An Open Letter to Our Community: Sharing the Vision of Unedited Life

To Our Neighbors and Valued Community Partners,

We are writing to share the heart behind the ministry of Unedited Life and to clearly outline how we operate, how we serve, and where we are headed. Our hope is to foster greater understanding and unity as we collectively serve our community.

Our Core Identity: Anchored in Unchanging Love

Unedited Life is a faith-based church organization rooted in a specific theological foundation. Our identity and operation are driven by this core belief:

As followers of Christ, our core identity is anchored in secured love, not earned acceptance. We rest in the finished reality that God, who is unchanging Love itself, has reconciled the world to Himself entirely through Christ. This truth frees us from the exhausting performance of religion and the anxiety of earning worth, replacing fear with profound intimacy. Our mandate is to embody this restorative grace, choosing reconciliation over retribution, extending unconditional belonging to our neighbors, and demonstrating to the world the simple relief of trusting the Father's heart, which asks only for our presence, not our perfection.

This grace-based belief is why we strive to operate without judgment. Our goal is not to compete, but to complement and contribute to the community by extending unconditional belonging and tangible aid.

Our Structure: Sustaining the Mission

We understand there have been questions regarding our operating model, especially concerning Root & Bloom Mercantile and the acceptance of funds. We want to be completely transparent:

• 100% Volunteer Driven: Unedited Life is entirely run by dedicated volunteers. No monies contributed go toward a payroll or salary. Every dollar received is directly invested back into materials, operations, and programs that allow us to chase down our mission.

• The Model: Free or Suggested Donation: Our core principle is that everything distributed by Unedited Life, through any of our branches, is fundamentally available free of charge to those in need. No one is ever turned away or denied access based on their ability to donate.

• Root & Bloom Mercantile uses a suggested donation model. These donations are critical, as they are the sole way we cover necessary expenses (utilities, supplies, maintenance) and fuel the outreach of our other branches, ensuring our resources remain available.

  
  

Our Branches: Growing Together

Our ministry is structured into three interconnected branches, each playing a vital role in our larger vision:

1. Unedited Life (The Ministry Heart): The central church organization providing emotional and spiritual support, resource connections, and administrative oversight.

2. Root & Bloom Mercantile: The Community Exchange. This outreach offers apparel, along with comforting items like baked goods, jewelry, jarred goods, in-house authored books, devotionals, and hot coffee.

   • Current Service: The Mercantile operates on the sustainable suggested donation model, circulating resources within the community.

3. Goose Creek Farms: The Groundwork for Growth. This branch is our sustainable effort to meet nutritional needs.

   • Current Service: The 40 acre farm is currently home to our chickens, ducks, and goats, allowing us to offer fresh, quality eggs directly to community members in need.

   • Future Vision: We are actively planning to expand our outreach through community gardens. This will allow us to offer fresh produce at the Mercantile via a farmstand. To ensure a year-round supply of nutritional support, we have our hearts set on constructing a greenhouse.

     
     

Witnessing the Impact: Stories from the Mercantile

Since opening our doors in October, we have witnessed the profound impact of secured love in action:

• Dignity and Opportunity: In October, we were able to provide a young mother with a week's worth of clothing for a new job she had just landed. Though she lacked the means to contribute financially, she collected clothing she couldn't wear herself to 'pay it forward.' She left our building with dignity and a wardrobe that helped her feel confident.

• Unconditional Belonging: We have made new friends with those living an unhoused life. Our cozy space, the warmth of the heat, and friendly hearts have made all the difference, providing a welcomed comfort. We hadn't considered being a roof for those without one, but we are blessed to offer this space of belonging.

• The Heart of Humanity: Humanity's heart swells where a way is foreseeable. We have learned the soft side of man in their desire to give over the suggested donation, recognizing that this simple act carries a portion of our mission with them. Most walk away with something that caught their eye and the knowledge that they helped someone else.

  
  

An Invitation to Partnership

We recognize and deeply respect the incredible work of every nonprofit, church, and organization in this community. Our mission is strengthened when we work together. If our vision aligns with yours—in spirit, mission, or in the practical need to serve our neighbors—we warmly invite you to partner with us. Whether through shared resources, volunteer efforts, or mutual support, we believe our collective impact can be greater than the sum of our individual efforts.

To learn more, discuss potential collaborations, or simply visit us, please reach out to hello@uneditedlife.org

Sincerely,

The Volunteer Team of Unedited Life