Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk
Community Gatherings to Help the Homeless in Frederick
Catherine Collins
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: Features
"Who is your neighbor?" Reverend Brian Scott asked of the group gathered in Hood Chapel on Nov. 12. Executive Director of Frederick's Emergency Religious Coalition, Scott gave the chapel message in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Beginning with the story of the Good Samaritan, he structured his speech around the universality of compassion. The encouragement to help the poor, he asserted, is a common theme throughout all faiths.
Scott gave a description of the Emergency Religious Coalition in Frederick, calling it "a last resort for most." It is a year-round shelter with a soup kitchen that tries to ensure health care for those who need it. The first priority of the shelter is to prevent homelessness, but it also assists people who are currently living on the streets.
The Coalition has recently experienced a 37% increase in people coming to it for help.
"We live in an age of anxiety," Scott observed, calling upon young people to take advantage of all the volunteer opportunities available.
"Anyone who is in need is your neighbor," Scott said, answering his initial question.
He urged people to help in whatever way they can.
As part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and in response to the increasing number of homeless people, there was a walking prayer vigil in downtown Frederick on the evening of Nov. 16. Dozens of people gathered together in cold, windy weather to walk in acknowledge of and support for those who live on the streets. Unfazed by the biting wind that extinguished their candle flames, the crowd traveled to various locations in Frederick that exist to help the poor and homeless.
Among these places were the Frederick Community Action Agency, the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Church, Advocates for Homeless Families, the Alan P. Linton Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, Beacon House and Asbury United Methodist Church. At each location, a prayer or a song was offered, calling for the need for compassionate action towards homeless people.
Beginning with the story of the Good Samaritan, he structured his speech around the universality of compassion. The encouragement to help the poor, he asserted, is a common theme throughout all faiths.
Scott gave a description of the Emergency Religious Coalition in Frederick, calling it "a last resort for most." It is a year-round shelter with a soup kitchen that tries to ensure health care for those who need it. The first priority of the shelter is to prevent homelessness, but it also assists people who are currently living on the streets.
The Coalition has recently experienced a 37% increase in people coming to it for help.
"We live in an age of anxiety," Scott observed, calling upon young people to take advantage of all the volunteer opportunities available.
"Anyone who is in need is your neighbor," Scott said, answering his initial question.
He urged people to help in whatever way they can.
As part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and in response to the increasing number of homeless people, there was a walking prayer vigil in downtown Frederick on the evening of Nov. 16. Dozens of people gathered together in cold, windy weather to walk in acknowledge of and support for those who live on the streets. Unfazed by the biting wind that extinguished their candle flames, the crowd traveled to various locations in Frederick that exist to help the poor and homeless.
Among these places were the Frederick Community Action Agency, the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Church, Advocates for Homeless Families, the Alan P. Linton Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, Beacon House and Asbury United Methodist Church. At each location, a prayer or a song was offered, calling for the need for compassionate action towards homeless people.
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