Q Cafe

My New Testament class was canceled today because the professor has the flu, so I had a few hours to kill in Seattle. I hopped online, found a cafe that offered free wireless internet access, and made my way over to the Q Cafe.

What a cool place! This former warehouse has been renovated into a cafe/community center/worship center. Here is some of what their website says:

In November 2002 Quest Community Development (QCD) celebrated its grand opening in a beautifully renovated warehouse space located in the Interbay area of Seattle. Composed of Q Café and Q Community Center, QCD differs from many traditional public spaces in that it is a non-profit geared toward pouring something new and refreshing back into the local community. The following outline defines the approach QCD takes in being a ‘good neighbor’ to the city of Seattle.

1. Supporting local artists and musicians by allowing artists to show their work in the café and launching a live music venue.
2. Adopting local families by responding to their physical and emotional needs.
3. Providing a resource center for the displaced and marginalized in our community.
4. Implementing activities to help build "community" amongst neighbors.
5. Helping raise funds for other non-profit organizations.
6. Creating a space welcoming of families as we have a special corner and a playroom just for children and finally . . .
7. Serving the best coffee in Seattle.

...This vision and project was birthed by Quest Ministries. In 2002, about 80 20-30-somethings who gathered each Sunday at the new churchplant were compelled to do something significant for their community. During the summer of 2002, the church community sacrificially gave and helped raise close to $80,000 to help start this non-profit/non-religious organization with a vision statement to "build and engage community, cultivate and support the arts, demonstrate compassion and care, seek mercy and justice and empower and advocate people in their visions and dreams." The founders chose the letter "Q" to name the café; Q is the least used letter in the alphabet, and symbolized the uniqueness of the café and project.

This makes me wish we lived in Seattle!