Tuesday, June 8, 2010


I would like to say that I am honored to be working with Mary, Karen and Milly. It is my hope and prayer that Immanuel's House will change the lives of those we will serve, but I also know it will be our lives that will change in profound ways. We all have hearts that will break and will be restored beyond our own understanding. We know that we are not doing this alone, we have God walking with us and it is in knowing this that we have been able to move forward in the places God has called us to. It would be unrealistic for us to think that it will be easy. We know this is not true and yet we all know this is where we need to be.

I would like to ask for your support, but mostly I would like to ask that you pray for this ministry and for us as we step out into places of new growth and change. Pray with us for a place WE can call home so we can help others do the same. A place where we can help others change their lives and give great hope to those who have little hope.

I am blessed and honored to accept this call that God has given me.I thank you all for your prayers and support.


Carmen L. Winiarski

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Beginning

So this is the beginning. A new journey for Carmen Winiarski, Karen Erskine Valentine, Milly Rivera, and myself (Mary Gunderson).

It is such a gift to meet and be able to work with three amazing women! Women called by God to serve a community in need. Women called to step out of our own comfort zones. Women called to empower and bring love to a community hungry for hope and peace in their lives. Women called to challenge the broader community to step out in faith and courage and be the hands and feet of God who is among us.

Immanuel's House has no set home at this time...but those involved are already working on the streets with those without a permanent address, working in our local jail, working to bring community gardens closer to those in need of them, and working to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the Hispanic community.

There is so much we want to do in this ministry and we invite you to be a part of this new journey with us.

Blessings and peace,
Mary Gunderson