Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40
Early this morning it was frigidly cold, as we might expect in a Canadian January, and the temperature has dropped a couple of degrees since first light, as this Weather Network image shows. Fortunately we began the day in a warm home with hot coffee.
If we decide to venture outside, as we often do despite the cold, we will be bundled up in multiple layers of clothing from head to foot. A couple of weeks ago we walked the Belleville Riverfront Trail when it was in the minus 20's and passed a pile of blankets and sleeping bags beneath a bridge which contained a human being. We could see the man's face as we walked by and on the return trip he stirred and sat up. I said hello as we passed, aware that the warming centre at Bridge St. United Church was open that night and perhaps a ten minute walk away, but he had chosen to "sleep rough", as the British say. I know that the warming centre at Trenton United, our home congregation, has been open as well.
Can we agree that these warming centres in church buildings are a helpful step, and an expression of hospitality, but they are not the solution? The larger issues of affordable housing, services for those with mental health and addiction issues, and livable incomes are not addressed by a few hours of shelter in a church gym, and those providing this service understand this.
On Monday there was further discussion at Belleville City Council about how these issues are addressed. While there are a couple of councillors who seem to have a limited grasp of how this has become a nationwide challenge the majority are genuinely attempting to address the issues of precarious housing and food insecurity in our community. Here is a portion of the INQUINTE news piece:
A Belleville councillor has reiterated the priority of calling on higher levels of government to offer expanded support for permanent shelter solutions.
Garnet Thompson brought a motion forward requesting a detailed report through representative member councillors on the community and human services committee to Hastings County on ways and means of establishing a properly staffed, funded and centrally located facility to provide necessities of life.
“In consultation with the members of the joint services committee, we want to work to a collaborative solution that will see the establishment of such facilities in the soonest possible time,” Thompson stated.
“Further, that the report explores operations requirements, including financial analysis and potential funding sources (internal and external) for change in minimum temperature thresholds (for example Minus 5 degrees). Finally, that the report also outline the emergency housing program, including usage and results.”...
Mayor Panciuk responded saying
“A lot of people don't believe that we are doing enough. And I think that's correct. I don't think we are doing enough as a society for helping people. That's why I'm so happy that our council has stepped forward and done this.
Even though Bridge St. United Church has been a useful option in the winter, Panciuk said adding more cooling and warming centres to the city is not necessarily the answer.
“The solution is to get people off the street with more beds and space, to get them into a shelter, to get them into transitional housing, so they can become contributing members of society.”
I have suggested before that we pray for all those involved in responding to the complex challenges of addressing poverty in its various forms. Part of our prayer can be that the various responding groups are not siloed in their efforts but colloborative and mutually supportive. Our prayers can certainly include politicians at every level of government.
While as followers of Christ we listen to his voice, we hope that all those in authority are motivated by compassion.
A glance out my study window brought me "the peace of God which surpasses all understanding" this morning and I write about my experience in today's Groundling blog
groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/01/peace-
2 comments:
I was so pleased to read this report a couple of days ago, and do pray that all levels of government will cooperate to resolve the issues that make homelessness such a dire problem in our communities.
It was encouraging,Judy, and while its hard to be patient at times, I do hope Council continues with resolve and compassion.
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