November is going to be reading month for Anglicans in the diocese who choose to join in a study of a provocative new book about life in an encampment community of people who are homeless.
The award-winning book is titled Encampment: Resistance, Grace and an Unhoused Community. It’s by the Rev. Maggie Helwig, rector of St Stephen-in-the-Fields Toronto, whose churchyard has been home to an encampment for four years.
The Bishop’s Panel on Housing Justice is organizing study options, culminating in a virtual Meet-the- Author night on Nov. 30 at 7 pm. Those interested may join a weekly study group hosted by members of the panel, the Ven. Brian Kauk and the Rev. Susan Lewis, form their own parish book clubs or read the book independently.
The study group will gather virtually on four Wednesdays in November at 7pm. An email link to join, along with other details, is available at the Housing Justice page on the diocesan website.
The Rev. Victoria Scott, director general of Community Ministries will be moderator for the webinar-style Meet the Author. About 30 minutes will be devoted to discussion followed by questions which may be texted to the moderator.
In the book Helwig says: “I am writing this because I want you to understand this is a world of real people, who struggle and are kind, who are often special and beautiful in ways that most of our society cannot and does not try to understand.”
The book offers a vivid and insightful description of the reality of the encampment adjacent to St. Stephens. She brings to life characters in the encampment— Jeff and his dog, the Artist, Douglas, Robin, Pirate.
She also recounts a credible and troubling picture of her struggles with the city hall bureaucracy. Her frustrations come through, page after page. She places her work in a Christian framework.
To this point, the panel has raised the hope that the exercise can be more than just a rehash of the book but will offer guidance as to how the churchgoer in the pew may help to make a difference.
The panel has prepared questions that readers may use for guidance. Subject to revisions, here are examples:
- The relocation deadline for Centre 454 at St Alban’s Ottawa on King Edward Ave. has highlighted how precarious spaces of refuge are for people experiencing homelessness. How does reading about the St. Stephen’s encampment reframe how you view drop-in centres, shelters, and visible homelessness in your own community?
- How does the experience Maggie Helwig is describing with respect to her neighbourhood in Toronto resonate with you in your own community?
- What feelings did the book bring forth for you with respect to homelessness and the role of the Church in dealing with it?
- How do these personal experiences shape your reaction when you see unhoused neighbours in your neighborhood or parish area?
- What is something concrete your church community can do to fight for housing justice?
- In Ottawa, Ontario and Canada, we are seeing rising stigma and anger against visible homelessness. What is our role (as Christians, church communities, and neighbours) in combatting this?
- Do you have questions or challenges you would like to raise with Maggie Helwig in discussing her book?
Reflections on the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women as priests — The Rev. Gwenda Wells