The Challenges of Radical Hospitality

Four of the six pastoral charges I served through my years of ministry had food ministries of some kind, including food distribution and sit-down meals. Thousands of people took part in those programs and the vast majority of them were grateful for what they received and just wanted to gather in peace. For some the meals were physical nourishment and a social time in a safe place. Often friends sat together, something which wasn't always possible if they were living in a rooming house or tiny apartment. At Bridge St UC a hundred or more were/are fed each evening for the six weeks of Inn from the Cold, but the hall is rarely crowded. This is important for those who needed to eat by themselves, perhaps because of mental health issues.

I reflect on this knowing that in each setting there were occasions which got tense, because of squabbles and even physical aggression. More than once I was called out of a meeting to mediate between disgruntled guests, although folk usually calmed down quickly. Once we had to call paramedics for a regular who uncharacteristically arrived under the hallucenogenic influence of something. And once at Bridge St we had to lock the doors to keep out a very aggressive woman who tried to kick her way back in. I went outside to talk with her but she was wild, and a short while later I watched police arrest her for belligerent behaviour towards passers-by a block away. 

I was reminded of the potential for difficulty and even danger when I heard the report of a stabbing death at an "open door" program in Toronto. St Matthew's United Church hosts the program run by another agency. The terrible irony was that it was a service provider who is accused of the death of a homeless man who is a regular guest, or client. 

When congregations provide this sort of ministry there will be circumstances which can't be contained or controlled. What a reminder that along with security protocols it's important to pray for the well-being of guests and hosts, something which I encouraged volunteers to do and included in the prayers of Sunday worship.

God be with all those involved in the program in Toronto.