An Open Letter to the Church
Written to my specific parish, but the question is for all of us as Christians. What would you do in this situation? Really?
To whom it may concern:
I am a new member to your parish. I recently moved here, and began attending services on Ash Wednesday.
I was very pleased with your parish, its message and community. I was very excited to make this parish my home. But only 2 weeks later my mood was severely dimmed.
I attended the 8:30am mass on February 28th. On this day, as I am sure many will remember, a disheveled man came into the chapel right before the Eucharist. He seemed somewhat out of sorts, his hair uncombed, his clothes dirty, and no shoes on his feet. I was sure immediately he was homeless.
He seemed to be aware he was in a church. Her was mumbling to him self, and would utter phrases such as hallelujah and toss his hands in the air. He passed my row, and I really hoped he would sit by me. I have worked with homeless and mentally disabled groups, and would have been happy to have him beside me. I was not far from where he did sit and could not hear him my self after he passed, he was not shouting.
The way most people ignored him initially I was thrilled. I thought, "This is truly a church, which will honor this man the way Christ instructed." Not 2 minutes later I watched in horror as an usher, ever so politely escorted him out the side door. Nothing was said about the matter. It was as though he never existed.
I have tossed the incident over in my mind all week. At the time I prayed severely that I would not let the devil drive me from the Church I had just begun to love. I spoke to several Christians whom I greatly respect. They gave me some strong support and good advice. One thing I was reminded of is that this individual may have a history of violent action in this parish I am not aware of. If this is the case, I fully understand the need to protect others. It was also thought that perhaps after the several shooshings from the woman behind him, he choose to leave when approached by the usher.
The appearance from my positions however was that he was removed for no other reason than he made those around him uncomfortable. I can't believe I am the only one in the church who saw it from this perspective. Maybe I am the only one who found that idea completely unacceptable. I wept the rest of mass. I took communion against my better judgment, and the wine curdled in my mouth. I felt that I had betrayed Christ by not shouting my out rage. I was compliant, I just went along with the lie, as though he had never been there. I was scared that I was the only one who wanted him there, and that I too would be removed.
I don't want this letter to be an accusation. I want it to be something that the parish thinks about. Who belongs in this community? If he was behaving the same, but clean and dressed nicer, would he have been removed? Who's feelings were spared by not mentioning the disruption?
I truly hope that this incident does not continue to be ignored. I hope even more that mine is not the only letter you receive on this issue. If I am alone, and this community does not want this man in their church, then I know that I also do not belong here.
With Love,
Jennafer Leveille-Root
To whom it may concern:
I am a new member to your parish. I recently moved here, and began attending services on Ash Wednesday.
I was very pleased with your parish, its message and community. I was very excited to make this parish my home. But only 2 weeks later my mood was severely dimmed.
I attended the 8:30am mass on February 28th. On this day, as I am sure many will remember, a disheveled man came into the chapel right before the Eucharist. He seemed somewhat out of sorts, his hair uncombed, his clothes dirty, and no shoes on his feet. I was sure immediately he was homeless.
He seemed to be aware he was in a church. Her was mumbling to him self, and would utter phrases such as hallelujah and toss his hands in the air. He passed my row, and I really hoped he would sit by me. I have worked with homeless and mentally disabled groups, and would have been happy to have him beside me. I was not far from where he did sit and could not hear him my self after he passed, he was not shouting.
The way most people ignored him initially I was thrilled. I thought, "This is truly a church, which will honor this man the way Christ instructed." Not 2 minutes later I watched in horror as an usher, ever so politely escorted him out the side door. Nothing was said about the matter. It was as though he never existed.
I have tossed the incident over in my mind all week. At the time I prayed severely that I would not let the devil drive me from the Church I had just begun to love. I spoke to several Christians whom I greatly respect. They gave me some strong support and good advice. One thing I was reminded of is that this individual may have a history of violent action in this parish I am not aware of. If this is the case, I fully understand the need to protect others. It was also thought that perhaps after the several shooshings from the woman behind him, he choose to leave when approached by the usher.
The appearance from my positions however was that he was removed for no other reason than he made those around him uncomfortable. I can't believe I am the only one in the church who saw it from this perspective. Maybe I am the only one who found that idea completely unacceptable. I wept the rest of mass. I took communion against my better judgment, and the wine curdled in my mouth. I felt that I had betrayed Christ by not shouting my out rage. I was compliant, I just went along with the lie, as though he had never been there. I was scared that I was the only one who wanted him there, and that I too would be removed.
I don't want this letter to be an accusation. I want it to be something that the parish thinks about. Who belongs in this community? If he was behaving the same, but clean and dressed nicer, would he have been removed? Who's feelings were spared by not mentioning the disruption?
I truly hope that this incident does not continue to be ignored. I hope even more that mine is not the only letter you receive on this issue. If I am alone, and this community does not want this man in their church, then I know that I also do not belong here.
With Love,
Jennafer Leveille-Root