Tikkun Farms Fire Disaster

Thank you Debbie Davidson for letting our First Church family know of the tragic fire at Tikkun Farms.

Tikkun Farm (‘Tikkun Olam’ in Hebrew means “repair the world”) was started by Rev.Mary Laomon. She is pastor of St.Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church- a small church of predominately elderly African American parishioners in Lincoln Heights.

Mary and her husband purchased a home (the one just burned down) in Mt.Healthy on some land that Mary had a vision toward finding a way ‘in a broken world’ to give back…thus the name ‘Tikkun’ (Jewish) even though she is Episcopal…her inclusive nature and vision for us all to feel a part of.

Her vision has turned into a farm and retreat center that ,with volunteers and mentoring programs, provides food for the larger Cincinnati community, a project called Free Market which grows food/donates to Nourishing Families.

The vision and Covenant of Tikkun Farms is “to engage in the sacred work of restoring people, community, and creation hoping that through meaningful work and spiritual practices ,Tikkun may offer guests the experience of belonging and Belovedness.”

Tikkun has grown into farm, farming,animals, summer kids programs,retreats.

Their horrific fire started on Christmas Eve and because of the blizzard like conditions and high winds, with the help-stamina-courage of 30+ firefighters and six fire stations -who battled the flames into the night- their main house/their home was completely destroyed.

Gratefully no one person nor animal was hurt.

The barn, across the way, with all of their animals, was spared.

But, Mary and family and live-in community and staff lost everything.

Their kitchen was large and full as it housed pots and pans and utensils and supplies for donating foods.

All that gone.

They need much:
CARPENTRY skills to help rebuild

KITCHEN : everything

HOUSEHOLD : everything (towels,etc)

CLOTHES                             …and more

Below please find the GoFundMePage set up to donate toward the Cincinnati community of us now tikkun/giving back to help rebuild and restore Tikkun Farms and their extraordinary work and mission.

Or – show up in person with food or meals or whatever inspires you:

TIKKUN FARMS

7945 ELIZABETH STREET. CINCINNATI. 45231

Please, in whatever you do or however you feel you can help, do it and say it in the name of First Church for Mary and her family, staff,community and crew to know that we are thinking/doing/praying in whatever way we can.

Please see below and thank you for your compassion and generosity.

Be and stay safe and Wishes of Health and Peace into the New Year,

Mary