After months of being closed, 3Stone is preparing to re-open on September 6.
Closing the church is easy. Turn off the lights. Lock the doors. Tell the congregation to stay away.
Re-opening, especially while Coronavirus still lurks, is much more complicated. It requires careful planning, thoughtful dialogue, and thorough consideration. Yet, even the most meticulous strategies are bound to miss something.
Today, I walked into our Church Annex to clean the floors for the first time in several months. As I made my way to the front entrance from the inside, I was shocked to find the doors barricaded. Two mattresses, a couch, futon, luggage, and other personal belongings completely blocked both doors from the outside.
The Annex building sits on Delancey Street. Two large glass doors provide an open view of the busy street that offers direct access to the Williamsburg Bridge. An awning grants shade while protecting from the rain and other elements. With slightly recessed doors, it is an inviting place to rest. The broad sidewalk and well-lit street provide an extra measure of safety.
Coupled with the closure of the church, it’s easy to understand why our homeless friends chose to set up an encampment in front of the Annex.
What should I do? My first instinct was to call the NYC Sanitation Department to remove the furniture. Yet, as I began thinking and praying about the next steps, God asked how I would feel if someone threw away my furniture and personal belongings. The answer was simple— I would be irate!
As I considered the situation, I decided to wait until the homeless friends came back that evening. At about 9 pm, two brothers showed up to rest. After introducing myself, I shared about our partnership with Rescue Alliance members Bowery Mission, New York Relief, Salvation Army, and Hope for NY. They knew that we were a pillar church for Don’t Walk By, opening up our church for a welcome meal, while providing social services and medical care. One of them even carried a backpack he obtained during one of our outreaches.
We had a pleasant conversation. After providing food, cold drinks, and Bombas socks for them, I explained that we would be opening the church soon while politely requesting that they move their belongings. They were grateful to be treated with dignity and respect, saying, “By the morning, all the furniture will be gone, Pastor. Thanks for your hospitality.”
Sure enough, when the sun rose the next day—they were true to their word.
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:37-40)
