www.capitalcommunitynews.com/publications/dcnorth/2007_ -
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Published on: 9/1/2007
Last Visited: 9/22/2007
NYAPC hired Mark Jennings as social justice pastor, so the church would have someone on staff focusing on such issues and seeking solutions, she explains, adding that his job, like that of the deacons, is to "agitate the rest of us."
Although Jennings has indeed been agitating for a new commitment to social justice in the church, NYAPC has long offered a variety of programs for underserved populations in the city and hosted the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, with its staff of social workers.
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"It's not the cure," Jennings says."It can't end homeless, provide jobs and affordable housing."In addition, the Radcliffe Room is only one step toward creating a comfortable environment for all.Participants are encouraged to join the regular worship service following the coffee house, but few regularly do so.Jennings says many homeless individuals do not yet feel comfortable in the sanctuary , even if they regularly participate in the Radcliffe Room and/or use the building all week.
Brother Vernell Jones ("`brother,' because I'm a man of Christ"), who hangs out in the park, says he sometimes stops in to hear the sermon and finds the congregation "real understanding."But even though members are "respectful," he finds that "a lot of people look down on homeless people, like we're some kind of disease."
"We must learn mutual respect for one another, learn to hear each other's trials and tribulations and support one another," Spuhler McCabe says, describing classes she leads on "Radical Hospitality," a discipline that teaches "authentic conversation with `the other.'" These conversations will not "fix poverty," she says, but will help all involved "understand deeply why they participate with `the other.'"
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Jennings remembers being told, when he first arrived on the job over a year ago, that the men's room door was "the most important door in the church."
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Others simply want the "unsightly encampment" removed from the park and expect that Jennings or one of the social workers will deal with any issues that arise in the move.But Jennings wants to be sure that the congregation hears the voices of Bob and others who live in the park, and he wants the entire church to explore their "theological duty to love our neighbor, including those who live in the park."
Jennings initiated, and the church's Board of Deacons approved, an Adopt-A-Park proposal that begins with consulting park residents about their needs and helping those directly affected by the renovations to find better shelter.
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Jennings hopes the same partners interested in park aesthetics will also take an interest in other Adopt-A-Park issues.A group of service providers who work with the District's homeless populations and meet monthly at NYAPC have already agreed to help with the project.
"Resources are not the problem," Jennings adds."It's going to cost money, yes, but that's not a hindrance. ...Really it's a desire to establish relationships with the people in the park and to see what they need."
Jennings is also reaching out to Fabrangen Havurah, a Jewish fellowship that has held its high holiday services at the church for the past 20 years.
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Feinson and Jennings both note that many in their respective congregations prefer to have their social justice activities "organized for them," and that some would prefer to donate money and let others "deal with it."
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"That's the institution right now," says Jennings."That's what we're trying to change."It is essential, he believes, that the entire church "grab hold" of the Adopt-A-Park idea.
In an area where the Downtown BID's recent quarterly census found 331 individuals sleeping on the streets, addressing homelessness is a "God-sized" project, Jennings says."The first step for us is being able to say that we need to take action.If we can take action, then others will , like that field of dreams , that is how I see this project."
Bob says Jennings "keeps [him] abreast of what is going on" in renovation plans.He appreciates Jennings' efforts on his behalf in a dispute with a landscaper who refused to pay him for work completed.But he is skeptical about how much can and will be done about his own circumstances and those of other homeless individuals."If you can't do something, don't say anything," he warns.
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