– Kim R. Smith, Sound District Lay Leader
As we all struggle to find ways to serve and advocate for those marginalized people within our communities, we often forget the first step: Listening. Rev. Joseph Park of St. James UMC in Newport did not miss that crucial first step. Along with representatives from Veterans Services, he visited those living in makeshift tents and beneath tarps tied to trees. Reverend Park did not assume to know what someone needed. He met them and let them know God loved them and that the members of St. James UMC loved them as well FIRST. Only then did he begin the questions of how the church could be of help.
To the surprise of many, ice was the highest on their list of needs. Without electricity, there was no way to keep food cold or to keep beverages iced in the heat of the summer. Next came food, showers, and laundry. Joseph Park left with something their church could do immediately to serve these struggling neighbors. He knew we were all called to do more, so he continued to plan the next steps as the church went about providing ice, meals, portable tent showers, laundry service, and clothes as needed.
Saint James UMC is home to the Matthew 25 thrift store. Last year, proceeds from Matthew 25 provided $106,000 to members of the community with food insecurities. They also provided 20,000 bags to distribute ice to those hidden in the woods living behind some of the county’s most affluent areas. The thrift store also became a regular stop for clothing that Pastor Park then hand-delivered with a hug and prayers. Even though many homeless may not believe in God, it was important for the volunteers of St. James UMC to make sure they knew it was okay and that God loved them.
In addition to monies donated for food, the church partnered with Harlowe United Methodist Church in Havelock, providing 200 meals every Saturday since just before COVID began. Volunteers from St. James began assisting the members of Harlowe UMC in preparing and handing out the meals on Saturday, and then they took meals to deliver to the homeless population they have been loving as Jesus first loved us.
Then Rev. Park called together the volunteers of St. James UMC along with partners from across the community to simply begin conversations. On a fall afternoon in October, over 30 people from varied backgrounds gathered to discuss how they could work together and address homelessness within their community. Church members sat side by side with law enforcement. Pastors shared around their tables with representatives from many non-profit agencies. Together they shared their hopes and dreams for serving the over 100 homeless people identified in the Carteret County area. Some of the many gathered included: The Food Bank of Eastern NC, The Mayor of Newport, Missionaries from Heart to Heart, Peer Support Specialists, Social Workers, Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise, the Literacy Council, Salvation Army, area churches, the local prison, law enforcement, and even the School Resource Officer from the local middle school.
Rev. Park addressed the gathered hearts saying, “I know many of us may have different ideologies about how to serve the homeless population, and that’s okay. Help us to learn from each other how to best serve.” Once again, Rev. Park reiterated the need to begin with the crucial question of asking what people need instead of assuming we know best how to help. As he paused, the voice of St. James UMC member and volunteer Lark Fiore filled the air as she said, “We all need to lay our egos down and not go in thinking that we can change people, but instead going in to love people.”
Officer Alvarado, the School Resource Officer from Newport Middle School, spoke about the importance of a well-rounded approach beginning in school with programs like DARE. The revamped drug awareness program does so much more now to instill responsibility and good decision-making skills in the youth. He shared a personal experience of a homeless man whose moped battery had died. Because of the department’s effort to build meaningful relationships, Officer Alvarado received the call for directions and help. Trust and genuine compassion cannot be overestimated.
Within Carteret County, Hope Mission works to assist the homeless, and in Havelock, The Gathering Place works to do the same in different ways. Both Carteret and Craven Counties have many agencies, such as Religious Community Services in New Bern and the Family Promise in Morehead, which try to help with immediate housing needs as well. The Food Bank of Eastern NC works with non-profits in five counties to provide food for those they serve. St. James UMC in Newport will soon be a Food Distribution site and Cherry Point UMC in Havelock has begun to process to provide food produce boxes for the elderly as well.
Benjamin Horton with Veterans Services was present at the gathering because so many of the homeless in eastern NC are veterans. He pointed out that more veterans have died due to suicide in the last 20 years than in active service to our country. Anyone can visit www.abccm-vsc.org or call 1-855-962-8387 to find out what resources and assistance they already provide for communities across North Carolina. Mr. Horton says for this population, “Recovery is where it all begins.” Their organization provides many services and support.
The cover of the informational pamphlet for the St. James Matthew 25 Mission has verse 35 from the same chapter posted within a cross. “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” That’s our calling.
Our challenge is to first truly SEE those in our marginalized communities. Then, we need to LISTEN to their hearts, to their stories, and to their needs. After we have taken the time to move closer and to LOVE them with the grace and understanding Christ has given each of us, then we can begin to create disciples of those who are typically unseen by everyone except our Lord and Savior.
Let’s simply begin to see, to listen, and to love.
Photo credit: Rev. Joseph Park and Kim R. Smith