I've been attending a gathering of both homeless and established people for a couple of months now. This church meets in the park every Sunday at 1:00. Honestly, I was drawn to it for the same reason others are in that if you sit and listen to the message they pass out food at the end. Not because I need the food they offer, but it seemed like another opportunity to break bread with the body of Christ. Also, if I am attending regularly I can invite my friends from the chess court and it's only a walk through the park to church.
I have to say that though the food may have been what drew me, it is the love and compassion that has kept me going back week after week. I have been to many churches through the years, but this community is so loving and accepting. I've become slightly jaded towards "church people" since I've been spending time in the park because I am often rejected when they come to distribute food. This church looks past whether I am homeless or not, acknowledges that I need love and acceptance as much as the next person and offers it without conditions. Since I've been going for several weeks now, I've gotten to know and recognize a lot of people. It isn't as transitional as I expected. Several of the homeless members of the community participate in different parts of the service such as reading scripture, leading prayer and Greg, the greeter does a wonderful job of making sure no one walks up unnoticed. They have a time during the service where everyone circles up, holds hands, and goes around the circle making eye contact with each other. It's a simple way of acknowledging one another in a world where most feel overlooked. I have learned so many things from this community of believers, I am honored to be fed from their table both physically and spiritually.
