Feeding the Homeless

On Sunday, August 19, 2018, I took the opportunity to go the homeless feeding program at First Congregational Church in downtown Phoenix. 

I had heard about this program from Associate Pastor Susan Valiquette a few weeks earlier. 

I had no idea as what to expect.

When I arrived, the room was filled with over 140 hungry homeless folks. They were all ages, races, colors, ethnicities. They had one goal: to partake in the feast of food prepared for them.

About 5-six-foot tables were at the front with 2-six foot tables on the one end creating a L-shaped serving area.

Promptly at 4 PM, without any announcement, people formed a line and came forward to receive a paper plate. As they walked along, they were offered green leaf salad, cooked mixed vegetables, a variety of hot dish items, pasta salad, fresh fruit, sandwiches and desserts.

One of the creative parts of the serving line was the offering of jelly and peanut butter sandwiches. These sandwiches came in two forms. Some were simply on trays and not wrapped. These were offered for consumption on the time of the service. Some were wrapped in plastic bags for eating later. The wrapped ones came in white bread and whole wheat bread. I think this a thoughtful way to serve sandwiches. Not everyone likes white bread! And not everyone likes whole wheat bread!  

I volunteered to help serve the desserts: cookies, a variety of cakes, cream cheese filed bagels and power bars. 

There is a a clothes “closet” on the stage of the room where people can come and look for some clothes. I believe they are restricted to one or two items.

A volunteer medical agency was on site and offered blood pressure testing. The volunteers are all nursing students from a local university. 

I talked to some of the volunteers and found out that they had been doing this for at least a dozen years. The program is led by a quiet lady named Diane. Volunteers come from all over the Valley and range in age from High School students to seniors. 

I took the time to visit with a few of those who came to eat. I met a man and his sister. They told me they have been homeless since March when they lost their housing due to medical expenses. They are now living in Sunnyslope area. They said they had come downtown to use the large city library when they heard about the meal being served. They are in their late 60s. I referred them to a local shelter geared to people their age. They were grateful for the referral.

I understand that feeding homeless people is a controversial issue. I also believe that food does bring people together. I believe that programs such as this can be used to bring resources together to actually address homelessness. Just as I was able to make a referral to the homeless siblings; I am sure that bringing more resources to this meal time could actually help reduce homelessness. I will be meeting with the committee at the church in the near future to explore such a possibility.

Hats off First Congregational Church!

Ronald Friesen © 2018

What is your will?

"The strength of the soul consists in its faculties, passions and desires, all of which are governed by the will. Now when these faculties, passions and desires are directed by the will toward God, and turned away from all that is not God, then the strength of the soul is kept for God, and thus the soul is able to love God with all its strength."

— St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mt. Carmel, p. 259

What can I learn from a homeless woman?

Planning a Memorial Service

Today (8/14/18) was a new experience for me: I sat with a young lady and her boyfriend as we planned a memorial service for her oldest sister who died a few weeks ago after an epileptic seizure. The young lady and her sister have been homeless for about 8 months.

This is not the first time I have sat with a grieving family to plan a service to honor the life of a loved one. As a pastor of over forty years, I have planned and presided over many funerals and memorial services. 

It is always a sacred time to talk about a loved one. There is the reflection of the entrance of the deceased into God’s world. Sarah spoke about how a smile (God’s smile?) was released into the world with the birth of her sister. Rachel. “She was always smiling.” Sarah brought half a dozen pictures of Rachel – and there it was – a smile in every picture: a mischievous smile, a pouting smile, an awe-shucks smile, and a “I am so cute” smile.

Then it came time to talk about the “miracle” of Rachel’s life. Rachel’s life began with being deprived of oxygen. “No one was sure she would even live for two years.” All of her life was a challenge as she struggled academically. What was lacking in cognitive abilities was made up with social skills.

Sitting with Sarah I realize how our lives are all intertwined. Our circumstances are just that circumstances. Being homeless did not change Rachel nor does it change Sarah who is also homeless. I recall the words of St. Paul, “In whatever my circumstances, I have learned to be content.”  I don’t know how my presence may have affected Sarah and her boyfriend, I do know I was changed by being in their presence. I have to do some work on learning to be content.

Ronald Friesen © 2018

An Evening with the Homeless

An evening at a Bible Study

“God is changing my life. I am trusting God to help me deal with my apartment and my belongings.”

The above words by a resident of Ozanam Manor, a 66-bed residence for homeless disabled over 18 years of age and elderly over 55, in Phoenix represent the changes that come in a few weeks of ministry.

I met Mike the first Sunday, we offered worship services at the chapel at OZ as it is lovingly known by staff and residents. “I just got here yesterday. My stuff is still in my apartment and I lost it while I was in the hospital. I need my stuff.” His voice was filled with fear, anxiety and some anger as he talked about the last few weeks which found him losing his job and spending time in the hospital. Mike shared his past walk with God; “I have wandered away from God.” Mike and I prayed for God’s forgiveness and a new desire to follow God.

Mike has been coming to the services offered through the auspices of the Chaplaincy for the Homeless. He misses some Sunday mornings; however, he makes sure he attends the Sunday evening Bible study.

Last evening, the leader of the service, Baiyina, asked if anyone wanted to talk about the homework that the leader of the previous week’s Sunday evening study had given the group. Mike was the first to stand up and talked about how he was waking up every morning and praising God and reading the Bible. “My attitude has completely changed.” It was evident in his smile, laughter and joy. “I don’t really care about my stuff anymore. If I can find a way to get it, that would be good. If not, I will find some people who can use it and bless them.” 

I thought to myself, “Oh, if I could be so detached from my stuff!’

The attendance at the services at OZ have not been large. The largest service was the first one with eight worshippers. Since then there have been from two to four. It is tempting to give up and wonder if it is worth it. Then there are the “Mikes” who God loves. They are the 100^thsheep God is still seeking.

Ronald Friesen © 2018

A death worth dying...

"A sculptor who wishes to carve a figure out of a block uses his chisel, first cutting away great chunks of marble, then smaller pieces, until he finally reaches a point where only a brush of hand is needed to reveal the figure. In the same way, the soul has to undergo tremendous mortifications at first, and then more refined detachments, until finally its Divine image is revealed. Because mortification is recognized as a practice of death, there is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of Duns Scotus, Bis Mortus; Semel Sepultus (twice died, but buried only once). When we die to something, something comes alive within us. If we die to self, charity comes alive; if we die to pride, service comes alive; if we die to lust, reverence for personality comes alive; if we die to anger, love comes alive."

— Fulton J. Sheen, Peace Of Heart, p. 219

Watch out!

"In the spiritual life, I can promise myself nothing without the special help of God . . . From one moment to another, I may fall into mortal sin: consequently, even though I may have labored many years in acquiring virtues, I may in one instant lose all the good I have done, lose all my merit for eternity, and lose even that blessed eternity itself. How can a king rule with arrogance when he is besieged by his enemies and from day to day runs the risk of losing his kingdom and ceasing to be a king? And has not a saint abundant reasons, from the thought of his own weakness, to live always in a state of great humility, when he knows that from one hour to another he may lose the grace of God and the kingdom of Heaven, which he has merited by years of laboriously acquired virtues? 'Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it' (Ps. 126:1). However spiritual and holy a man may be, he cannot regard himself as absolutely secure. The Angels themselves, enriched with sanctity, were not safe in Paradise. Man, endowed with innocence, was not safe in his earthy paradise. What safety, therefore, can there be for us with our corrupt nature, amid so many perils and so many enemies who within and without are ever seeking insidiously to undermine our own eternal salvation? In order to be eternally damned, it is enough that I should follow the dictates of nature; but to be saved, it is necessary that divine grace should prevent (go before) and accompany me, should follow and help me, watch over me and never abandon me. Oh, how right therefore was St. Paul in exhorting us to 'work out our salvation'—which is for all eternity—'with fear and trembling' (Phil. 2:12)."

— Fr. Cajetan da Bergamo, Humilty of Heart, p. 21-22