Building a Legacy
Honoring Rev. Gordon Yeaton
Reverend Gordon Yeaton was the genuine article. He exemplified servant leadership and gave of himself totally. Following his example, the participants of 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, CA are partnering to build a Habitat home. The home will be a legacy honoring Rev. Yeaton who passionately believed in the ministry of Habitat for Humanity.
Background
The 2009 General Convention of The Episcopal Church (Episcopal Convention) will be held July 6 through 17, 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Orange County, CA. Episcopal governing bodies and representatives from all over the world are welcomed. They participate in electoral, legislative and social activities in unison with the UN Millennium Development Goals.
The convention theme is ‘umbuto,’ an African word for ‘community.’ To exemplify community, the Episcopal Church will partner with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County (HfHOC) to build a home in memory Reverend Gordon Yeaton, an Episcopalian priest who served his community with his whole heart.
Rev. Yeaton was an untiring advocate for the families served by HfHOC. He served on the Board of Directors and nurtured several significant projects to their completion. Gordon was especially active with youth in the community as a leader, an Episcopal priest, an educator and vision builder (see attached bio). His death in 2008 was a tremendous loss.
While honoring Rev. Yeaton, building this Habitat home will bring together youth and adult convention participants. Working side-by-side, they will put their faith into action, create strong connections, show God’s love outside the confines of a church, role model community service to others, and to give back to the community.
Building a Legacy
Honoring The Reverend Canon Gordon Yeaton Jr.
Concept and Proposal
A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Concept
Passionately connected to his community, Gordon Yeaton was a devoted man of God. He believed that every person is integral to completing the mosaic that is God’s perfect masterpiece. He filled his lifetime with service, declaring his beliefs through his actions.
Rev. Yeaton was a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles until his death in 2007. His commitment to educating young people is legendary. He was also an avid supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, CA, where he volunteered for several years (refer to attached biography.)
A fitting tribute to Rev. Gordon Yeaton and his life work is to build a Habitat house in his honor providing a simple, decent home for a young family with children. Having it built by Episcopalian hands of all ages would honor him completely.
Proposal
Establish a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership between the Episcopal Church and Habitat for Humanity. The first demonstration of this alliance will be the building of a Habitat home in honor of Rev. Gordon Yeaton in Westminster, CA. Framing of the home will take place at and during 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Anaheim, CA.
Transported to and completed at its permanent location in Westminster, the “Episcopal Home” will stand as declaration of Christ’s love expressed through the Church.
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