joy and rights to be gained. As such, our theme for 2025 is: Laughter and Liberation! We will equally focus on creating circumstances that usher in both because we know revolution is coming, but it won’t happen without us simultaneously experiencing joy and pleasure. Simplified, fun and fellowship are necessary ingredients for liberation!

There’s Room has big goals for the year. The work is ambitious, but I believe in us to get it accomplished.

We have always been concerned with building true community with all its complications and messiness. The work we constantly discuss and try to embody, we must train for it. What I’m saying is we cannot expect to be able to carry the load of community simply because we want it. Being lonely and marginalized, caring and concerned, doesn’t automatically mean one knows how to address the needs of those around them. As such, we’ll spend our year working on continuing to grow into the people and community we wish to be.

Below outlines areas that will continue from previous years as well as places we wish to grow. I implore you to commit to the work of community now. Review your calendar and decide how you will show up and be present. Your presence isn’t mandated, but never discount your importance. This space doesn’t function without you.

TR General
As it pertains to our overall ministry and operations, our focus is on standardization, growth, and, and community care. Our priority is standardizing and streamlining our operations. Specifically, we’ll finalize our pastoral staff and salaries based on financial realities, solidify volunteers over various ministries, acquire our 501c status, and have quarterly themes that connect our programming and services seamlessly.

In 2025, TR will grow in all demographic areas across ministries, connect and partner with like-minded orgs in NC, and finalize our larger denominational affiliation. We need to decide if we want to join the Alliance of Baptist and AWAB, the UCC, or some other association.

TR Financials
Similar to many small churches and new non-profits our financials are on the forefront our minds. We received grants last year that have allowed us to sustain our operations thus far. We have pledges that will help us through Q1 into Q2; however, solidifying our streams of income is paramount to carrying out our mission. To that end, we have a diligent plan of fundraising, securing donations, grants, and innovative streams of revenue. A full financial report and budget will be available to members in January.

TR MEETs
In 2025, TR MEETs will focus on furthering our Saturday gatherings with the hope of consistent attendance and growth. In particular, we’ll focus on continuing to standardize our service format and Communion elements, getting a welcome crew and guest materials in place, private Zoom streaming for our TR crew, guest musicians/singers, and TR Kidz worship in place.

TR Connection
TR Connection will launch and focus on continuing and enhancing our fun days, curating intimate hangouts, and solidifying a welcome crew so folks feel united and care for. Additionally, TR Connection will focus helping crew members with personal tasks and concerns they have.

TR Outreach
TR Outreach features some of our most ambitious, yet important goals for 2025. We’ll start our community meal program, distribute TR Packs on a consistent basis, and give out benevolence grants. Importantly, 2025 will see the full integration of our affiliate, Necessary Crumbs which will house our chaplaincy and doula corp.

TR Thinking
Our book club and spiritual growth classes will continue to anchor TR Thinking on Thursday nights. We will engage a bevy of texts to help us live out our theme of Laughter and Liberation.

TR Stories
TR Stories will focus on our crucial mission of collecting, archiving, and telling the stories of marginalized folx here in NC. We have applied for funding to help launch this ministry and are excited about its momentum. Further, TR Stories (with the help of interns) will help standardize our social media and digital presence