Homeless people

Sunday morning at Hyperion Brewery in Jacksonville, FL our church hosted a panel discussing the topic of Everyday Advocacy. Good turnout of 75 or so many of whom I did not know. Five panelists who had experience with homelessness everyday. Three of them had been homeless at one time. As one of them said, each one of us is only one bad day away from being on the street. There were many questions from the crowd. What about shelters? There is space in shelters so why don't more people take advantage of them? One panelist told us that shelters are not safe at least as perceived by the homeless. Their stuff gets stolen and sometimes they get beat up. There is paperwork, showers, shaving, and their clothes are irradiated to prevent bedbugs. Often on the street they sleep in pods taking turns keeping an eye out for trouble. Or they don't sleep whether they are at a shelter or on the street. Maybe that's why I see people napping in the public library or against a wall on the street.

The panelists talked about the difference between charity and advocacy. Both are needed but too often the charity givers are interested in giving what they want to give and not always what is needed. Don't we give because it makes us feel good. Yes, to that one. And I had not thought about the fact that there is a vested interest in keeping shelters going rather than ending homelessness. People will give to shelters. Politicians support shelters. They get money and provide jobs. Shelters perpetuate the problem if they are seen as a solution to it.

There is a new development planned for the river bank in the city, hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities. We heard the development potentially will displace thousands of people who currently reside in the development area. With an affordable housing shortage as it is, where will those displaced people be going? Good question but who will be assigned to answer it, will anyone?

Homelessness is a problem in our city we are continually reminded. I take a trip downtown to the park near the library and there are lots of people hanging out. I stand by the library doors with over one hundred people waiting to get into a safe, air conditioned place off the street. While waiting for the doors to open I hear shreds of conversation. One man is worried about the new administration's policies about ending the program that has allowed Haitians to remain in the US since a hurricane displaced them. He is Haitian. Every one is polite and holds the doors open for others waiting for them to enter. They carry black trash bags with their stuff. I can see some food in one or two clear bags. They are there for the day. Inside people find their places. Surprisingly many are already reading books when I get in. Surprising? Do homeless people read too?

Yes, and they can converse and they care about their families and they face everyday problems just like me. They have to eat and stay hydrated in the Florida heat. They are not just in the library to hang out. They like to read, play chess, do art projects and talk to the staff and each other. One woman who goes to the church without walls, a church of the homeless in the city, talked about getting to know people on the street. Talk, touch, share a meal or coffee. Go to church in the parking lot downtown and sing, pray, hear the sermon and celebrate at the Lord's Table together. The homeless are not a problem, they are people.

The Sacrament of Footwashing

I had my feet washed today at noon in downtown Jacksonville. It was the annual Maundy Thursday foot washing service sponsored by the Church Without Walls. It was in a parking lot off a busy East-West artery. There was no shade and it was a hot and sunny Spring day. Several pairs of chairs were set up on a blue tarp. Young people ran back and forth with clean water. Towels, soaps and lotion were available at each station. After the foot washing a clean pair of socks were offered. Whether anyone wanted to get their feet washed or not there was a bag lunch, coffee and bottled water on hand. The foot traffic was constant over the lunch time hours. I had come to help out. Do you want your feet washed, she asked me. No, No, I'm good, I said, an image of my unsightly toe nails flashing through my mind. Soon, I was caught up in what was going on. The feet of the homeless were washed and their hands washed other feet. Several women who I guessed were older than I were busy washing and massaging people's feet. Massaging - with love and great care, and with prayer. Some praying during the washing but always after - hand in hand with the ones who came to be washed. Suddenly, I was aware of a woman beckoning to me to sit down at her station. Inviting but not asking, she had a look of don't go refusing this. You need it. I did but I didn't know it yet. Remember, I came to minister but not to get too close like some of us ministers do. This saint took hold of my feet as I mildly protested their less than perfect appearance. She smiled, want to see mine, she said showing me with her hands how hopelessly gnarled her toes were. She washed, she dried, she lotioned, and then she held my hands and prayed for me by name. A blessing upon me of God's unconditional love.

I was reminded of Peter's protest when Jesus bowed to wash his feet. Jesus told him a big part of knowing the presence of Jesus was to have his feet washed by Jesus. I went there to serve others. Jesus loved and served me through his body and the sacrament of foot washing.