In July, 2022, the Roseville Police Department asked us if we would host Valerie and the old school bus she was living in on our property.  We said, “yes.”  Slowly we began building a relationship with Valerie and the others who care about her.  As these relationships grew, we learned about one powerful model for coming alongside those who have been shaped by chronic homelessness.  We don’t know yet where all this will lead in the future but we’re trusting God to help us each time we say, “yes.”

Just before Christmas and with the help of our new ministry partners at Settled., we upgraded Valerie’s RV to a tiny home, and brought in a second home for the Beary family who volunteered to become Valerie’s “intentional neighbors.”  We’re building a community of support around Valerie, and in the process, we’re being transformed.

In early 2023, we were notified by the City of Roseville that our tiny house community did not comply with City codes.  We worked closely with the City to find a pathway forward.  Fortunately, legislation to allow for churches like ours to host sacred settlements was signed into law and the City granted us an interim-use permit, good until the new law became effective on Jan. 1, 2024.

On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, Prince of Peace formally voted to make a long-term committment to living in community with the chronically homeless by hosting a permanent sacred settlement of tiny homes on our campus.  The initial settlement will be comprised of three homes and a shared common house inside our church building.  As the campus planning process continues, the possibility for an even larger settlement will be considered.

On March 17, 2024, we gathered in the courtyard of our sacred settlement to bless the third tiny house, a slightly larger house for our intentional neighbors.  The second house is being freshened up to another formerly homeless neighbor in the very near future.  We’ve also renovated another space inside the church building to create a studio for the Settled workshop to provide “purposeful work” opportunities for our residents.

On July 21, 2024, we gathered again in our courtyard to say “welcome home!” to a new neighbor that has moved in and joined our growing community.  As we stood on newly installed sidewalks, now safely connecting our homes and the common spaces in the church, we offered a blessing of love and welcome.  Many in attendance also visited with the chickens that have moved into their new home as well.

On January 19, 2025, we celebrated two years of building a community together with the chronically homeless and how this model is now being spread to other parts of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and beyond.  We look forward to being partners in a growing network of faith communities who are being similiarly transformed as we live out our callings to love our neighbors.