For example–the quality of Compassion in Action:
With a deep awareness of the suffering of another
coupled with the wish to relieve it,
we serve from a deep passion that includes
caring andunderstanding, reciprocity andforgiveness.
From Pat Lewis:
I was aware of the list for the winter shelter held in our church hall and decided to help out by making lunches occasionally. I then found out my friend Rita with MS and 5 years my senior signed up to sometimes be one of the two hosts for Saturday nights. I could not imagine doing this, sleeping on a mat on the floor with 7 homeless men and one other host.
After a year or more I decided that if my friend could do it, so could I. I knew that she really enjoyed doing this. The first night I was a little scared and felt vulnerable. The male host picks up the men on the waterfront at an overflowing shelter and brings them back up to our church’s small hospitality room where we provide some snacks.
Most of them are so tired from being on the street all day that they just grab one of the blankets and lie down on their mat, ready to sleep around 9:00. A few might read a bit on their mat or some sit at a table to have some snacks and enjoy some conversation.
I survived that first night although I slept very little and after another time or two I began to feel comfortable (although I rarely sleep very well on the mat and it is a challenge to get up off the floor.)
I really enjoy it when some of the men want to talk. I like hearing stories of their lives and how they survive on the streets. It gives me a different perspective and a greater appreciation for what I have.
Once in a while we sleep in the church when there is an activity going on in the hall. The men seem to like that. It gives the them a lot of space to spread out in contrast to the regular shelter where they stay, bedded down with 200 other men, mattress to mattress or in our small room. For some of them, being in a church brings back memories of their childhood and they like to talk about that.
One recent night I was very aware of how the sign out side our church proclaims, “St. Mary’s Church, House of God, Home for Everyone.” It truly felt like a sacred place with all these men finding shelter and warmth.
