Scott Klinger does a good job of communicating what many Unitarian Universalist church members are willing to do for the unhoused. That is a deep expression of the core values of our church community. As the grandchild of immigrants, I have personal family stories that can speak directly to issues with language barriers, limited opportunity and alcoholism.

Each of us bring our own experiences to the question of how much support should be offered and in what forms, given the variation in ability for an unhoused individual to hold onto the opportunity offered. Every story is unique, only looking the same from a distance. That is why our UU congregation has a range of opinions about what is acceptable for a “low barrier” environment. That was obvious at the town meeting on the Green Street proposal, where we had members on both sides of the issue, for and against.

As a spiritual community, we are able to disagree and still allow our congregation to explore different answers with the aim of finding the one that works best for the person seeking to recover and the community struggling to reintegrate them. I know that there will be different levels of comfort and ability for the members of our congregation to pursue various solutions. I know that not everyone will succeed in escaping homelessness before it is too late. It is the ability to live with our differences of opinion and let each contribute as they are able that keeps our congregation strong and vibrant.

John Seksay

Augusta

Copy the Story Link