Social
Justice - Providing Shelter
The shelter of arms
soothing the fear and sorrow
wordless sanctuary. ---Carolyn
With regards to the National
Housing Crisis, have you asked, “What can be done?” “What can I do?” “How can I
help?”
Participating in these daily
devotions on shelter contributes to addressing issues of housing and
homelessness. The first step is to become informed on matters of housing and
shelter.
“Actions to take are those
for most social justice issues: become informed, volunteer/serve, and
advocate.” --- Valerie
In our neighbourhood and
wide community there are various non-profit organizations invested in providing
shelter, working on solutions, and advocating for deeply affordable housing. Our
church participates by actively supporting organizations doing the work: Adsum
House, Bryony House, Alice House, Phoenix House, Holly House, Out of the Cold
Shelter, Metro Turning Point, St. Leonard House, Shelter NS, and St. Vincent de
Paul. Support is given by the collection of requested items, monetary donations
(from pastor’s discretionary fund), pastoral visits, quilt/prayer shawl
ministry gifts, social media following and reposting of organizations needs
and/or advocacy posts.
Organizations listed provide
shelter for women and children fleeing abusive situations, youth without save
lodging, transitional housing for men and women coming out of prison, shelters
for the homeless, and housing for low-income families. Most of these
organizations have room for volunteers. Volunteering is a way to positively
address issues of shelter.
Through your donations to
the church, you provide a home for the pastor and her family. On your behalf she
works to provide shelter and home for the community. With your help, home has
been created through the re-homing of furniture and household goods particularly
for newcomers – much thanks to Bob and his truck. Downsizing is difficult and
helpful hands have been used to re-distribute, pack, and move congregation
members. Pastor Kimber is often asked to be a character reference for lease or
housing applications. And as a congregation, you have kept struggling families
in their homes with resources to help carry them (fuel, rent, or electricity
bills) between losing and finding jobs, or as result of other emergency
situations.
The church advocates for
affordable and low-income housing. When multi-storied construction projects are
proposed in the church neighbour surveys and questionnaires are circulated for
neighbourhood input. The municipality has rules that in new construction there
must be so many affordable units based on the size of the building, or alternatively
the construction company can pay a tax to not incorporate affordable units. Surveys
are filled out stressing the importance of the incorporation of affordable
units, for the health of the neighbourhood and the housing needs of the city.
Take time to decide the next
step (become informed, volunteer, advocate) that you can take to positively
address shelter.
Come, there is shelter, not much,
but a place to keep you warm
and dry
It’s not home I know.
So much has been lost
I see the pain and agony in
your eyes.
I can offer a smile, an arm
around your shoulders
A warm blanket to enfold you
like a mother’s hug.
Thank you. It is enough.
---- Carolyn
God of compassion and hope,
open our hearts to the needs
of our neighbours who are homeless, under housed, seeking refuge or denied the
right to water. Open our minds to the issues that contribute to poverty,
homelessness, and substandard housing. Open our eyes to opportunities for
ministry, to partnerships, and to innovative approaches for addressing these
challenges. Open our hands to act with compassion and for justice. Bless us
with time, patience, persistence, and commitment over the long-term, so that
all may have safe, affordable and adequate housing. We pray in the name of
Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
-- ELCIC National Housing Day (Nov.22) prayer
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