Seriously folks, I want to know, because I have BEEN chronically homeless at a few times in my life. How do your churches, How do YOU deal with the increasing problem of homelessness in our own country? I have found myself turned away from a"Christian Service Center" outside Subic Bay Navy base, because they had never had the opportunity to extend their hospitality to a Christian Service WOMAN before, and apparently that day, they sure were not going to offer my a safe place to sleep that day either. It was martial law- third world and worse conditions in the streets outside the gates of the base, which locked at curfew. Really impressed the sailors who had agreed to safely escort me there.
What do you think it does for your witness to the down and out who you are afraid to catch something from if you force a hungry, thirsty cold person to listen to songs played on an out of tune piano, then a long sermon, before they are expected to show gratefulness for a dried out sandwich and a carton of milk that went sour long before it was delivered to your mission house? The woman you treated like dirt and assumed she was another wino or druggy may just need a shower and a change of clothes before feels fit to enter your church. Last year she may have been an IBM corporate wife, secretary of the PTA, and Childrens Church helper at your church. That was me folks, after I overstayed my welcome at a battered women's shelter in San Jose California in 1995. Gave me a sour taste toward protestant churches in general after a few slaps like that in my Presbyterian-Mennonite Brethren-Nazarene face.
Contrast that with the welcome I received when I fainted while waiting in line at a social services office-- when asked when I had my last meal, was led up the hill to St. Lawrence's Lunchroom-- where I was cordially greeted by a friendly volunteer at the back door to an old Catholic church, and helped to a table, where Nobody asked about if I was saved, they just brought me a generous plate of nicely prepared food, a cup of coffee and anything else they had available that day. All donated food or gleaned from local restaurants and freshly served up in the kindest manner-- as long as you minded your manners and followed a few rules listed at the door, anyone was welcome, and many people staying in local transitional housing were working there. Are you cold? Do you need a jacket or a sweater? There's a clothing room over there,Ma'm.
Posters around the room gave information about a health clinic's available hours, where to get a TB test - temporary jobs available, leads for housing--- and if you want to know why we do this or want to talk with a priest- he's over there in the green shirt, pushing the broom.....
Don't despair if your job and your rewards are few, remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you!