Trinity Episcopal Church, Arlington, VirginiaAnnual Mini-Walk Supporting Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington

Officiant:

Almighty and Eternal God, help us this day to direct our attention and concern to the poor, needy and sick in our local communities. Let us hear their hopes and their struggles. Help us to respond in an effort to restore their faith and their belief in their human dignity. May we find within ourselves the conviction to always put the powerless foremost in our minds and hearts. Let us so live that all who know us may know that you are a God who cares, when they experience our care and concern. Let us draw strength from each other as we share our talents for the good of the people we serve, especially those served by Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington. We

ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit.1 Amen.

Those gathered begin their first walk around the Nave.While traveling, listen carefully to the words of Julia K. Dinsmore,from her first person look at poverty in My Name is Child of God.

Journey to Station 1 My Name is Not “Those People”

My name is not “Those People.”I am a loving woman, a mother in pain,

Giving birth to the future, where my babiesHave the same chance to thrive as anyone.

My name is not “Inadequate.”I did not make my husband leave us—

He chose to, and chooses not to pay child support.Truth is though; there isn’t a job baseFor all fathers to support their families

While society turns its head, my children pay the price.

My name is not “Problem and Case to Be Managed.”I’m a capable human being and citizen, not just a client.

1 From the United States Conference http://www.usccb.org/healthcare/liturgy.shtml United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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My name is not “Lazy, Dependent Welfare Mother” . . .Or “Ignorant, Dumb, Uneducated” . . .

Or “Lay Down and Die Quietly”.My love is powerful, and the urge to keep my children alive will never stop.

Before you give in to the urge to blame me,the blame that lets us go blind and unknowing

into the isolation that disconnects your humanity from mine,Take another look. Don’t go away.

For I am not the problem, but the solution.And . . . my name is not “Those People.”2

Station 1 A Prayer for Eyes to SeeO Lord, open our eyes that we may see the need of others. Open our ears that we may hear their cries. Open our hearts so that they need not be without succor. Let us not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show us where love and hope and faith are needed, and use us to bring love, hope and faith to those places. And so, open our eyes and our ears that we may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for Thee.3 Amen.

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”

People I will, with God's help.

Those gathered begin their second walk around the Nave.

Journey to Station 2 The Reality of Poverty

“Despite giving up poverty for Lent every year, its grip on me and mine has continued. Poverty has long arms that reach through generations of people, leaving telltale bruise marks on its victims even after they are blessed enough to get out. Poverty is a powerful teacher when you survive it with your humanity intact. People in poverty are good. It’s just that we got a bad rap from the world and we’re hurt.”4

2 Adapted from My Name is CHILD of GOD by Julia K. Dinsmore, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2007. Used by permission. 3 By Alan Patton, Give Us Grace, An Anthology of Anglican Prayers, Christopher L. Webber, Editor, Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 2004, p. 383-3844 By Julia K. Dinsmore, My Name is Child of God, Not “Those People”, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, MN, 2007, p. 19

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Station 2 A Prayer to be More Loving

Help us, O Lord, to be more loving. Help us, O Lord, not to be afraid to love the outcast, the leper, the unmarried pregnant women, the traitor to the State, the man out of prison. Help us by our love to restore the faith of the disillusioned, the disappointed, the early bereaved. Help us by our love to be the witness to Thy love. And may we this coming day be able to do some work of peace for Thee.5 Amen.

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”

People I will, with God's help.

Those gathered begin their third walk around the Nave.

Journey to Station 3 There’s no place like home

“Those people don’t need homes. We give them turkeys at Christmas and Thanksgiving,” said the chair of the church finance committee in the early ‘90s . . . A little ragtag group of welfare recipients had just made a proposal to the Finance Committee of a large, very socially just, and well-heeled faith community in Minneapolis. Asking them to be the fiscal agent for the $65K we’d raised would surely meet with a yes (or so we thought) to purchase a home that might stabilize the lives of a large single- parent headed family.

Bona fide housing experts came along to validate the workability of our initiative. After eighteen months of trying to build principled partnerships with people who had access to money and social resources, we’d learned a few things. Always bring experts. They’ll be believed, even though we moms would have said the very same things about the housing crisis and about how affordable homes affect childhood. It’s called social ventriloquism. Sadly, our professional mouthpieces did not sway the committee members.

Someone in our group quipped, “What’s up with this? Didn’t the leader of your religion tell people to help the poor? I responded, “Yes, that is precisely what Jesus told us. The only problem with Christianity is that we’re still trying to figure out how it’s practiced.”6

5 Give Us Grace, An Anthology of Anglican Prayers, Christopher L. Webber, Editor, Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 2004, p. 384.6 By Julia K. Dinsmore, My Name is Child of God, Not “Those People”, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, MN, 2007, p. 22.

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Station 3 A Prayer for Those Without Shelter

Hear our prayer today for all women, men, boys and girls who are homeless this day.For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations.For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime.For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent or the mortgage.For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in.For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are.For those who are afraid and hopeless.For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net.For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope.Grant them knowledge of your most intimate love. Enter their hearts, minds and bodies. Awaken in them awareness of their holiness and gifts. Call them and us to the work you have laid out for us so that one day, no one is known by the name “homeless.”7 Amen.

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

People I will, with God's help.

Those gathered begin their fourth walk around the Nave.

Journey to Station 4 Assaults upon Dignity

Eliza spoke in speed slow to judge when newcomers vociferously protested, boo-hooed, and complained about having to do things that were beneath their dignity – like use food stamps in a public place (the grocery store) where God and the next door neighbor might see – or worse, eat at Loaves and Fishes in the basement of Holy Rosary Church. We had long been accustomed to the multitude of skin pricks that are daily interactions with our environment. In time one learns it is not humanly possible to defend dignity against every demeaning assault encountered in the territory of America’s underclass. In time one learns to save energy for real problems which were plentiful and always around the next corner. We had learned to make jokes about the absurdities that dropped into our days like unwanted guests who overstay their welcome. On more than one occasion, there was a bomb threat at the Ramar Building on Franklin Avenue. After spending an hour or more in the food stamp line, I had to leave with no way to feed my sons. Now that was a problem!8

7 Abstracted from From Habitat for Humanity, Care2Make a Difference and Prayer Force websites at http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=63&pst=739301 and at http://www.prayerforce.org/prayer-homeless.htm. 8 By Julia K. Dinsmore, My Name is Child of God, Not “Those People”, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, MN, 2007, p. 62-63.

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Station 4 A Prayer for Those Who are HungryDear Lord, we confess that it’s easy for us to be insulated from the reality of hunger in our

world. Forgive us, Lord, for our narrow vision, even for our hardness of heart.Today we pray especially for your Church, that we might be mobilized even more to feed the

hungry. Thank you for organizations like Samaritan Ministry, AFAC, Shirlington Employment and Education Center, and others that help us to meet human need in an effective way. Thank you for thousands of individuals who are using their knowledge and skills to help the poor overcome poverty.

Use these efforts and so many others to bring an end to starvation and help us find our role in this work. Show our church family and each worshipper individually where we should direct our giving. Help us to grow, not only in our giving, but also in our personal involvement in efforts to help the hungry, so that we may shine the Light of Christ into this dark world. Amen.9

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”

People I will, with God's help.

Those gathered begin their fifth walk around the Nave.

Journey to Station 5 Not Just a Personal Matter

I met a sociologist at St. Mary’s College in San Jose California. This woman, originally from Italy, said she had never seen a culture blame and shame its poor like we do in America! I can’t remember her name, but to this woman I will always be grateful. You see, her insight allowed me to stop faulting myself for not being smart enough to get a college education

Not being organized enough or strong enough to work two or three jobs at a time. Not being able to bear the workload of two parents or an extended family as a single parent

Not being good or industrious enough to deserve adequate housing, a safe neighborhood, or quality schools for my sons.

Not feeling worthy enough to receive needed medical or dental care . . .

In this land, holding people entirely responsible for not achieving the American Dream, or, at the very least, not surpassing the economic station of their parents, seems to be a practice with a long history. It is a persistent and pervasive cultural practice, deeply embedded within our national identity. I do not care for its odor. To me, it carries the stench of ill health, similar to how end-stage cancer smells. Who does it serve? And, who does it harm?10

9 From the High Calling of our Daily Work at http://www.thehighcalling.org/Library/ViewLibrary.asp?LibraryID=4875.10 By Julia K. Dinsmore, My Name is Child of God, Not “Those People”, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, MN, 2007, p. 70-71.

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Station 5 A Prayer for the Uninsured

God of Love, we pray this day for the millions of people who do not have health care coverage, that their pain and anxiety will be relieved and that our hearts will be moved to help them.

God of Justice, we pray this day that our nation will work as one to see that all people have the health care they need.

God of the Weak, we pray this day for those who are too young, too sick, too ashamed, too discouraged to speak out for themselves and call for care.

God of Power, we pray that all who are in positions of leadership will work together to solve the problem of the uninsured.

God of Mercy, we pray for those whose suffering is unrelieved by care and for ourselves that we will work with others to assure care for all.

God of All, you have made us in your image. Help us to reflect your goodness.11 Amen.

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”

People I will, with God's help.

Those gathered begin their sixth walk around the Nave.

Journey to Station 6 Anatomy of a Person’s Undoing

A single parent becomes delinquent on credit card payments and the collection agency, without notice, takes every penny in her checking account on the first of the month. This action causes all the checks she has written for bills to be NSF, insufficient funds, incurring $29 for every time one bounces, which is repeatedly…

This NSF fee racket makes it extremely difficult for her to clean up the checking account and repay all the places to which she has written checks, which incur still more fees and charges.

She begs, borrows, and maxes out the last remaining line of credit to rescue her banking privileges and her twenty five year history of paying utilities on time. Through sheer tenacity and allowing her pride to take a bruising, she pulls it off and satisfies the bank and utilities. By that time she finds out it was illegal for the collection agency to empty the checking account of its contents in the first place.

These circumstances are part of what break her down and beat her into submission with an abusive partner – desperation.12

11From the National Council of Churches at https://www.educationforjustice.org/node/1357 12 By Julia K. Dinsmore, My Name is Child of God, Not “Those People”, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, MN, 2007, p. 126-127

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Station 6 A Prayer for the Unemployed

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, You wanted all who are weary to come to You for support. Lord, many are worn out by their inability to find work. Guide their steps to a righteous path; Give them the patience to find opportunities with a future. Calm their worries and fears as their financial responsibilities mount. Strengthen their resolve; embolden their hearts to open doors; Open their eyes to see life beyond rejections. Help them believe in themselves. Let them realize other ways to bring about Your kingdom on earth. Let them grow as people, that they may be worthy for Your greater glory. In the name of Christ, we pray.13 Amen.

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”

People I will, with God's help.

Those gathered begin their seventh walk around the Nave.

Journey to Station 7 Longing to Connect

Poverty’s face, after a time, can resemble stone-etched profiles can appear harsh, and hardened. Poverty’s face hasn’t seen a dentist in half of forever. We’re not trying to act mean and sullen. It’s just that we don’t always smile in mixed company. The aversion of our glance is not meant to insult. Eyes darting here and there are looking for a place where invisible can exist for just a moment. The moment when we want to disappear because of fear. And shame.

My mortality miscarried many little deaths that occurred in little moments, in glances.

In a look someone gave to me once upon a time, just after the age when I was young. When my delighting eyes searched hungrily, expectantly for reflection, attention, and mutual love, without condition. When my eyes exuberant waited patiently for connection, protection and comfort. When joy was looking at the eyes that were looking back at mine. When disappointment was seeing eyes tired, dull, devoid of love to behold, looking back at me. When curious, joyful, trusting, innocent, wonder-filled child eyes began to realize, people stop looking at one another somewhere along the line.

The chances we take, windows on souls, our eyes, my face, your smile, we gaze . . . because I need to be valued. Because your countenance deserves to be acknowledged. Because possibility exists in moments, in mere moments, in a glance.14

13Retrieved from http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english3/p02381.htm. 14 By Julia K. Dinsmore, My Name is Child of God, Not “Those People”, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, MN, 2007, p. .

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Station 7 A Prayer for Acknowledgment

Officiant Sawa Bona. I see you.People Sikhona. We are here.

Officiant From our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”

People I will, with God's help.

Officiant Let us pray:

Make us, O Lord, the instrument of Your love, that we may bring comfort to those who sorrow and joy to those who are regarded as persons of little account. In this country of many cultures and races, make us courteous to those who are humble and understanding to those who are resentful. Teach us what we should be to the arrogant and cruel, for we do not know. Make each one of us more joyful than we are, especially if this is needed for the sake of others. Grant us the courage to make life-giving and hope-inspiring eye contact with the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the unemployed, the uninsured and all who hunger for affirming connection. Save us in your merciful loving-kindness and eternal love, for you are the helper of the helpless, the savior of the lost, the refuge of the wanderer, and the healer of the sick.15

All And may we this day do some work of peace for Thee. Amen.

The Dismissal

Officiant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

Thank you for participating in our Annual Samaritan Ministry Mini-Walk.

Please make today’s monetary donation payable toFannie Mae Help the Homeless/CFNCR

Send future contributions toSamaritan Ministry of Greater Washington

1516 Hamilton Street, NW • Washington, DC 20011Please make future contributions payable toSamaritan Ministry of Greater Washington

15 Adapted from Give Us Grace, An Anthology of Anglican Prayers, Christopher L. Webber, Editor, Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 2004, pages 385 & 469.

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