Tag: homelessness

The Son of Man has no place to lay his head

As they were walking along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

—Luke 9:57-58 (from the Gospel reading for Sunday, June 30, 2013)

The homeless Jesus sculpture leaves room for the viewer to sit on

Earlier this year the search to find a home for the “homeless Jesus sculpture” by Canadian sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz was reported in both the “religious” and the “secular” press (in print and online). Eventually Regis College (a Jesuit school in Toronto, Canada) gave the sculpture a home.

From the Religion News Service report:

“To be a Christian sculptor, the analogy is preaching. If you have a great location for your sculpture, it’s like preaching to a large audience. If you have a bad location, it’s like preaching in a closet.”

The 7-foot-long artwork allows space for one person to sit near the feet of the Jesus figure.

“It’s a very uncomfortable seat,” Schmalz said.

Reporting by Newsy and the Huffington Post on the sculpture’s journey to Regis College.

Jesus the homeless

Wind Chimes: 15 Nov 2012

Women Veterans

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

When you are away from the chimes, do they still sing their song? Can you remember their sound?

Extending Veterans Day

A common thread in most Veterans Day celebrations: remember, thank, and care for Vets not only on one day a year, but every day of the year. On Tuesday (11/13/12) I shared a video by Bishop Jay Magness which highlighted both the literal and figurative homelessness of too many women veterans. Today I offer a link to resources and a story of hope. ~dan

A resource especially for women veterans

Quote . . .In November 1994, Public Law 103-446 established the Center for Women to monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care and benefits services and programs for women Veterans. The Center serves as an advocate for a cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military, and in raising awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect. The Director, Center for Women Veterans, acts as the primary advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters related to policies, legislation, programs, issues, and initiatives affecting women Veterans.

From About Us on the website Center for Women Veterans

Related links

Zion House: Ending homelessness one woman veteran at a time

Zion House:

a transitional home for homeless female veterans established in 2010 by Zion Episcopal Church in Avon, New York, in the former rectory.  At its founding, Zion House was one of two such transitional homes in the nation; today about a dozen such homes exist.

Thirty women have sought refuge at Zion House in its first two years of operation. All have suffered military sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder; a quarter have had substance-abuse issues (incoming residents must be 30 days clean); and some have been schizophrenic or had bipolar and borderline personality disorders, said the Rev. Kelly Ayer, 39, director of Zion House.

Read the entire article: Transitional home helps homeless female vets back on their feet on Episcopal News Service (November 11, 2012)

Photo: Center for Women Veterans

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