Celebration to mark Bloom's retirement

The Rev. David Bloom, a longtime social-justice advocate known for his work on homelessness, poverty and housing issues, will be retiring at the end of this month.

A celebration in his honor will be held Sunday at University Baptist Church, 4554 12th Ave. N.E., Seattle. The celebration, which is open to the public, will begin with a special recognition during worship service at 10:30 a.m., and continue with a lunch and reception.

As leader of the Church Council of Greater Seattle's urban ministry from 1978-97, Bloom created task forces on mental illness, children and families, racial justice, and homelessness.

He helped create organizations that provide shelter and advocate for social change, such as the Downtown Emergency Service Center and Seattle Displacement Coalition.

Bloom served as coordinator of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness from 2001-04, and since 2001 he has directed the Rauschenbusch Center for Spirit and Action, which supports the development of churches' social ministries.