This morning when I got to the church I was met by locked doors and this sign. We had some notice of the current crisis, but weren't prepared for this in the daytime. We were only recently informed of a regulation that the church can only hold 240 people as there is a ratio of people allowed in the building to the number of flush toilets. The weather has been near freezing lately and there have been up to 270 folks spending the night.Previously ignored, the current enforcement of this regulation is related to recent provincial government cutbacks in funding temporary shelter for the winter. This reminds me so much of the state cutbacks treating addiction when I was living in Oregon. Society continues to ignore their marginalized. First United takes seriously the Biblical mandate of Matthew 25:35-45 and I John 3:17.
All shelters in DTES have been full during the recent cold spell. As a refuge, First United is willing to take the resulting overload of people, often when the shelters are already closed for the night.The staff puts down mats and provides blankets in the dining area for the overflow from the bunk bed area. Last night for the first time in 4 years over 30 residents were turned away. These were men and women the staff knows personally and by name. This was very painful for the night staff having to enforce this limit. There was a report this morning of one man going into a nearby store, shoplifting, and then waiting to be arrested so at least he would be warm for a few nights.
As the church seeks to comply, this morning we were informed that staff in the building also counts towards the 240. Many of the day shift coming to work couldn't enter the church until the same number of residents left. Meals had to be served to about 30 people at a time. Usually over 200 folks are fed in two sittings. The choice for many tonight will be finding some way to survive the weather rather than waiting in line for the bathroom. How ridiculous!
The church is asking for donations of extra blankets and sleeping bags as they consider creative options. Ric Matthews called a press conference in front of the church today. I have full confidence in his abilities as a negotiator gained from his experiences in S. Africa helping resolve conflicts after Apartheid was defeated.
Your thoughts and prayers through this are so important and appreciated.
Ross
Ross thank you for posting this. For those of you reading Ross' commentary, my name is Layton Peck. I am a shift manager at the First United Church of Vancouver and I want you to know that I am one of the people who must tell a cold homeless person that we have no room for them.
ReplyDeleteAt this time of Advent when we recall the Christmas story from Luke, it feels like I am the one who has to say there is no room at the inn, but ironically I must also tell the cold and hungry that they cannot sleep in the stable either. There are many great stories written from the perspective of one who was there sleeping in the stable to keep warm that first Christmas, Og Mandino's Greatest Salesman in the World comes to mind. There is such nobility in the story involving the giving of a robe to warm the baby. But I feel that I must not only send people away but that there is a Centurion with a Roman short sword on my ribs behind me saying this pregnant couple is not allowed to sleep in the stable either. I want people to understand that I have no opportunity to be compassionate or noble by at least offering something. The City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia have forced my colleagues and myself to look a shivering person in the eye and say NO. No to sleeping on a pew that last week you could sleep on, no, to that warm bit of floor you curled up on during the Olympics, no seeking refuge in the Lord's house, people who hear nothing but 'NO' all day.
This required action of ostensibly civilized people in government and the deafening silence of the United Church of Canada are breaching my right to show compassion and are scandalizing the Lord Jesus Christ in the process. I have not sent anyone into the night but that they have a hat, mitts, a warm blanket and confirmation from me of the shelter that will give them a place to sleep tonight. Interestingly those shelters are not being regularly visited by the Fire Marshal and Police who count those sleeping in the Church to ensure we are adhering to an arbitrary number, of 240 people in support of a code designed to keep them safe in the event of a fire. We have no open flame in the building, and 9 staff on constant watch to ensure the safety of the people sleeping in the First United Church.
This harassment must stop! The Police on the beat on the Downtown East Side will often thank me for the work that we do at First United after they have been called to assist us, the Housing Minister and the Mayor, who actually asked the Church to open its doors 7x24 and provide a safe refuge for Vancouver's street people think this is a housing issue. It has become a human rights issue, the rights of people to live without fear in Canada, fear of freezing or dying of exposure, and my right to be compassionate.
Those of you reading this are doing so because of your love and support of Ross. he is truly worthy of it and I am honoured to call him brother and pastor please support us in our struggle to be a voice and support for those among us who have no voice.
Please if you agree that government has no place in telling a church how to dispense compassion, lend your voice in support of Ross and his ministry at the First United Church.
Thanks Layton, your compassion is contagious! You and your hosts are the real ministry at First United. I am inspired daily by you all. Often I just sit aside and watch with wonderment the staff's effectiveness dealing with the troubled who are residents of our community.
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