Acknowledging homelessness
EDITOR: I am heartened to see the problem of homelessness getting the attention it deserves in our press and public discussion.
Over 30 years ago, the Rev. Marvin Bowers and some dedicated parishioners at St. Paul’s Church started North County Community Services, which grew into what is now Reach for Home. This organization has been a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable members of our community, and it’s a privilege for us to continue working in partnership with them. When I tell people the extent of the homeless ministries that take place at St. Paul’s (showers, inclement weather shelter and a weekly meal program), their response is often surprise that there even are homeless people in our picturesque town. The reality is people are living without housing everywhere, including wealthy communities like ours, and acknowledging it is long overdue.
There is often a sense of helplessness with the complexity and scope of this issue, but there are opportunities to help in meaningful ways. For example, at St. Paul’s we offer showers to anyone who needs one Tuesday through Friday. In 2019, we averaged 37 showers per week (a total of 1853 For the year). Imagine being on an endless camping trip, and having the opportunity to get clean in a hot shower – that is the importance of what we do at St. Paul’s.
It takes 19 volunteers every week to hand out towels and do laundry, and a church of our size cannot do it without people of good will from the community who are willing to lend their support and join us in this effort. If you have the time and inclination to be one of them, we need you to keep this service going.
If you are interested in volunteering or just learning more, please contact St. Paul’s Church at 433-2107 or e-mail us at of****@st****************.org.
The Rev. Sally Hanes Hubbell, Rector
St. Paul’s Church
Save the dream
EDITOR: Happy new decade and sending hopes for a renewed sense of decency, honesty and all the important things our parents and grandparents taught us. If this offends you I am only sorry to hear that it does.
Not all good things should come to an end and our democracy is in a very fragile state. Our shining light is looking dim with no restraints on the damage being done to it, which is really being done to us. It is not just the pain of being more and more divided, but the sheer hatred that is being promoted in a daily barrage of lies and misinformation. Being rude and hateful has entered our daily lives. Is it now ok to say and do horrible things to anyone who is different? Does this remind you of anything? Are you not alarmed?
Some days are darker than others, but we are looking more like the evil empire lately rather than the beacon of freedom in which we once took pride. There are so many ways we can turn this around and with soul searching each of us can do our part. In the words of our pledge of allegiance . . . “One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
It is not too late to save the dream.
Maggie Medeiros
