The Nicodemus Project embodies our diocesan vision, to become ‘a diocese of healthy, mission-focused, welcoming
and growing parishes
We learned a lot about caring and worth
when we stopped focusing on ourselves and started to focus on others
By Lynn Fletcher
In 2008 the members of our small parish family in Hillsborough and Riverside were preoccupied with our own worrisome concerns — our aging and dying congregation, decreased givers and givings, and the loss of a full time priest to name just a few. Then we were offered an opportunity to stop focusing on ourselves and to start focusing on others, others whose burdens were much greater than our own.
Harvest House is a Christian organization in Moncton devoted to the care of street people, needed help. Initially we were asked for personal hygiene donations like toothpaste and brushes, soap, deodorant, shampoo, new socks and underwear. We responded in spades and learned more about Harvest House.
First and foremost, it gives the least fortunate amongst us an address, for without one they cannot obtain social assistance or a Medicare card. With an address they are not only eligible for government assistance, they have a chance to get off the streets, into drug addiction programs, enrol to work toward a GED and take part is other related medical and spiritual programs.
Harvest House is comprised of five buildings: an office, a drop-in center, male housing, female housing, and a drug addiction center. Because it is Christian, Harvest House depends heavily on churches for support.
So at Christmas, some of us from Hillsborough and Riverside were among the volunteers who assisted in serving a large cheerful banquet for about 150 people. Our ACW donated decorations, home knitting, books, and treats to help make this an especially warm event for the Harvest House clients. Good will is in large supply at Christmas. There was bounty everywhere.
After Christmas some of us felt led to donate a day plus some home baking to the drop-in center. Home-baked cookies and the aroma of home made rolls and biscuits seemed like a good way to win the hearts and appetites of some of these folks. And it was! Tuesdays have become a popular welcoming day for these guys and gals.
Our Tuesday project has grown into a full-blown dinner with a lot of supplies from our parish family. Soups, chilli, fish cakes, sausages, baked beans, pancakes and spaghetti have all been served and received with remarks like “I haven’t tasted this since my grandmother made it for us.” There truly is comfort in comfort food.
Bible studies have also become part of the day. Anyone at the center is encouraged to participate. One day a fellow who is disruptive with his restless movements, facial ticks and mouth clicking mannerisms, was asked to close the study in prayer. While his outward appearance suggested he was otherwise preoccupied, he was very much tuned in. He heard and responded freely to what he heard.
On a different Tuesday yet another client was asked to lead us in prayer. This man is ‘born again.’ They say he has repented of every wrong he could remember committing, some even the police knew nothing about — and his list of charges was very long. He chose to sing his prayer. He sang praises to Yahweh. It was hauntingly beautiful and his deep, heartfelt thanks was obvious. He also spoke on the wisdom of God. This Godly man has lived both sides of life. Today he uses his time and talents in a prison ministry. He has been there. He feels for prisoners, has a special connection with them. If I were asked to give a description of this dear soul at first sight, I would have described a slight, poorly dressed and grizzled middle-aged man crippled by a neurological disorder. Just as we can’t fully appreciate a book by its cover, there is a lot more to this man than meets the eye.
On a recent Tuesday an inebriated older man came in off the street. He was dishevelled, soiled and in pretty rough shape. Some of the other clients gathered round him, got him cleaned up, gave him a change of clothes and got some food and coffee into him. Clearly they had compassion and care for this poor fellow. He was one of them. They know what it feels like to lose dignity and self worth. They ministered to him like non-judgmental angels. They did what needed to be done.
These are a few stories gathered from the short time we have spent with the marginalized people of Moncton. Everyone we have met has had a story to tell and they have taught me a lot about caring and worth. They are God’s children too. They need our help as much as we need a focus other than ourselves. I for one am humbled by these souls and feel privileged to walk with them on Tuesdays. We lighten each other’s load.
Lynn Fletcher is from the Hillsborough and Riverside Albert end of the
Parishes of Sunny Brae, Hillsborough, Riverside Albert.
LOOKING FOR GOOD NEWS
“When we focus on mission and outreach rather than our own dilemma as a declining church it is amazing what can happen,” says Canon Keith Osborne of the Mission and Outreach Team of Diocesan Council. For that reason, the team is actively looking for inspirational Good News stories like the one above. “I am very excited about what is happening and this story warms my heart,” he says. If your parish has a good news story to share, he and the team would be pleased to receive it. Contact Canon Osborne at <keith.osborne at anglican.nb.ca>.
