I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF HERE

As a Mission Congregation, First United Church has started a new format on Wednesday evenings. On this night table cloths are put on the tables and the residents are served by volunteers rather than going through the usual food line. After the meal a short spiritual message was shared. It was hard to keep the attention and focus of those who remained seated waiting for dessert and more coffee.

Now after the meal, we collapse the tables and set up chairs in concentric circles. There are 30-35 volunteers, staff, and others who are attending. Last night Rabbi David Mivasair shared a couple of Hebrew chants from the Psalms and then Don Roberson (retired United Church Minister) shared from John 1 and Jesus bringing light into the world.

The church is going through a leadership change which has been unsettling, and Sally McShane, a new part time minister of pastoral care led a check in for participants to share what forming such a pluralistic faith community meant to them.

A number of residents ventured into the meeting and joined us which is the main purpose of the evening. It was then that a man who is new to me, but has been in the community long term shared “I don’t know how to get out of here.” 

I was so moved by this statement! I was reminded and impressed again that the only way a resident can get out of here is with the support of a variety of community efforts. First United as a refuge is limited to mostly providing harm reduction. This is working to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations due to preventable infections and diseases. It is trying to keep people alive and healthy while working to engage them in treatment for the addiction, mental health, and poverty issues that create homelessness.

This reinforces my belief that with training and education the church at large can be the ideal community to aid the homeless, addicted, and mentally ill. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayer and partnering with me in the DTES.