From Pator Lisa, of the Green Lake United Methodist Church (6415 First Ave NE, across the street from Green Lake Elementary School):
I have heard more than once in the past 2 months that there are “no people with needs” at Green Lake. Yet people come to our door seeking help, they call seeking help, and I see people at the lake every day who are homeless, but not hopeless as they enjoy the beauty of this great park. I also hear testamony from people who have lost jobs, had to lay off workers, or who have graduated school and are struggling to find a first job. These are folks in our neighborhood.
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Where have “They” gone?
This was a question from a congregation member, specifically asking about a gentleman who lived under the freeway bridge about 4 blocks from our church in a fairly affluent neighborhood. The man in question would sleep all day, in a clearing, safe from attack, surrounded by all his worldly possessions (a few years back a homeless man was beaten to death in this spot by middle class teens). Of course I knew at once who she was speaking of, anyone in the neighborhood who walked that way would have been greeted by him if he happened to be awake. He is a real, living, breathing, human being, a beloved child of God. He hasn’t been there for weeks, he’s disappeared.
About 3 weeks ago, before Autumn had a chance to settle in the city had posted signs under the bridge, “No parking between 2 a.m. & 5 a.m.” They outlawed the parking of the cars, trucks and motor homes that have made that dry place in our city home for many rainy seasons here in Seattle. The city effectively disbursed a community of souls. It was not just there, but also in the Ballard neighborhood along 14th the signs appeared.
I’m not sure if the city of Seattle is reading the papers, but this year we are having record numbers of foreclosures, unemployment is at the highest in 30 years and we have been short shelter beds by over 2,000 a night for years in winter, based on the One Night Counts. When people can live in communities they can be safer, under the overpass they could be dry. This begs the question, WHY?
I understand many “upstanding citizens” are opposed to seeing poverty in their neighborhoods, but what about my congregation member, she is a citizen, housed and well dressed, and she is concerned. As we should all be!
[Green Lake Unite Methodist Church - Pastor's Page]
