'No One Wants
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OCTOBER 2020 THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN / 1 WHAT MY JOURNEY REPORTS FROM BACK TO THE BOOK HAVE WE HERE: KURT SCHMIDT SUMMER CAMP OF COMMON PRAYER LEARNED? 3, 12, 17 5 10-11 18 A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL OCtobER 2020 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON ‘No one MISSION IN MOTION: compassion wants us’ St. George’s called a ‘nuisance’ for helping Moncton’s homeless BY GISELE MCKNIGHT Terry was the first to arrive. He’s from Ontario and came to East- ern Canada three years ago. Then Mike and Colleen joined him. “Terry asked [permission], which is very unusual,” said the Rev. Canon Chris VanBuskirk, rector of St. George’s in down- town Moncton. “What sets them apart is they haven’t asked us for anything.” Chris is talking about the small homeless enclave that took over the paved area outside the back door of St. George’s in MCKNIGHT PHOTO August. After the first three, Natalia and Corey showed up. They are Terry, 49, was one of several homeless people who, in the middle of August, showed up at St. George’s Anglican Church in Moncton, asking to the only ones with a tent. Oth- use the grounds at the back of the church as their camping area. Terry built the cart shown above out of scraps and sleeps in it so he’s dry on ers have joined them as word rainy nights. Many of the others who camped at St. George’s didn’t even have tents. has gotten around, including a person in a wheelchair. “It’s a very active spot and they are ‘waiting for housing.’ there are two vulnerable people of shopping carts, bicycles, bags They don’t look at it that way. it changes daily,” said Chris, This is not new for St. in the group. and garbage. But it’s a mess the I’m very grateful for the parish adding most are drug-addicted, George’s. During past summers, Every day, Chris and the Rev. parish can live with. support of the ministry God has and/or suffer with mental health there were campers, which came Norm Dupuis check on their “St. George’s has been plug- given us.” issues, and they are without with fires, fights, garbage, hu- guests, have conversations and ging away at this for years,” said In late August, for the first identification to enable access man waste, syringes — and the deal with issues. It’s not pretty. Chris. “But they support it — to government services. All say police. The difference this time is In fact, the back area is a mess the cost of meals, of showers. Homeless continued on page 2 to host an online Synod with Those in virtual attendance: Diocesan Synod will not meet in 2020 hundreds of participants. Kathy Asch, David Barrett, Da- Because of the following vid Bell, David Edwards, Geof- BY GISELE MCKNIGHT in early September because work leading to the synod date factors: no pressing issues that frey Hall, Brent Ham, Heather waiting until the Sept. 26 regular in November is quite rigid,” said require Synod to meet in full Harris-Jones, Cathy Laskey, The Diocesan Council executive council meeting would have the Rev. David Peer, secretary of session in 2020; the preparatory Coralie Losier and David Peer. met online Sept. 3 with one item been too late for the required Synod. work involved; the uncertainties Regrets: Eric Beek. on the agenda: a discussion to not preparations, should synod have He noted that there are still and the unquantifiable risk that The question of when to hold hold the 138th Session of the Dioc- gone ahead. restrictions and risks for large meeting together could pose; he the next Diocesan Synod is a esan Synod on Nov. 7, as sched- “Staff and Synod officers indoor gatherings like Synod. moved, and Archdeacon Brent topic for the Sept. 26 Diocesan uled. That motion was passed. would need to begin the neces- As well, there would be con- Ham seconded, a motion to not Council meeting. This meeting had to be held sary work now; the timeline for siderable organization required meet in 2020. With files from David Peer. “SHARING HOPE & HELP” 2 / THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN OCTOBER 2020 D I O C E S A N N E W S ‘The right thing to do’ Homeless continued from page 1 time, St. George’s distributed a list of conditions for staying during the coming week, which each person signed. It asked for respectful behaviour, control of Kurt Schmidt, director of Christian formation garbage, and use of the church washroom as opposed to the at Christ Church Cathedral yard, among other things. Favourite book of the Bible - Gospel of Luke It outlined the need for safety — both for the church building Birthplace - Peoria, Illinois and the people staying there. It stated the times for two daily What you love most about God – Infinite mercy inspections and the times they could use the church shower, Favourite place on Earth - San Luis Valley, Colorado bathrooms and telephone. It asked that each one be regis- MCKNIGHT PHOTO Farthest you’ve been from home - Airport in Dubai tered. It also offered whatever The Rev. Norm Dupuis and the Rev. Canon Chris VanBuskirk, at left, Favourite meal or dessert - Meal: Spinach-sausage lasagna assistance they might need. outside St. George’s in Moncton where upwards of 20 people camped this (with my wife’s homemade noodles); Dessert: Chocolate The following week, YMCA summer. sorbet in a waffle cone from Queen Street Creamery outreach workers visited to help guests get IDs and services. One Biggest fear – Missing too many opportunities to recognize girl is pregnant, so she, espe- staying in shelters, though that Since our visit on Aug. 27, many and serve Christ cially, needs intervention. might be their only option with more campers arrived at St. Chris and Norm — and the fall coming. George’s as word spread. Hidden talent – Juggling (balls, rings, scarves, small pump- entire parish — are walking a “I think people will be forced “People come and go,” said kins, etc.) fine line between maintaining into shelters if there’s any room,” Chris. “There were 15-20 people the property entrusted to them, said Norm. here at different points.” Favourite movie or book – Book: Cry, the Beloved Coun- and living the example of Jesus All of them left on Saturday, try by Alan Paton Christ. It is, admittedly, an un- TERRY’S STORY Sept. 5, after being asked, but comfortable place to be. Terry is 49, though he looks not without more resources than Your hobby – Juggling (but with a soccer ball this time) In fact, Chris was set to ask older. He lived on a disability they had when they showed up. them to leave, knowing the situ- pension in Ontario after an A retired nurse with street Three things always in your fridge – Hot sauce(s), maple ation could not go on indefi- on-the-job injury. With the cost experience intervened for those syrup, Armadale Farm salted butter nitely. of living so high, he set out for needing her services. The John Favourite sports team - Team Canada Tennis! “I was actually going out this New Brunswick three years ago, Howard Society also made a past Thursday (Aug. 27) after where he has family. He’s lived visit. Me-To-Me Peer Counsel- Evening Prayer to give them in Moncton since last year and ling came to offer help. And notice to move when I became has not had access to his Ontario the church served them a full aware of three things: pension. breakfast before they left. “It had rained and a lot of “I moved here for better All this took place in the their gear was wet; they were opportunities but I moved into wake of a scathing story in the in the process of sweeping the homelessness,” he said, adding Times –Transcript calling for DEADLINE for news and photos pavement (without being asked) he had an apartment with room- $1,000 fines for churches and for the November edition of the and cleaning up the site; and we mates, but when the lease-signer other social agencies that allow New Brunswick Anglican is Oct. 1. confirmed that one of the girls is died, the landlord evicted the the homeless to camp down- Send submissions to 5-6 months pregnant. others. town. St. George’s was called a [email protected] “These factors caused me to Access to affordable housing “nuisance” by a local entrepre- wait and sleep on the situation.” is a common problem. Terry neur, who attended a city meet- By Friday morning, he had sees landlords fixing up places ing that discussed $1,000 fines come up with the terms and and then increasing the rent, for noise and unsightly premises conditions, but applicable for putting them out of reach for infractions, of which he felt St. only the first week of September. low-income people. He’s hoping George’s was guilty. Chris said several things for a rooming house this winter. With the mess, rampant drug www.anglican.nb.ca influenced his actions: Terry is a bit different from use and neighbourhood pressure • The Gospel account of Jesus’ the others he’s camping with. He on the one hand, and the desire OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL Temptations in the wilderness; literally lives in a small cart that to help on the other, the decision • The respectful attitudes of he built. to ask the campers to move on The Most Rev.