Early on in this time of “lockdown”, the Moderator and I had a conversation (electronically of course) with representatives of community ministries from across Canada. It was a listening time for us, we were not there with any advice or announcements. It was a humbling experience.
I was sitting secure in my home, with the fridge full of food and the cupboard full of baking supplies, and no one needing to leave home except to take the dogs out or make a very occasional trip to the grocery store. We heard stories of the demands on the frontline services that these ministries provide. We heard of the adaptations they have had to make to provide as much safety as possible for staff, volunteers, and clients in situations that are often inherently unsafe. We heard how rosters of volunteers were no longer able to serve because of their own vulnerabilities. We heard of services that can not be offered in this time, and others that continue to be offered, and the risks involved. We heard of co-operation amongst agencies coming together in locations that are better suited to the current challenging circumstances. We heard that the instruction to “stay home” doesn’t really work for those who don’t have homes.
Volunteers at Saint Columba House in Montreal, QC, packing food for delivery to vulnerable community members. Credit: Saint Columba House
Through it all, we heard of the love for neighbours being lived out extravagantly, faithfully, and even recklessly. I have thought of that conversation many times in the weeks since, including in times of prayer. Those who serve in community ministries are front line heroes. A couple of the people from that earlier call have been part of conversations just recently about the idea of a Universal Basic Income. The United Church has been in support of this basic concept (previously referred to as “guaranteed annual income”) since the 70s, with our most recent General Council statement having been made in 1986. General Council staff are now working with others on an updated statement. The topic has come into prominent view once again as a group of 50 Canadian Senators from across party lines has written to the Prime Minister asking for the development of a universal basic income plan. It isn’t coincidental that the letter came in the midst of this pandemic time, when it has become starkly obvious that a person’s financial standing can shift through no fault of their own. The Senators also point out that through this crisis, we have seen that co-operation amongst the different levels of government, and across party lines, (which would be needed to create an effective national program), is possible. The details of what such a plan should look like would need to be worked out with some care. It would be based on the principles of a fair basic standard of living for all Canadians, administered with less red tape and without social stigma, and with a structure does not create a disincentive to work. Complex, yes, and challenging… but we are learning in this time of disruption that amazing things are possible. We remember that Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself," and that he also said, “for God all things are possible.” Blessings, Nora Nora Sanders is General Secretary of The United Church of Canada.
Subscribe to the General Secretary's letter, "Note from Nora." [Photo credit: ]
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment