From the Curate
The 122nd Diocesan Synod of 2023 was held last week. One of the most heated discussions was around the resolution on homelessness and housing affordability. The task force team did a thorough study on this issue for the past 14 months to review how we can understand the problem and how we would engage with the issue. The priorities set by the task force team were ‘creating a clear affordable housing vision’, ‘increase training/skill building/education’, ‘enhance partnerships and collaboration’, ‘become visible advocates’, and ‘provide generous financial support’.
Most of the present delegates were in favor of taking on this project for the upcoming years. We all know Anglican church, at individual, parish, and diocesan levels, has been already putting efforts to relieve the pain and struggle of people on the street and help the marginalized find an affordable housing plan.
Still, not just the downtown east side but the whole province, the country, and the world are struggling with economic polarization and an increasing number of people who are deprived of basic necessary needs. Overwhelmed by the depth and width of the problem, I was rather helpless while seeing this as a problem that would not be solved ever. How can we provide affordable housing for all of them? Would a house solely help them get back to be on their own feet? It always seemed to me something beyond our capacity.
However, on second thought, the eventual goal of this project may not be only changing them, or changing society. It may be more relevant to changing us, and changing the church. We may not be able to provide a house to everyone. However, would it be possible to create a home for all where we consider and care for every one in our neighborhood as a family? We can definitely stand with them, listen to their stories, and find hope together. Furthermore, we will find more hands and voices that have been out there already, once we put ourselves out of our comfort zone. Probably, with the given limits of resources, whatever we do might not solve all problems. However, if we see this as God’s way of transforming, we will be able to change our way of seeing and engaging with the world as Christians are called to be. As we help our brothers and sisters find long forgotten hopes and dreams, I am sure we rediscover ours as well.
Fr. James