Reversing homelessness

Sign inspires community to love their neighbours

By Lewis Green and ChristianWeek | September 25, 2014

LIVELY, ON—Every week pastors around the world study, write, and rehearse sermons praying that God’s truth impacts their congregations. Kathy Dahmer, pastor of Trinity United Church, discovered that all she needed to do was connect with one congregant and the Holy Spirit would handle the rest.

This past July, Dahmer challenged her congregation to consider what hospitality might look like on the streets of their hometown and nearby Sudbury. She held up a cardboard sign that read,

“I have a job

I have a home

I have a car

I have good health

Would YOU like $ for coffee?”

Pam Brown, a congregant from Trinity United Church, interrupted the sermon and asked if she could take the sign out into the community. The following Sunday Brown returned to share her stories of holding the sign, feeling invisible as so many walked by, and developing community with those who did not.

When those passing by asked why she was holding the sign, Dahmer says Brown’s response was straightforward. “I’m a Christian. I believe that God loves all of us and I have a little bit that I’d like to share.”

Many of those who did take her up on her offer of coffee money returned later. As she talked with them, Brown learned that many missed having a place to hang out with others where they could experience community.

During the next few weeks, sermons at Trinity United continued to be interrupted with ideas of how the church could extend hospitality even further. A community barbeque evolved into a community birthday party, a band came out to play, a local therapy dog organization came, and 350 cupcakes were made and topped with messages of hope like “You are loved from the tip of your head to the bottom of your toes” and distributed to hundreds in attendance.

Dahmer recalls how it all began. “They expect me to be the crazy one but it was the one who was crazy enough to join in on the idea that got everything started.”

As for what is next for Trinity United Church Dahmer is less sure. “I am bursting with excitement and fear. We are like a kite in the air. The Spirit is moving us. We don’t know where it’s going next but it’s our job just to hang on.”