City Demands Church Stop Sheltering The Homeless

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/03/23/3417952/rockford-church-homeless/#

City Demands Church Stop Sheltering The Homeless

By Adam Peck on March 23, 2014 at 1:30 pm


On Sunday night, the temperature in Rockford, Illinois is expected to drop below 20 degrees. On Monday and Tuesday, the area could see several more inches of snow. And yet the city has informed leaders at the Apostolic Pentecostals of Rockford church that they are no longer permitted to act as a temporary warming center and homeless shelter because they do not have the adequate zoning permits.

David Frederick, the owner of the church, told WIFR that he was warned by city officials that if he kept opening his doors to the city’s homeless, he would be doing so illegally. It’s unclear if the city is prepared to levy any kind of penalty against the church if they ignore the warning.

“The people that came to the center have feelings just like everyone else, and they need their necessities. food, water, shelter, and love. They were able to get it all here, and now they can’t,” said Thomas Sterling, a worker at the church.

Cities across the country have been cracking down on both the homeless and those who have tried to offer relief. In Raleigh, a church group was threatened with arrest for trying to provide dozens of free meals and hot coffee to the city’s homeless, and an Indiana restaurant was forced to end its practice of serving up free meals every Thursday by the city after neighboring businesses complained about the presence of poor people nearby.

The situation in Illinois is the latest example of a growing trend in municipalities across the country: the criminalization of homelessness as opposed to taking steps to address the fundamental problems that lead to it. Cities have shown a willingness to jail their homeless population rather than provide things like housing even though it is more expensive, while others have made it nearly impossible for outside groups to provide services for the poor that remain on the streets.

[Tx4obama]

1. Open the doors of the church and hold 24 hour mass seven days a week...

They might not be able to serve food, but folks can sit in the pews and stay warm and take naps sitting up.

Better than being outside in the cold.

I doubt the church could get fined for holding all-night mass.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Hell, hold communion every hour on the hour...

and pass out real biscuits and gravy, not those dessicated crackers they usually use.

[House of Roberts]

2. Ooh, they don't really want to go there.

Pentecostals can get vicious!

[sheshe2]

3. "the criminalization of homelessness"

This just makes me want to cry. There are times that I feel that we have lost our last tender hold on humanity.

[babylonsister]

7. It made me want to cry, too.

Man's inhumanity to man...sucks.

[sheshe2]

8. cbayer posted this picture or one like it, however I can't find the link.

‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture stirring the pot in North Carolina
By Will Lerner | Odd News – Wed, Feb 26, 2014

Outside St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson, North Carolina rests a sculpture, so realistic that from not too far a distance, it appears to be an actual, living homeless man sleeping on a bench. It’s a piece by sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz entitled, “Homeless Jesus.” As WCNC NBC Charlotte reports, it’s getting quite a bit of attention.

On his website, Schmalz describes “Homeless Jesus” as a, “representation that suggests Christ is with the most marginalized in our society.” The art, which costs as much as $2,975 depending on the size one might want, shows Jesus wrapped in a heavy blanket with very little of his face showing, but his wounded feet clearly on display. Schmalz talks about the piece on his YouTube account…

Reverend Doctor David E. Buck, St. Alban’s rector told WCNC that it’s “beautiful” and that it help reminds believers that their, “ultimate calling is as Christians, as people of faith, [is] to do what we can individually and systematically to eliminate homelessness.” The piece also seems to have some notable fans. In a CTV report, Schmalz says “Homeless Jesus” was blessed by Pope Francis and displayed in Vatican City.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/%E2%80%98homeless-jesus%E2%80%99-sculpture-stirring-the-pot-in-north-carolina-231910162.html

Thought you would like to see this, bsis.

[gratuitous]

5. Well, I've heard it said

If churches want to participate in the political sphere, they should be taxed, and that heavily so.* Here's a church shaming the political pooh-bahs of Rockford, Illinois, taking care of citizens that aren't being taken care of by the political system. Not to mention that by sheltering and feeding people, the Apostolic Pentecostals are taking business away from the hospitality, restaurant and grocery concerns in town. That hurts profits for those businesses!

Will we see the usual chorus condemning people of faith in this instance? Time will tell.

*One of the places I've heard this said is right here at good ol' Democratic Underground, believe it or not.

[ChazII]

11. Well said, Gratuitous.

In my neighborhood there are two different churches, one Episcopalian and the other an American Baptists. The Episcopal provides food boxes for those who need them. The people do not have to live in certain zip codes or have low incomes. The Baptist church provides free lunches, hygiene kits, clothing, toys, appliances, etc. Both churches do this free of charge. The food boxes are distributed once a month to the families. For clothes the families can once a week.

Hopefully, examples like this will make some folks thing twice before condemning people of faith. gratuitous, once again, thank you.

[MiniMe]

6. "neighboring businesses complained about the presence of poor people "

That says all we need to know

[sheshe2]

10. It sure does tell us all we need to know!

[sheshe2]

9. WTF! One rec!

Kicking!

[reddread]

12. most churches of some size have inspected/certified kitchens and practices that meet requirements

without sniffing around with time I dont have to learn about this particular church and its situation, this cursory article suggests it is
simply more of that municipal goalpost pushing, with rules and regulations designed to make the poorest of the poor less comfortable than before. It would seem quite likely that with adequate support and participation this church could easily serve some food.
Ive heard those who perform that sort of basic community service called
"do gooders" in a pejorative manner right here before.

The do gooders I know are GREAT folks. Teachers, doctors, nurses, students.
People of higher than average character and achievement.
yet some people think there is something lacking in their selfless efforts.
Right here on DU.

[idendoit]

13. Cities can and do require adherence to food regulation.

While they can intimidate shelter providers, I don't see how they could prevail in court over temporary occupancy if it doesn't exceed the required number. Besides, can the government define a church's ministry?

[lonestarnot]

14. So some pug businesses are more comfortable with out of sight out of mind. Fuck them!