Many of our readers have visited The Potter’s House, founded in 1960 as one of the first church-sponsored coffeehouses in the country. The Potter’s House is a non-profit that functions under the auspices of the 8th Day Church, one of the CoS sister communities. Although change is a constant factor, the Potter’s House still serves as an outpost for social justice efforts in the nation’s capital. How to honor the work of the Spirit, work with emerging gifts and stay solvent as well is a continuing challenge. In that, we are no different from others who follow Jesus into the underserved parts of our world.
There’s always a mix of gladness and wistfulness when announcing that a key staff member is stepping down. Mike Balderrama, a nationally-recognized barista who replaced Tim Kumfer as Potter’s House General Manager last fall, will be leaving in mid-August. He departs to follow his passion for great coffee as a new Regional Educator for Counter Culture Coffee, a nationwide high-end coffee supplier. We are hugely grateful for his three years of service, presence, and guidance of the Potter’s House since it re-opened.
The Potter’s House Steering Committee is taking this moment of staff transitioning to update the Potter’s House organizational management structure. A new position of Executive Director is being created to integrate the three areas of the Potter’s House mission: café, bookstore, and programs.
Gail Arnall, former Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church, will become the new half-time Executive Director of The Potter’s House. Gail is a member of the Eighth Day Church, one of Church of the Saviour’s sister communities, and was a member of the Task Force formed in 2013 that worked to re-open the Potter’s House with a new look and renewed energy.
Working together with Gail in this transition time will be Brennan Baker who, in partnership with Tim Kumfer, helped envision and shepherd the major renovation of The Potter’s House, which reopened for business in 2015. Under his leadership, the Bookstore has provided an informed, committed, and broad curation of one of the best independent bookstores in the region. He also has been tireless in providing pop-up book tables for speaker events around the city.
Two half-time positions have been filled. Grace Singletary will serve as Program Manager and will insure that a wide variety of programs are offered at the Potter’s House for a wide diversity of audiences. Grace has been part of the work on the permaculture farm at Dayspring and was on staff at the Potter’s House a few years ago. Clara Debnam will serve as Marketing and Sales Manager. She will reach out to the community to offer meeting space, food and catering, including partnerships with various nonprofits and faith communities. Clara just completed her assignment in the Discipleship Year Program at Joseph’s House and is a member of The Bread of Life Church. She has eight years of experience in marketing prior to getting her Master’s in Divinity from Wake Forest University. The Potter’s House will continue as a venue for local artists, musicians, and speakers.
A Café Manager will be hired as soon as possible to oversee the daily functions of the café and kitchen. Meanwhile, two current staff members will step up to oversee the daily functions of the café.
With these changes, we are confident that we are increasing our capacity to continue and expand The Potter’s House legacy as a café, bookstore, and community space committed to spirituality, social justice, and supporting local culture in the Adams-Morgan community, and the city at large. With Gail as Executive Director and a talented and experienced Executive Team working with her, we can ensure the financial viability of the Potter’s House while we continue to provide a place for deeper conversation, creative expression, and community transformation in our rapidly changing city.
Please stop in for good coffee, good food, and good conversation.
-Marcia Harrington, Chair
Potter’s House Steering Committee
This summer I worked with a remarkable woman who is a full time student at Howard University in Wash DC.. We are out of state. As she left me, I handed her a paper with The Potters House and Dayspring Retreat written on it. I suggested she discover what I have longed to know since the 80’s when I began reading Elizabeth OConnor, etc.
I am also making a donation to further your work, that your doors will be opened when she arrives.