How did Chicago gangs, an African-American church and the streets of South Central Los Angeles shape a mother of three as a pastor, writer and mom?

Erika Carney Haub will speak about “A Surprising Journey” at the Orcas Island Community Church’s annual Women’s Spring Luncheon on March 27, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at Camp Orkila.

In keeping with the theme of “In The Hands Of The Master Potter,” local Orcas Island pottery will be on display and for sale. Featured artists will include Crow Valley Pottery, Right Place Pottery, Ellen Wherrette, Maria Webster, Nick Johnson and Jeffrey Patterson.

Haub was born and raised in Shoreline, Wash. Upon graduating from North Park University in 1995, she was hired by the university to expand the work she had begun with community youth and formed a full-scale youth outreach program. In her first year as director of the newly formed After Hours program, Haub oversaw the development of 14 after-school options for area youth ranging from soccer teams to poetry and art clubs to a gospel choir. Haub was recognized for her work with After Hours by President Bill Clinton when she was awarded the President’s Service Award in 1996. She also received the “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” award from Chicago Public Allies when future First Lady Michele Obama was director.

Haub began seminary studies at North Park Theological Seminary to explore a possible call into church ministry. She returned to the West Coast in 1998 and met her husband, Douglas, at the church she served in Portland.

Erika and Doug moved to South Central, Los Angeles to join a small group of Christians living and serving in a community near USC. Erika served as director of Adventures Ahead, an after-school literacy program for elementary students, and she began her seminary studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Doug and Erika served as members of a church-planting team with Erika preaching and Doug serving as the worship pastor. During their seven years in L.A., Doug and Erika helped plant Church of the Redeemer, Erika earned her MDiv from Fuller, Doug completed his first year of MDiv studies at Fuller, and they had three children: Mercy, Aaron Emmanuel, and Elijah.

Erika began blogging (erika.haub.net) her experiences as a mom and pastor living in South Central, L.A. and quickly grew a wide following for her stories about her kids and the joys and challenges of life in her urban community.

In December of 2008, Erika and Doug moved their family to Erika’s hometown of Shoreline, where she now serves as the Associate Pastor at Shoreline Covenant Church

All women are cordially invited to attend. A reservation is required and the price is $20. Call Susan Clark at 376-7046 and send checks, made out to “OICC,” to PO Box 235, Orcas, WA 98280. Reservations need to be in by March 18.