Homelessness

Yesterday, I played the organ for Saint Joseph's Episcopal church, which is a small historical parish adjacent to Duke's east campus. And by small I mean eensy-weensy-teenie-tiny, as there were eight people in the choir and about 45 in the congregation. The congregation was very welcoming, and I enjoyed directing the small choir through what they deemed a cheesy communion anthem, incorporating 4-3 suspensions in nearly every phrase, and leading the congregation through some pretty sticky service music. Fortunately, we made it through without any catastrophes. What was most surprising and heartening about the church, however, was their outreach to homeless people in the Durham area. I was warned that in the mornings homeless people often slept under the covered portico of the church, and sure enough, when I arrived to practice around 7:50, there was a homeless man sleeping in front of the steps. It being Sunday, he slept to around nine thirty, and after the service, the congregation even welcomed him to their parish hall brunch. There was something moving in stepping around the man, unlocking the door to the church, and being comforted by shelter and the warmth of St. Joseph's central heating. I can't imagine sleeping outside in 40 degree weather on a cardboard mattress covered by a single sheet, as my lucid dreams temporarily beguile the nightmare of homelessness, only waking to a day of endless social and physical rejection. There was a story on Facebook that recently circulated about a pastor dressing as a homeless person, and then being rejected by his own congregation. In the wake of these stories, it was so encouraging watching a Parish truly exemplify the love of Christ to a population that's often forgotten, overlooked, and unjustly blamed for their condition. I found the prayer below online, and may we with warm houses and comfortable beds "not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness."

- EJS

Prayer for Homeless People

Hear our prayer today for all women and men, boys and girls who are homeless this day.

For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations.

For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime.

For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent.

For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in.

For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are.

For those who are afraid and hopeless.

For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net.

For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope.

We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds

that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness.

Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet

so that we may be empowered through word and deed,

and through the political means we have,

to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless.  Amen.

May we especially  pray for this man, who
I observed sleeping at the steps of St. Joseph's.