By Tim Funk: tfunk@charlotteobserver

Posted: Friday, Mar. 06, 2009

In late 2007, more than 100 Charlotte clergy from 10 faith traditions got together to build a house, a Habitat for Humanity house.

Now they plan to raise up another one.

Mecklenburg Ministries has recruited a team that includes Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Mormons, Hindus, Episcopalians, Baha'is, Unitarian Universalists, Quakers, non-denominational Christians and the folks at the Center for Positive Living.

Despite these tough economic times, these spiritual leaders and their houses of worship have also raised about $54,000 toward the project.(Rabbi Murray Ezring of Temple Israel is even donating his honoraria from speaking engagements.)

OK, here's where you and your house of worship come in: It costs $65,000 – and many hands – to build a Habitat house.

So if you and your church, synagogue, mosque or temple aren't on board, here's an invitation from Mecklenburg Ministries:

This house-to-be needs your money and your sweat.

Plans call for a kickoff luncheon next Thursday at Providence Baptist. Then, on April 16, work begins with wall framing.

The house will be at 3550 Marvin St. in the Grier Heights neighborhood. And moving in when it's dedicated, sometime in June, will be Tri Buon Krong, Nraih Nie and their two small children. The couple moved here from Vietnam. He works at TJ Maxx; she stays home with their 1-year-old son and 3-month-old daughter.

“At the end of the day,” says Maria Hanlin of Mecklenburg Ministries, “a family will have a new home and 45 congregations will be building a relationship. It's kind of hard to beat that.”

If you or your congregation wants to participate, contact Hanlin at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (704) 545-5655.